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Do I need an e-visa if I have a US passport and have been to Thailand frequently?

Mar 17, 2025
16 days ago
Kelima *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I just spoke with Immigration in Thailand to ask how long the e-visa online takes. I've read the e-visa takes 3 to 5 days, but a few days ago, someone in this group posted that it took 15 days.

The agent said no need for an e-visa with a US passport, I will get 60 days at the airport.

I explained I've been to Thailand 3 times in the past year (Total 4.5 months in Thailand in the past year)

She said it's fine, since I've been out of Thailand for 2 months.

I never did a border bounce, no overstays, longest I've stayed in Thailand is 60 days. Total of 4.5 months in Thailand over the last 12 months.

I have a week until the flight. I have most of the documents ready, so can apply tomorrow or tonight.

The agent said again, don't worry, just come, no need for the e-visa.

But people are posting here about being refused entry, just for visiting the kingdom too often.

Thanks in advance!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A traveler with a US passport is inquiring about entering Thailand after multiple visits within the past year. They were informed by an immigration agent that they will receive a 60-day stamp at the airport, and there is no need for an e-visa due to their absence from Thailand for 2 months. However, they express concern over conflicting reports from others about being denied entry for frequent visitation. Community comments emphasize the discretionary nature of immigration officers and suggest preparing supporting documents, such as travel tickets and proof of funds, while acknowledging the unpredictability of entry decisions.
Julian *******
Just heard they’re reducing the 60 days to 30 days.
@Bangkok *****
just announced
Anna *********
@Julian ******
they’re talking about reducing it back to 30 days. It hasn’t happened yet
Julian *******
@Anna ********
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Darren *********
Been 4 times in 6 months and this time I entered didn’t even get a stamp at airport. Just went through electronic gate nobody looked at passport
Damien *****
only singaporean and hongkong can use e gate when arrive at Suvarnabhumi airport
Darren *********
@Damien ****
I went through normal way as always (foreign passport) and some desks unmanned and just e gate to use
Kelima *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Darren ********
Did you enter at one of the Bangkok airports? If not, mind sharing which one?
Darren *********
@Kelima ************
Suvarnabhumi airport. There were a few desks open but some unmanned. I used e gate and nobody at the desk so just walked through. If a problem at e gate people where directed to the manned desks.
Kelima *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Darren ********
Thanks. I think I should be OK, I've always gone through with no issues. Will have everything they might ask for.
Kelima *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Darren ********
Wow, thanks. USA passport?
Darren *********
@Kelima ************
no British but don’t hold that against me 😂 the airport is aiming for just e gates soon I’ve been told. I came in on 7th March. Last time in January I did have to get passport stamped
Tony ********
@Darren ********
Thailand only operate e-gates for departures, all arrivals still have to do face 2 face and receive a stamp in the passport.
Darren *********
@Tony *******
not last week for me
Kelima *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Darren ********
Actually, UK passport holders are probably seen as very similar to USA passport holders. I could hear the relief in her voice when I replied USA.
Cliff *********
Yes we are seeing stories about the IO being stricter.

Tell them you have a job back home and come on vacation.

Also have the “3 Proofs" to show.

Ticket home.

Lots of cash.

Hotel reservation.

Don’t over think it
Kelima *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks, It also seems better to enter at a smaller airport and not Bangkok, which is where I'd like to go.
Anna *********
If you are lucky enough to get her when you enter the country you will be fine but if you get her grumpy friend who has a headache you may well get refused or at least questioned At the end of the day it is up to the person in front of you at the desk and whether they think you are abusing the visa exempt system
Tony **********
You will most likely be fine. If they have concerns, they will tell you for the next time. Rare to be denied without a warning.
Colin *********
All depends on how long you wish to stay in Thailand up to 60days with visa exemption plus 30 days extension, but o-visa if longer then 90days
Kelima *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin ********
Thanks. Definitely no longer than 60-90 days.
Colin *********
Colin *********
@Kelima ************
ok visa exempt 60days, can get extra 30days if you need to
Sean **********
Which consulate? I did mine through New York City. I did my non o twice through them . 2 or 3 days from them.
Kelima *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I contacted Thai Immigration Bureau in Thailand. Got bounced around several times and referred to different numbers until I finally could speak to someone. Was yours done recently? Because it seems they have changed some procedures in the past few days.
Sean **********
@Kelima ************
contact the Thai consulate.
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Gregor **********
@Kelima ************
Immigration in Thailand has nothing to do with issuing a visa. You need to apply in the online e-visa system of the Thai embassy or consulate inside the USA. Immigration is the WRONG adress to ask
Kelima *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gregor *********
Thanks. I actually called the Thai EVisa service and they referred me to call Thai immigration.
Gregor **********
@Kelima ************
VISA ACQUIRED AT THE CONSULATE VS VISA ACQUIRED AT THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE VS. EXTENSION OF STAY: WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES?

I noticed a lot of confusion about acquiring a visa outside of Thailand, vs. acquiring a visa inside Thailand, vs. acquiring an extension of stay. Each is different, and advice given about one does not apply to the others.

ACQUIRING A VISA OUTSIDE OF THAILAND.

A visa can be purchased at the local Thai consulate for numerous reasons. These reasons include tourism, being married to a Thai or foreign national, being retired, employment, or other reasons. *FOR MOST VISAS*, once these visas have been issued, a person must enter Thailand within 90 days. On entry, they will be stamped in for the period that depends on the visa class.

Embassies and Consulates now all use the eVisa system, an e-mail would be generated with the visa information.

The local Thai embassies and consulates are overseen by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

ACQUIRING A VISA INSIDE THAILAND.

A visa can also be purchased at the local Thai immigration office for numerous reasons. These reasons may include employment, marriage, retirement, or other reasons. In-country visas are NOT sold for tourism or for being a trailing spouse to a retired person. These visas are “ZERO ENTRY” stamps, and allow a person to stay for 90 days.

Immigration offices are overseen by the Royal Thai Police.

ACQUIRING AN EXTENSION OF STAY

To stay longer in Thailand, a person may acquire an extension of stay. An extension of stay allows a person to stay in Thailand with the same “rights” as the original visa that was used to enter Thailand, with some exceptions. Extension of stays *generally* allow a person to stay one year. The requirements to acquire an extension of stay may be different then acquiring an in-country visa.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER:

*** a visa does NOT guarantee entry!

*** visa-exempt entries will get you stamped in for 60 days. However, you cannot make indefinite touristic or visa-exempt entries. At some point or the other, after having done a few visa-exempt entries, you will be refused entry.

A foreigner may decide to enter Thailand for one purpose, but decide to change the purpose. Here’s an example:

1. A foreigner may decide to enter Thailand on a single entry tourist visa (acquired in the e-visa system of a Thai embassy consulate), and stamped in for 60 days. Tourist visas are employment prohibited.

2. The foreigner likes Thailand, and decides to stay for another 30 days. They apply for, and receive, a 30-days Extension of Stay Based on Tourism at the local immigration office.

3. While in Thailand, they get a job offer. The foreigner *CAN NOT* go from a 30 Day Extension of Stay Based on Tourism to a One Year Extension of Stay Based on Employment, because the Tourist Visa they entered on forbids employment.

4. To legally work in Thailand without leaving Thailand, the foreigner and their employer goes to the local immigration office and acquire an In-Country Non-B Visa Based on Employment. This allows the foreigner to stay in Thailand for an additional 90 days from the date the visa was issued.

5. The employer decides the foreigner should continue working at the end of the 90 days. The employer acquires a One Year Extension of Stay Based on Employment, allowing the foreigner to stay in Thailand for a year.

6. The foreigner works for the employer for many years, becomes old, and decides to retire. The foreigner and the employer cancel the One Year Extension of Stay Based on Employment, and the foreigner acquires a One Year Extension of Stay Based on Retirement on the same day, to continue living in Thailand.
John **********
@Kelima ************
look at the website relevant to the embassy you will use for your application, many publish their processing times. But be aware there is not a huge difference between coming in visa exempt and coming in on a tourist visa
Kelima *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
I was planning to use the Official Thai e Visa website -
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Kelima *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
Thanks. But it seems less risky to come with a visa, isn't it?
John **********
@Kelima ************
perhaps a bit less risky but a visa doesn't guarantee entry
Kelima *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
Wow, I did not realize this.
Peter ********
All down to the individual IO as you present. Its a risk that you need not take by getting the visa, and as its an e visa you don't even need to be incountry to collect it.

But even with a visa the individual IO can refuse entry.
Kelima *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks. I may not get it in time, as it can take up to 2 months. So might head elsewhere for now.
Nongnuch ********
we have no crystal ball. Nobody is able to tell you what the reaction of the border Immigration officer's to your stamp history will be. It is up on the discretion of this official if he lets you enter or not
Brandon ************
Did you speak to the immigration officer that will be the one at the airport that will be reviewing your passport and stamping you into Thailand? If not, then anything anyone else tells you doesn't matter, because the officer you are standing in front of is the only one who matters. They make the decision and it is at their discretion.

Also an immigration officer has no idea how long e-visa would take. E-visa is handled by the local embassy and immigration officers are a completely different government agency that has no idea about the MFA. On top of that, each embassy processes visas on their own timeline, varying from 2 days to 2 months.
Kelima *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yikes. Thanks for the heads up. She didn't know how long it would take for the e-visa but thought it wasn't necessary. I told her I've heard about people having issues, she said something about asking at the airport, but it was hard to understand exactly what she meant. Probably best to head elsewhere for now...
Kool *******
@Kelima ************
you are overthinking this. You will be fine. Also understand that buying a tourist visa does not guarantee you entry into Thailand, and actually brings more suspicion to you, as why would someone buy a 60 day visa when they get a free 60 day visa exempt entry. You've followed a pattern of being a tourist, not someone trying to live here long term on tourist entries. Don't worry. The immigration officer you talked to is correct.
Mark ********
@Kool ******
As the basis for visas is not cheating the system and collecting money you really couldn't be more wrong...
Kelima *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
Thanks so much! Yeah, she seemed pretty certain.
Brandon ************
@Kelima ************
If you really want to go to Thailand, you can pay a "safe entry" agent to guarantee your entry. Costs about 4000 baht normally and includes fast track
Kelima *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Thanks. Any idea how that takes to organize?
Brandon ************
@Kelima ************
I doubt it takes a long time. But I don't have any person experience. It's just a guarantee. You can also just try doing it yourself with the 3 proofs so it's not easy for them to deny you entry. If you make it difficult they will likely just give you a warning if you haven't received one already.

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Kelima *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Thanks. Never received a warning. Will check the link.
Phil ******
@Kelima ************
also if pulled aside have:

1.฿20,000 in cash

2. Accommodation confirmation

3. Proof of onward travel.

Also if questioned maintain you are a tourist and haven't seen/explored Thailand as yet
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