What are my options for extending my 30-day visa exemption in Thailand?

Visa Exemption Visa Extension Thailand Immigration Border Run Single Entry Visa Tourist Visa Visa Rules Expat Advice

Nov 14, 2017

7 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi Guys, I'm on my first 30 day visa exempt stay with EU passport and I'm planning to get the 30 days extension. I would need an additional 60 days after that and I'm not sure what would be the best way to go about it. I've been reading conflicting info on whether I can get another visa exempt stay if I travel out and in (I don't mind spending a couple of days somewhere) or do I need to spend a longer time in another country before I come back to Thailand? Would you advise getting a single entry visa or can I just do a border run for a visa exempt stamp and extend that? Thanks in advance!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is on their first 30-day visa-exempt stay in Thailand and is seeking advice on how to extend their stay for an additional 60 days. They inquire about the possibility of getting another visa exempt stamp through a border run or whether they should opt for a single-entry tourist visa. Responses from the community indicate mixed views on the viability of back-to-back visa exempt entries and suggest alternatives, such as flying to another country or visiting specific embassies.

Attila *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

If I can get the back-to-back visa exempt stamp than it seems way easier than getting a visa. 2 runs are more than enough for me, probably even one and I can extend that. Just wasn't sure if I can get it. Thanks for all the replies!

7 years ago

Simon *************

Have you tried Air Asia for flights to KL from Chiang Mai? somehow, we've always found really cheap flights.

7 years ago

Attila *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks, I'm in Chiang Mai, flights are not so cheap from here (£200 or so)

7 years ago

Rocky ***************

60 day visa is 35 USD in Penang Malaysia. I think you can extend that another 30 days. Flights from Don Muang to Penang can be quite cheap if you find the right one. I just flew there and loved it.

7 years ago

Reply to

Rocky ***************

Reiner *********

U can on,y get 2 visa run by land ....if U take a plane to kl or Laos not problem ...as u fly out it would be easier to get a 50 days tourist visa means 90 days ..and in an do it again ....

7 years ago

Attila *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

So is this ok now? I've purchased the "Nomad Guide Chiang Mai" PDF and it specifically says that back-to-back visa exempt entries are not granted anymore (mentioning Mae Sai in particular). The info in this PDF is probably about 2 years old though, did they relax these rules since?

7 years ago

Attila *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks Tod, that's great as Mae Sai seems like the quickest and most simple way for a border run from Chiang Mai.

7 years ago

Tod *********

Since Dec 31st 2016 when they went back to 30 day visa exempt entries by a land border (and put the limit of TWO in a calendar year by land) Mae Sai opened back up .

7 years ago

Steve *******

It's not true and never was.

7 years ago

Reply to

Steve *******

You either do a border run for another 30 day visa exempt or a visa run for an SETV. I would recomend the Thai embassy in Vientiane for the visa and any Laos border crossing for your visa exempt stamp. They seem to be the most user friendly. Of course it may depend on where you're located in Thailand as to what is easier for you.

7 years ago

Jeremy ********

Seeing that it’s near the end of the year...you can do 4 consecutive land border crossings 2 in 17 and 2 in 18

7 years ago

Reply to

Jeremy ********

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