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Will frequent visa exempt entries cause issues in Thailand?

visa exemption Non-O visa Thailand immigration visa rules volunteering expat advice

Apr 24, 2018

8 years ago

Krizel ********************

ORIGINAL POSTER

ASKING FOR A FRIEND

"Will I have problems coming here too often visa exempt? 

For 1.5 years now, I’ve been staying in Bangkok with a non-O (volunteering) visa. I just came back to BKK visa exempt for the second time this year. I’ll fly to somewhere for a weekend in May before my visa exemption expires. Then June, I’ll be abroad the whole month for work. Then I need to go back to BKK.

I’ll be staying here in BKK until end of August. Is it more advisable for me to get another non-O (volunteer) visa for my stay in BKK in July and August? Wouldn’t the switch from visa exempt to non-o to visa exempt and to non-O look suspicious?

P.S. Not sure if it’s relevant but I’m about to get my new passport this week. Or they really check their records as to how many visa exempt entries I’ve had?"

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is concerned about the implications of frequently entering Thailand on a visa-exempt basis, especially after having held a non-O (volunteering) visa for 1.5 years. They plan to travel out of Thailand and return visa-exempt before considering whether to apply for another non-O visa. Commenters suggest that switching visas frequently or making back-to-back visa exempt entries might raise concerns at immigration, and it's advisable to be prepared to show sufficient funds and proof of income at entry.

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Krizel ********************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Okay, so basically nothing to do now, except be ready to show cash and proof of income. Thank you!

8 years ago

Robert *******

New passport is irrelevant at Immigration, the database will link it to the old passport. Coming and going on Visa Exempt Entry back to back or with short periods in between or switching to Non O based on Volunteer can both raise an eyebrow at Immigration. They can ask how you provide yourself with funds, so be ready to show the 20.000 Thb cash and some proof of income from abroad.

8 years ago

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Robert *******

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Will I face issues returning to Thailand after multiple short stays with visa exempt entries?

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