Answered9 years ago

How many times can I enter Thailand with a 30-day visa exemption stamp upon arrival?

30-day visa exemption Thai visa rules visa entry limits immigration policy land and air entry expat advice

Sharleen *******

asked May 31, 2017

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Good Morning visa experts :) so with this 30 days upon arrival stamp how many times can you get this. I have read only 2 times but I've also read 4 times by air and 2 by land. Does anyone know what is true? 

Thank you.

Answer summary

The current rules allow for a 30-day visa exemption upon entry to Thailand, with limitations differing by entry method. As of now, you can receive this stamp twice a year when entering by land, while there is no official limit for air entries, although more than four entries may lead to questioning by immigration officers.

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Laurence **********

There is no such thing as the truth with regards to visa rules! Tod has explained it well but what actually will happen is always a mystery. Our experience from October 2016 to present has been excellent. Air in/out 3 times 2 trips to Maesai. Nothing but pleasantries from immigration! Wonderful!

9 years ago

Joe ******

@Laurence *********

9 years ago

Laurence **********

Coming up soon!

9 years ago

Joe ******

Laurence Sydenham

You said you entered Thailand 3 times by air.

There is no official limit on Visa Exempt entries if you come by air.

And you been 2 times to Mae Sai for a back to back visa exempt.

No problem either. Officially, you're allowed 2 visa exempt

entries per calendar year, just as Tod said.

Now, what's about your 3rd land crossing within the same calender year? How did that one work out?

9 years ago

Tod *********

@Laur****

, come on now, I did not call you a liar :/ I was stating that I've not seen anyone pull off more than two 30 day exempt stamps by a land border since Dec (when the rule came into effect).

And I was suggesting that if people are gonna border-bounce for 30 day visa exempt stamps it can't hurt the have the 3-proof ofs. That you've never been asked doesn't mean you couldn't be asked or that other people haven't been asked. Failure to meet those proof ofz are a valid reason to deny you entry into the country on a visa exempt entry stamp.

All I'm tryin' to do is provide people with accurate up-2-date information about how to minimize the risk of running off the rails visa/extension-wise here in the glorious "Land 'O Thaiz" ;)

9 years ago

Sharleen *******

Thank you so much for your help Laurence and Tod it's always so confusing how fast rules can change and people seem to tell different stories. I will keep this info in mind 😊

9 years ago

Laurence **********

Hahaha well I guess we're liars according to you! I've been here 15 years, I'm not a rookie. Never have I been asked for anything.

9 years ago

Tod *********

well, I dunno that I believe that statement because I've yet to find ANYONE who has been able to do more than 2 border bounces by land this year. Even when someone switched their passport, the computers at the border flagged them.

Flying in, I'd say even though there is no official rule (no matter what some low level passport stamping immigration officer tries to tell you) there is a high chance you'll be questioned once you start flagging in the computer system.

I'd say IF you're border-bouncing (by land or air) for a 30 day visa exempt stamp have the 3-prooof-ofz;

-proof of onward travel within 30 days

-proof of 10K baht

-proof of a hotel booking

9 years ago

Tod *********

The new rule came into effect on Dec 31st, 2016. It says you can only get a 30 day visa exempt entry by a land border crossing TWO times in a calendar year.

At present there is no official limit on the number of 30 day visa exempt entries you can get by air. Although after 4 or so you should expect to be questioned by the officers at passport control when you stamp into the country.

9 years ago