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How many times can I leave and reenter Thailand on an entry visa in a year?
Re-entry PermitVisa RegulationsImmigration RulesThailand VisaNon-O VisaVisa ExemptionsLong-Term StayTourist VisaExpat Insights
Apr 29, 2026
2 days ago
Kyle **********
ORIGINAL POSTERHow many times in a year can someone leave and reenter with a re-enter permit?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The number of times one can leave and re-enter Thailand with a re-entry permit is generally not limited, but it depends heavily on the discretion of the immigration officer and the individual's travel patterns and overall duration of stay in Thailand. Continuous back-to-back entries or long stays without a proper visa may lead to scrutiny from immigration officials. Most expats recommend obtaining a suitable visa for long-term stay instead of frequently using re-entry permits to avoid complications.
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Graham ******
With a single re-entry permit (1000B) you can leave and re-enter once but with a multiple re-entry permit (3800B) there is no limit. You must always re-enter before your current permitted to stay stamp date otherwise that permission to stay expires while you are out.
Turquoise*********
I will say a simple things it’s unlimited you just have to be a tourist
A tourist stay 5-15 days
If you come and stay 90 days it’s very weird
A tourist stay 5-15 days
If you come and stay 90 days it’s very weird
Turquois*********
If they form the view that you're not a legitimate tourist, they'll deny you entry on a tourist visa.
Professional*************
Just keep reentering until they deport ur 🍑 BE A MEN 🦁 💪
Joris *****
I don't know man
I totalized 56 days (21 days in october 2025 and 35 days between december 2025 and january 2026)
I will return 17th of may for 36 days 4mo later, let see if they let me in or not
I'm very anxious tbh
I totalized 56 days (21 days in october 2025 and 35 days between december 2025 and january 2026)
I will return 17th of may for 36 days 4mo later, let see if they let me in or not
I'm very anxious tbh
Jason *******
In the last 5 years I've entered 32 times due to my job being thru out Asia. I am gone for stretches like 4-5 weeks sometimes but the longest I've stayed consecutively on one stay here is 6 weeks. Finally last entry they said next time I need a visa which I'm currently in the process of doing, So I guess I was just lucky I didn't get hassled so much over there years.
Ian *****
Kyle, I am assuming you mean a "re-entry visa" (mine is used on my OA extension) I like you have questioned this a few times at immigration and got different answers, some say a multiple re-entry visa can be used as many times as you want, some officers say only 4 times, others say 3 others don't know ..... I would love to see something in writing because it seems between the immig office and Airports there are many different understandings ..... sorry to add to the confusion but like you I have searched clarification several times ...... in fact I wish that when my multi entry visa (original) is extended I could get a multi entry renewal in one stamp, not an extension of 12 months then a second stamp if you plan to travel outside Thailand (that is effectively a new visa that is now the visa number you use on entry) you're question is valid.
Patrick ********
I got stopped and interviewed
Kevin **********
I had 12 entries last year however each was only for a few days, I stayed in a hotel and there was a long enough interval between each entry that it was obvious that I wasn't living there. Twice I was asked how long I was staying, nothing more and the rest of the trips I was stamped straight through without a word.
They are after people who try and game the system with multiple back to back entries, spending a day or two outside and many months of the year in the country.
If you're well dressed, arrive by air and it's obvious from your travel patterns that you aren't living there, the number of entries isn't a problem.
They are after people who try and game the system with multiple back to back entries, spending a day or two outside and many months of the year in the country.
If you're well dressed, arrive by air and it's obvious from your travel patterns that you aren't living there, the number of entries isn't a problem.
Kyle **********
ORIGINAL POSTERKevin O'Connor thank you
Reply to
Kyle **********
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Paul ******
Just go for the multi entry retirement visa you safe then I got stoped twice in airport told me next time I enter Thailand I will have big problems entering immigration said get non o visa so I’m waiting now on it got my bank account as well
Fred ********************
nobody can give the answer. Officers are looking at your frequency of entering thailand with the 60 day visa.
There are officers who are very strict and not let you pass for a 3rd time. There are also officers who not care and sign the visa without checking the rest.
Are you willing to take that risk?? Up to you.
There are officers who are very strict and not let you pass for a 3rd time. There are also officers who not care and sign the visa without checking the rest.
Are you willing to take that risk?? Up to you.
Angelo ***********
Via Air there is no limit. Via land there used to be a 2x per *calendar* year limit. The later limit is suspended at the moment.
Bottom line: you can do as you wish unless the immigration officer does not like you entering anymore.
Bottom line: you can do as you wish unless the immigration officer does not like you entering anymore.
Melanie ****************
2 times, then you play with fire. So many people get deported everyday.
Todd *********
@Melanie ***************
ummm wrong twiceMelanie ****************
Todd McGowan feel free to explain your own perspective
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Melanie ****************
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Christopher ********
No, not deported. Some get a warning and if they ignore the warning then they are refused entry. That's different from deportation.
Melanie ****************
Christopher Leslie if you want to be more specific with words and the process : they are refused entry, sent in immigration jail for being a suspicious case, given 2 options : to get back to their country or go back to the country they came from. People who are already in Thailand and try to overstay get deported.
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Melanie ****************
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Donald **********
@Melanie ***************
I used to come in visa exempt frequently, for short periods of time, staying at my wife’s home mainly. I never encountered any problems and was only ever asked how long I was staying this time on the rare occasions I was ever asked. Then stamped through no problem. This was into 2025 since when I entered Non-O retirement and have a 12 months extension and multi re-entry permit. I am aware things are tightening up but I see it mainly against people staying 60 days then extending or doing border bounces and basically taking the piss. There is a DTV available and METV as well as Non-O, Non-OA etc. so there’s no reason for Immigration to continue tolerating perceived abuse.Melanie ****************
Donald Campbell there is a huge difference between someone in the 40-70 yrs old age bracket staying for short periods of time mainly from their home country, and people staying longer stays in the 20-40 age bracket coming from other countries that are not their home country.
Everyone see it from their own perspective depending on their own case without considering others cases.
But yeah I agree it's mainly people staying 60 days and trying to extend or doing visa runs. That's the exact demographic I am talking about. I am part of all the large digital nomad communities where we all travel full time.
Everyone see it from their own perspective depending on their own case without considering others cases.
But yeah I agree it's mainly people staying 60 days and trying to extend or doing visa runs. That's the exact demographic I am talking about. I am part of all the large digital nomad communities where we all travel full time.
Reply to
Melanie ****************
Reply
Atrustwor*********
@Melanie ***************
2 times is wrong. No such ruleMelanie ****************
AtrustworthyJaguar it's called an unspoken rule and there is nothing wrong - but your words don't count as you are anonymous
Darren *******
@Melanie ***************
no such rule exists, unspoken or not. I've entered 3 or 4 times this year with a longest stay of one week. Over the previous 12 months probably 10 or 11 times, averaging out at about 4 days per visit. It's about days and intentions and not number of entries.Melanie ****************
Darren Grist sure. I was not talking about a 4-day or 1-week stay.
เดแคลน ***********
@Melanie ***************
they are right. There is no such rule and its about the amount of time you spend here not how many times you enter.Reply to
เดแคลน ***********
Reply
John ********
I live in the Philippines and go to Thailand one a month to visit. Never an issue.
Not sure what the actual rules are but they seem to not care if I come and go. Probably because when I leave I am out of the country for a few weeks.
Not sure what the actual rules are but they seem to not care if I come and go. Probably because when I leave I am out of the country for a few weeks.
Gerard **************
Is cannabis legal??
Im not sure and when it was it was technically only for Thai.
Then its medicinal so you never know. You need a doctor note but from where? Unsure and vague.
Im being sarcastic a bit but point being that some things are unclear and IMO its done on purpose.
Rules change all the time and they are not really clear in the first place.
Saying that I do like Thailand and have never had real troubles there.
Im not sure and when it was it was technically only for Thai.
Then its medicinal so you never know. You need a doctor note but from where? Unsure and vague.
Im being sarcastic a bit but point being that some things are unclear and IMO its done on purpose.
Rules change all the time and they are not really clear in the first place.
Saying that I do like Thailand and have never had real troubles there.
Marcel ********
Just get a visa and stop gaming the system, you can end up in a lot of trouble
Maria *************
What do you mean with leave and reentry on a entry visa? There is no visa called entry visa
Kyle **********
ORIGINAL POSTERMaria Fredriksson I appreciate what your saying. My questions are hypothetical and I am curious to know this because I am on an education Visa and at some point I will not be this year. Thank you
John **********
@Maria ************
if you are inside Thailand on a visa (unless it's a multiple entry visa) or an extension of stay you need a re-entry permit to keep your stay aliveIan *****
Maria Fredriksson I am assuming Kyle lives here on a non imm visa annual extension and then buys a multiple re entry visa to allow international travel ....
Kyle **********
ORIGINAL POSTERRe-entry permit**
Jim *********
Kyle Carraway a tourist visa has to be bought from the Thai Government through an Emassy website online outside of Thailand. There are single entries and mutli entry. If you didn't get a visa by that method and just entered Thailand from a visa exempt country, it is called a visa exempt permission to stay, currently 60 days, but about to change back to 30 days. While there isn't a written rule as to how many times you can enter this way, immigration is frowning on people trying to live in Thailand on visa exempt entries and extensions. So it depends on your stays over the past and present. If they think you should be getting a visa because you are in essence trying to live here on visa exempt entries, they are denying entries and saying to get the proper visa for your stay. If you don't look like a tourist coming for a holiday they can and will deny you entry.
Reply to
Jim *********
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GiftedPass***********
Maria Fredriksson I'm guessing like me they have a work visa or similar, and everytime I leave Thailand, I. Need to apply for a re-entry visa
Angelo ***********
GiftedPassionfruit101 That is called a "reentry permit". Names matter. Especially if it is a legal term.
There is no such thing as a "reentry visa".
There is no such thing as a "reentry visa".
Kyle **********
ORIGINAL POSTERAngelo Schneider thank you
Jeff *******
Angelo Schneider is there such a thing as a "work visa"? There's a work permit which has nothing to do with re-entry into Thailand, the non B business visa would though..... legally speaking.
Angelo ***********
Jeff Stein Yes and no :D Yes there is a "work visa", which is called "Non (immigrant) B", B stands for business. Work in the sense of "employment" - especially by a Thai company is not possible on this visa alone. But business activities, like promotion, visiting potential customers, setting up a company or a branch of your home company etc., can be done on a Non B.
If you want to be employed or run your own business (which requires your own company - "freelance" work is not possible) you need a work permit in addition to the Non B visa.
Non B + work permit, is the general construct for a foreigner seeking work in Thailand. There are exceptions for people from ASEAN countries ... they need a Non B but in general no work permit for example.
Freelance work *is possible* IF you are employed regularily and do it as a side income. However you have to register that.
You can also be employed by more than one employer, if both employers and you yourself notify the agency (forgot which one it is, note: within 14 days of the start of the second/third employment), such a situation will be noted on your work permit.
For example your standard job is English teacher in an international school, and you give 2 times a week evening classes in business English for adults, in a language school (noted on the work permit as second employer).
Or you give private classes via Skype or similar, you have to announce that.
Note: you need a work permit for any freelance work, and for reasons noted above, that is only possible if you have a main job.
Then again, after being 3 years full time employed in a row, and paying into the social system, you can apply for permanent residency. As permanent resident, you do not need a work permit, and can be employed freely without hazzle and work freelance.
NOTE: both Non B AS WELL as the PERMANT RESIDENCY PERMIT <--- very important!!! REQUIRE an reentry permit, if you want to leave the country and come back. Or your permanent residency gets VOID!! And you have to do it all over again!
Except long term special visa like DTV or some elites (not sure about LTR), all need a reentry permit.
It is extremely annoying if you are on a "pension visa" or "marriage visa" and forget that. You can probably mitigate that, and sent your passport by mail to a trusted person in Thailand, who gets you a reentry permit.
The IO will see the exit stamp, though and it is up to him/her if they grant it.
Reentry permits you get most easy at the airport before departure, but I would go to the local immigration office.
If you want to be employed or run your own business (which requires your own company - "freelance" work is not possible) you need a work permit in addition to the Non B visa.
Non B + work permit, is the general construct for a foreigner seeking work in Thailand. There are exceptions for people from ASEAN countries ... they need a Non B but in general no work permit for example.
Freelance work *is possible* IF you are employed regularily and do it as a side income. However you have to register that.
You can also be employed by more than one employer, if both employers and you yourself notify the agency (forgot which one it is, note: within 14 days of the start of the second/third employment), such a situation will be noted on your work permit.
For example your standard job is English teacher in an international school, and you give 2 times a week evening classes in business English for adults, in a language school (noted on the work permit as second employer).
Or you give private classes via Skype or similar, you have to announce that.
Note: you need a work permit for any freelance work, and for reasons noted above, that is only possible if you have a main job.
Then again, after being 3 years full time employed in a row, and paying into the social system, you can apply for permanent residency. As permanent resident, you do not need a work permit, and can be employed freely without hazzle and work freelance.
NOTE: both Non B AS WELL as the PERMANT RESIDENCY PERMIT <--- very important!!! REQUIRE an reentry permit, if you want to leave the country and come back. Or your permanent residency gets VOID!! And you have to do it all over again!
Except long term special visa like DTV or some elites (not sure about LTR), all need a reentry permit.
It is extremely annoying if you are on a "pension visa" or "marriage visa" and forget that. You can probably mitigate that, and sent your passport by mail to a trusted person in Thailand, who gets you a reentry permit.
The IO will see the exit stamp, though and it is up to him/her if they grant it.
Reentry permits you get most easy at the airport before departure, but I would go to the local immigration office.
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Angelo ***********
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Greg ***********
Maria Fredriksson when Max becomes Maria because Max was banned from the group?
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Greg ***********
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Alan **********
NO stated number of entries in either a calendar year or a "running" 12-month period.
They don't want tourists "living" in Thailand LONG-TERM via visa-exempt - foreigners need to get a PROPER long-term visa, and go from there.
They don't want tourists "living" in Thailand LONG-TERM via visa-exempt - foreigners need to get a PROPER long-term visa, and go from there.
Roger **********
Alan Rothwell for "visa exempt" it was 90-days within a 6 calandar month period, but this was back in 2006 or 07. I have not heard of any major changes to this since, apart from a little "easing of the rules" during COVID.
Reply to
Roger **********
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Brandon ************
As many times as they let you. Each entry is at the discretion of the immigration officer you are standing in front of.
It's more about how long you've spent in Thailand over the previous 12 months than it is about how many times you enter. If you enter for 1 week every month, you probably won't have any issues even though that's 12 entries.
But if you come to Thailand, stay for 60 days + 30 day extension, go to Laos for a weekend then come back and try to do that again, you're likely to experience some friction.
Most people start to encounter issues around the 150 day mark within the previous 12 months, or if they try to come back in a short time after just being in Thailand for 90 days.
It's more about how long you've spent in Thailand over the previous 12 months than it is about how many times you enter. If you enter for 1 week every month, you probably won't have any issues even though that's 12 entries.
But if you come to Thailand, stay for 60 days + 30 day extension, go to Laos for a weekend then come back and try to do that again, you're likely to experience some friction.
Most people start to encounter issues around the 150 day mark within the previous 12 months, or if they try to come back in a short time after just being in Thailand for 90 days.
VibrantP*********
@Brandon ***********
you will have problem. They will tell you have to get a visa...happened to me and happened to two colleagues.Amazing the misinformation in this group. People guessing and pretending they know things...
Doug *******
VibrantPoodle2609 Brandon is one of the most dedicated and reliable people here. You, however, have ungraciously earned a place on my block list. 🤣
Brandon ************
VibrantPoodle2609 Wow thanks that's very helpful information WITHOUT ANY CONTEXT. You are the one pretending like you know things. It's all about the number of entries, how long in Thailand on each entry, the amount of time between entries, and the history over the past 12 months, absolutely NONE of which you include with your comment.
VibrantP*********
@Brandon ***********
haha listen...been going to thailand on exempt for 9 years.5-10 timea every year 2 weeks at the time. No problem. Until last fall. Then they started to tell people you have to get a visa. Same as many of my friends.
So when you are answering that he wont have any problems if entering 1 week every month for a year is 100% wrong and you should stop giving advice and let people with same experience give advice. Enough of this group...
Gilberto ********
You are always providing reliable information in this group. I have an specific question: as an American citizen can I enter Thailand, visa free, twice/year, staying 3 months each and separated by 3 months each entry. Total less than 180 days/year ?
Leonard *******
Gilberto Flores I did the same after the 3rd time I was told by immigration to get the correct visa now I did and now no stress no worries
Eduard *****************
Gilberto Flores twice. For 60 day each. With present situation
Or 3 times 60 days.
Max is 180 days per year if you want to avoid issues
Or 3 times 60 days.
Max is 180 days per year if you want to avoid issues
Brandon ************
@Gilberto *******
possibly but maximizing your time is always a red flag. Are you over 50 and can qualify for a non-O visa? If not, I would purchase a tourist visa for the 2nd tripGilberto ********
Thank you for replying so quick. Yes I am over 60, retired and I qualify for a non-O visa, but I am thinking staying 6 months in Thailand and 6 months in China, at least for the first 2 years of my retirement in Asia
John **********
@Gilberto *******
so you intend to live in Thailand for 6 months of the year. That's a clear indication you are not a tourist. Get a 90 days Non-O visa and then a 12 month extension with re-entry permit each year then you won't have any problems.Brandon ************
@Gilberto *******
You can get more than 1 non-O per year, so you can just use that 90-day visa for your 3 month trip. It also means you don't have to go to immigration to get a tourist extension.Gilberto ********
Thank you. That helps. I had the idea non-O visa is the one we get for the entire year, renewing yearly and with account opened in Thai bank with the required amount in it
Brandon ************
@Gilberto *******
the non-O visa is the 90 day visa. The extension is what is for 1-year and requires money in a Thai bank account. But if you just want to go to Thailand for 3 months and you're over 50, the non-O will work better than entering as a touristGilberto ********
Yes, that’s a good info. Thank you maak maak
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Gilberto ********
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