How long do I need to leave Thailand after maxing out my multi entry visa before I can return?

@Terary *********

and actually, I am guessing. That was my first two words in my comment "I guess". And I got a very good reason to guess, because there is NOBODY in this group who holds a crystal ball and is able to tell what will happen at the border, when trying to enter straight after maxing out 9 months on a METV. I have blocked the other dvmb guy Josie Pearce for insulting me, and I won't hesitate one second to do the same with people who try to ridicule my advice

@Andreas ********

do you as you feel best. But I wouldn't call that advice. The next best thing to a crystal ball is experience, which you apparently don't have either.

@Terary *********

**** “How long can I stay in TH on visa-exempt entries?" is like asking "how long is a piece of string?"

NOW read it HERE - the classic reply of Tod Daniels to the never ending question “how often can I enter Thailand”:

“You can keep doing it until you can't.

After the first 1-2, it becomes a gamble. It all depends on which IO you're dealing with. Some people have been ok on just visa-exempt entries (and extensions of said stamps) for periods of over 6 months or even a year.

However, in the past year or so they've really been cracking down on people with back-to-back tourist visas & visa exempt entry stamps. Especially those with long ago Covid extensions.

We RARELY let posts prevail, where people ask if they're going to have a problem getting in get posted on this group and we get a LOT of people wanting to post questions like that.

It's not that we deny those posts because we don't want to answer/help you, the reason we don't let them on is because there are WAY too many variables in that answer and truth be told there is NO real correct answer.

Things that factor in to you entering Thailand successfully are

-previous entry / stay history

-what airport you fly into

-whether you were here over Covid

-whether you have an old ED or Volunteer visa in your passport

Unfortunately the real deciding factor is the officer you're standing in front of when you go to stamp in - and that is beyond your control.

There is NO rhyme or reason on why some people with extensive entry stay histories skate in and other people are pulled aside and grilled after one entry

There doesn't appear to be any specific nationality they're targeting, no number of days in Thailand, no previous number of entries, although ED and Volunteer visa. Especially those b/s back door ones people got during Covid and those Covid extension stamps are considered "stamps of death"

When flying in with extensive entry/stay history airport choice DOES seem to factor in to it. BOTH Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK) seem much harder on people than say Phuket or Chiang Mai (which has no reported denial of entries)

All you can really do is be prepared by having

*** proof of funds (20K baht or the equivalent in CASH)

*** proof of onward travel within the number of days you will get stamped in for - that means if you're comin' in free stamp for 30 days have onward travel IN 30 days (because that "I've got onward travel in 60 days because i going to get a 30 day entension" line doesn't always work

*** proof of lodging for the time you're here (at least for a week)

They (officers at passport control) CAN ask for any of those things, all of those things OR none of them. Please remember the fact you were never asked does NOT mean those are requirements to enter, nor does it mean no one is asked, it just means you weren't asked

Also remember the fact you have a tourist visa doesn't guarantee you get in (especially with an extensive entry/stay history) all having a tourist visa guarantees is IF you get in, they stamp you in for 60 days.

A new passport doesn't "wipe the slate", your entire entry/extension/stay history is available to every officer at every entry point to Thailand with a click of a button.. Now it can help for them just paging thru the passport but IF they wanna really see how much you've been coming here, a new passport isn't gonna help that much.

There are more than a few 'fast track' or 'safe entry' services out there (and I believe the company that owns this group even offers it)

Make sure whoever you contact about it, knows your WHOLE entry/stay history. Fudging your history to a company that's gonna help you get in is not a good idea. That's about people. Just wanted you to know why we don't let those "will I get in okay" posts on this group very often (if at all).

@Andreas ********

Things that factor in to you entering Thailand successfully are

-previous entry / stay history (past nine years)

-what airport you fly into (sometimes I fly, sometimes I do land crossing)

-whether you were here over Covid (I was here for the full thing)

-whether you have an old ED or Volunteer visa in your passport (I have a volunteer visa).

I think more importantly is how you treat the immigration officers... But it's your fantasy, and you'll kick-out anybody that ruins it for you. :)

@Terary *********

that's what I posted 2 hours ago. You are just repeating Tod Daniel's words. This isn't the experience you claim to have 😉

@Terary *********

it has been reported on many visa adsvice FB groups. I have a long history of participating in visa advice forums and groups. Just trust my opinion. And maybe it has missed your attention, that after the Corona pandemic, Immigration has been tightening a few of their rules. You just can't hope to do consecutive stays on visa exempt or tourist visa any more, Immigration is cracking down on this. You are free to have your opinion, but allow me to utter a few words of warning

@Bradley *********

interesting to know. I gone for Elite now, as I had nearly 5 years of the worst immigration record, basically overstay on nearly every visa, just due to carelessness and stupidity and bad planning. Oh, and a 1 year ban after the only serious overstay, just after covid. But I'd bought a house here, had a girlfriend, 3 cats and a dog, and was terrified of being turned away the next visa run. But i still like to know my options, then and now. So about £600-800 return flights back to UK ? 5000 for the visa ? London consulate ? Then a few nights in a neighbouring country then short haul flight into soft airport or land entry. So maybe £1000 per visa all in ?

@Dan *******

overstay disqualifies you from Elite

@Bradley *********

The same airport that I got pulled aside and questioned coming in on a tourist visa after just one border bounce and extension previously.

There is little rhyme or reason to why some people sail through again and again, and others get questioned after their 2nd-3rd entry/third month here.

Some people, like yourself, get very lucky. But in general, the more time you're here on tourist visas & waivers, the higher the likelihood gets that they'll pull you back to the office and question you.

@Steve ******

if he enters Thailand on the last day of the 6-month visa validity, he will get stamped in for 60 days. That means he can get almost 8 (eight!) months out of this visa. With a 30 days touristic extension he can even max out this visa for almost 9 months

@Andreas ********

Yes I know, but he CAN'T have 7 months left on the VISA as it's only valid for 6 months from it's issue date!

@Jody ******

WTF are you dreaming up??? The two land border crossings per calendar year only apply to visa-exempt entries!! HE's got a multi entry tourist visa, he can enter across a land border as many times as he wants during the 6 month validity of his visa.

@Andreas ********

I said AFTER his METV is finished he can use visa exempt to get through the rest of this year. Is English not your first language? Sprechen Sie Deutsch besser? Drink a coffee sleepy head...

@Jody ******

does my nationality matter, or rather my IQ over that two figure number of yours?

@Andreas ********

We can judge your intelligence by the accuracy of your posts.

Hint: opinions are not facts.

And yeah, obviously English is NOT your first language.

@Jody ******

anyways, you are wrong in your assumption that he can continue a stay in Thailand using border runs and visa exempt. After maxing out a METV, it's farewell good Johnny for a few months outside Thailand

@Andreas ********

Again, where's your proof? You have none?

@Jody ******

You are wrong! No, he can't use visa exempt entries after haveing maxed out a METV. He will be refused entry. There needs to be a good spell of time outside of Thailand between his ninth month and the next entry

@Andreas ********

Proof?

@Jody ******

put your proof to where the sun never shines! Go utter your wrong opinion in the Thai Visa Advice group, admin Tod Daniels will wash your head thoroughly. Myself I KNOW for sure, I got my own visa advice group and I have been following visa regulations and all related matter for 16 years

@Andreas ********

Then where's your proof? Put up or shut up.

Obviously you have no proof.

Opinions are worthless...

Andreas Mueller blocked me because he couldn't prove his opinion. If he could have proved his opinion I would have appreciated his input, but behaving as he has says everything. The whole point here is to help others.

People should be careful with advice based on opinions or how they wish something would be as they can make a lot of problems for a lot of people.

@Jody ******

you are just pulling out wrong info out of your nose. Stop being such time waster

@Jody ******

you can't proof your assumption, either 🤣😃🤣

@Dan ******

your visa has an end date on it. That date isn't going to change regardless of where you are.

@Dan ******

no. Your entry stamp and your visa are unrelated. Every time you enter before the end date on your visa you'll be stamped in for 60 days. Nothing changes that. Extensions have nothing to do with your visa, only your entry stamp.

@Dan ******

I don't need a video. I know how tourist visas work. You get 60 days every time you enter until the date written on the visa. Leaving the country doesn't change the date on your visa. You must make your last entry before the date on the visa. You can extend your ENTRY STAMP which is what they put in your passport when you enter. That has nothing to do with the date written on your visa. Leaving Thailand is wasting the time of your visa.

@Dan ******

ah OK. I understand completely. And living on Samui myself for 5 years now. You are back here now? I can plug you into a friendly language school here, who can facilitate visa runs/bounces too. Worked for me for 2 years, inc overstays, multiple land entries and all sorts, when everyone else said "no, cannot". But nearly 5 years in total, I had to get Elite to carry on. They processed that for me too. I'd bought a house here and didn't want to get locked out.