Answered2 years ago
What should my friend do about his visa situation after being questioned by Thai immigration?
My friend arrived today from UK travelling with two others who are here for short holiday 21 days . He though has came back for a longer break, he was here at end of 2024 on a tourist 60 day visa and extended it from 60 to 90 days and then he went home to Uk early December, not sure exact date. He booked a return flight for another 90 day trip , no hassle at the departing airport not sure if Qatar or emirates but they just said will he be applying for a visa extension, no problem with airline to let him fly as his return flight was in 90 days. When he got to immigration in Bkk he was in his words grilled by immigration officer on what his intentions were. Where would he stay , where was he travelling. She told him not allowed to visit for 90 days and go away short time and come back for another 90 days , he must apply e visa online , at one point he thought she wasn’t going to give him entry it was really bad the other two friends got scared as they heard all this and thought he was going to be refused entry. The officer was very rude and direct , visa not for long visit only tourist for holiday, the more he tried to reason the more she said it.
He did not argue as he was on verge of being refused . Now immigration officer has put a note on his file to warn other officers. He’s panicking, she said ok you have holiday , go away for long time come back for holiday , it beggars belief they want tourist that they do this , this friend took early retirement and is loving visiting Thailand but this has put him off . He travels Europe a lot so he might return to that . I told him to get a multi entry retirement visa to last him 15 months but after this 3 months he is not coming back until September/ October , so should he risk return in September and do retirement visa then or get it on this trip even though he won’t use it again from when he leaves in April until he returns in September.
Has anyone else suffered at immigration? This guy is actually genuine lol he fell in love with the lifestyle but he’s genuinely just using the system to holiday nothing else. I told him to get an agent to do his extension at 60 days as he will never know what this officer put on his file and he might be refused. He is shaken by the experience
Sorry for long post I have literally just left these friends and this was the main topic of conversation
He did not argue as he was on verge of being refused . Now immigration officer has put a note on his file to warn other officers. He’s panicking, she said ok you have holiday , go away for long time come back for holiday , it beggars belief they want tourist that they do this , this friend took early retirement and is loving visiting Thailand but this has put him off . He travels Europe a lot so he might return to that . I told him to get a multi entry retirement visa to last him 15 months but after this 3 months he is not coming back until September/ October , so should he risk return in September and do retirement visa then or get it on this trip even though he won’t use it again from when he leaves in April until he returns in September.
Has anyone else suffered at immigration? This guy is actually genuine lol he fell in love with the lifestyle but he’s genuinely just using the system to holiday nothing else. I told him to get an agent to do his extension at 60 days as he will never know what this officer put on his file and he might be refused. He is shaken by the experience
Sorry for long post I have literally just left these friends and this was the main topic of conversation
Answer summary
A user describes the experience of a friend who faced intense questioning from Thai immigration upon re-entering Thailand on a tourist visa shortly after a previous extended stay. The immigration officer suggested that the friend could not return for another long stay under a tourist visa and recommended applying for a proper visa instead. The friend is now anxious about potential issues with future entries due to a note placed on his immigration file. Other users offer mixed opinions on immigration practices in Thailand, advising that frequent short-term visits can raise suspicions and suggesting options like applying for a multi-entry retirement visa for longer stays.
52 repliesnewest first
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Bent *************
Nonsens!
Ollie ******
Yew it is common i got told off twice. Best thing to do is just apply for 6 month e visa if you want to stay there longer. It is multi entry so you can travel other countries while it's active.
Richard ******
Why you need such long holiday anyway?
Ar *******
OP@Richard *****
he lost his long term partner , he retired and has time and resources so we are encouraging him to travel, see his friends and see new places.Richard ******
@Ar ******
ok, definitely good to travelAlex *******
@Richard *****
It's not the 80s people take leave for 1-12 months. Try it
Pygo ********
They make the rules up as they go, then change the rules next month!
Immigration offices are much more helpful, it's just the clowns at airports who are on a power trip...
Immigration offices are much more helpful, it's just the clowns at airports who are on a power trip...
David *******
All bullshit. Pattaya has hundreds African and Russian working girls without work permits. They are allowed in and not deported for breaking the rules. Also immigration officers at Suvarnabhumi have little in common with immigration officers at land borders. At land borders a new 60 day exemption granted without question. I've stayed 8 months. At Suvarnabhumi it's the Spanish inquisition power trip for the officers intimidating new arrivals. The education visa is 60k baht. Complete scam when retirement visa is one third of the price.
Ally ************
The problem i can see here.. is that the return flight was booked for 90-days time.. whereas the visa exempt stamp granted to tourists is only 60-days.. i understand he was pre-empting a 30-day extension.. but this (1) assumes the extension will be granted, and (2) indicates an aspiration to max out his stay.. in other words it looks like a pre-meditated attempt to abuse the system.. whereas most genuine tourists will enter on the 60-day exempt stamp and will have a flight out booked within that time frame.. any extension happens as an after thought when they are in country and conclude they'd like to stay a little longer.. often precipitated by events that have occurred during their initial stay.. meaning they had not 'planned' a 90-day stay at outset.. i think if your friend had booked a dummy flight that leaves at the end of his 60-day tourist stamp.. and showed that to mmigration on the pretext of only staying for 60-days.. then he may have had an easier time entering.. but being open about his intention suggested he was trying to abuse the system in their mind.. and if he was still grilled about a 60-day stay so soon after his last trip.. he could have said 'I've come back to begin the process of obtaining a retirement visa' so i can live here.. but once uttered he'd have to do it because that could be recorded on his immigration file.. in the end it's about being careful in the way you present yourself.. and though it was a genuine situation it didn't look like it because of the 90-day intent prior to entering Thailand.. if this hadn't been disclosed he may not have had such a hard time!
Ar *******
OP@Ally ***********
thanks for this comprehensive reply, we are wondering if immigration officer knew his return flight dates as that was never asked however I can see the logic in what you say, maybe a dummy flight would have helped or would they just think it was a border bounce type situation . It’s a mystery until he goes to do the 30 day extension. Thanks
Vickey *****
The immigration offices are not exactly trying to give you hard time. They are just trying to find ways to make your spend $. And there get you to pay for more costly visa fee.
If you were the immigration officer, what would you do to make the tourist to pay for more $$ visa. Then you might be able to figure out what to avoid.
In your case, if your friend do come back so often, they want to push you to pay for the longer term and higher cost visa.
Thailand has provided many kind of visa and has changed the visa requirements a few times in the recent years. This is also competing with the other SEA countries to attract tourists and earn their $
If you were the immigration officer, what would you do to make the tourist to pay for more $$ visa. Then you might be able to figure out what to avoid.
In your case, if your friend do come back so often, they want to push you to pay for the longer term and higher cost visa.
Thailand has provided many kind of visa and has changed the visa requirements a few times in the recent years. This is also competing with the other SEA countries to attract tourists and earn their $
Fra *****
Gerüchte der IO sprechen von Quoten welche zu erfüllen sind , andere Gerüchte sprechen davon , das bald ohne e-visa gar nichts mehr gehen wird ,
Øyvind *************************
Just idiots at the imigration.sorry to say .have met the same officer...lol
Brian ********
Sorry to hear it, but I understand. They don't want people living here without a proper visa, and it seriously appears that way when you are planning to spend 180 days here over say a 200 day period. Try doing that being a "tourist" in the US or pretty much any European country and see what happens. If you are going to visit that much, just get the proper visa.
Greg ***********
guys - when you are queueing up in front of Immigration at the Suvarnabhumi or Phuket airport, avoid the booths manned by lady officers. They seem to envy your short time rides on the rice farmer girls of Thailand 😁😂😆 . . and you should avoid back-to-back visa exempt entries (sor
@ry *******
arg to break your bubble but your buddy didn't have a visa at all, he entered visa-exempt!)
Guy *********
@Greg **********
not confident I'm correct, but each time I've come in and hit a female IO they were just a few more questions being asked, never had a problem with a male IO
Jacob *****
@Greg **********
or maybe they're fed up of crusty old westerners coming over and taking advantage of vulnerable young girls and boys. I don't for one minute think the IO officer is envious of you or your bar girlfriend so what a ridiculously narrow minded comment to make.Greg ***********
@Jacob ****
you forget the factor "face loss" that plays a big role in Thai societyAr *******
OP@Greg **********
you are not bursting my bubble my request was for clarity and understanding, the advice you offer is that a female who is supposed to be a professional will somehow envy him or think he is possibly like you and abuses people especially women. A lot of assumptions and not helpful advice . Thanks for the time reading the post and answering me. Take care
David *****************
@Ar ******
Dear Ar Tnarg,Being abusive to people who give you advice when you have asked for advice is really no way to go about this. Ask your question wait for the answer and if you feel it is, to use your words, “total shit inaccurate input” then just ignore it.
I have been coming to Thailand for six month visits every year for the last ten years.Occasionally I have experienced “Visa problems” but they eventually get resolved with a lot of smiling and a pleasant demeanor.
P.S. It is normal the whole world over for immigration officials to ask at airports, “what is the purpose of your visit?”
General advice -stay cool don’t get agitated and don’t get offensive.
Gordon *******
@David ****************
💯 correctGreg ***********
@Ar ******
"I told him to get a multi entry retirement visa to last him 15 months" . . . . . Thai embassies worldwide have discontinued to issue multi re-entry Non-Imm-O visa types since October 2023. All you can get issued is the single entry 90-days Non-Imm-O visa type. Just for your info.
Matthew *********
@Greg **********
I got a 15 months non o with retirement all in the same day. Of coarse I paid agency for it. But worth the headaches and hassel. Money is king, don't ever forget that in ThailandAlex *******
I've done 4 exemptions back to back now, only extended once for the 30 days. The funny thing, I was quizzed the first time arriving in bangkok from the UK after having been out of Thailand 9 months. A young female officer asked me stupid questions. Have you thai friends? Do you like nightclubs? She asked for my hotel address that I had only booked for 1 night. I got the impression she was trying too hard or she was on the rag. Whatever I follow the rules just wish they would be more clear about how many and how long these exemptions can be done.
Bonnie *********
@Alex ******
Your misogyny is duly noted. Seems like you're unable to control your emotions, mediocre male.
Boran *****
@Bonnie ********
Bonnie got triggered LolAlex *******
@Bonnie ********
Misogyny? I have a mother, wife and a 2 daughters. If you had half a brain then read the posts here. It's always a female officer that tourist's have issue's with. Why don't you go cry into the pillow you lonely depressive, it's obvious you don't have a man. It doesn't take much working out why lol 😆 😂
Alex *******
@Bonnie ********
OK I admit it Men are smarter than women 😘Alex *******
@Bonnie ********
Go back to SwissvaleBonnie *********
@Alex ******
And? Are you on the rag? You can't modify your misogyny, can you?
Phill *****
I done 50 days then came back and got questioned...showed them my ticket out of the country in 34 days time and she gave me the stamp for 60 days..I have to return in September. So hoping I don't get trouble.
Pertti *************
I'm pretty sure it wasn't his Second trip here. In the past, he has spent more time here than a normal tourist👍
Ar *******
OP@Pertti ************
I can wholeheartedly assure you it was his second trip, the second spurred by other friends who encouraged him to come . So thanks for your total shit inaccurate input .
Michael ********
The point of the matter is that many people do abuse the system and the IO is not wrong to question this. Repeat visits, especially within a short time frame is indicative of such abuse. Many seem to get away with border bounces and such, and many should not be surprised to be caught and given fair warning at some point. It is hardly difficult or expensive to apply for a visa... or to stay out of the country a bit longer.
Jason ******
@Michael *******
it would be a lot easier for a basic rule guideline stating how many back to back 60 days plus 30 days extension is ok ,or what is acceptable time between leaving and entering ,it's really that simple then everyone would know 🙏🏽
Ron ******
@Jason *****
Yeah right like that’s gonna happen…TIT. The answer is easy, get the right visa!
Will ************
@Jason *****
heading towards 0 and 2 or 3 months out of the country very fast.Matthew *********
@Will ***********
you mean a national standard with a real guidelines. Than they wouldn't be able to operate in the grey area which seems to be their favorite. Take the absolute power away from making up the rules as they go. None of them want that. Bottom line it's pay to play scheme. This is the only advantage phillipines has over Thailand. There they just don't how many times you pay to extend. It's money being brought in
John **********
If he's over 50 then he should get a Non-O visa the next time he comes back
Ar *******
OP@John *********
that’s what we are suggesting but we thought he would be better to do it in September/ October but given this scare should he do it now , missing out on 4 months of a 15 months visaJohn **********
A Non-O visa is only good for 90 days. If he wants to stay longer he can get a 12 month extension at his immigration office.
Graham ******
@John *********
Exactly, there's his 90 days without the stressJason ******
What's the point of 60 days and being able to pay 1900 to extend ,if you're told you're not a tourist 🙄it's not the 1980s when people had two weeks holiday a year ,many people take months holiday now and that still makes them a tourist ,times change and in 2025 some people spend long periods on holiday .
Andrew *******
@Jason *****
very true
Sylvia ********
@Jason *****
you can do it easy BUT not constantly as it appears you are working or abusing the system. He can get a tourist 3 month visa prior to coming here online and avoid l this stress.
Jamie ******
@Sylvia *******
it’s stressful for some doing online applicationsSylvia ********
@Jamie *****
I think getting drilled at immigration is far worst. Prepare a visa application at ones leisure from home, even ask a friend for guidance is a better idea
Brandon ************
@Jamie *****
then they can stay home where there's no stress
Mitchell *******
It is a short term tourist entry. His activities while here probably suggested he was not doing tourist activities. If he was staying at the same place everytime for instance, at some point Immigration will suggest he get the appropriate visa.
Jordan *****
what if he stays at the same place? Maybe tourism for him means spending 10.000 USD or more at Soy Cowboy and Nana Plaza with an occasional night in Pattaya for 60 days. Am I supposed to jump from island to island as a tourist now or what?
Mitchell *******
@Jordan ****
, just telling you what they look at.Brandon ************
This is happening more and more. Once they switched visa exempt to 60 days, and people max that out for 90 days and then leave and return, they are getting pulled out of line at the airport and asked what they are doing. Every entry is at the discretion of the immigration officer, and some don't like people maxxing out a full 90 days and then returning shortly. That is what people who are trying to live in Thailand do and doesn't represent a typical tourist.
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