Ask question

Is it possible to stay in Thailand for 6 months out of a year with visa regulations?

Thailand Visa Tourist Visa Visa Extension Immigration Visa Rules Expat Living Border Runs

May 9, 2024

7 months ago

Lopsee **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello, Is it possible to stay in Thailand for 6 months out of a year? 3 months in 3 months out and then 3 months again in Thailand? Thanks.

3,509

views

6

likes

97

all likes

49

replies

1

images

20

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

Yes, it is possible to stay in Thailand for 6 months out of a year, typically by using a combination of a 60-day tourist visa followed by a 30-day extension, allowing for up to 90 days initially. Many expats discuss strategies including obtaining a second tourist visa after leaving the country or utilizing neighboring countries for quick visa runs (border runs). While scenarios can vary based on an individual's passport and immigration history, the consensus among commenters is that as long as you follow the visa rules and plan your exits properly, remaining outside of Thailand for sufficient time between entries can help avoid issues with Thai immigration.

Lopsee **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you all for your answers. Good to get re-confirmation from so many. Will turn off the comment section now.

Like

Reply

Bob **********

Yes

Like

Reply

Thomas *******

Yes

Like

Reply

Michael *******

Yea. Just done it!

Like

Reply

Mike ********

I do it all the time. 3 months there 3 months in US. I get 60 visa then extend for 30 days or leave Thailand for a visit to a near by county then get a free 30 more days.

Make sure you leave by your 60th day or early

Like

Reply

Lopsee **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you so much.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Lopsee **********

Reply

Paul *******

It’s exactly what I do. 2x tourist visa extended

Like

Reply

Lopsee **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks

Like

Reply

Paul *******

@Lopsee *********

spend the other 2x3months in Spain. Heaven 😍

Like

Reply

Reply to

Paul *******

Reply

Jj ****

Yes

Like

Reply

Floris ***************

Like

Reply

Floris ***************

Can't people read??

Like

Reply

Garry ********

From my understanding you can fly in and out as often as you want, get 30 day on arrival,, fly back out then come back in the next day and repeat I have flown in 8 times in 1 year no problem, but normally 1 or 2 weeks before returning, or you can 60 day or 90 day visa's, retirement visa, marriage visa, the options are really endless, but there are plenty of people in this group that will stear you in the right direction.

Like

Reply

Lopsee **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

damn that's a lot of flying in and out. As long as we get to stay in Thailand 6 months outta a year, we are okay with that 😆

Like

Reply

Lopsee **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Lopsee **********

Reply

Henrik *****

When going to Thailand for 31 - 60 ( 90 )days, the 60 days touristvisa is the best option.

It is cheaper than visa excempt + 30 days extension.

No need of a onward ticket ( 90 days 1 onward ), if returnticket within 60 days.

It is easier to apply from the comfort of your home.

thaievisa.go.th

Not wasting holiday time to find, go to and waiting at a immigration office ( 90 you would need that ).

Then no need to leave Thailand in up to 90 days.

It is strictly forbidden to work on touristvisa, also including online.

Like

Reply

Lee *********

do you need proof of onward with 60 day tourist visa? Thanks

Like

Reply

Yorgos **************

,why cheaper? 30 days exception cost 0 and 30days extension costs 1900baht. 60days visa and 30days extension costs less than 1900bt?

Like

Reply

Lopsee **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks. For few years we don't want to live full time in Thailand but see how it works out for us but would prefer to live in Thailand for at least half the year so we are okay with leaving the country for few months and then returning.

Like

Reply

Ziggy ******

Not cheaper than the 30 days extension if travelling on a NZ passport

Like

Reply

Henrik *****

But for the rest of the world it is.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Henrik *****

Reply

Bart **************

That schedule should normally work.

Like

Reply

Marc ********

Yes

Like

Reply

Brown ********

Yep exactly as Jan said. If only 6 months a year, you won't have issues with immigration

Like

Reply

Rene ******

and would [6 out, 6 in (by borderbouncing] likely to be a problem?

Like

Reply

Brown ********

you'd have to either get a metv 6 month visa or do a setv for 60 days, a extension, a border run, a 2nd extension and a 2nd border run in that order for a 6 month stay. If you did this after spending considerable time outside Thailand then I doubt you'll have issues with immigration denying entry for living in Thailand on tourist visas etc

Like

Reply

Rene ******

yep, I did this (60+30//30+30//30) and want to come back in 6,5 months :) fingers crossed that I get in without problems

Like

Reply

Brown ********

you'll have no worries getting in being outside the country for 5 months

Like

Reply

Lopsee **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

ummm was thinking 3 months in Thailand...3 months somewhere else and then back to Thailand for 3 months?

Like

Reply

Brown ********

@Lopsee *********

easy done. Get a setv visa and then extend 30 days for your 3 months then get another setv in the country you travel to after you leave Thailand

Like

Reply

Reply to

Brown ********

Reply

Garry ********

I think you can only do a land border bounce twice in one year , no restrictions if you fly though. Double check but pretty sure that's right.

Like

Reply

Brown ********

100% correct

Like

Reply

Reply to

Brown ********

Reply

Ziggy ******

Mr Immigration

Like

Reply

Brown ********

huh?

Like

Reply

Reply to

Brown ********

Reply

Lopsee **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Lopsee **********

Reply

Jan ******************

If you apply for a 60 days tourist visa at the thai embassy/consulate where you stay/live, you can also get a 30 days extension at your local immigration in Thailand, in total 90 days. And two tourist visas in a year should be no issues.

Like

Reply

Lopsee **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jan *****************

thanks.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Lopsee **********

Reply

John **********

Yes it's possible but that will depend on your circumstances and passport

Like

Reply

Lopsee **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

circumstances and passport as in?

Like

Reply

John **********

@Lopsee *********

passport nation, age etc

Like

Reply

Lopsee **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

we are hoping to do that until husband can apply for retirement visa....he is in mid 40s. Kids are under 16. 4 of us have 3 different passports.

Like

Reply

Dave **********

@Lopsee *********

I will only do that if you are home schooling those children.

Like

Reply

John **********

@Lopsee *********

sounds pretty disruptive for the kids. If you're kids can get ED visas and attend school both you and your husband should be able to get guardian visas based on that and wouldn't need to do 3 months in and 3 months out (that's going to be difficult to sustain for

***

years).

Like

Reply

Lopsee **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

thanks but ED visa is not an option for us as the international schools are too expensive 😆 but kids are used to traveling and living in different countries. Digital nomads

Like

Reply

John **********

@Lopsee *********

a guardian visa isn't an option anyway if you intend to work in Thailand as you can't hold a work permit on it. The same is true for a retirement visa. Just an FYI, it's also now very difficult to get a a dependent visa based on a non-o visa for retirement so your husband might need to get a non-oa visa from his home country

Like

Reply

Lopsee **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

thanks.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Lopsee **********

Reply

Mark ********

Yes

Like

Reply

Lopsee **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks.

Like

Reply

Mark ********

@Lopsee *********

🙏 welcome.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Mark ********

Reply

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

... members · 60% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

How long can you stay in Thailand, and is it true you can do border runs for a year or longer?

17 comments

3 months ago

Can I obtain a new 60-day visa and extend it for 30 days after leaving Thailand for Singapore?

19 comments

3 months ago

Can I spend 6 months in Thailand by using a combination of tourist visa and visa exemption?

21 comments

5 months ago

What visa options are available for a 6-month stay in Thailand starting in November?

9 comments

7 months ago

Can I use multiple visa exemptions and tourist visas to stay in Thailand for 6 months?

10 comments

7 months ago

Can I extend my stay in Thailand to almost 6 months using a single entry visa and visa runs?

12 comments

9 months ago

Is it possible to stay in Thailand as a tourist for a year?

56 comments

9 months ago

Can I get a 6-month visa for Thailand that requires border runs every 60 days?

16 comments

9 months ago

Can I obtain a multi-entry visa to stay in Thailand for 6 months by leaving and re-entering?

34 comments

9 months ago

Can I obtain a visa for 60 days twice a year in Thailand?

26 comments

10 months ago

What is the easiest way to obtain a 6-month visa for Thailand without frequent exits?

11 comments

a year ago

What are the best strategies to extend my stay in Thailand for up to 12 months on a tourist visa?

93 comments

a year ago

What is the best visa option for living in Thailand for 6 months?

5 comments

a year ago

What is the best way to obtain a visa for a 6-month stay in Thailand?

66 comments

a year ago

Can I extend my standard tourist visa for 90 days in Thailand without leaving the country?

18 comments

a year ago

What are the rules regarding the maximum stay duration on tourist visas in Thailand?

36 comments

a year ago

Can I extend my stay in Thailand by reapplying for a tourist visa after my initial visa expires?

7 comments

a year ago

What is the best visa option for staying in Thailand for 6 months and returning after 6 months?

2 comments

2 years ago

What are the best options for staying in Thailand for 6 months without a visa?

9 comments

2 years ago

How can my husband and I stay in Thailand for 6 months as tourists before applying for a retirement visa?

56 comments

2 years ago

How can I extend my two-month visa in Thailand to 4-6 months?

15 comments

2 years ago

Is it possible to obtain a 6-month visa for Thailand?

48 comments

3 years ago

What type of visa should I apply for a 6-month stay in Thailand, and do I need to leave after 3 months?

11 comments

5 years ago

What Are the Visa Options for Staying in Thailand for 6 Months?

6 comments

5 years ago

What is the best visa option for staying 6 months in Thailand and 6 months in my home country?

25 comments

6 years ago

Data protection policy Terms and conditions Disclaimer Privacy policy Refund policy

The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.