Answereda year ago
What tourist visa should US citizens apply for when visiting Thailand and does leaving for Laos reset their stay?
Hello; new here and hopefully this is a simple question. US citizens, first visit to Thailand, arriving by air to BKK 1/11/2026 staying until 1/31/2026 flying to Luang Prabang from Chiang Mai and flying back to Chiang Mai on 2/5/2026 with plans to visit the southern area of Thailand for at least three weeks. Have not booked our departure flight out of BKK to Hanoi yet. On the government website, what would be the correct tourist visa to apply for? When we fly to Laos and back, does that "reset" the clock? Will we need to show our onward ticket to Hanoi, or somewhere else outside of Thailand? Thanks.
Answer summary
A US citizen planning to visit Thailand for a total of 92 days should consider applying for a tourist visa since the stay exceeds the visa-exempt period. Initially, upon arrival in Bangkok, the traveler would receive a 60-day stamp, which can be extended for an additional 30 days. Traveling to Laos and back does reset the visa exemption, allowing for another 60-day stay, but an onward ticket to a destination outside of Thailand, such as Hanoi, must be prepared for entry.
14 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Bent *************
A lot of things may change before your arrival - TiT(This isThailand)
Henrik *****
Next time check which visa’s are available, BEFORE booking a flight.
Kenneth *******
You're effing American. If the IO gives you trouble, you tell him that Trump has his country begging for mercy right now. They are in a recession and your dollars build their country. If he is smart he would stamp you in RIGHT NOW because the Thai economy will not survive this low season.
Cymro ******
@Kenneth ******
Yeah, thats the way, come over all arrogant & Mercan. 😂 It doesn't piss people off at all.Kenneth *******
@Cymro *****
I'm not joking. Thailand will not survive this low season.Cymro ******
@Kenneth ******
me too, sort of.Kenneth *******
@Cymro *****
I was joking, relax.Cymro ******
@Kenneth ******
but telling Mercans to be even more obnoxious won't help that.
Dca *****
1.) Yes, each Free Visa Exemption Entry Stamp is a separate period of stay and would "reset"
2.) Yes, definitely have those onward tickets leaving Thailand to Hanoi handy
2.) Yes, definitely have those onward tickets leaving Thailand to Hanoi handy
Bob **********
You’ll be fine getting exempt stamps
John **********
As things stand you will get stamped in for 60 days when you first arrive without any visa (visa exempt). When you return from Laos you will again get stamped in for 60 days. There is talk of visa exempt being reduced to 30 days but you can also extend a visa exempt entry by 30 days
Will ************
That means you are staying 92 days . So even with visa exempt and 30 extension you will overstay by 2 days.
Bob **********
@Will ***********
no there leavingJohn **********
@Will ***********
luang prabang is not in ThailandActivity
9 joined9
people
Related
25What are the best visa options for a 62-day stay in Thailand starting January 5?
11.9k1071272mo
What are the challenges of getting a stamp at the Malaysian land border when re-entering Thailand on a DTV?
4.1k1314mo
What is the current duration for tourist visa stamps upon entering Thailand?
4.4k41385mo
Can I get two 30-day extensions for my stays in Thailand within a year?
7.2k221678mo
Is it better to get a tourist visa before visiting Thailand or to enter visa-exempt and then apply for an extension?
635251y
What are the best strategies for obtaining an onward ticket for entry into Thailand?
7.2k60661y
Do I need to fix my visa situation at Immigration if I leave Thailand a day late?
5.6k43661y
What are the current visa exemption rules for Canadian passport holders traveling to Thailand for tourism?
1.4k491y
What visa do US citizens need for a trip to Thailand longer than 30 days with side trips to Vietnam and Cambodia?
7.9k471252y
Can I get a free 30-day visa upon re-entering Thailand after leaving for Laos?
2.2k2132y
Can I extend my 60-day flight ticket to Thailand by an additional 30 days at immigration?
3.3k23363y
Should I apply for a multi-entry visa if I plan to stay in Thailand for 86 days and visit neighboring countries?
945633y
What are the procedures and requirements for extending a 30-day visa exempt stamp for an American passport holder in Thailand?
1.9k4394y
Will I face issues when entering Thailand with a return flight more than 30 days after my arrival?
4.4k14964y
Can I apply for a Thai tourist visa without proof of accommodation, and what are the options for extensions?
2.5k18244y
What visa requirements do I need to meet as a 52-year-old Irish citizen visiting Thailand for a month?
4.7k36474y
How do we navigate visa options and requirements as Australian and Dutch passport holders traveling to Thailand for two months?
1.3k894y
What are the best visa options for a UK citizen looking to stay in Thailand for 90 days without leaving?
2.4k19164y
What visa options are available for a New Zealand citizen planning to stay in Thailand for 80 days?
1.7k10184y
What type of visa do Canadians and British permanent residents need for a visit to Thailand and Bali in late 2022 and early 2023?
2.7k19285y
How can I extend my stay in Thailand beyond the 30-day visa exemption as a British citizen?
1.8k1588y
Do US Citizens Need a Visa to Enter Thailand with a Layover in Korea?
6.3k51658y
Will my 60-day tourist visa allow me to stay in Thailand for 109 days without issues?
1.6k1378y
What should a UK citizen consider when traveling to Thailand for 32 days under a visa-exempt entry?
3.6k30308y
Can I enter Thailand on a 60-day tourist visa, go to Vietnam, and return on a 30-day visa exemption?
2.3k2079y
Resources
Need help with your Thai visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served