What are the current rules and possibilities for back-to-back tourist visas in Thailand?

Tourist Visa Visa Extensions Thai Visa Rules

February 20, 2020

5 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

What is the current situation with back-to-back tourist visas? I've been in Thailand for nearly 4 years now. I did 3 tourist visas and 3 extensions in my first year, then did the self-defense visa for 2 years in a row, and am now on a one year Thai language visa which will end in May. I heard my application will get rejected if I apply for another education visa so I'm thinking about switching back to tourist visas and extensions and spending the remaining time in other countries. Can we still do 3 tourist visas plus 3 extensions in a year? If so, is that within a calendar year or one year from the start of the first tourist visa? If it's the latter, how long would it be until the next tourist visa can be approved? Exactly one year after the first tourist visa began? Also, can this be done for multiple years or will my tourist visa applications start getting rejected after awhile? Thanks!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is seeking clarity on the rules surrounding back-to-back tourist visas after using various visa types over the years. They want to know if they can still apply for multiple tourist visas and extensions within a specified timeframe, and whether their applications will face rejections in subsequent years. Comments suggest alternative visa options like the Elite Visa or retirement visa, pointing out the difficulties of continuing to obtain tourist visas after long-term stays.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

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James ********

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5 years ago

James ********

Jake...yesterday morning you had also posted of your lack of visa problems...

As I and others said then...and again in this new post of yours..

GET THE CORRECT VISA FOR LIVING AND WORKING in Thailand...

And Border runs, Tourist visas, METV's etc etc etc will not continue to work for you ....

The technology Thai Immigration now has will STOP you. Be prepared when questioned and denied.

500,000 Thai baht gets you 5 years of living in Thailand.

At 100,000 Thb per year its a better bargain than the worrisome border runs and Ed Visa costs.

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5 years ago

Tod *********

@Jake ******

alright I don't know what you really want as far as advice from the page or the members. You seemed to have used just about every visa option there was available to you.

No one on this page can tell you whether you'll get another ED visa or not, OR whether you'll pull a tourist visa or not OR if you do whether you manage to get back into the country or denied entry.

Good Luck (y)

5 years ago

Reiner *********

As his FB Page Tell he is Working .....

5 years ago

Danny *********

You just have to trust the universe. 😅

5 years ago

Steve *********

"I've been in Thailand for nearly 4 years now" ... you're NOT a tourist. Get an appropriate visa.

5 years ago

Jake *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Steve ********

I would like to continue studying Thai or perhaps Chinese if I could but it sounds like that is no longer an option.

5 years ago

Reply to

Jake *******

Ross ********

Elite Visa or keep everything you own in a backpack so when they refuse your entry you won't be SOL

5 years ago

Ian ***************

Facebook profile says "Lives in Chiang Mai"

Might want to remove that, as your visa history suggests a fake tourist ;-)

5 years ago

Milan ********

Do you think Io check your facebook on entry? :D

5 years ago

Ian ***************

^Because continuing to apply for repeat tourist visas + extensions after nearly 4 years of "living" here could be seen by consular or immigration officials as abuse of the system, resulting in denial. Just saying, they might (and often do) check social media profiles. Many of us played that game in past years, but it's getting more risky. Advice not accusation.

5 years ago

Jake *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Leo ****

I've lived in Chiang Mai for the past 3 years on legitimate education visas. How does that suggest that I am a "fake tourist?"

5 years ago

Reply to

Jake *******

Rob *******

Buy an Elite Visa like I did, or if you are age 50+, get a retirement visa. Unfortunately they have not left us any other reasonable options.

5 years ago

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