Answered2 years ago
How many times can I enter Thailand on a visa exemption without facing issues?
Rant alert….
I love all the questions about "how many times can I enter visa exempt".
They're almost always followed by comments of "I did three this year" or "I did 10 so far and have no issues - so you'll be fine".
No one can answer this question with any authority. That's because there is no rule. There is no limit. It is completely up to the discretion of the immigration officer you hand your passport to on arrival.
The guys that had no issue were probably dealing with Sheila. She's happy in her life and likes to think foreigners are good for the economy.
Those that have issues are the ones that hand it to Brian. He's having a bad hair day and about to get his car repossessed. He's apt to take out his depression on foreigners that try to enter his country twice in a calendar year. For no other reason than he's having a bad hair day.
Obviously those two scenarios are made up by me, but that's the type of issues you could encounter at an immigration counter where you have no idea whether you're dealing with Sheila or Brian (and I'm not trying to be sexist in any way here - make up your own names or genders).
No one can answer this type of question. One person could have got in 23 times this year with no issue, but someone else could be questioned or even denied on their second attempt. The latter is probably far fetched but in theory it could happen. We don't know and we can't say, because it's at the discretion of the individual officer.
I love all the questions about "how many times can I enter visa exempt".
They're almost always followed by comments of "I did three this year" or "I did 10 so far and have no issues - so you'll be fine".
No one can answer this question with any authority. That's because there is no rule. There is no limit. It is completely up to the discretion of the immigration officer you hand your passport to on arrival.
The guys that had no issue were probably dealing with Sheila. She's happy in her life and likes to think foreigners are good for the economy.
Those that have issues are the ones that hand it to Brian. He's having a bad hair day and about to get his car repossessed. He's apt to take out his depression on foreigners that try to enter his country twice in a calendar year. For no other reason than he's having a bad hair day.
Obviously those two scenarios are made up by me, but that's the type of issues you could encounter at an immigration counter where you have no idea whether you're dealing with Sheila or Brian (and I'm not trying to be sexist in any way here - make up your own names or genders).
No one can answer this type of question. One person could have got in 23 times this year with no issue, but someone else could be questioned or even denied on their second attempt. The latter is probably far fetched but in theory it could happen. We don't know and we can't say, because it's at the discretion of the individual officer.
Answer summary
The number of times one can enter Thailand visa-exempt is not fixed and can vary greatly depending on the immigration officer's discretion. There are no formal limits or definitive rules; anecdotes of various entry experiences highlight the randomness of how cases are handled at immigration. Some travelers report multiple entries without issues, while others are questioned or denied entry on subsequent visits. Ultimately, each case is treated individually at the discretion of the immigration officer present at the time.
84 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
John ********
My experience from 1998 to 2023, and tens of dozens of times both leaving and entering on visa exempt. I only once got Red stamped. Was still let in for thirty days, but then got a 12 month multiple entry 'O' non-immigrant, so as people say it all depends on the IO on the day. In those twenty five years I only ever got three two month tourist visas and the one 12 month visa. In fact I was leaving and re entering that much that in one period of ten years I had to renew my passport five times because of all the stamps both Thai and from other countries. My passports were all 48 page ones as well.
Ian ********
I’ve only ever had problems with the Sheila’s nothing to do with sexism just fact. Avoid them in my experience. I got grilled for the first time in years a couple of days ago, unusually all the IO’s on duty when I arrived-Sheila’s!
Matthew **********
You know its bad when it takes a 'War and Peace' to explain it and at the end of it all nobody's any the wiser 😂. But for sure a million have reported three being fine to narrow it down a bit!
Poul **********
I have been visiting Thailand many times over the years, working overseas but taking all my vacation/holidays in Thailand, usually comes out like 2-3 weeks twice a year, never had any problems. Now getting a little worried with all the stories about people getting rejected entry. Would anyone have an idea or opinion whether the trend of rejections is increasing or has it just always been like this?
Poul **********
Thanks, got me calmed down….
Declan **********
@Poul *********
no problem 😊Declan **********
@Poul *********
yes, scrutiny is increasing. However you're only spending 2-3 weeks twice a year here so it's unlikely you'll have issues when trying to enter as that can easily be seen as tourist behaviour as you're not coming 3, 4 times a year staying months on end and getting extensions everytime.
Glenn *****
Would multiple short time (~10 days) entries into Thailand, be an issue? I will be living in Cambodia and I would like several visits into Thailand.
Henrik *****
Don’t ask questions inside another person thread.
Start a new thread with qustions, to get the most / best answers.
Start a new thread with qustions, to get the most / best answers.
David ***********
Absolutely true. However, its still a valid question and with more answers we get a feel for the problems you might encounter, the questions asked etc. Also you get a feel for any change in attitude from thai immigration on "tourists" and whether things are changing.
Mark *******
And a point on the initiative/ decision on Immigration officers at the airport, they are employees of the government I guess,so quite rightly they make the final decision,but surely they have a policy,rules and regulations they have to follow....?
Brandon ************
@Mark ******
everything is at their discretion.Mark *******
I accept that but have regulations and policy to follow, can initiate their own discretion of course,but similar to the police, prison staff, civil servants,etc,
have rules to follow and adhere to. I used to work for the civil service in the UK,and generally are not disimliar. Bound by codes set by a higher authority,the government!
have rules to follow and adhere to. I used to work for the civil service in the UK,and generally are not disimliar. Bound by codes set by a higher authority,the government!
Mark *******
I must confess I find this site, Thailand Visa Advice, quite entertaining,with all due respect to the participants! 😀 I'm presently in Thailand on a visa exemption stamp,arrived on the 2nd June this year. Have visited the Immigration department in Jomtien twice. Once for 30 days extension from my original stamp upon entry,which was then 30 days. Then went for a border run to Cambodia gaining a 60 days extension; and then just recently back to Jomtien for another 30 days. My present expirary date is the 27th October, whereupon I'll depart the country for a short time,or another border run. I thought I'd check on the amount of border runs permitted,with TVS Travel agency in Soi 13,(whom I used last time) and was advised there are unlimited! Which initially surprised me; though I'm not complaining!
Brandon ************
@Mark ******
unlimited doesn't mean you can continue to do it forever.Mark *******
I never said you could or even suggested that! Absolutely nothing in my opinion in this life is for ever!
Paul ***************
But if you present yourself at the passport control dressed in smart but casual clothes your chances of an easy entry are very much higher, the Thais seem to like you to respect officials
Terary **********
I got a crystal ball.. It's never right but I am happy to charge people to read the future..
Christopher ***********
Similar to flying on a one-way ticket. The airport check-in desk sometimes asks for sight of return/onward ticket or ‘some sort of visa’ (their words to me). The next time I fly on the same route with the same airline they don’t?
Chris ******
It's Brian that loves ya .. Sheila despises you .
Sally *******
Doesn't it all depend on how you look/present yourself, if you smile? If they take exception to you for whatever reason, (this is customs too the world over) they aren't going to be nice to you, because they love the power trip.
Paul ***************
@Sally ******
Absolutely! The Thais like a bit of respect when dealing with officials.
Robert *********
I sympathise with the tedium in seeing this same question asked every day.
The new system (for visa exempt countries) is to be ETA; ie one can use the electronic immigration gates so possibly negating the chance of encountering an immigration officer bad hair day. Perhaps the gates will be like slot machines where the ‘payout’ is adjusted by the immigration manager each week?
Also, I have no idea about bus timetables to Pattaya on Tuesdays.
The new system (for visa exempt countries) is to be ETA; ie one can use the electronic immigration gates so possibly negating the chance of encountering an immigration officer bad hair day. Perhaps the gates will be like slot machines where the ‘payout’ is adjusted by the immigration manager each week?
Also, I have no idea about bus timetables to Pattaya on Tuesdays.
Pete **********
That was a lot of words just to say.
" don't know, it's at the discretion of the immigration officer that is holding your passport "
" don't know, it's at the discretion of the immigration officer that is holding your passport "
Tom ***********
Yes, a sorry situation in the 21st century. Can’y blame technology
ฉันเป็นทางของประชาชน *********
😂😂😂😂 Some people have good luck and some people never had good luck 👊🏽
Paul ******
So far no problems with 3 times a year but who knows it can happen fingers crossed it doesn’t happens
Andy ************
I've struck Brian before - he's a total ass
Nongnuch ********
during the recent 38 years, I have never been asked for my drivers license. Does this mean I don't need it any more?
Steven *******
It’s like the people that say, “I’ve never been asked for an onward ticket.” Nice to know but do you feel lucky?
Lisa ****************
@Steven ******
I mean, I’ve never been asked, but I also know that if you are asked and you don’t have one, they will just pull you aside and make you book one before passing you through immigration… not a big deal 🤷🏻♀️Steven *******
@Lisa ***************
true. I just like to be prepared so I don’t have to step aside.
Graham ******
@Steven ******
"make my day punk" 555
James *********
Zackly...
Beverly **********
#nailedit
Micheal **********
TiT...
James **********
Okay
John **********
Brian has hair?
Stuart *********
OP@John *********
I’m not sure why you are trying to turn this in to a debate about Brian. He’s having a bad day. Let him be.
Michael ********
Thai logic i once got ticket for running red light, but both pictures show was amber, when contest it "but two ambers make a red" 555
Stuart *********
OP@Michael *******
Sorry but I don’t understand the logic here. Red means stop. Amber means go really really fast so you can beat the red light. Green means proceed with absolute caution because the other fecker is probably not obeying any of the first two rules.
Rodger ********
Are you sure you can’t confirm this 🤣🤣🤣 far too many stupid and repetitive questions, people are to lazy to look and find information for themselves nowadays.
Stuart *********
OP@Rodger *******
not too sure what I could confirm here. I have no idea if Brian and Sheila are related, nor whether they have an inter relationship issue. Being that I made up their names and really didn’t want to get in to a gender type discussion I left it to the reader to judge. I can confirm that entry in to Thailand is up to the immigration officer you hand your passport to. Probably best not to ask their name as it almost certainly won’t be Brian or Sheila.
Scotty *******
Brian and Shelia are married
Sheila hits the bars most nights and comes home late if at all and Brian's doing his best to stop it 😁😁😁😁
Sheila hits the bars most nights and comes home late if at all and Brian's doing his best to stop it 😁😁😁😁
Stuart *********
OP@Scotty ******
What I forgot to say is that Sheila is having an affair with Brian’s best friend and he’s got wind of it. Probably adding to his bad hair day.
Peter **********
Having traveled back and forth to Thailand over the last 14 years I soon came to realise that if you would just send the funds you intend to spend in Thailand
Flights ,Accommodation, Sustenance et al ,immigration would be happy for you to not come at all
Best advice is to get a 90 single entry Visa in your home Country and then use 60 day Visa on entry by flying out if you need longer
You also need to be aware if you stay longer than 179 days there may be Income Tax issues to deal with
Flights ,Accommodation, Sustenance et al ,immigration would be happy for you to not come at all
Best advice is to get a 90 single entry Visa in your home Country and then use 60 day Visa on entry by flying out if you need longer
You also need to be aware if you stay longer than 179 days there may be Income Tax issues to deal with
Todd *********
@Peter *********
lol. What?Peter **********
@Todd ********
English not your first language ?Peter **********
Todd *********
@Peter *********
as a matter of fact it is lol. But it's rare to see questions this stupid here. But i see Stuart has already got you sorted out. Good luck. As he said, you really seem confusedStuart *********
OP@Peter *********
You seem confused. Many people can’t get a 90 day single entry visa because they don’t qualify for the various options available (being over 50, married to a Thai national, having a Thai child, etc). Many can get a visa exempt entry for 60 days now. The 180 days in Thailand tax rule is a whole different discussion.Peter **********
@Stuart ********
so presumably if they are under 50 they have a full time job ?and get two months or more holiday allowance Or funds to enable them to not have to work ?and can then afford a long stay visa
I understand you have to stay in Thailand over 180 to be classed a Tax resident but the final details have yet to be worked out as is normal with Thai Officialdom
Stuart *********
OP@Peter *********
Sorry but tax questions are out of the scope of this rhetorical rant.
Lars ********
I arrived at Suvarnabhumi yesterday. I gave my passport and METV to the IO. She said "I can see that you come in and out of the country all the time". I said yes, that is why I have a visa. It must have been the first day at work because she had to call a superior. I am glad I did not come expecting visa excemption!
Ceri ********
That’s because this group is full of fuck tards that have not got a clue but think they know everything unfortunately
Stuart *********
OP@Ceri *******
sans moderators I’d assume.Ceri ********
@Stuart ********
no i not assume that’s just the way it is.Stuart *********
OP@Ceri *******
Ok. Wow. Your call.Ceri ********
@Stuart ********
no it is unfortunately
Michael *******
And the adventure continues
Poul **********
No discussion that it is up to the IO to decide in each case case if visa exempt. But I think you can make some assumptions on what to expect based on your travel history and maybe personal behavior/appearance
Arriving a second time within a year on visa exempt and having no history I think is pretty safe. Literally millions of people enter every year
Arriving a second time within a year on visa exempt and having no history I think is pretty safe. Literally millions of people enter every year
Stuart *********
OP@Poul *********
That’s completely true. Millions do. Some don’t. But the rant was about all those that reply that “I did X number of times already this year - so you’ll be fine”.Poul **********
@Stuart ********
like banks/brokers say when referring to excellent profits on investment, past performance is no guarantee of future profit. Just because someone managed to get in a number of times does not guarantee everyone will be able to do the same thing
Brent *******
Spot on.
Have said the same myself (but in a much more ‘colourful’ way!)
If the guy or girl you deal with on arrival is in a “i hate my job” or worse “I hate foreigners” mood you are screwed!
I have so many stamps in my passport I am yet again running out of pages in my passport.
3rd passport in about 4 years!!
Last entry, I asked the ‘lady’ (I generously use that term as she was no lady!) to please stamp in a used page that had spaces… and she glared at me and stamped in the middle of my few new/empty remaking pages. I complained and she was just itching for a reason to get me busted…. So I smiled and walked away!!!
Bitch!!!!
Welcome to Thailand. First impressions can leave a lasting memory 🤷♂️
So you see…. 🤷♂️
Have said the same myself (but in a much more ‘colourful’ way!)
If the guy or girl you deal with on arrival is in a “i hate my job” or worse “I hate foreigners” mood you are screwed!
I have so many stamps in my passport I am yet again running out of pages in my passport.
3rd passport in about 4 years!!
Last entry, I asked the ‘lady’ (I generously use that term as she was no lady!) to please stamp in a used page that had spaces… and she glared at me and stamped in the middle of my few new/empty remaking pages. I complained and she was just itching for a reason to get me busted…. So I smiled and walked away!!!
Bitch!!!!
Welcome to Thailand. First impressions can leave a lasting memory 🤷♂️
So you see…. 🤷♂️
Pertti *************
Just buy visa🙏
John ********
@Pertti ************
Not convenient for all people.Todd *********
@Pertti ************
if you don’t need to, don’t. Just foolishPertti *************
@Todd ********
yes tourist who visit here tourist purposes don't need visa if they don't live here like second home👍Todd *********
@Pertti ************
6 months, 9 months, all easy. Nobody needs to define how long a tourist stays. If they have the money, they are welcome
Colin *********
@Stuart ********
it might have been good to 'tag' every group member with this post, so at least it would only be new members asking this question going forward. Maybe 'pin' the post, if not already done.Declan **********
There is one exception to this rule though... If you go to Poipet Brain & Shelia will both tag team you with a massive 25" dildo in the backroom on your first attempt to enter on visa exempt
Colin *********
@Declan *********
ohh dear, I see that you entered the wrong way and as a consequence you were made to feel the pain 😜🤣🤣🤣Declan **********
@Colin ********
first time i even came to Thailand I came from Cambodia Poipet border and I was grilled for 25mins, i was very fucking confused because I had never even been to Thailand in my life prior to that. 'God' help anyone brave enough to go through that border with multiple visa exemptions and extensions when they are like that with people who have zero history🤣
Stuart *********
OP@Declan *********
I see people very occasionally coming to the Phuket office with a PoiPet (Aranyaprathet) border stamp when they come in for an extension or the like. I always ask them how it went for them. Almost always tales of woe. If there is one border in Thailand to avoid it’s that one.
Anastasia **************
I hear karen can be quite the b*#ch too. It would be great if people posted what location these 2 agents are at when they arrive so we can breeze through in Karen's line.
Henrik *****
But tomorrow Brian has a great hairday, and Sheila didn’t hear her goodmorning alarmclock, and the opposit results will happend.
Anastasia **************
@Henrik ****
the fight is real....
Tim *********
But .... but .... surely there's a rule written, so I can quote it and have an argument with Brian, because he has no right to have a bad hair day when it disturbs my perfect life and ....
EDIT: Sarcasm
EDIT: Sarcasm
Stuart *********
OP@Tim ********
doesn’t work that way in the Land of Smiles. You can argue the point of law all you like and even hand them the official limit law that the Bangkok Post printed. Probably won’t work. But good luck trying.
Frank **********
Thank you. It is quite annoying.
Pete *******
So the correct answer to the question is fuck knows….
Stephan ***********
@Pete ******
Let's go with this... it's a little bit more "PC"... 😁"Entry into a country is at the discretion of the Immigration officer on duty. It is not a guarantee."
Stuart *********
OP@Stephan **********
Yeah I could have said that.Stuart *********
OP@Pete ******
well possibly “who the fuck would know”. But I’m not the grammar police.Activity
47 joined47
people
Related
25What is the process and requirements for 90-day reporting in Bangkok?
2.8k20394mo
Is it true that some visitors to Thailand might not get a stamp in their passport and later face fines?
15.1k783025mo
What are the requirements for a 90-day report on a Non-O visa in Thailand?
1.3k355mo
What happens if you have an overstay due to flight cancellation and can you still enter Thailand again?
11k721795mo
What documents are needed for extending a DTV in Thailand, and what should I wear for my appointment?
1.7k525mo
What changes have been made to same-day border runs between Thailand and Laos for expats?
9.9k761295mo
Do I need to submit a TM30 every time a foreigner returns to the same residence in Thailand?
12.6k881877mo
Why is it difficult to obtain a DTV visa extension in Koh Phangan?
14.3k1131808mo
What are the updated options for expats in Thailand regarding flight cancellations and overstay fines?
6.6k351228mo
What are the chances of being denied entry at immigration with no DTV after multiple long stays in Thailand?
11.7k9213310mo
How long can DTV visa holders stay outside Thailand without issues?
1.9k11181y
Can BOI accept my application if I have 2+ years of work experience but just graduated?
890811y
What should I expect while clearing customs with a work visa and multiple bags at Suvarnabhumi airport?
5.4k44531y
Why was my visa exempt entry to Thailand declined at the Nong Khai border?
14.5k1021952y
Will I face issues traveling to Thailand with a one-way ticket?
18k1371252y
Do I need a TM30 for my 30-day visit to Thailand with a Thai spouse?
1.8k10202y
What are the new procedures for obtaining a reentry permit at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport?
3k7683y
What should I do if I missed my 90-day visa reporting deadline in Thailand?
7k401133y
Can I leave Thailand on an STV and return without losing my visa status?
1.3k7105y
Am I at risk of being denied entry to Thailand after multiple uses of the 30-day visa exemption?
2.4k20145y
What are the latest updates on 60-day COVID extensions for immigration in Thailand before the Jan 29 deadline?
8.5k541316y
How early can I report for my 90-day requirement on an O-A visa in Thailand?
1.5k1097y
Can my wife change her 'tourist' visa to a 'non-O' visa without leaving Thailand?
47837y
What happens if my hotel doesn't report my 90-day stay to immigration in Thailand?
2k14178y
Will frequent visa exempt entries cause issues in Thailand?
626229y
Resources
Need help with your Thai visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served