Answered9 years ago

What is the actual extension period for American citizens entering Thailand from Laos via land?

Thailand Visa Policy Visa Extensions Tourist Visa Visa Run Border Bounce American Expat

Julia ******

asked Dec 4, 2017

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Hi! I had a friend who recently told me she got a 30 day extension off of her 90 day Tourist Visa by going to Laos by land and back over to Thailand on a visa run. I am a little confused because the Thai Embassay website says it’s 15 days. I am an American and have been here 60 days with the additional 30 extension that I received at Thai Immigration. What is the actual extension date number by land to Laos for Americans? Thank you!

Answer summary

The user is seeking clarification about the duration of entry extension for American citizens who leave Thailand to Laos and re-enter. They mention confusion due to differing information regarding 30-day and 15-day extensions from the Thai Embassy. Comments clarify that Americans can receive a 30-day visa exempt entry by land but can only do this two times per calendar year, countering the user's friend's claim that it was an extension.

7 repliesnewest first

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Christopher ***********

You definitely have a gift

@Tod ********

9 years ago

Julia ******

thank you so much!!

9 years ago

Johnsuma ******

well man you must have white hair eh... lol

9 years ago

Tod *********

people from 45 countries get 30 day visa exempt entries at land border crossings (no matter the country they cross from) BUT they can only get TWO of them in a calendar year. (Which means the year resets on Jan 1st 2018)

Here's the Notice;

9 years ago

Tobias ******

@Tod ********

Does the two times per year limit also apply when entering via air?

9 years ago

Tod *********

actually even though they list 45 countries on that notice only 44 are limited to two 30 day visa exempt entries in a calendar year because Malaysia is listed BUT they are exempt from the rule ;)

9 years ago

Tod *********

Sorry but she doesn't know what she's talkin' about :/

She didn't get a 30 day extension on anything. :/

She got a 30 day visa exempt entry when she entered the country.

It had nothing to do with her previous tourist visa at all.

The thai embassy website is wrong, Since Dec 31st 2016 they went back to 30 day visa exempt entries by land BUT put a limit of TWO 30 day visa exempt entries by land in a calendar year.

She also didn't do a "visa run" because that's where you go to a thai consulate in another country and BUY a visa for thailand.

What she did was a "border-bounce" where she went to the border, stamped out of thailand, stamped in&out of another country and then stamped right back into thailand ;)

9 years ago