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Answereda year ago

What are the new visa exemption entry rules for Thailand and how do they affect multiple visits?

Lize-Mari ******
asked Nov 18, 2025
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I am a little bit confused with these new visa exemption entry rules and hope someone can help. My sister has visited me on a visa exemption twice this year already, but she never stayed for more than 2 weeks at a time.

She was planning on visiting me again for Christmas and new year, but now we hear people say that with new regulations people are only allowed two visa exemptions per year.

Does anybody know if this is true? We are now afraid to book her flight tickets in case they deny her entry.
Answer summary
There is confusion regarding the new visa exemption entry rules in Thailand, particularly for those planning multiple short visits within a year. According to recent updates, travelers can have up to two visa-exempt entries per calendar year without issues, primarily targeting those who have abused the system for long-term stays. For air arrivals, some reports suggest there may also be a practical limit of two entries per year, with a potential denial for a third. However, travelers who stay under 60 days per visit or those who provide proof of onward travel and accommodation are generally not affected and can expect to enter without problems. For added security, obtaining a tourist visa is recommended.
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Helen *******
Helen *******
Both my husband and I applied for a non-o visa my husband received his within three days

I was notified that

I would need to send

A letter from a school Inviting me with my name on it

This is an entirely Different visa

How to fix this as it obvious they mixed up my application

With another I have sent a email to their

Web site is there anything else I can do thanks
James *********
James *********
@Helen ******
I don't have the knowledge to have an answer for your question, but you'd have a great chance to get one if you simply ask the question in a New Post of your own 🙏
Andy *******
Andy *******
True, went into effect last week. 2 per year. Get a tourist visa for $40, might help. Ignore all the wrong answers and useless opinions.
Todd *********
Todd *********
@Andy ******
she can enter no problem
Andy *******
Andy *******
@Todd ********
until it is
Todd *********
Todd *********
@Andy ******
which is exactly when you cross that bridge. Unless you love perversely wasting your time worrying about something that occur .01% of the time
Ben *******
Ben *******
@Andy ******
ignore this
Malcolm *******
Malcolm *******
She is obviously a genuine tourist and has not had extentions on top of her previous visa exempt visits . She can go ahead and book and will be fine . Thailand welcomes tourists such as her .

If she is really worried , she can apply to the Thai Embassy online for a tourist visa .
Steve ****
Steve ****
There is no hard and fast answer. Your sister clearly isn’t part of the group they are really targeting but it all depends the what the IO in front of her thinks.
Andi ***********
Andi ***********
Your sis is fine as her pattern of travel is not what the measures are for.
Cathryn *****
Cathryn *****
No problem
Steven ******
Steven ******
Its going to take a while to get a good idea about how immigration and the individual immigration officers are going to deal with the new rules. Youve got more than enough time to get a tourist visa which for the next visit may be the safest option until we see more stories in the group about people entering on visa exemptions.
Luc ************
Luc ************
There's only a limit on the extensions, not on the visa exempt entries. As long as you stay less then 60 days, you will be fine. I go next week for my 4th trip this year, no worries.
10
Ian ********
Ian ********
Good luck with that
John ******
John ******
Ian Rooney I’m here now for the 4th time this year and had no problems
Jo **********
Jo **********
@Ian *******
actually he is correct
Leong ***********
Leong ***********
Your sister will be fine…..the new measures are aimed at visitors who abuse the visa exemption system by staying long term.

To increase chances of a successful entry, have an onward ticket and hotel reservations.
16
Graham ******
Graham ******
@Leong **********
and a total of at least 20k Baht cash or equivalent in any major currencies
Liam ***********
Liam ***********
@Leong **********
I agree she’s never maxed out her stay and she’s never had an extension so she will be totally fine
Andy ***********
Andy ***********
From AI -

Entry limits (“cap” on visa-exempt entries)

• For land border entries: limited to two visa-exempt entries per calendar year. 

• For air arrivals, the situation is more ambiguous. Some sources used to say “unlimited entries by air,” but newer reports claim there is a practical limit of 2 per calendar year by air, and a 3rd could be denied. 

• According to Thai legal-immigration media, “travellers who attempt more than two visa-exempt entries within a year may be denied entry on their third attempt.”
Todd *********
Todd *********
@Andy **********
AI is not remotely close to being able to answer this
Pui *****
Pui *****
@Andy **********
I can't believe you would trust AI about this type of question. It's already wrong. There's no twice a year cap on land entries. That went away quite awhile ago.
Bob **********
Bob **********
@Pui ****
it’s been said it will become law soon and not just land
Jo **********
Jo **********
@Andy **********
suggest not reading AI on something like this
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