What are the Visa on Arrival rules for Germans traveling to Thailand and how does previous stay history affect entry?

May 26, 2023
a year ago
Benjamin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey Guys, thank you for joining this group. I have a question about the Visa on Arrival rules.

What will happen, if I will go in two days from Germany to Thailand and ask again for Visa on arrival? I already stayed in Thailand for 140 days in the last six months. And 59 days in the year 2023.

Is it:

90 days in 180 days, counting backwards from the next date I will arrive in Thailand / BKK?

I can stay 180 days every year in Thailand with visa on Arrival and border runs.

I am allowed to enter Thailand 6 times a year by Airplane to get visa for 30 days?

I already stayed in Thailand since last November with Visa on Arrival (45 days). I went to Cambodia by Airplane and back. And in February to Malaysia with Bus / train and back. I got Problems with this and had to pay some extra money.

What's your experience? Thank you very much for any recommendations.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user questions the implications of their travel history regarding Visa on Arrival (VoA) in Thailand, specifically after spending significant time in the country. Comments clarify that Germans do not have a VoA option but rather can enter under a visa exemption for 30 days. They also emphasize that extended stays can raise scrutiny from immigration officers, especially given the user's extensive time in Thailand over the past six months. Recommendations include having proof of onward travel and sufficient funds on arrival.
Stan *******
You’re German, no such thing as ‘visa on arrival’.

You mean ‘visa exemption’, available free for 30 days to 50 + countries.

VoA are only available to about 15 or so countries for 15 days and are not free.
Tod *********
@Benjamin ******
and just so you're clear you DO NOT get Visa On Arrival when you come here without having bought a visa from the thai consulate before you arrive. You as a german passport holder get in on what's called a "visa exempt entry" <- NOT a visa on arrival, not a visa at all, just a free 30 day entry stamp.
Tod *********
@Benjamin ******
I think the problem is the b/s made up fake rule of no more than 90 days in the previous 180 days (which while listed on websites and even on embassy websites is TOTALLY FALSE) there is no real rule no matter what anyone says about it.

It comes down to stay history AND if the officers at passport control THINK you're living here on back-2-back free entry stamps & 30 day extensions 😕

Now lets look at your stay history here 😮 you said;

𝗜 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟭𝟰𝟬 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗶𝘅 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝟱𝟵 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. That means you were in thailand for OVER 4
***
months in the last 6 months and already here TWO months this year <- and it's only May 😮

Now anyway you slice that it is an extended period in thailand SO you may indeed be questioned (especially only spending TWO days out of the country) and coming right back on another visa exempt entry stamp (free entry).

As people pointed out your previous entry/stay history is one that WILL raise suspicion with the officers at passport control and you run a real risk of being pulled aside, questioned (and even denied entry) especially if you fly in to either bangkok airport.

All you can do is have proof of onward travel <- that you are flying OUT of the country 30 days after you are scheduled to arrive. AND perhaps proof of funds 20K baht or the equivalent in CASH. If they're going to ask for anything it'll be those two things
James ********
Frankly, with your recent history of stay in Thailand....

be prepared for questions from the Thai Immigration Officer who greets you on arrival into Thailand.

...Have proof of your flight departing Thailand within the 30 days stamp you will get on arrival...

...Plus 20,000 THAI baht or its equivalent in CASH

...And proof of your Address in Thailand for your first week of arrival...

You may be asked

WHY do you stay in Thailand long ? It's obvious that you are NOT 🚫 a tourist.

Good Luck 🤞

Next time. . what you should have obtained WHILE IN GERMANY... after 6 to 9 months+...

is the METV multiple entry tourist visa.

But even then, there's NO guarantee that Thai Immigration will allow you to enter with your recent history.
Edgar *********
@James *******
agreed. I've had trouble flying in similarly
Wieland *****************
You don.t have a visa on arrive ,you get a visa exemtion (visa free 30 day,s .)

Visa on arrive cost i believe 2000thb .

Correct me if am wrong .
Lloyd ********
There is no limit to the amount of days you can spend in Thailand, nor the amount of times you can enter via air and recieve a visa exempt entry. The problem you encountered was via a land border, you are only allowed 2 of thoses per calendar year and they can be troublesome if you have an extensive history of being in Thailand
Benjamin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanky you, Lloyd. That sounds promising! The thing was I only crossed the land border once in my life so far and got problems.
Edward ********
@Benjamin ******
- There's no published limit but that's not a guarantee you'll be let in with a history of extended stays as a "tourist."
Lloyd ********
@Benjamin ******
It was because of the amount of time you had already spent in
@Thai****
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