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What are the limits on visa-exempt entries for US passport holders traveling to Thailand?

US Passport Visa Exemption Thailand Immigration Tourist Visa Visa Rules Visa Extension Entry Regulations Visa Exempt Entry Limits

March 22, 2024

6 months ago

Michael *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

hey all, (and Tod Daniels who seems to know everything:), I'm traveling on a US passport. When I arrive at the airport, I am given an automatic 30 day visa which I can extend for 30 days at the immigration office. 

Is there any limit to the number of times I can do that in 1 year? Do I just need to fly out and fly back in to get another 30 + 30? 

Thank you!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Travelers on a US passport receive a 30-day visa exemption upon arrival in Thailand, which can be extended for an additional 30 days at an immigration office. However, there are limitations on the number of times one can enter Thailand under this exemption. Officially, there is no stated limit on air entries, but it is suggested that repeated entries may raise suspicions among immigration officers, resulting in questioning and potential denial of entry. The consensus is that travelers are generally limited to two visa-exempt entries per calendar year via land and sea borders, and while air entries might be unlimited on paper, frequent back-to-back entries could lead to increased scrutiny by immigration authorities.

James ********

I believe that the OP has the answers needed for his question.

Thanks all for your helpful replies ☺️

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Richard ******

It's not a 30 day 'visa on entry '. It's a visa exemption stamp. Allows 30 days visit, can be extended once for a further 30 days. Then you have to leave. Suggest get a 'proper' visa in your home country.

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Russell ********

If you actually bought yourself a visa in the US youd have 60 days plus the 30.

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Jay *******

You can get the 60 day tourist visa before you leave the US and extend 30 days in Thailand. If that helps any.

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Jiji ***********

There's no *official* limit to air entries. On paper, you can do it forever.

However, the more visa-exempt entry stamps you have in your passport, back-to-back, the greater the likelihood that you'll be pulled aside at immigration and interrogated as to what you're doing here, and potentially denied entry, or worst-cast-scenario deported back to your country of origin.

When that point comes will vary from officer to officer.

Some people get questioned after their second or third entry stamp.

Others get away with it for well over a year.

"How long can I stay here on short-term stays" is one of those "How long is a piece of string" questions.

You can do it until you can't; until they tell you "No More".

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Ellie *******

There is a regulation of maximum two times of visa-exempt entries via land/sea borders per calendar year. There are no written rules on how many visa-exempt entries by air.

All approval of your entry in Thailand is at the discretion of the officer at passport control upon your entry. at some point when the officer gets doubts your being a genuine tourist, You may be questioned at the entry point. No one other than him knows when it is. Until then, you can enter on visa-exempt with no problem.

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Greta *****

This question has been answered maybe 20 times in the past few days...You are limited to TWO entries in one calender year on the visa exemption

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Andrew ***********

by land only 2, there is no restriction by air as such, that upto the immigration officer.

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John **********

that only applies to land entries

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Greta *****

@John *********

So you can enter via airport as much as you like?

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John **********

there is no official limit by air but there will come a point where immigration will question why you don't have an appropriate visa, it's up to the immigration officer you stand in front of each time you enter

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John **********

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James ********

@John *********

correct ✅

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James ********

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James ********

Suggest you do yourself a BIG FAVOR and get the correct Thai Visa for your planned stay in Thailand.

You are NOT 🚫❌ going to be able to live in Thailand with back to back Visa Exempt Entries into Thailand.

At some point be prepared for questions from Thai Immigration Officers upon arrival into Thailand and possible DENIED entry.

It is apparent that Thai Immigration Officers, since COVID, are now more strict with such repeated entries.

Suggest you get the METV multiple entry tourist visa in your home country. With planning it can get you up to 9 months stay in Thailand with a few simple land BORDER BOUNCE crossing entries into Thailand.

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Amanda *******

this is great advice ( as always!). I arrived on a METV and had issue free travel in and out of Thailand for nearly 9 months. Well worth the cost.

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James ********

Glad to hear you had a good experience with the METV multiple entry tourist visa. Take care ☺️

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James ********

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