What is the Thai government's stance on foreigners using back to back visas?

Private message sent Tommy

I have been doing back-to-back tourist visa for the past 5 years. I don't necessarily recommend it. There are some risks involved, but it's worked out for me.

I always get a visa. I usually stay out 2 weeks.

I can get a METV from Australia (done it twice so far). And get normal SETV from other countries. Thus far I have been to most Asian countries.

Get the METV, it's good for around 9 months with a couple of border bounces.

If I'm not wrong, you're allowed 2 border bounces by road, the rest has to be arrival by aeroplane, back into Thailand. This is unless you have a tourist visa, 2 months, from a Thai embassy.

Everybody has explained well what will work.

But I will just add what does - not- work anymore.

Staying on a Regular Tourist Visa, back-to-back extentions for more than 6 months in a 12 month period does not work (usually) anymore.

And - Especially - not on a 30 day stamp!

Not sure what Visa you were talking about, but this is my warning.

It is not mentioned enough anymore.

Ah, yep

in general if they ISSUE the visa you'll likely get in. at the discretion of the immigration officer, of course, so be polite.

a) if you're talking about a tourist visa, they've been limiting the options for back to back TVs for a long time, but i don't know the current state of things.

b) for Non-B, they started discouraging the issuance of back to back non-B visas *before* the pandemic. they want you to go to get an extension in Thailand. and Chaeng Wattana is a pain in the ass, especially your first extension if you own your own company or work for a small company.

what happens next hasn't been announced, and it's kind of pointless to speculate beyond the general trend.

Get an elite visa

I work in HK and I did this flying in and out most weeks sometimes staying a week ,sometimes more but never an issue in 2 years. Covid rules may change thay

Ask your question at Thaivisa.com forums and you'll get more detailed answers. The short answer is yes, it was doable pre-covid. Now, quite unpredictable.

I admit to not having read the comments, but even before the virus the Thai govt was cracking down on visa runners. It was getting harder before and the crackdowns will surely continue. Best get the proper visa for what you want to do.

Please keep in mind the quarantine regulations which may be in force for the foreseeable future. Each time you enter you could be subject to this. At a cost of 30,000 to 45,000 baht, and 14 days out of your 30 day visa, it may make border bouncing an expensive venture!

Honestly, it depends on the person. Almost all cases of people I've seen being refused entry on tourist visas or visa exempt entries have in fact been working illegally in Thailand. They have pictures of themselves teaching right on their Facebook profiles.

Close friend of mine has been here over 3 years on tourist visas and never had an issue, flys into Bangkok often. If you have money and a source of income outside of Thailand you'll be fine for atleast the first year.

Like others have suggested, your best bet is to get a multiple entry tourist visa in your home country before you leave for Thailand. It's valid for 6 months but you can make 9 months out of it with extensions.

Note: yes, you'll need to leave every 60-90 days. A visa is different than a permission to stay. A visa allows you to enter the country. Each time you enter Thailand you'll get a stamp saying you can stay for 60 days.

“Attitude” ... Never heard they have it

I built a house in Chiang Rai. I stayed in Chiang Rai 7 months in 2018 and 7 months in 2019. I started with a 60 day tourist visa from the Thai consulate in Atlanta, 30 day extension, border run to Mai Sai, 30 day extension, border run to Mai Sai, 30 day extension. I did this 2 years in a row. Immigration will assume that you are working illegally and it’s hard to convince them otherwise. The border runs I did in Mae Sai was crossing the border for a few hours. I have never had a job in Thailand. Feel free to send me a message if you have any questions.

Apply for metv and it is valid for 6 months but if timed correctly you can get 9 months out if it. But the problem is you only get stamped in for 2 months so you still need to fly out/in or go to the border and stamp out/in for a fresh stamp

I think you could be referring to what Thai immigration call 'out/in' - a 30 day visa exemption (you're US so eligible) which is extended for a further 30 days making 60.

Then you leave the country for a short while (some go for 5-7 days but some just leave in the morning of day 1 and return that afternoon) and go to Laos or Cambodia then get another 30 day exemption stamp when you return. If you are lucky, they will allow the second, but that's your lot for the year.

Better to get an METV (Multiple entry tourist visa) in your home country which will get you up to 9 months if you play it right.

After that, you could go to

@L*

os or Cambodia or Penang and apply for a second one at the Thai embassy/consulate there but there's a chance it'll be refused on the grounds you aren't a real tourist.

Long term, you'd be better trying for a 12 month ED visa and say you want to study muay Thai or Thai language and culture.

That's what many people in your situation do

Not sure what you mean by “back to back” visas. Are you referring to annual visa extensions?