What visa options do I have as a US citizen planning to stay in Thailand for 6-8 months?

Question

Hello again! I need some advice on what type of visa I should get. I'm a US citizen arriving in Thailand on October 22nd. My estimated length of stay in Southeast Asia is 6-8 months.

My original plan was a retirement visa, but my house in the US didn't sell in time, so I don't have the funds to put in a Thai bank this year.

I applied for a multiple-entry tourist visa but my application was rejected because my laptop changed my middle name to my middle initial on the e-visa website. I've contacted the Thai consulate in LA and there is no way to change the application or get my $200 back. Super lame, I know!

My plan is to travel around Thailand for a bit visiting family and friends and then set up my home base in Koh Tao. I want to be able to visit Vietnam and Laos.

Here are my questions:
1. If I do a 2-month Tourist Visa, am I able to leave and re-enter Thailand in those 2 months?
2. If not, am I better off doing Visa on arrival and extending 15 days after the initial 30?
3. I plan to do my visits to other countries by air and if I do this do I get another 30 day visa on arrival when I land back in Thailand? 
4. Also how many times am I able to do this? I think there is a limit for land border runs but not sure about air.
5. Is it possible to apply for a tourist visa while on a VOA? I know this wasn't the case last year, but the rules are constantly changing.
Thank you in advance!

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user, a US citizen, is seeking advice on visa options for a 6-8 month stay in Thailand. The original plan for a retirement visa fell through due to financial constraints and a multiple-entry tourist visa application was rejected. Questions revolve around the feasibility of a 2-month tourist visa with re-entry, the use of a visa on arrival (VoA), extending stays, and the possibility of applying for a tourist visa while on a VoA. Various community comments provide insights on visa exempt statuses, entry rules, and extensions available, indicating that the user can effectively manage their immigration needs while traveling in Southeast Asia.

Chris ************ · Answer

[mention redacted]

if you have rest days when you exit Thailand you can buy a re-entry to keep them for your next entry.

you maybe are not able to get a visa on arrival - only certain countries get that.

you can't get a Tourist Visa during you are in Thailand if you will not come back from your home country.

every time you are arriving at Thailand without an active visa you can enter visa exempted for 30 days and do an extension inside Thailand for another 30 days.

you can enter Thai land borders visa exempted 2 times a year.

you can apply at your trips to neighbouring countries for a single tourist visa at the thai embassy/ consulate there.

this will give you 60 days at Thailand possible to extend for another 30 days at immigration offices in Thailand. So 90 days.

Mix all that to your requirements.

Brown ******** · Answer

Personally I'd get the 60 day visa and get a 30 day extension depending on how much time you plan to travel in Thailand. Heading to your next destination after you've done what you've wanted to in Thailand. Do your other travels in SE asia before returning to Thailand. You'll have no issues with immigration as far as denied entry if you did it this way

Andy ******** · Answer

If you come on a Visa exempt stamp you will need an onward flight to leave the country within 30 days too or the airline might not let you board

John ********** · Answer

You can not get a tourist visa inside Thailand but you could get one on a trip out of Thailand. There's no official limit to the number of times you can enter visa exempt by air (nor with a tourist visa). Each and every entry is up to the immigration officer you stand in front of but generally if you behave like a tourist (not just short exists to get a new stamp) you should be ok

Jo ********** · Answer

if your a U.S. Citizen you can come visa exempt and not visa on arrival. If your going to travel around to other countries then I would use visa exempt

Mike ***** · Answer

5. Go Vientanne, Laos and get a SETV 60 days + 30 days extension. I think in 6-8 months you will get problems if you come back for 30 day exemptions only.

So if you can get a SETV at your home country + SETV Laos your covered for 6 months already.

Ta ************ · Answer

1. You would need a multiple entry visa which cost more, check the fees on their website.

3. Yes

4. You can do this up to 6 times per year.

Graham ****** · Answer

With a US passport without a visa you will enter Visa Exempt and get a 30 day entry stamp which can be extended in country for a further 30 days for 1900B.

Henrik ***** · Answer

Visa-on-arrival is only possibel for certian countrys.

copenhagen.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/visa-on-arrival-voa?page=604b39526d207964b465dc62&menu=60404a4a74093c5cd22ac082

And it costs money.

Perhaps you mean the visa excempt, which are available for UScitizens.

And costs nothing

With 60 days touristvisa + 30 day extension, you can stay 90 in Thailand days without leaving Thailand.

What visa options do I have as a US citizen planning to stay in Thailand for 6-8 months?

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