Answered3 years ago
How Strict Are Thai Immigration Rules on Tourist Stay Duration with Breaks Between Visits?
How strict are they nowadays on the 180 days per calendar year stay on tourist visas? I am not talking back to back but with 1-2 month break in between trips. Some trips for 30 days with visa exemption and others with the 2 month tourist visa? I know that MTV would be best solution but given that it is only available in your home country it's not really an option.
Answer summary
The discussion addresses the perceived strictness of Thai immigration rules regarding stays on tourist visas and visa exemptions. Many participants assert that there is no formal 180-day rule, despite occasional enforcement of an unofficial 90-day limit within a 180-day period by some immigration officers. Experiences shared include instances of being questioned at immigration but with various outcomes, emphasizing the subjective nature of enforcement. Generally, maintaining short stays, having sufficient proof of funds, and planning exits and entries wisely during trips can help avoid issues.
42 repliesnewest first
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Steve ********
Contrary to some beliefs, they're toughening up
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4/?mibextid=Nif5ozTodd *********
@Steve *******
getting interviewed… is hardly ‘toughening up’. It’s the norm. Always has beenSteve ********
@Todd ********
I never once got "interviewed" on visa exempt. Not exactly the "norm". Easier with a visa these days
Jarek ************
OP@Steve *******
can you double check the link, getting error.Steve ********
@Jarek ***********
Thai Visa Forum. You might need to join the group********************************************
Jarek ************
OP@Steve *******
ya I did join and em in it but still not loading, maybe caching issue on my phone, will retry later :)
Nathan ********
I've just done 60 days in Thailand, 30 in Vietnam, and then back to Thailand for 60. All on visa exemption. (Except Vietnam where I had 30 visa)
Todd *********
@Nathan *******
this is the SE Asia tourist norm
Bob **********
You’ll have the best chance with a TV not exempt
Todd *********
@Bob *********
will have no issues with exempt and 60 days TV’s
Thomas *******
MTV,....isn't that the old music channel?
Jarek ************
OP@Thomas ******
multiple entry tourist visa :) METV I guess lol
Jo **********
I entered 8-9 times last year visa exempt. I never stayed more than 30 days with 10-14 day breaks in between. I was never asked anything. I think if you don’t extensions and take breaks they will be fine
Paul *******
@Jo *********
Generally true but better to stay less than the 30 days on each stay. Staying the full length permitted may create suspicion if done too often.
Helloo *****
@Jo *********
agreeTodd *********
@Jo *********
using which airports?Jo **********
@Todd ********
Mainly Chiang Mai and a few times BKKTodd *********
@Jo *********
thxJarek ************
OPThanks everyone, interesting to hear that the 180 day rule isn't there anymore because it was mentioned by one of the visa agents I saw. With that said they too said that a lot depends on the immigration person at the booth.
Todd *********
@Jarek ***********
incredible that a ‘visa agent’ thought it would still existJarek ************
OP@Todd ********
she wasn't trying to sell me on anything. We were just talking about it as I was getting some other things done at their office.Todd *********
@Jarek ***********
interesting for sure!Steve ********
There was a 180 in 365 day rule, and also a 90 in 180 day rule. Both are no longer relevant, although interestingly the
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rule is still on the MFA website. But as we know there's no correlation between Foreign Affairs and Police ministries so they tend to "go it alone" 😆
Stephen *******************
Just keep doing it until someone at the Immigration booth says otherwise
Plenty of people come and go on T/R visas and have done for years.
Dress smart be polite and don’t argue is the best advice you will get on this subject
Also have proof of sufficient funds and an outbound ticket to leave Thailand when you entry visa expires Good Luck 🙏
Plenty of people come and go on T/R visas and have done for years.
Dress smart be polite and don’t argue is the best advice you will get on this subject
Also have proof of sufficient funds and an outbound ticket to leave Thailand when you entry visa expires Good Luck 🙏
Marianne ********
Some immigration officers are trying to enforce a limit of 90 days of total Visa Exemption in a 6 month period. But this may just be an excuse to pull you aside for a chat when you do back to back Visa Exemptions too many time with no days in between exits and new entries.. Especially if you do not have a return / outgoing ticket when going through immigration.
Lyb ******
Marianne Holmen a chat like in 💷?😉
Marianne ********
@Lyb *****
no. An actual coonversation.Marianne ********
@Lyb *****
I would have rather left and came back with a visa than to give anyone any money.Steve ********
@Marianne *******
There have been a few reports of this happening in other groups, but as far as I know nobody has actually been denied yet although one did have a notation made in his/her passportMarianne ********
@Steve *******
I was denied for this reason, initially. But with some good negotiation and proof that I was able to finance my stay and proof of heading home ( I had to buy a ticket while at immigration) after this entry I was let in with the message to get a proper visa next time.And that is what I will do.
David ********
Marianne Holmen did exactly the same 🙏🏻 not a nice feeling tho being grilled in immigration etc had to show bank accounts savings etc
Phil ******
@Marianne *******
so that means there was no denied stamp in your passportMarianne ********
@Phil *****
I was stopped at the front booths, and brought back for a talk. The officers looked at my travel history and they literally said "We can not let you in because of xyz. Come back when you have a proper visa". So I was denied entry. After being told this I was close to having a panic attack and was shaking and very distressed since all my stuff was still in Thailand, and the sweet but stern immigration officer lady took pity in me.
And then we had a productive conversation about why I had been there so long and why I had not gotten a proper visa, and when I was heading home.
The compromise was they would let me in if I could show proof of monthly income to support my stay, and order my ticket back to my country ( flight within the next 60 days ) right then and there, and whenever I decided to come back to Thailand it was with a proper visa, not a visa exemption.
Phil ******
@Marianne *******
so you were actually denied at this time and sent back to your home country the same day? If not you were not denied. Its quite normal to have proof of return ticket and also *****
k baht.Marianne ********
@Jarek ***********
Exemption.They told me to come back with a Visa next time. No mention of required time away before returning.
Jarek ************
OP@Marianne *******
were you coming in with a physical visa from embassy or just visa exemption? If the second, did they say to just get a visa next time or to wait few months before returning?Marianne ********
@Steve *******
yes, they even made me sign something to confirm I had now been told of this rule.Steve ********
@Marianne *******
And immigration actually stated you were being denied on the 90 in 180 rule? Interesting. It seems immigration is getting tougher post-covid.Todd *********
There is no 180 day limit. I don’t think there ever has been.
Michael **********
@Todd ********
there was back in the early 2000s. I still remember that at that time I could get a triple entry toursti visa and live in thailand 9months without any hussle
Darren *******
Considering it's not a rule it's going to be up to the immigration officer at entry as to whether s/he thinks you're trying to live in Thailand without the correct visa.
Garrett ***********
There is no 180 day rule, and there hasn't been for more than 15 years.
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