How long can a UK passport holder stay in Thailand using visa exemption and extensions?

Thailand Visa Rules Visa Exemption UK Passport Holder Non-O Visa Long-term Stay Visa Runs Immigration Policies

Nov 20, 2024

2 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi Everyone 

How long can I stay in Thailand for over a year long period,  as I am.a UK passport holder I know I get a 60 days visa exempt and I can extend for a further 30 days totalling 90 days, can I leave and stay for a further 90 days?

Thanks

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A UK passport holder can initially stay in Thailand for 60 days visa exemption, with an option to extend for another 30 days, totaling 90 days. To stay longer, you can leave the country and return, potentially repeating the process, but this is limited. Experiences shared by users indicate that attempting to repeatedly do this for extended periods could lead to scrutiny by immigration officials, who may question the genuine tourist nature of the stays. It's suggested to consider applying for a proper long-term visa, such as a Non-O or a multiple-entry tourist visa, especially for stays exceeding 180 days.

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Henrik *****

Go to the website of your nearest Thai Embassy, and you will see the options.

12 hours ago

Joe **********

Why don't people just stick to the rules and get the correct visa instead of always trying to cheat the system?

a day ago

Ning ******

****************************

use this service.

a day ago

Михайло ********

If you accept visa runs every 90 or 60 days, than unlimited times, due to the agency can assist you to cross the border each time at the airport, if your budget is ok to pay 8000 THB for such service.

a day ago

Ralph *******

We are seeing on these pages, more and more cases of entry being denied or the entrant being requested to buy an exit ticket for a date within the next 60 days.

So, basically, it’s not a guaranteed method of staying in Thailand. Far better to get the correct visa that suits your situation.

a day ago

John **********

If you want to stay a year or more you will need a long term visa. If you're 50+ then look at the Non-O. If you're under 50 then your options are more limited unless you want to splash out on the Thai Privilege visa. For close to 9 months with a couple of border bounces look at the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa

a day ago

Will ******

My friend was refused entry last week. Excessive visa runs

2 days ago

David ********

@Will *****

I'm be curious to know how many Visa runs and in what period of time?

2 days ago

Hua ************

@David *******

I did 4 60day visits this year and on my 4 visit airport immigration question me as I'd hit the max 180days in 1 calendar year and I've never ever done a border run, i said I'd be changing visa to stay long term so they let me in, immigration are now getting more strict so my advice is to get a proper long stay visa if you plan on living here

a day ago

David ********

@Hua ***********

definitely do not plan on living here. My goal right now is just slow-travel through Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Kuala Lumpur, and maybe Singapore and Manila. This over the period of a year, and then just keep repeating this for several years until my passport expires in 6-

***

years.

a day ago

Lawrie *******

@Hua ***********

So that answers my question a few days ago that 3 consecutive on arrival visas of 60 days where you hit the 180 day limit, appears to be what you can get away with. But as stated by several members earlier this can be at the discretion of the particular IO (Immigration Officer). However my guess would be that if you are well dressed and groomed, and don't look like some of the reprobates I saw on the Ranong/Victoria Point (Myanmar) border runs, I did several years ago now, then you will not necessarily attract too much attention from any one particular Thai IO.

a day ago

Mark *********

@Hua ***********

i did the same...sure it's based on 180 days.

a day ago

Reply to

Mark *********

Will ******

@David *******

havent got access to his passport (!) but he's in and out fairly regularly

a day ago

Reply to

Will ******

Ruud ******************

Buy a Normal visa, you are obviously not a tourist

2 days ago

Jason ******

@Ruud *****************

if your not working ,no bank account and living as a tourist ,surely you are one ,does timescale define a tourist ,can't people spend long periods as a tourist ,why can you get 2 months visa exempt and extend ,then leave and come back the same without any official amount given to indicate where the line for tourist finishes .aren't most people on DTV still tourist and any different to people on visa exempt ,both bring money to Thai economy .

2 days ago

John **********

@Jason *****

nicely described but as you said..no work ..no bankaccount..where does the money come from??..i don't think Thailand is aiting for people who live off the air...i also not undestand why it is so difficult for follow the rules from the country you want to stay and get a visa like everybody else do...

a day ago

Jason ******

@John *********

do we need to question where people's money comes from ,if they are here then they must have money to live and they usually use an ATM to withdraw money they saved in there own countries to have a long holiday ,lots of people do this lifestyle now,why should we question that ?

I'm hoping to do 9 months with 3 visa,waiver and extensions to see if I enjoy staying here long enough and do research ,as a tourist ,and after that apply for a retirement visa,I have the money but like to make sure the big step is right before taking it,is that wrong ?

How can people live off air?it's not possible .

And now Thailand extends visa exempt to two months and no official guidelines to how many times you can use,so it seems to be inviting more,what it really needs is a clear outline law saying how many times you can use visa exempt ,not this vague rule if you to a single immigration official 🙏🏽

a day ago

Mark *********

@Jason *****

I just done the 3 entries what your saying.

October got a big warning at airport immigration to get an appropriate visa.

I know what you mean about making the retirement visa step

a day ago

Jason ******

@Mark ********

thanks ,if I do three and decide to stay , I will be leaving then for 5 months to tie things up at home and then return with a retirement visa.Doung a visa bounce with tour agent seems best way as similar cost to flying out and in and they ok your passport with immigration first 🙏🏽

a day ago

John **********

@Jason *****

i not care where the money is coming from..but you say in your message no work...no bankaccount ...so i was wondering if you travel around with a suitcase full with money.🤔..i also not understand that if Ted Andrews want to stay in Thailand for 1 year or maybe longer it is so difficult for him to apply for a visa like everybody else does..if he want to find out how far he can go before they send him back...be my guest!!..your situation is different then his but i still wonder why after 6 months you cannot decide wheter to setle here, but after tree quarters of a year you can?..Or is this just to see how long you can postpone your visa??..because that turns out to be a stumbling block i notice ...

a day ago

Jason ******

@John *********

I meant no bank account in Thailand ,as tourist can't have one ,everyone has a bank account and ATM card or visa card in 2024,that's pretty obvious and they can use in other countries and pay ATM fees to the banks as well .

I don't believe in jumping quick ,holiday honeymoon goggles have led to farang selling up,marrying thais,buying property here and loseing everything ,research and take your time is key .I lived in Cambodia and Indonesia and both became difficult as i rushed in,I'm 53 and lifes short to mistakes,ideally I would like over a year before committing to stay ,you need to experience rainy season as well,and I've seen so many rush in and leave unhappy,life's going fast ,so I want to get my retirement choice correct 🙏🏽

a day ago

Ruud ******************

@John *********

I fully agree with you

a day ago

Reply to

Ruud ******************

@Jason *****

if you cannot afford to buy a visa, in my opinion you will not bring a lot of money to the Thai economy; but you do it this way, till you are denied to enter the Kingdom.

a day ago

Jason ******

@Ruud *****************

that's just your opinion Ruud,I know people in visa,waiver who spend and have a lot more money than people in other visas and anyone spending long periods here aren't beggars,they rent hotels ,pay for food etc,so it all adds and helps they thai economy ,ex pats can be so judgemental about visas and money . 🙏🏽🍻

a day ago

Reply to

Jason ******

Graham ******

What is your age, 50+?

2 days ago

Jan ******************

If you don’t have any recent excessive travel history in and out of Thailand you can leave and re-enter on another visa exemption. You ask how many times you can repeat this cycle. There’s no official specific limit or regulations regarding this and everything is in the discretion of the IO you’re standing in front of and there for sure is a limit somewhere. If they mean that you aren’t a genuine tourist but use tourist solutions for long term stay in Thailand you risk to get pulled aside and told to get a proper visa according to your travel pattern and/or denied entry. I would say if you maximise two visa exemptions in a row and stay for 180 days the rest becomes a gamble.

2 days ago

Michael *******

180 days total. Fly out and repeat!👍

2 days ago

Graham ******

@Michael ******

That's a DTV visa

2 days ago

Reply to

Graham ******

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