Answereda year ago
What are the risks of being denied entry to Thailand on your third visa exemption?
I’m a US citizen planning on traveling to Thailand in September on my third visa exemption in 2025. I was reading someone getting denied and sent back home doing this recently. My plan was to go onward to Vietnam after a month in Thailand and apply for the DTV in HCMC. Has anyone else heard of someone getting denied on their third visa exemption entry by air? Lastly I wanted to set up a condo to rent while I am there on the tourist visa to come back to after hopefully getting approved for the DTV in Vietnam, any advice on this?
Answer summary
A US citizen planning to travel to Thailand on a third visa exemption expresses concerns about potential entry denial. Community responses highlight variability in immigration officer discretion, previous experiences of travelers regarding entry and visa usage, and advice to obtain a DTV visa before traveling to avoid complications. Discussions also touch on setting up a condo rental and the implications of frequent visa exemption use.
46 repliesnewest first
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Ben *******
Once you reach around about 6 months in one year you're definitely at risk..I personally wouldn't do it. Apply for the tourist visa online and see if you get approved before wasting big time and money. Then you can know for sure before you just show up.
Anonymous *************
OP@Ben ******
Appreciate the response, I’ve only been in country twice this year for a total of just over 1 month.
Adnan ********
you might want to think about getting DTV first, if you are flexible and have everything to apply then do not take chance.... before DTV i was told the 3rd time on exempt visa as an American not to come without having proper visa, i was lucky that the supervisor was kind enough still allowed me to enter Thailand to celebrate new year......do not take unnecessary risk if you can avoid,,,
Anonymous ******************
You’ve been out the country a good while so you should be fine.
Roger ***********
Why not ask for the right visa ?
Jonas *************
It's not the number of entries that matters it's if it looks like you're trying to live here.
If you're being here twice and you maxed out the time each time I'd suggest to get any appropriate kind of Visa.
If you're being here twice and you maxed out the time each time I'd suggest to get any appropriate kind of Visa.
Goldie ********
On my flight back to Thailand now with QATAR, The airlines asked me for my return ticket, I told him I have the LTR visa, he asked to see it. I showed it to him no further questions asked, SO I highly recommend you get your visa in order, they are not playing with people any longer.
Elle *********
I’ve been in and out about 5 times this year and last week was the only time I got stopped by immigration. They asked for onward travel which I didn’t have and that was an issue.
Bob **********
People are getting denied on there first bounce nowadays
Bob **********
I have a visa for 15 years I’m just telling you the IO ‘s do t like the 60 + 30 then trying to bounce I hear everyday people being denied it’s up to the IO there is no rule
Todd *********
@Bob *********
if you have a visa for 15 years, obviously not much experience with border bounces. 60+30 and border bounce is a nationwide industry. Thousands do it every single day.Bob **********
@Todd ********
agents have always survived because it’s corruption and you can’t stop that it’s dealing with the IO’s on a one on one your not sure aboutTodd *********
@Bob *********
if you want to learn how it works, let me know. Can tour you around a bit so you start to grasp the magnitude of this and can understand how and why agencies are thriving.Bob **********
@Todd ********
don’t need experience I know what’s happening it’s a shame you don’tTodd *********
@Bob *********
if they think your purpose is something other than tourism. And if you foolishly don’t use an agency. If legit tourism, absolutely no problem
Bob **********
@Todd ********
yes trying to explain to an IO after 90 days that your a true tourist can be challenging these daysTodd *********
@Bob *********
ok - but there is absolutely no need. Visa exemption is perfectly fine. To the extent that Thailand even eliminated the former limit of 2 per year. Its that simple really. If you want a visa, knock yourself out. But you don’t need one for a year of travel here. It may just be me, but as a traveller I don’t buy any visas I don’t require. But maybe it’s a big trend and people are posting selfies on Insta with visas they never needed taking up a passport page. 🤷♂️
It’s honestly a bit comical to have foreigners here insisting on visas and what they perceive to be the rules. While Thai’s clearly function well with the system they built
Bob **********
@Todd ********
then BUY the visa that fits your needs simpleTodd *********
@Bob *********
they may be curious as to whether you have the funds or not… but in today’s world millions are long term travelling
Anonymous ******************
Get DTV visa and then go to Thailand
Anonymous ******************
Why not just apply for the dtv while in the US? I did and it went smooth
Anonymous *************
OPAnonymous participant 878 I want to make sure I have a good 3 months seasoned over 500k before I start the journey. I’ve already made plans to have my house in US rented out starting September 1, so that will be when I leave for SEA anyway. That being said I am planning on spending a couple months in Vietnam regardless so just figured I would apply there but I wanted to visit my friends in Thailand for a few weeks before exploring Vietnam.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant Disclaimer, but when I applied for the Washington embassy, I was 1k short due to some reasons. So I got the cash I had on hand, deposited it, and then applied a week later with no issues.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant Man, they changed up quick. I just got my DTV in February lol
Anonymous *************
OPAnonymous participant 878 Oh I see. I emailed the Washington embassy last week and they told me directly need to have 3 months with 500k balance on each.
Wannikea *********
Detail your visit history this year for better insight
Anonymous *************
OP@Wannikea ********
was there legit tourism for just over two weeks in Feb-March and also May.Wannikea *********
Anonymous participant perfectly fine, using the visa exempt as intended and expected, not maxing it out and extending back to back etc
Vanessa ******
This just happened to me
Got denied entry and deported back to Malaysia on my second extension over the weekend. Now I’m in Vietnam applying for DTV but if it doesn’t work I’m just going to pay an agency to help me get back in
Got denied entry and deported back to Malaysia on my second extension over the weekend. Now I’m in Vietnam applying for DTV but if it doesn’t work I’m just going to pay an agency to help me get back in
Anonymous ******************
@Vanessa *****
Heads up that agents are losing their pull to "get people in". There has been crackdown on agents lately. However, best of luckTodd *********
@Vanessa *****
what was the reason given for denial?James ********
@Vanessa *****
yep 👍... You're in good company with several thousand others, who like you, are being denied entry.James ********
Do yourself a BIG FAVOR...get the DTV visa in the USA before you travel to Thailand in September.
Otherwise, expect to be questioned by Thai Immigration Officers upon arrival into Thailand and possibly DENIED entry. Indeed you will be on their radar for trying to enter Thailand again as Visa Exempt Entry.
It's clear that Thai Immigration Officers are cracking down on those who like you, use Visa Exempt Entry into Thailand multiple times.
Otherwise, expect to be questioned by Thai Immigration Officers upon arrival into Thailand and possibly DENIED entry. Indeed you will be on their radar for trying to enter Thailand again as Visa Exempt Entry.
It's clear that Thai Immigration Officers are cracking down on those who like you, use Visa Exempt Entry into Thailand multiple times.
James ********
Note that the Thai Embassy or Consulate in the USA requires US $16,000 to be shown in your personal bank account.
Wannikea *********
@James *******
some are $17,000James ********
@Wannikea ********
ps...I peeked 😁James ********
@Wannikea ********
it was that high in recent 2024....but all are now at US $16,000. BUT for applicants : it's Best to Read the Thai Embassy or Consulate website where you will be applying for their requirements.James ********
Look at the Thai Embassy or Consulate where you are living in the USA 🇺🇸..
Frankly I believe, getting the DTV visa is easier in the USA 🇺🇸.
For what purpose for the DTV visa will you be applying for ?
Workcation?
Soft Power activity?
Frankly I believe, getting the DTV visa is easier in the USA 🇺🇸.
For what purpose for the DTV visa will you be applying for ?
Workcation?
Soft Power activity?
Anonymous *************
OP@James *******
remote work.James ********
Anonymous participant without true documentation of your providing digital nomad workcation services to clients outside of Thailand from inside Thailand, you will not qualify for the DTV visa.
What is it you are really wanting?
Sounds like you are not wanting to live in Thailand...as you live in Maryland.
There's other Thai Visas possibly better suited for your visits to Thailand.
What is it you are really wanting?
Sounds like you are not wanting to live in Thailand...as you live in Maryland.
There's other Thai Visas possibly better suited for your visits to Thailand.
Anonymous *************
OP@James *******
Maryland, no experience with remote work living abroad. Only travel abroad regularly for short periods with the security firm I work for.James ********
Anonymous participant do you have experience working remotely for a company? With income tax return proof as self employed Digital Nomad? Read the posts from others about their applications for the remote worker with the DTV visa application.
In what state in the USA is your home residence?
In what state in the USA is your home residence?
A. ************
How long ago were you in Thailand? For how long?
Having asked those questions, it really will be the luck of the draw when it comes to the agent you get when you go through immigration. I spent 2 months in Thailand earlier this year, popped over to Cambodia for a few days, came back for a couple of weeks, then went to Vietnam for a few days. On that last entry coming from Vietnam the agent asked me how long I planned to stay on that entry. It was only 11 days before I came back to the US and that seemed to calm him that I wasn't border hopping or whatever. I suspect if I had planned to stay longer it might have been a problem.
Having asked those questions, it really will be the luck of the draw when it comes to the agent you get when you go through immigration. I spent 2 months in Thailand earlier this year, popped over to Cambodia for a few days, came back for a couple of weeks, then went to Vietnam for a few days. On that last entry coming from Vietnam the agent asked me how long I planned to stay on that entry. It was only 11 days before I came back to the US and that seemed to calm him that I wasn't border hopping or whatever. I suspect if I had planned to stay longer it might have been a problem.
Greg ********
I think it is rare for anyone to be fully denied entry in your situation. Guys I know been doing one month on and off while working FIFO were told get a visa but still let in. If you want to feel safer apply for a Tourist Visa. As for condo rental it does not matter what visa you are on. I have done it on Visa Exempt. Pretty much standard is 1 month rent in advance and 2 months deposit
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