How often can you enter Thailand on a visa exempt in 1 year?
I want to spend 2 nights in January, fly to Cambodia and come back in February. But I also want to enter later in the year. So want to know the maximum numbers of entry in 1 year. Thank you.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Travelers can usually enter Thailand without a visa using the visa exempt scheme multiple times a year when arriving by air. While there is no official limit for air entries, it is recommended to avoid frequent border crossings that may raise suspicions. For land crossings, the general rule allows for only two entries per calendar year. It's important to demonstrate that you are a genuine tourist and not trying to stay long-term using the visa exempt stamp.
I fly in and out every 4-6 weeks and never have any issues. Occasionally they ask how long I am staying but never ask to see any outward ticket. I have never overstayed so I think they “trust” me. I have a friend who gets roasted every time he comes in, presumably he has a red mark by his name.
I know someone who did it dozens of times a year without problems. But each time he stayed only 1,2,3 days. I think it is more the total number of days you stay than the number of entries.
As long as you are returning regularly to your home country, and actually being a tourist when you come here, you won't have a problem. But, if you are trying to stay long term on a visa exempt stamp, or on a tourist visa, after a few times bouncing across the border and back, then you will run into problems, and be refused entry.
I asked on my way out of Thailand last week. I spoke to a senior officer who studied my passport and his reply was by air there is no problem, land crossing yes. Last year I visited 5 times and was becoming worried. I also get a 30 day extension.
There is no on the record limit for fly out/in per year, however expect TiT if you meet that one over zealous I/O at the airport….for land in the pre-covid world it was a maximum of 2 per calendar year which reset on 1 Jan, I’m not sure what the land crossing rules are in the post-covid world….
You can only enter visa exempt 2 times per calendar year at a land border.
By air there is no limit written into the law. As long as you're not abusing the system, they will let you continue using it. Generally they dislike when people are trying to spend a lot of time in Thailand on visa exempt, but jumping around SE Asia is fine.
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