Answered4 years ago
Will frequent short trips to Thailand on a visa-exempt basis raise immigration concerns?
Some great advice on here. My question is…. I have done 13 trips to Thailand over the last year on visa exempt (UK passport) and stay is usually 5-10 days. Flight is inter-Asia no land crossings. So far no questions at immigration. I am likely to increase the time spent there (not the frequency) so 14 day trips per month. Not business related, due to relationship, although some are client visits. Am I likely to encounter any problems? I am considering retirement visa in 3 years or even Elite Visa in the future….
Answer summary
The traveler has made 13 short trips to Thailand on a visa-exempt basis and plans to increase their visits to 14-day stays per month. Despite not receiving questions at immigration so far, there are concerns among commenters about potential future scrutiny. Suggestions include obtaining a multiple-entry tourist visa to ease immigration concerns, and it's noted that relationships can justify frequent visits. Some commenters have shared their own long-term experiences with similar travel patterns, providing reassurance and advice on visas.
40 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Greg *********
I work month/month offshore and have used the 6 month multiple entry visa for the last 6 years. No hassles. Have also had no issues renewing it every 6 month.
Previous to this, I was entering on the 30 day visa extension until I go pulled up at immigration. Since getting the METV, I've had no issues.
Previous to this, I was entering on the 30 day visa extension until I go pulled up at immigration. Since getting the METV, I've had no issues.
John ***********
I wish I was wealthy enough to do 13 trips in and out of Thailand a year!
Paul *******
@John **********
The Burmese I know are far from rich but many of them drive into Thailand daily, almost every day of the year. OK, they do live right next to the border but still,there's a fee involved for bringing the car across as well as doing the border pass.
Nick ************
OP@John **********
from another south East Asian country a bit cheaper 😂
Glyn *********
Surprised you've never been checked for smuggling.
Nick ************
OP@Glyn ********
that happens when I return home to Singapore lol
Eduard ****
Lucky boy. Looks like if u stay some days/weeks outside Thailand and not long in country, it is ok for immigration. You can try until they say something or apply for multiple entry tourist visa which is 6 month valid. Or start Elite visa process if u want get save.
เจสัน ******
If you have "client visits" then you are working and will need a work permit surely?
Nigel *********
@Jay ********
short business trips are not an issue and don't require a wp or non bNick ************
OP@Jay ********
visit on behalf of corporate, not my own business.
Henrik ****
@Jay ********
, depends on the relation to the client. A Non-B might be sufficient.
Roberto *********
@Henrik ***
A non-B is useless without a work permitHenrik ****
@Roberto ********
, not true. Non-B exists in several editions. You dont need a work permit to visit a partner company or as a consultant on short-term missions. This is similar to most of the world. But you need an invitation etc.
George *********
My Belgian friend spends 2 weeks in Thailand and 2 weeks in Belgium continually. Enters at Suwannabhumi.
He has done this for 2 years.
He has already pre booked flights til the end of the year before prices rose a few months ago. Travels first class although I can't see how this could make a difference
He has done this for 2 years.
He has already pre booked flights til the end of the year before prices rose a few months ago. Travels first class although I can't see how this could make a difference
Hristo ***********
@George ********
Main reason to refuse your entry is suspection that you work illegally, so it should help a lot.George *********
@Hristo **********
he has interest in many properties to rent.Has to go there to instigate payment monthly
If renters think he is abroad a long time they might take advantage
Harvey *****
I thought u only got 6 entries per year
Ulrik *********
@Harvey ****
unlimited entries by air, 2 over a land border per calendar year. No 6 entries or 180 day rule exist.
Nick ************
OP@Harvey ****
I’m not sure but I am on 13 with no questions so far….
Brandon ************
Maybe try getting the multiple entry tourist visa. It's good for 6 months and allows you unlimited entries during that time.
It's honestly a waste of money since you don't need the extra days it offers, but it might keep them off your back for a while. But it also might not.
It's honestly a waste of money since you don't need the extra days it offers, but it might keep them off your back for a while. But it also might not.
Hristo ***********
This will not help at all. It could even cause issues in the future. As long as u travel a lot and don't stay more as 50% of the time you should be fine. For every case ask your girlfriend to handwrite you some short letter in thai and print her ID + phone number. However problems occur when you stay mostly in Thailand with some tourist/edu visa...
Brandon ************
@Hristo **********
if a visa won't help, a letter from your girlfriend won't either. Someone visiting their girlfriend isn't a tourist and can just as easily be denied entry for not being a tourist and abusing tourist entries.Hristo ***********
Theoretically you are correct, however most of the imm workers have hearts 🤣😜
Nick ************
OP@Brandon ***********
thanks! Yes I haven’t had any hassle yet but this is definitely an option for the next few years…
Josh ****
I don't see a particular issue. You aren't staying long and your not spending all your time here. Even if they ask you questions I think telling the truth that you are visiting your love interest is more than satisfactory. You don't stay long enough to have any reason to apply for a tourist visa.
Wayne *********
I did 2 and 2 from Australia for 6 years and got away with it, i decided to get the OX visa to eliminate the IO from getting to ask questions about why so often. I did carry thai ID, thai license and also proof i own my condo,s just in case i was asked.
Nick ************
OP@Wayne ********
thanks! I’m quite far from considering buying condo but this is reassuring…
Marc *********
I've been doing similar but with extensions etc,was told last time to sort a visa or I will have problems getting in in future.
Nick ************
OP@Marc ****
thanks! What visa would you apply for?Marc *********
@Nick ***********
I'm married now so I'll be doing the family visa mate, I don't have the knowledge to advise which is best for you sorry.Brian *****************
I do the same and they have started to ask me why I don’t get a visa.
Nick ************
OP@Brian ****************
but they are still letting you in with no major issue?Brian *****************
@Nick ***********
difficult to get as I live in Spain but I’m English, long to visa no good as at my age health insurance is prohibitive.Brian *****************
@Nick ***********
one time the immigration officer was a bit stroppy, so I asked when I did my extension and in immigration when I left and both said there would be no problem. Last time I arrived the girl said you come often why? And why no visa.Eduard ****
@Brian ****************
what did you answer because of no visa?
Stuart *********
14 day trips per month? Holy cow. I think you’ll get questions
Paul *******
@Stuart ********
14 day trips shouldn't be a major issue actually. I know countless people that have been using Bangkok as a hub for such trips, though usually they don't enter Thailand 14 times a month, sometimes they do come and go up to 5 times a month with each entry rarely, if ever, exceeding 7 days. Usually it's just 1-3 days. They've never once faced any problems doing this.Now they also don't do this every month. It might be once every 3 months that such a trip comes along. They fly to Bangkok, spend 2 nights then it's off to China for 10 days. Back to Thailand for 2 days, then it's India for a week. Finally, back to Thailand for one night and off home again. Rinse and repeat 2 or 3 months later, with a slightly different itinerary. This time, using Bangkok as a hub for travel to Vietnam and Malaysia, for example.
Hovvard ******
@Stuart ********
he means a 14 day stay each month. Its pretty easy to decipher what he meant.Stuart *********
@Hovvard *****
“14 day trips per month”. You can read that one way or you can read it another. The “trips” is plural so that suggests more than once.Nick ************
OP@Stuart ********
thanks for reply! Sorry I meant one trip per month for 14 daysActivity
21 joined21
people
Related
25What should I know about switching from a Non-B visa to a Retirement visa in Thailand?
3.6k41027mo
What are my chances of being denied entry to Thailand after a previous entry denial and a long absence?
5.9k55517mo
What types of Thai visas do not require 800,000 baht in a local bank account?
1.5k12121y
What are the best long-term visa options for a retired American expat in Thailand?
6.2k55461y
What types of visas are accepted for opening bank accounts in Thailand?
7.3k66581y
How many border runs can I safely do before I face immigration issues in Thailand?
4.3k28371y
What issues can expats face when using tourist visas in Thailand, and what are the alternatives?
17.6k1382182y
Can I use a tourist visa to spend 5 months in Thailand with multiple entries?
1.8k11172y
What visa should I apply for if I plan to visit Thailand 12 times a year on a FIFO job?
3.4k24353y
What are the best long-term visa options for an American expat wishing to live in Thailand?
15.2k1151953y
What are the best visa options for multiple trips to Thailand in a short time?
771343y
What are my best options for obtaining a long-term visa in Thailand after my Non-B visa cancellation?
1.4k1184y
What visa options are available for an Australian living part-time in Thailand with multiple entries each year?
4k40194y
What are the best visa options for spending long periods in Thailand without immigration issues?
1.5k1274y
What are my options for extending my stay in Thailand beyond the initial 30 days on arrival?
3.5k29284y
What are my options for extending my stay in Thailand after STV visa and COVID extensions end?
1.2k7105y
What are the options for transferring from a Non-B Visa to a long-term visa in Thailand?
1.7k1496y
Are there any restrictions on frequent visa-exempt entries for Americans in Thailand?
2.5k22147y
Will frequent entry and exit from Thailand as a UK tourist using a visa waiver raise concerns with immigration?
692428y
What are the limits on METVs and visa exempt entries for Thailand, and should I consider a Retirement Visa?
1.6k12118y
What are the best visa options for UK residents living in Australia who frequently visit Thailand?
768369y
What options do I have for long-term stays in Thailand before I turn 50?
2.7k2699y
Can I retain and renew my work permit if I switch from a non-B Visa to an Elite, Investment, or Retirement Visa in Thailand?
2k2049y
Is obtaining a business visa in Thailand a good idea for an expat with a restaurant and hostel?
1.6k1279y
What is the longest possible duration for a tourist visa for a French National in Thailand?
2.7k24169y
Resources
Need help with your retirement visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served