Answered3 years ago

How can South African grandparents extend their stay in Thailand beyond their current visa exempt status?

Thailand Visa Regulations Visa Exempt Entry Parent Visa Extension of Stay BORDER BOUNCE Visa for Grandparents in Thailand

Felicity *********

asked Dec 31, 2023

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Good morning, my husband and I are South African grandparents. We are  visiting my daughter and her family in Bangkok. Can someone please advise or explain how the 60 day parent visa works or which visa will allow us to stay longer. We are currently on a visa exempt entry and have extended our stay already for another 30 days.

Answer summary

South African grandparents currently in Thailand on a visa exempt entry, having already extended their stay for an additional 30 days, are seeking advice on options to extend their stay further. They inquire about the possibility of a 60-day parent visa and are informed that such a visa does not exist for grandparents of Thai nationals. The only way to extend their stay would be to exit and re-enter Thailand to obtain a new 30-day visa exempt entry, which can also be extended for another 30 days. It is also discussed that there are limits to how many times they can use the border bounce method for visa renewals.

11 repliesnewest first

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James ********

Suggest you contact an experienced border run service company in your area to take you to do a BORDER BOUNCE same day return. Google is your friend.

3 years ago

James ********

As you have a passport from South Africa, you could LEAVE THAILAND and re-enter Thailand same day doing a BORDER BOUNCE. It will get you a new 30 days stamp plus one 30 day extension of stay is available for 1900 Thai baht at your local Thai Immigration office.

The land BORDER BOUNCE entries can be done 2 times EACH CALENDAR YEAR plus one 30 day extension of stay.

For you, that means you could do 2 land border bounce entries into Thailand in 2024.

3 years ago

Felicity *********

Not that, any way can't. Got a life back home. Just wanted to stay a bit longer to assist my daughter with packing and cleaning getting ready to move. Will probably be the last time we come to Thailand

3 years ago

James ********

@Felicity ********

then do a BORDER BOUNCE to get a NEW Visa Exempt Entry into Thailand.

We wish you success and Safe travels .

Comments Closed

3 years ago

Felicity *********

@James *******

and per flight in and out? Is there a limit

3 years ago

Tod *********

@Felicity ********

you're not gonna live here on free entries that's for sure. 😉

3 years ago

James ********

@Felicity ********

I answered. No limit BUT be prepared for questions from Thai Immigration Officers upon arrival and possibly being DENIED entry. Do the LAND BORDER BOUNCE entries...not Flying.

3 years ago

Felicity *********

Thank you so much! Just one more question. Is there a limit to exiting and entering on visa exempt ?

3 years ago

James ********

@Felicity ********

by land border crossing entries, Max of 2 per calendar year.

By air, no official limit...but you run the risk of being questioned by Thai Immigration Officer who greets you on arrival into Thailand. And possibly DENIED entry. As you are not considered a tourist.

In the future, get the METV multiple entry tourist visa in your home country before you fly to Thailand. With planning it can get you up to 9 months stay in Thailand with a few simple land border bounces.

3 years ago

James ********

3 years ago

Tod *********

There is no 60 day parent visa 🙁 and sadly there is no 60 day visit thai family extension that you can get because you aren't married to or the parents of a thai national (grandparents doesn't count)

Seeing as you entered on a 30 day visa exempt and then took the one 30 day extension you're allowed you're done.

You'd have to exit/re-enter the country to get a NEW 30 day visa exempt entry (and you could extend that inside the country for 30 days like you did on this last entry). That's the way to get 60 more days.

Unless I misread your story, there is no in country option for you to get more time

3 years ago