How often can I apply for a tourist visa to Thailand per year?

Tourist Visa Thailand Visa Rules Visa Application Frequency Thai Embassy Guidelines Visa Policy in Southeast Asia

Apr 25, 2024

7 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

T O U R I S T  V I S A :

Hello Community 

I’m seeking some advice please in regards to how frequently can you apply for a tourist visa per calendar year? 

I did receive my tourist visa in Penang, Malaysia in October last year 

& I’m unsure if I can apply there again this year?

I have looked at the Thai embassy website but no information about how frequently you can apply? 

Can I please have some assistance please 🙏

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TLDR : Answer Summary

There is no fixed rule regarding the frequency of applying for a tourist visa for Thailand in a calendar year. Each Thai embassy can set its own policies, and many in Southeast Asia may allow only one tourist visa application within a 365-day period. If you have previously obtained a tourist visa in one location (like Penang), it may not be possible to apply there again, but you could try applying at another embassy, such as in Kuala Lumpur or Kota Bharu. While theoretically, you can obtain multiple tourist visas consecutively, consistent long-term use of tourist visas may lead to scrutiny by immigration officials regarding your status as a genuine tourist.

Jiji ***********

In theory, you can both get and use back-to-back tourist visas for years on end. There is no official limit, although many consulates have a one-and-done policy.

However, having a visa doesn't guarantee entry, and it will eventually get to the point where immigration officers will summon you to the back room and question whether you are a genuine tourist, having been here 6, 9, or more months on consecutive tourist visas.

7 months ago

Stuart *********

There is no rule about how many visas you can get in a year. Some consulates or embassies will have a stipulation that you can only apply at their one for one in a calendar year but that doesn’t stop you applying at another one within that timeframe. For example if you’ve already applied for one in Penang you’re not going to get another one there. But go to KL or Kota Bharu and you could possibly get one.

7 months ago

Cimi ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

so just to clarify. As I applied last year in Penang in 2023, I can now apply for another visa there as it is a New calendar year? Correct?

7 months ago

Stuart *********

@Cimi *****

I’m not sure if their ruling is a calendar year or a rolling year.

7 months ago

Reply to

Stuart *********

Michael **********

there's not a fixed number. Do you stay in thailand less than 180days per year? then it's likely to have no issues. Do you spend in thailand long periods of time using tourist visas and visa exempted? then you might have issues.

7 months ago

Brandon ************

Looking for immigration information won't help you because immigration has nothing to do with embassies. They are under the MFA.

There is no policy. Each embassy makes their own policy on this. Many of the Thai embassies in SE Asia have switched to one tourist visa in a rolling 365 days. The only way to know for sure is to check the website of the embassy you want to use and to contact them to verify.

7 months ago

Cimi ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

thank you I did check the embassy’s website in Penang.

7 months ago

Reply to

Cimi ******

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