Answered4 years ago

What are the current constraints on visa-exempt entries to Thailand post-COVID?

visa exemption Thailand visa rules entry restrictions Thailand post-COVID entry policies border entry Thailand

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

asked Dec 27, 2022

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Pre-covid, visa-exempt entry was technically allowed only a certain number of times within a given ninety day (or was it six-month?) window. What are the current constraints? TIA.

Answer summary

Currently, there are technically no limits on the number of visa-exempt entries into Thailand; however, at land borders, you are limited to two entries per calendar year. For air entries, while there is no specific known limit, travelers might face scrutiny or denial of entry if found to be avoiding obtaining a valid long-term visa.

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Stuart *********

Pre covid and post covid there were/are no technical limits on exempt entries. By land you are only allowed two in a calendar year.

No one can actually say how many you’ll get away with by air but at some point you’ll get grilled and possibly denied entry for not having a valid visa for long term stay in Thailand.

Reiwa *******

thank you!

Alistair **********

no idea, but wouldn't be surprised if there is that ability. The system is a lot more integrated than it once was. They would often just write it in your passport next to the stamp.

If you have been here a long time, not on the correct visas, be prepared to get denied entry eventually.

4 years ago

Reiwa *******

@Alistair *********

i got warned on my last entry. They let me in, but the IO told me that he is gonna put me in the system. Is there a thing like a red flag in the system or he was just bluffing?

Thank you!

4 years ago

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

@Phil *******

thanks. Always.

4 years ago

Phil ********

Best to have the 3 proofs in any case:

hotel booking for a few days & onward travel reservation within 45 days, & 20,000 thb or equivalent in $ £ € in CASH is needed.

4 years ago

Alistair **********

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

immigration officers do whatever they want here (within reason). You could get warned on your second visit or you could come in and out 10+ times without issue. It could literally have just been a lazy officer who saw a bunch of stamps without any context and decided to give u a warning cos they could.

4 years ago

Stuart *********

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

You’ll hear stories from people that say the immigration officer told them “90 days”, “180 days” or similar bullshit. There is no limit. It’s up to the discretion of the individual officer. If they think you’re trying to milk the system they’ll question you.

A couple of days here or there every couple of months isn’t going to raise any red flags to them. They’re on the lookout for those they think are working here illegally and the like.

4 years ago

Phil ********

There isn't currently, nor ever was previously, any actual rule.

Seems a loose rule of thumb that is 180 days in 6 months using visa exempt entry might raise some eyebrows. 🙃 555

Do those maths, mate.

Cheers

🍺

4 years ago

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

Thanks,

@Stuart ********

. I don't actually ever stay long-term in Thailand but pop in for a few days or a couple weeks (always by air) while doing work in nearby countries. There used to be a technical limit because I was warned to get a real visa once many years ago. (Maybe it was number of days spent in-country within a certain window rather than number of entries.) Just trying to see if there's currently any actual rule that someone can cite for me so I can do the math based on my recent and upcoming planned entries/stays. I can also just get a non-immigrant visa, but would have to jump through some hoops.

4 years ago