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What is the difference between a visa run and a border bounce in Thailand?

visa runborder bounceThai visaimmigrationvisa typesvisa exemptions
Mar 3, 2024
9 months ago
Linda ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
👋 Hello, may someone please help me understand the difference between visa run and border bounce? 🙏🏼🫶🏼
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A visa run involves traveling to a Thai embassy to apply for and secure a visa, which may take a few days for processing. In contrast, a border bounce entails crossing into a neighboring country and returning to Thailand immediately to receive a fresh entry stamp or extend a visa exemption without obtaining a visa at an embassy.
Alain *******
Don't they make visa run through Cambodia ? I only see visa run through Laos but I saw a youtube video where a guy was saying that he made his visa in Cambodia.
9 months ago
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Albert ********
I guess it depends on why you’re crossing the border some people just go to gamble.
9 months ago
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Christopher *************
They are the same thing.
9 months ago
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Phil ******
@Christopher ************
 no
9 months ago
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Phil ******
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Miriam ***********
You all have the patience of saints.

*****************************************************************
9 months ago
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Greg *********
@Miriam **********
 You still trust Google?? LOLOLOL! 🤣🙄 #filterbubble
9 months ago
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JP *******
@Miriam **********
 dude, it‘s literally a forum… for people looking for help on Thai visa advice and info.

Why are you here? Lmao 🤣
9 months ago
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JP *******
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Christopher *************
Can't you do it on line?
9 months ago
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Graham ******
@Christopher ************
 None of the countries in South East Asia operate the eVisa system so you apply in person
9 months ago
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JP *******
@Graham *****
 correct. The closest I found for approved Evisa application is Hong Kong.

S Korea and Japan work also.

You can put your passport country and the country you are trying to apply from into the system on the Thai evisa site and it will tell you if you are approved.

Also, it takes 7-10 days per the website so you will be visiting a host country a bit longer than making an appointment at a Thai embassy (2-3 day turn)
9 months ago
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JP *******
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Dan ********
Can I leave to go to Vietnam and apply for a 60 day tourist Visa there or do I have to do that from my home country in Australia?
9 months ago
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Graham ******
@Dan *******
 Yes you can apply in person at the Embassy/Consulate (check their website for requirements)
9 months ago
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Mark ***************
Oh news to me thanks,
@Graham *****
 any idea how an application for a month multiple entry visa would be viewed after a visa exemption entry and an extension to that... guess it may be up to the person processing the visa
9 months ago
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Graham ******
@Mark **************
 There is no such thing as a month multi-entry Visa
9 months ago
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Mark ***************
@Graham *****
6 month, typo unfortunately, but thanks for pointing it out
9 months ago
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Mark ***************
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Dan ********
@Graham *****
 ok thanks!
9 months ago
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Dan ********
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Brandon ************
A visa run means you're going to a Thai embassy and applying for and paying for a visa and waiting 1-3 days while your application is processed and the stamp is put in your passport.

A border bounce means you're just leaving Thailand and immediately returning, in order to get a new 30 day visa exempt stamp, or to get a new stamp on a multiple entry visa you already have.
9 months ago
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Linda ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 thank you for info. How do we know if we have multiple entry visa? That’s something we would have to apply for? Got here January 12th. Used exempt, before the 30 days was up, got 30 day extension. Looking to stay another 3 months but trying to get info to do what’s best moving forward. Was offered to get a 3 month stamp if I paid 17,000 baht. each for me and my family members so that’s 17,000 baht x 5:(

Also do we have to get extensions for my kids that are under 10years olds ?
9 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Linda ***************
 you would have applied for and paid for a multiple entry visa before going to Thailand
9 months ago
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Linda ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Same we don’t want to do that either. We paid for the first extension. And plan on coming back yearly and don’t want any issues.
9 months ago
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Michael *******
@Linda ***************
 fly to KL and back! Another 30, ?
9 months ago
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Bart **************
@Linda ***************
 depends, how long do you plan to stay?
9 months ago
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Linda ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bart *************
 we hope to be able to stay 3 months since the person told us they can get us a 3 month stamp.

But might just do one 30 day extension by land and then another by plane? Is that okay?
9 months ago
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Bart **************
@Linda ***************
 yes that would probably work. The alternative is better though: getting a tourist visa from a nearby embassy. Plan a trip with the family to a nearby country and combine with your visa application. It gives you 60 days, extendable to 90.
9 months ago
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Linda ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bart *************
 that sounds great, do you know how long the tourist visit takes to be approved? Also do we need to do this for the children also that are 6,9 and 10? I’m been reading that kids under 15 do not need visas?
9 months ago
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Tullio *******
@Linda ***************
 children under 15 are not fined for overstay and there are no consequences. Having said that as you apply and given the cost it’s wise just to have them a 60 days tourist visa from a neighbor country.
9 months ago
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Bart **************
@Linda ***************
 they do need visas, it's just that they are exempted from punishment if they fail to comply. But as a parent, I would not let my child overstay their visa.

It could also weigh on visa applications for other countries: Australia, China, Singapore, and there are more. And for Thailand itself, should they want to get the elite visa at any point.
9 months ago
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Bart **************
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Ross **********
@Linda ***************
 why aren’t your kids in school?
9 months ago
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Linda ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ross *********
 they are in an online school. What does that have to do with anything that mentioned above? 😂
9 months ago
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Linda ****************
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Tullio *******
@Linda ***************
 massive scam! There is no legal way to get a 3 month stay from inside the country.
9 months ago
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Jim ********
@Linda ***************
 17,000 baht for a three month stamp? 🤣. Sounds like a scammer to me!
9 months ago
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Ross **********
@Jim *******
 he has too much money😂😂😂
9 months ago
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Ross **********
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Darren *******
Visa run you go to a nearby embassy and obtain a visa then return.

Border bounce you cross the border and then return again, without applying for a visa at an embassy.
9 months ago
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Adriana **********
@Darren ******
 do you need an appointment at the embassy in the nearby country or do you just... walk in ? lol
9 months ago
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Taz **********
@Adriana *********
 it varies, some require that you book an appointment online
8 months ago
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Adriana **********
@Taz *********
 thank you !!
8 months ago
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Adriana **********
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Darren *******
@Adriana *********
 no idea, I've never tried to live somewhere as a tourist before so no idea what the criteria is for each embassy.
9 months ago
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Darren *******
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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