Answered7 months ago
Which neighboring country offers the fastest turnaround for obtaining a 60-day tourist visa if Thailand changes its visa exemption policy?
If the 60 day exempt changes back to 30 I may need a 60 day tourist visa. Which neighboring country has fast turn around?
Answer summary
The conversation revolves around the potential change in Thailand’s visa exemption policy from 60 days back to 30 days, with the original poster considering the need for a 60-day tourist visa as a backup. Various comments suggest neighboring countries such as Laos and Vietnam for quick visa processing. Participants express uncertainty about the timing of any policy changes, with some suggesting that visa applications and border bounces are still viable options depending on individual circumstances.
32 repliesnewest first
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Steve *******
Laos or Malaysia would be the favourites of neighbouring Countries for a tourist visa
Mat *********
Your 2nd extension in a year (365 days) will only be 7 days
Faron *************
OPMat Matulka I saw that rule change. I don’t think the week is worth the hassle of extending anymore. Will just go home before 150 days.
Olivier *********
Bets are open: 1 beer they won't change it as long as the ME war is not over.
Faron *************
OPOlivier O'Brien good point 🙏
Elías ********
I wouldn't worry about that just yet. The noise about changing back to 30 days has been out for almost two years already.
Thaimer ******
Elías Molina what a BS.
They changed visa exemption from 30 days to 60 days on 15.07.2024. so 1 year and 9 months
How can “noise about changing back to 30 days” be almost 2 years old when 60 days visa exemption has been less than 2 years active?
They changed visa exemption from 30 days to 60 days on 15.07.2024. so 1 year and 9 months
How can “noise about changing back to 30 days” be almost 2 years old when 60 days visa exemption has been less than 2 years active?
Elías ********
@Thaimer *****
1 year and 9 months is almost 2 years. In case you don't know/don't remember, the first time they said they were considering to go back to 30 days was just as soon, right away, as they changed it to 60 days, back in the second half of 2024. As a matter of fact, many voices had asked to do not even change it to 60 days back then.Thaimer ******
Elías Molina random internet Somchais speaking in 2024 and measure proposed by ministry of tourism in late 2025 are totally different things
Stuart *********
Who said they were going to change it? They might. They might change it to 90 days too. Flip a coin. Heads they do tails they don’t. Oh perhaps that’s the other way around.
Jeff *******
@Stuart ********
its tails they win, heads you lose.Stuart *********
Damn. Got it wrong.
Stuart *********
No. But my opinion is not reflective of the Thai government policy.
Ed ********
@Stuart ********
do you think they will cut it to 30.Faron *************
OP@Stuart ********
‘If’ is the operative word in my question. I just want to be prepared with information 🙏
Roland *********
Hanoi, Vietnam. E-visa website. Very fast.
Roland *********
@Faron ************
Hanoi, Vietnam. E-visa website. Very fast.
Ralph *******
How frequently have you used the 60 day exempt?
Faron *************
OPRalph Tyson would be only the second. Next year I will get a tourist visa in my home country regardless of the length of exemption
Grandpappa **********
TikTok service
John **********
If they do change it back to 30 it won't be overnight so you'll have time to apply for a visa before travelling
Jim *******
@John *********
I do not see it coming back from 60 to 30 days, Even if they (Thai Immigration) do it, I would cling to my 1 year extensions. Until I abandon Thai altogether.It is only me, an Australian, that likes Thailand. Neither my wife (with me in Japan) nor our daughter (a student in Australia) want to se the country of stray dogs and cracked pavements.
Faron *************
OP@John *********
history is 1-5 months a year for the last 23 years but only the one entry this calendar year and the last 12 months.John **********
@Faron ************
the calendar year doesn't matter but if you've only had one entry in the past year you should be fine with a border bounce
Paul ***********
John **********
@Faron ************
they are but I'd recommend using a border bounce company to take you
Jonathan **********
@Faron ************
I just went through the boarder in Nong Kai and had to go talk to the supervisor to get my passport stamped. It was my first visa waiver since February 2025.Faron *************
OP@John *********
Are land border bounces still an option, or is air much safer?Faron *************
OP@John *********
context I should have added: currently in Thailand on first Visa exempt. Need to get an additional 60 days right before Songkran for a flight already booked back to home country. John **********
@Faron ************
if you have no prior history in Thailand you should be able to do a border bounce with a border run company. I can't see it changing between now and Songkran
Lynnette *******
Could be years before they decide if they want to change it. A lot could happen by then.
Jan ******************
Getting a visa in Laos and Vietnam is pretty straightforward. (Although the last one is only a nearby country).
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