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What are the rules for border runs in Thailand regarding visa exemptions?
Thailand Visa ExemptionBorder RunsVisa RulesThailand ImmigrationNON-O VisaEntry LimitsLand Border vs Air BorderVisa Extensions
Jul 5, 2022
4 years ago
Isabell *********
ORIGINAL POSTERHey everyone. First time in Thailand and I have some questions about doing a border run. I came on a 30 day visa exemption and have extended it once already for 30 days.
1. Can I leave for a night or two and just keep coming back to repeat the process?
2. I’m assuming there is a limit on how many times this can be done? I’ve read where this can only be done 2x on a land border in a calendar year. No limit for flying?
3. Does it matter how long I’m in the other country for on each run? (My fiancé and I would love to visit Vietnam anyway…)
1. Can I leave for a night or two and just keep coming back to repeat the process?
2. I’m assuming there is a limit on how many times this can be done? I’ve read where this can only be done 2x on a land border in a calendar year. No limit for flying?
3. Does it matter how long I’m in the other country for on each run? (My fiancé and I would love to visit Vietnam anyway…)
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the procedures and limitations for performing border runs in Thailand when entering on a visa exemption. The author inquires about the possibility of leaving for short periods and returning, the restrictions on the number of entries within a calendar year, and the duration of stay in another country during these runs. Responses clarify that there is a limit of two land border entries per year, while entries by air have no such restriction, although immigration officials may scrutinize frequent entries. Participants suggest that staying longer in neighboring countries can help improve chances of re-entry and provide a safer experience.
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Ben *******
I believe there is now a set limit of 6 visa exemptions from flights within a 12 month period (so, 6 * 2 months is actually the full year, if you get the 30 day extension).
I've never used a land border but I believe the limits are much lower. I don't believe there's any requirement to be out of Thailand for any length of time (though I've always stayed away for a few nights since travel can be fun and this part of the world is very cheap).
I've never used a land border but I believe the limits are much lower. I don't believe there's any requirement to be out of Thailand for any length of time (though I've always stayed away for a few nights since travel can be fun and this part of the world is very cheap).
Stuart *********
@Ben ******
There is no limit for exempt air entries. An IO may try to bullshit you and say something like “only 180 days in a year” or similar but that’s not a rule nor law. However entry to Thailand is at the discretion of the officer you hand your passport to so arguing that point will probably not end well. There is a limit of two land border exempt entries in a calendar year.
Ben *******
@Stuart ********
Thanks, I thought I'd read the limit from something authoritative but I'm more than happy to be corrected. The "discretion of the officer" part is deeply unsettling.Stuart *********
@Ben ******
That’s always been the case. If they’re having a bad hair day then you’ve got issues. Fortunately the majority of people entering never will.Reply to
Stuart *********
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Serge **********
If you wish to stay longer. You get get a retirement visa for one year. Their are some small challenges to do but not impossible if you are well equipped
Terary **********
I did border runs for years. Immigration grilled me twice but allowed me in. You assume a certain risk. If you fly in, the may not allow you in. If the refuse you they may require you buy a ticket back to your home or wherever you came from, or to any country you want, you wont know until you are in that situation. If you come by land if they refuse you entry you maybe able to go back and try a different border crossing, or the same crossing at a different time.
You will most definitely want a plan B incase they don't let you back in.
Once when I was getting grilled by an IO they told me it looks better if I stay a couple of weeks in the other country. After that I started to visit other countries 2-3 weeks. Its a nice excuse to travel.
You will most definitely want a plan B incase they don't let you back in.
Once when I was getting grilled by an IO they told me it looks better if I stay a couple of weeks in the other country. After that I started to visit other countries 2-3 weeks. Its a nice excuse to travel.
Gary **********
Border runs only get 14 days flying get 30 days .
Stuart *********
@Gary *********
Thats around 5 years out of date info. Land or air get 30 days for exempt entries. Difference is there is a limit of two land border entries per calendar year.Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Stuart *********
Yes a limit of two land border entries in a calendar year. No actual limit on air entries.
That said you almost certainly won’t get away with doing such entries back to back without immigration grilling you about your intentions and potentially refusing you entry. You may get away with 2,3 or 6. No one can say for sure as it’s up to the immigration officer you hand your passport to.
There is no time limit you have to stay in another country - some land border points may require you to at least overnight in the other country. As they’ve been closed for a good two years I can’t recall which ones. By plane you can fly out and and return within hours if you wish.
That said you almost certainly won’t get away with doing such entries back to back without immigration grilling you about your intentions and potentially refusing you entry. You may get away with 2,3 or 6. No one can say for sure as it’s up to the immigration officer you hand your passport to.
There is no time limit you have to stay in another country - some land border points may require you to at least overnight in the other country. As they’ve been closed for a good two years I can’t recall which ones. By plane you can fly out and and return within hours if you wish.
Took **********
@Stuart ********
i have send you a pnSteve *******
Hannes Torgrimsson Nothing to do with any rules/laws of staying overnight. People get refused entry but not for that reason.
Stuart *********
@Steve ******
Actually there are (or were at least). I can’t recall which ones but definitely two of them existed prior to Covid where they required you to stay overnight. Obviously seen no posts of such for well over two years so no hope of finding out their names, but they did exist and perhaps still do (obviously the borders still exist but the requirements may not).Graham ******
@Stuart ********
Pe-Covid I crossed at Aranyaprathet to Poi Pet (Cambodia) to do a border bounce and had to stay overnight, don't know if it's still the same.Mark ******
@Graham *****
It's obviously random then. I crossed at Poi Pet a few years ago and was back in Thailand an hour later.Graham ******
@Mark *****
They changed it the month I crossed I subsequently found outReply to
Graham ******
Reply
Steve *******
@Stuart ********
Nope. It was agents telling people they had to stay overnight for some reason, probably some kind of scam. It's never been officially required to stay over night at any land border crossingStuart *********
@Steve ******
Ok. That long ago memory fades. Perhaps it was agents but I was sure it was a couple of tiny crossings in the back ends of nowhere.Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Steve *******
@Stu***
There arent any land border crossings that require you to stay over night despite what some visa agents might tell you.Karim ***************
@Steve ******
everytime I did a land border crossing, I literally dipped my toe into Cambodia and came straight back. Never stayed the night or even 5 minutes lol…Steve *******
@Karim **************
Exactly 👍Reply to
Steve *******
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Steve *******
Hannes Torgrimsson That's nothing to do with having to stay in a country for 1 night. You were refused entry.
Reply to
Steve *******
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Isabell *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
thank you so much!!Reply to
Isabell *********
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