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What tourist visa options are available for expats frequently visiting Thailand on a UK passport?
Thailand visa rulesTourist visa optionsNon-B visaFrequent travelerVisa exemptionDTV visaMultiple entry visaImmigration advice
Sep 18, 2024
2 years ago
Lauren ******
ORIGINAL POSTERHello! Wondering what options I have for tourist visa/ other options. I’ve been coming to Thailand on and off for years and never had an issue. This time coming in immigration told me next time I come in I need a proper visa. I have never over stayed and I fly in each time. I have a uk passport. I need to come back twice more this year for a couple weeks each time. Is there a limit to number of days you can spend in Thailand ? I’m not working I just visit a lot as my partner lives here. Any advice would be appreciated as I already have my next flights booked. Thank you ! ❤️
TLDR : Answer Summary
A UK passport holder seeks advice on visa options for frequent visits to Thailand, after being advised that a proper visa is needed due to the number of entries. The community discusses the discretion of immigration officers, the potential need for a Tourist visa or a long-term visa due to concerns about living in Thailand, and alternative options like the DTV visa. There are no official limits on days spent in Thailand, but spending significant time may prompt an immigration review.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV 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.
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Terary **********
They've told me that a couple of times. I suspect if you came back in now, they wouldn't tell you that a second time. You should have a proper visa but they're pretty flexible.
Andy **********
The new DTV visa, could be a good option for you.
Adam ******
Get a second passport. It's not difficult.
David *******
METV ...if used correctly, can spend 9 months in Thailand with a few trips in and out of country.
Mikkel *******
It would be silly to keep getting single entry tourist visa every time if you visit so often.
Look into getting a 6 month multiple entry tourist visa or if you qualify for the new 5 year DTV that would be handy too. Come and go as you please as long as the visa is still valid.
Look into getting a 6 month multiple entry tourist visa or if you qualify for the new 5 year DTV that would be handy too. Come and go as you please as long as the visa is still valid.
Bob **********
Usually it’s the length of time your in Thailand with the new 60 day exempt as long as you haven’t been here for 6+ months you should be ok but it’s up to the IO Officer
Mike ******
One more dickhead...get a visa to enter a foreign country...
Lauren ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mike *****
Hi Mike, why do you think I’m writing on a visa page asking how to apply for a visa ? 👌🏼Mike ******
@Lauren *****
çan I send money to help youMike ******
@Lauren *****
I think I love youMike ******
@Lauren *****
can I meet youMike ******
@Lauren *****
can I sent you moneyMike ******
Lauren funk off
Mike ******
@Lauren *****
I will cry soon..please tell me..Mike ******
@Lauren *****
how to get a visa...please tell usMike ******
Please tell us what happen
Mike ******
@Lauren *****
how to get a visa to Thailand......Reply to
Mike ******
Reply
John **********
Since Thailand moved to 60 day visa exempt they seem to have got a lot more strict on entries. You've said you've spent almost 6 months inside Thailand this year already and we're only half way through the 7 month of the year. You're lucky they didn't deny you entry as you are obviously not a tourist but a long term resident so I don't think a tourist visa will be much better. It sounds to me like it's time to look for a long stay visa of some sort
Lauren ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
September is the 9th month of the year :) I am a tourist as I’m working only when outside Thailand :) I’m only coming back for 2.5 weeks for the rest of the year so just looking into which visa to apply forJohn **********
@Lauren *****
sorry my mistake, it is indeed the 9th month but that still means you've been here ***
of the year so far. The fact you only work outside Thailand doesn't make you a tourist. If you are only going to spend a further 2.5 weeks here over the remainder of the year you could just try your luck, I'm any visa would suit that situation. But you say you're coming to see your partner, is this a spouse? And if so are they Thai or a foreigner working in Thailand?Graham ******
@John *********
irrelevant as things stand as partner means unmarriedReply to
Graham ******
Reply
Faye *********
There is something not quite right, you have obviously been flagged as suspected living here and working illegally or the IO wouldn't have suggested a non b. You say in the last year you have entered 14 times for
***
weeks at a time so you have spent well over more than half a year inside Thailand. You could look at getting a DTV, if you meet one of the criteria then you would be fine for the next 5 years.Lauren ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Faye ********
that wasn’t me that said that I’d been in 14 times. I’ve been in and out often but I am close to having been here 6 months this year. Would have applied for DTV just never heard of this issue before. Will look into dtvLauren ******
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you I’ll have a look and had some helpful advice on here too ❤️
Faye *********
@Lauren *****
sorry, just skimmed the comments 🤣. If you look through you will find some places are easy to apply from while others are not so good.Reply to
Faye *********
Reply
James **********
Max 2 land border re-entries if you are trying to extend an existing stay. Also in 2025 you will need e-Visa. Being introduced next year
Jeff *****
I was told two entries Chiang Khon. Whole chain of command was there, and I had Thai friend helping.
Henrik *****
The 2 entry rule is gone.
And the ETA is only a rumour, that haven’t been through Parlament yet, and it is not a e-visa.
And the ETA is only a rumour, that haven’t been through Parlament yet, and it is not a e-visa.
James **********
@Henrik ****
thanks for clarifyingReply to
James **********
Reply
Elizabeth ******
The DTV might work for you
Marky *******
Get a blow up doll in between visits lol
Jo **********
I have been in an out 14 times in a year never had any comments. I never stayed more than than 3 weeks and and left each time for 7 days.
Tony ********
@Jo *********
on visa exempts?Jo **********
@Tony *******
yes just before I got my LTR. but it’s important to note I was out of the country a lot.Tony ********
@Jo *********
yes its all about ratio's on exempt.Jo **********
@Tony *******
yes and not abusingReply to
Jo **********
Reply
Jo **********
would not worry at your only coming for two weeks each time
Kim *********
@Jo *********
there is every reason to worry since he has already been warned.Ralph *******
@Jo *********
I would. A warning has been issued and notes on file.Jo **********
@Ralph ******
agreed and the answer is for her” I am only coming for two weeks so I did not get a visa” . There maybe more to her history of staying that we don’t know.Ralph *******
@Jo *********
She has made many trips this year. They could total over 180 days. Maybe that’s why immigration are getting difficult. And she’s visiting at least twice more this year. I don’t know how anyone can afford so many return flights in one year!Reply to
Ralph *******
Reply
Mark ******
Get a proper visa!!
Jo **********
@Mark *****
she is coming here for just 2 weeks. No need for a visa.Lauren ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mark *****
I’m willing to I just don’t know which one I should be getting as I don’t want work here I just want to visit :)Mark ******
@Lauren *****
you can get your visa online. Check out the closest Embassy's website.Reply to
Mark ******
Reply
Peter **********
if you are in over 180 days a year then to them you are living here
Lauren ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Peter *********
maybe that’s the issue 😅Tore *********
@Lauren *****
more than half the year is usually when they start asking with with visa exemptionReply to
Tore *********
Reply
Peter **********
makes sense to get a proper visa
Jeffrey **********
@Peter *********
For a one-week visit what would you recommend?Steven *******
@Jeffrey *********
It depends on which passport you hold.Jeffrey **********
Reply to
Jeffrey **********
Reply
Henry *********
There's no limit, but letting you in is at the discretion of the IO. If he/she suspects you're 'living' in Thailand you can be denied entry and told to get an appropriate visa. Chances are, you won't have a problem next time. If you're concerned you can get a Tourist visa.
Lauren ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Henry ********
which tourist visa could I apply for ? The officer at the time told me something about a non B visa but that seems extreme when I’m only coming in for a couple weeks at a timeNeil ******
@Lauren *****
they are suspecting you of working here. That’s why he said non-b.Reply to
Neil ******
Reply
Pat *******
I had that advice. Been back and forth since. It is officer determined
Lauren ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Pat ******
advice from the immigration officer ? just a bit worried as she was typing a lot 😅Henrik *****
It could be that the Officer, just wrote the you have been asked, and you gave a reasonabel explanation, which was noted.
Lauren ******
ORIGINAL POSTERThat’s a little reassuring then :) I think I’ve been here nearly 6 months in total this year though which I know it’s a long time 😅
Colin *********
@Lauren *****
6 months out of nine and a half months... That's probably the reason you were told to get a visa next time... it seems like you are maybe trying to live in Thailand without a long term visaPat *******
@Lauren *****
I am on month 6 now with another 30 day option It all seemed to open up more after the 60 day visa on arrival was introduced
Reply to
Pat *******
Reply
Pat *******
@Lauren *****
my guy that warned earlier, was writing notes and I was worried. But it amount to nothing so far.Pat *******
@Lauren *****
last year I was also asked a phuket, they let me in, buy suggested longer visaPat *******
@Lauren *****
I know. Earlier this year I was advised. Then I came back and got 30 days plus extension. Flew to Malaysia for a night, then 60 days no questionReply to
Pat *******
Reply
James **********
You must be visiting to often ,
Chris *******
There is no official limit.
The officer you are in front will decide when they believe you are abusing or trying to live in Thailand.
The officer you are in front will decide when they believe you are abusing or trying to live in Thailand.
Reply to
Chris *******
Reply
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