Answereda year ago
How do visa exempt entries work in Thailand for 2026?
Hello everyone
I am on my 2nd entry to Thailand this year of 60 days visa exempt. I did not extend the last time. My 60 day exemption ends 21st January. As I understand it you only get 2 visa exempt entries a year now.
As I am already in Thailand for the new calendar year will this current time count as 1 of my visa exempt entries for 2026?
To get the most days possible am I better jumping out before the new year and coming back in early 2026 so I get another 60 days with 30 day extension? I would then be able to get another 60 days with 30 days later in the year? Is this how it works?
Or do they look at the last time I was in the country and count the year from then?
Any input very much appreciated, thank you 🙏
I am on my 2nd entry to Thailand this year of 60 days visa exempt. I did not extend the last time. My 60 day exemption ends 21st January. As I understand it you only get 2 visa exempt entries a year now.
As I am already in Thailand for the new calendar year will this current time count as 1 of my visa exempt entries for 2026?
To get the most days possible am I better jumping out before the new year and coming back in early 2026 so I get another 60 days with 30 day extension? I would then be able to get another 60 days with 30 days later in the year? Is this how it works?
Or do they look at the last time I was in the country and count the year from then?
Any input very much appreciated, thank you 🙏
Answer summary
The post discusses the mechanics of visa exempt entries and their counts in relation to calendar years, focusing on an individual who is nearing the end of a 60-day visa exemption and is concerned about the rules for future entries. Users contributed insights indicating that the count of visa exempt entries is based on a one-year stay period rather than strictly per calendar year, and clarified that there are typically no official restrictions on the number of entries, as long as they are under the visa exemption allowance.
18 repliesnewest first
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Luc ************
You can enter many times on visa exempt but can only do 2 extensions. I'm here on my 4th trip this year.
Greg *****
I have entered 6 times this year, no hassles, all for stays between a week and 3. I think just being a tourist you are ok, if it looks like you are living there you will have a problem
Martyn ***********
Where's is this only 2 exempt entries per year stated officially??
I thought it was 2 extentions per year? And then only if entries from another country by air.. (not after returning home)....
So this means someone comes say Jan for 2 weeks and August for a couple of weeks.. Can't come for Christmas for example?? Seems counter intuitive to me and stopping genuine tourism...
I thought it was 2 extentions per year? And then only if entries from another country by air.. (not after returning home)....
So this means someone comes say Jan for 2 weeks and August for a couple of weeks.. Can't come for Christmas for example?? Seems counter intuitive to me and stopping genuine tourism...
Jonny *********
@Martyn **********
it's extensions, so you are right. Surely you can travel as a tourist as many times as you wish without problems
Gordon *********
I came through for the 5th time since May. I was asked to show my air ticket for departure on 22nd January. I was told that this was my last exemption.
Stephen *********
Make sure you have the designated cash in your wallet, a hotel booking, flight or transport outward ticket also. If they suspect anything illegal they can reject you on not having those in order.
Dan *******
This was from a recent post . The airport ( where it was seen )
Koh Samui
Another piece of information
Koh Samui
Another piece of information
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Ant ***********
Nothing is official about the 2 entries being the maximum .
If you have only been in Thailand twice in last 6+ months without extensions / border runs you should be fine
But no one can say 100%
If you have only been in Thailand twice in last 6+ months without extensions / border runs you should be fine
But no one can say 100%
Nongnuch ********
there is no "reset" per calendar year. The count is "per 1-year stay period"
Periklis ***************
@Nongnuch *******
wrong I just came from the immigration.
They told me 1 of January is the reset(which makes sense)
Merry Christmas 🎄
Dan *******
I believe you’re correct. Dad used to say that you can get your information from the horse’s mouth or the other end. Thanks for the information.
Nongnuch ********
@Dan ******
ha, such wise words. . . . . only ONE information will be correct, the other one is manu re or vom it 🤣😃🤣Nongnuch ********
@Periklis **************
You should not rely on a wrong assortment given to you by a misinformed Immigration officer.You should refrain from thinking in terms of "calendar year".
I would rather say that all visa-exempt stays within the recent "1-year period" will be taken into consideration when you attempt several visa-exempt entries or several applications to an extension
Just think about it mathematical:
WHY would they really count in "calendar year"?
This would allow you 157 days BEFORE New Year, and 157 more days AFTER New Year, totaling in a 304-days consecutive visa-exempt holiday inside Thailand.
304 days of a holiday without a visa? Really?
The mind boggles.
It is not accurate that the Thai Immigration counts in "calendar years". Never ever.
It won't make much sense. With absolute certainty, the count is “per one-year period”
Nongnuch ********
@Periklis **************
you can ask EVERY visa advice expert of ALL the Thailand visa advice groups, and you will receive they very same reply from everyone: There is no reset !Nongnuch ********
@Periklis **************
there is no "reset". This is the usual BS from some stvpid misinformed Immigration officer. 🤣 😀 🤣 Or something you asked got lost in translation 😅Dan *******
Check out my other comment.
Perhaps it’s accurate ?
Perhaps it’s accurate ?
Craig *******
@Dan ******
apparently that notice is not accurate. It has been suggested in other posts that there is no reset on Jan 1st as this would allow tourists to time it to receive over 300 days per year in Thailand with 2 x 60 days + extensions per year.Nongnuch ********
@Craig ******
exactly. That's why Immigration counts in "rolling 365-days", not in "calendar year". A calendar year comes into play if you become a tax resident in Thailand, for exampleActivity
12 joined12
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