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What are the best visa options for living part-time in Thailand while bouncing between the USA, EU, and Mexico?

Thai Visa RulesMultiple Entry Tourist VisaVisa ExtensionsBorder BouncingLong-Stay Visa OptionsTourist VisaImmigration PolicyVisa Free EntryRetirement VisaMarriage Visa
May 10, 2023
2 years ago
Glen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Trying to work out a plan, live in Thailand more or less (can border bounce often) 6 months of the year, will live in USA, EU, Mexico the rest of the year. Thoughts on visa's, thanks in advance.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around finding an optimal visa strategy for someone wanting to live in Thailand for about six months while frequently traveling to the USA, EU, and Mexico. Various suggestions include applying for a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa, which can provide up to nine months of stay with strategic border bounces, or using back-to-back tourist visas. Participants advise considering the implications of immigration regulations and the potential for being denied entry if repeatedly border bouncing without a proper visa.
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Paul *******
Retirement or multiple entry tourist visa. Marriage visa if you're under 50 and married to a Thai.
2 years ago
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Chris ****
Start with tourists visas for a few years. Then you will learn everything you want and what visa to get.
2 years ago
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Sam *********
thats probably doable with just utilizing back to back tourist visas
2 years ago
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Duncanc **********
You don’t need visas - you just need flight tickets
2 years ago
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Mitchell *******
I would come in on a 60 day tourist visa, extend 30 days, then just do a couple of border bounces, spending a few days exploring nearby countries each time, then return visa exempt (Which you can extend 30 days as well.)
2 years ago
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Mike ********
@Mitchell ******
 That’s what I’ve done, came into TH on
*****
/22 and leave on
***
/23
2 years ago
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Mike ********
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Bonnie *******
Visa free entry extend border run repeat as necessary
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Bonnie ******
That's fine if you are spending a few days in the country here and there not if you spend most of your time here. The days of border running to live here are over.
2 years ago
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Bonnie *******
@Paul ******
 we stayed the full time of our visa free entry. There is absolutely no rule that you can only spend a few days here and there. In fact with the two land entry rule you are forced to stay in the country longer. We would prefer to travel in and out of the country more
2 years ago
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Bonnie *******
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Paul *******
@Bonnie ******
Can't do that anymore. It's not 2003, it's 2023 now.
2 years ago
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Bonnie *******
@Paul ******
 we have been in and out of Thailand many times.
2 years ago
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Bonnie *******
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Marianne ********
@Bonnie ******
 Immigration stopped me after 3 same-day border bouncing.

There is apparently a rule that states 90 days max of visa exemption in a 6 month period.

The officers you meet may or may not care about it. But if they want to deny you entry, they can.

The best option is a multi entry tourist visa in this situation.
2 years ago
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Bonnie *******
@Marianne *******
 there is not any such rule
2 years ago
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Marianne ********
@Bonnie ******
 this Q/A, first question, says there is. From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thailand

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*****
068d3
2 years ago
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Graham ******
@Marianne *******
 This is the MFA not Thai Immigration, they do not control the borders or extensions of stay within Thailand. Because they say it doesn't make it law.
2 years ago
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Marianne ********
@Graham *****
 Thai Immigration denied me entry for this exact reason. Even had to sign a piece of paper that stated they had shown me this rule and I now know it exists.

This happened at Suvarnabhumi airport, one month ago.

Talked to multiple officers.
2 years ago
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Graham ******
@Marianne *******
 It's often quoted/used but it is not law (it is not in the Royal Gazette). Entry is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer and if you have a history of staying long term in Thailand without a relevant visa you will be denied either by quoting this or insufficient funds or whatever.
2 years ago
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Graham ******
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Graham ******
@Bonnie ******
 Land border issued visa exempt entries are limited to 2 per calendar year
2 years ago
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Graham ******
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Todd *********
No need to worry really. Can enter on 60 day TV, extend once in country got 1900 baht. Exit country to nearby Royal Thai embassy, get new TV -60, repeat the process. Enjoy the other 6 months elsewhere
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
Apply for the 6 month Multiple Entry Tourist Visa when you are in your home country. You can only apply for this from your home country. It's valid for 6 months from the day it's issued and every time you enter Thailand within those 6 months you will receive a 60-day stamp and apply for a 30 day extension after. So you can do 90 days, leave and re-enter and get your 2nd 90 days which covers your 6 months.

Then travel around and right before you come back to Thailand the next year go back home and apply for the visa again and repeat.

It's also good to have if you will be traveling around the region while you are in Thailand, since you'll be stamped in for 60 days every time you return.

Barring that, you can either get a single entry tourist visa before you come to Thailand and get 60+30 days, and then do a visa run to Laos or Cambodia to get a new tourist visa and get another 60+30. That's 6 months for you.
2 years ago
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Terry ********
@Brandon ***********
 I don’t see the point of the 6 month visa if you have to leave after 90 days. How is it better than two back to back 60 day visas with extensions?
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Terry *******
 you don't have to go to another country and sit there for 2-3 days without your passport waiting for the Thai consulate to process your request halfway through your trip. Plus if you decide to travel around SE Asia while you're in Thailand it gets a lot more complicated.
2 years ago
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Ruth *******
@Brandon ***********
 how does it get complicated? This is a sincere question. I’m planning something similar to (frequent time in Thailand but also frequent time out) and I’m curious why it gets complicated.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Ruth ******
 because you're only getting 30 days each time you arrive so you're going to end up having to leave multiple times
2 years ago
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Ruth *******
@Brandon ***********
 30 days plus extension.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Ruth ******
 not much help when they want 6 months
2 years ago
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Ruth *******
@Brandon ***********
 “more or less”, but thank you. You’ve answered the question and clarified your concern. I appreciate it.
2 years ago
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Ruth *******
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John **********
For Thailand look into the multiple entry tourist visa which can give you close to 9 months with judicious border bounces
2 years ago
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Av **********
Portugal is a good place to. bounc to and easy to get another passport....helps with going in and out of other countries too
2 years ago
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Paul *******
OK until Immigration want you to have an appropriate visa for long stay in the counrty.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Paul ******
That's why he's asking. Best to get a multiple entry tourist visa or retirement visa.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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