What is the process for doing a visa run in Thailand after long-term stays?

STV visa Thai immigration visa run BKK Hanoi ongoing ticket US citizens Covid extension retirement extension border run vs visa run

Oct 10, 2022

2 years ago

Bennett ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Admin - please feel free to ignore this if you think it’s not informative.

Hi all. I’m American, just did a visa run after being in Thailand for 9 months on STV + one Covid extension. Here’s my visa experience flying from BKK to Hanoi & back, if it’s any help to others:

1 - My airline - Vietnam Airlines - did not ask about a ticket out of Thailand during the visa period. (Although I bought one, after reading posts on here.)

2 - At immigration in BKK, the officer asked me if I have a visa. I replied that I thought American citizens can enter visa-free for 45 days. She said yes, but how long do I plan to stay in Thailand - obviously she saw I’ve been here for almost a year. So I showed her my exit ticket & she stamped me right in. (My actual plan is to apply for retirement extension, but I didn’t have to go into all that at that time.)

3 - Re the exit ticket out of Thailand - this won’t work for everyone, but I bought an airline ticket using frequent flyer miles to a destination that I will definitely go to at some point. So only had to lay out $20 USD. Yes, now I need to change that ticket & there will be a fee involved, but it will get used sometime in the future.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user, an American expat, shares their experience of a recent visa run after staying in Thailand for 9 months on an STV visa and a Covid extension. They detail their encounter at BKK immigration, noting they were not asked for an exit ticket by their airline and successfully entered Thailand again after showing their exit ticket. They also mention their intention to apply for a retirement extension. Commenters provide additional insights about the difference between border runs and visa runs, and suggest services such as onwardticket.com for easier ticketing options.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

Marc *******

Sent u inbox

2 years ago

เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******

Onwardticket.com. for a few bucks you can get a bona fide reservation,

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2 years ago

Wanda ****************

I was forced to buy a return ticket to my country before letting me in

2 years ago

Carlos *********

Thanks for the report!

2 years ago

Jo **********

thanks for sharing

2 years ago

Max **********

@Bennett *******

How long were you in Vietnam?

2 years ago

Bennett ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Max *********

I went for 2 days. Left on Friday, returned on Sunday.

2 years ago

Reply to

Bennett ********

Danny *************

Much easier option is to use onwardticket.com . It's foolproof and only 10 dollars.

2 years ago

Jordan *********

@Danny ************

doesn’t work atm doesn’t let you pay

2 years ago

Alan *******

@Jordan ********

There’s like half a dozen companies that do the same thing. Just search online for airline ticket rental or something similar

2 years ago

Danny *************

@Jordan ********

Hmm, I haven't used it in around a year so...

2 years ago

Reply to

Danny *************

Mma *******

Thanks for the update-

2 years ago

Dianne *****

You did a border run not a visa run. A visa run requires attending a Thai consulate or embassy in another country, paying a fee and getting a full page visa sticker stuck in your passport. Which usually entitles you to 60 days in Thailand, 90 if you extend at immigration.

Regardless it is good that you posted your experience and it all went well for you

2 years ago

Bennett ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Dianne ****

Thanks. Yes, my terminology is off, a border run.

2 years ago

Reply to

Bennett ********

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