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When did the crackdown on visa exemptions in Thailand start, and how does it relate to the TM-30 requirement?
Aug 13, 2023
3 years ago
Ադամ ********
ORIGINAL POSTERWhat year did the crackdown on visa exempts begin? Was that before or after TM-30 re-emerged?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion centers on the timeline of the crackdown on visa exemptions in Thailand and its correlation with the TM-30 requirement. While some participants assert that the crackdown began slowly around 2014, intensified after the COVID-19 extensions ended, and has become more noticeable in recent years, others believe that a significant crackdown has not yet occurred. The TM-30 system, a notification of a foreigner's address, has had varying effects on expats, especially those frequently entering the country on visa exemptions.
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Greg ********
Is there any country that will let you perpetually reside as a tourist?
Todd *********
@Greg *******
Philippines. Cambodia. Mexico. Turkey. Varying degrees of it in many countries. Or very easily accessible ‘residency’ visas.Paul *******
@Greg *******
Cambodia and Vietnam, even Laos tolerate visa runs and continuous re-entries. Never heard of anyone being denied entry to any of these countries for coming too often. This is true even though Vietnamese immigration is notoriously unfriendly - officials never even look at you, never smile and tend to throw your passport back at you. However, generally few if any questions are asked either.Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Kool *******
During covid
Paul *******
I'd say it started happening slowly, beginning in 2014. It has intensified every year since then, except during the Covid shutdown (March 2020 - June 2022).
Paul *******
@Ադամ *******
Indeed. That's when it started. At the time, I was traveling around the region a lot and they were only allowing 4 visa free entries by land. I was questioned about my 3rd entry but mentioned I wasn't spending the full 15 days in country on those, just one day. After that, I did get a visa.Ադամ ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ******
2014-15 is what I remember. I joined the Elite program until I aged into retirement range.Reply to
Ադամ ********
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Mitchell *******
Define crackdown? Are you meaning the same day border bounces?
Paul *******
@Mitchell ******
Not only those, but visa exempt/tourist visa abusers.Reply to
Paul *******
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Phil ******
@Ադամ *******
what are u on about as it's not happenned yetPaul *******
@Ադամ *******
You'll never be questioned about a TM30 submission or lack thereof at a border crossing because immigration there doesn't have access to this information, which is held at immigration offices. What land borders and airports are looking for are abusers of visa terms and overstayers. TM30s are only an issue if you extend your visa inside the country.Paul *******
@Phil *****
TM30 has never been an issue for me either but being questioned if you come and go on tourist visas and or exemptions can be.Paul *******
@Ադամ *******
The TM30 still isn't an issue for everyone. It was in 2019 that the TM30 insanity reached its peak, but has improved since then. Each office is different. For anyone NOT on an extension of stay, the TM30 has never been an issue.Being pulled aside, if you're on an education visa but don't attend classes, or visa exempt/tourist visa and using these too many times in a relatively short period of time (especially the former) and particularly if combined with 30 day extensions obtained at immigration offices has been an ongoing issue since roughly 2014. Back in the day, reports of being pulled aside were just occasional, but from late 2015 they were increased and have become noticeably common this year.
Phil ******
@Paul ******
thanks Paul. Never been an issue for meReply to
Phil ******
Reply
Ադամ ********
ORIGINAL POSTERWe’re talking about before 2015 or so. Have you been here since then?
Phil ******
@Ադամ *******
yes start 2010 and here now in Phra Khanong. Live everywhere except south-East and north .Ադամ ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Phil *****
what year were you first put in a room and threatened for coming to Thailand too many times without a visa? When were you fined for not lodging a tm-30 even though you live here?Phil ******
@Ադամ *******
no not yet. Always submitted tm30 and before had tm6....been fined for overstay once. Many extensions BB's and maybe extension this time....you obviously know more than me and only a 45 day VE for 61 countries for a few months. Tell me what do you know?Reply to
Phil ******
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Brandon ************
TM30 was back well before the limits on visa exempt started.
They really started cracking down on entries during covid and especially after the covid extensions ended.
I wouldn't even call it a crackdown on visa exempt. It's for anyone spending too much time in Thailand without a long-term visa.
They really started cracking down on entries during covid and especially after the covid extensions ended.
I wouldn't even call it a crackdown on visa exempt. It's for anyone spending too much time in Thailand without a long-term visa.
Ադամ ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI have been coming to Thailand since 1998 and owned a condo since I think 2007. Until 2015 or so I never heard of TM-30 or had any problem coming visa exempt near dozen times a year.
Paul *******
@Ադամ *******
Correct, it was around 2014 that things slowly started tightening up. However, even today, provided you do NOT seek an extension on any of these entries and each one is (preferably) less than 14 days, followed by an absence from the country for some time, you're good to go.Steve **********
@Ադամ *******
here since 2000. Hotel or landlord handled TM-30 type reporting. I think it was given a name less than 10 years ago.Immig officials or motorbikes would stop by guesthouses to pick up PP info etc.
It's Thailand TIT.
Ադամ ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve *********
My condo front desk dealt with it for a few years then they washed their hands of itSteve **********
@Ադամ *******
As dud mine then came the TM-30. and it varies interpretations. If I live in CM with a 90day reported address, and decide to spend a night in Lampun, I need a new TM -30, which will be filled out by the time I return to CM....?Ադամ ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve *********
Ask them. I have had two agents sitting at arm’s length at the airport immigration office give me conflicting information.Steve **********
@Ադամ *******
If they fall asleep, will airport issue a TM-30Ադամ ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve *********
It is not hard to lodge a tm-30 at CM airport immigration. My record is three hours. Just Listen to spa music on your iPod and hope you don’t miss them call your nameReply to
Ադամ ********
Reply
Frank **********
You know a TM-30 is just a notification of a foreigners address usually done by a hotel if your just a tourist or the landlord if you are renting a place.
Ադամ ********
ORIGINAL POSTERFrank Shevchuk I don’t have a landlord it is my responsibility
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Ադամ ********
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Todd *********
Hasn’t begun yet…. 2023
Reply to
Todd *********
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