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What are the best visa options for an extended stay in Thailand without prior arrangements?

Visa options Visa on arrival Visa exemption Visa extension Border run Onward ticket Multi-entry visa Thailand immigration rules Expat life in Thailand

Nov 18, 2024

a month ago

David ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I am planning on staying 150 approx and it appears to me that I have two options if I do not get a visa prior to arrival. 

1. 60 day visa on arrival followed by a border run and finally a 30 extension.

2. 60 day visa on arrival followed by a 30 day extension then a border run. This may have the adavatage of another extension if things go pear shaped. 

Any advice will be appreciated.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is considering options for a 150-day stay in Thailand without obtaining a visa beforehand. They present two potential approaches involving a 60-day visa on arrival, followed by either an extension or a border run. Community responses suggest opting for visa exemption for a hassle-free 60 days, followed by extensions if necessary, and emphasize that border runs can be time-consuming. Additionally, there's mention of obtaining onward tickets and exploring longer-term visa options such as a 6-month multi-entry visa.

Jason **********

Get a 6months multi entry tourist visa. It's 60 day stamps extendable to 90 days and you can get a stamp just before the visa expires giving you upto

***

months on a legit visa or get a dtv.

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David ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jason *********

Would be nice but sadly events have taken over and not been able to plan a visa.

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David ***********

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Sarah **********

Ive seen many posts over the last year I’m a bit lost but I believe there’s a 6 month multi entry visa no to be organised before arrival. Does this allow a full 6months with no having to leave? If I have remembered correctly this could be an option but I’m pretty sure it will cost more than the 1900 baht extend and a cheap return to somewhere

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Graham ******

@Sarah *********

No, a tourist visa gets a 60 day entry stamp which can be extended once for a further 30 days (1900B). To get a stay of 6 months (well, 180 days) this would require at least one border bounce using the METV then another extension.

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Graham ******

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Henrik *****

Don’t forget that you may need a onward ticket within the 60 days.

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Jim **********

yes I bought a dummy ticket for $15. I believe it helped me on return

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David ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

what's a dummy ticket and how do you get one

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Jim **********

@David **********

it's a ticket showing a flight booking. If you Google dummy flight tickets it can all be done online it's a legal and valid ticket that will cancel itself after 14 days. If an immigration officer enters the flight number it will show a genuine flight. The IO did this in my case. Perhaps I was unfortunate to get a jobsworth. He asked other officers for advice

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Henrik *****

Best to keep to the use “onward ticket” term, then there is less confusion about it, and easier to search.

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David ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks with bear that in mind.

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David ***********

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David ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

yes I am aware. Thanks.

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David ***********

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David ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for the info. Did a border run from Chiang Mai last year and have friends up there so not an issue. Also in Isaan and extending takes about 10 minutes unlike Bangkok if I read thr posts right.

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Cissi *********

Just a tiny comment for your information (and to not confuse others)... You don't get a "60 days visa on arrival" - you enter without any visa (visa exemption) and get a stamp that allows you to stay for 60 days. Visa on arrival is a different thing...

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David ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Cissi ********

interesting point. So you get a 30 day extension on your visa exemption

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Cissi *********

Yes. 😁

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Cissi *********

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Davide *********

Right now, I am finishing my first 90 days, including the extension I paid for. I am leaving next weekend and going directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, for three days before coming back. As the latest comments mentioned, don't waste your time with border runs (which would be an option), but flying is better. Hopefully, after another three months, I will be visiting China and doing the same.

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Bob *********

Don't bother with extensions, you want to look like a tourist using Thailand as a home base to see Asia. Best to leave every 60 days and visit Malaysia, Indonesia or Philippines for a few days and then come back. Border runs are a waste of a whole day and waiting in line at immigration will test your patience.

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Todd *********

Make your life easy. Visa exempt entry gives 60 for free with zero hassle. Add 30 days for 1900 baht at immigration. Exit once and return for another 60. No problem

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Todd *********

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

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