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Will I face immigration issues traveling to Thailand frequently?

Thailand ImmigrationVisa RulesTravel AdviceExempt VisaTourist VisaImmigration Concerns
January 6, 2023
2 years ago
Peter *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Have been traveling to Thailand three or 4 times per year, staying for 3 weeks each time. Have been doing this for about 8 years

With the frequency of visits am I likely to have a immigration issue?

Any advice will be appreciated
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user inquires about potential immigration issues given their history of traveling to Thailand three to four times a year for extended stays. Several comments provide reassuring advice, indicating that while immigration questioning can happen, it's unlikely given the user's travel frequency and proper documentation. Key points include having sufficient cash, accommodation details, and a return ticket. While a few users mention rare exceptions or personal experiences, the consensus leans towards not having issues if proper protocols are followed.
Larry ********
you should be telling us
2 years ago
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James *********
3 or 4 times a year for 8 years, and asking if will have any issues? Is this a joke?
2 years ago
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Bob **********
If your stays aren’t back to back with exempt stamps you shouldn’t have a problem but it all depends on the IO you get when entering
2 years ago
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Paul *******
I did have a problem with a very similar stay pattern.

Its just the luck of the draw I guess

Best of luck
2 years ago
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Jo **********
absolutely not, I enter about 10 times a year for periods of 10-20 days. I have never had a single question over 10 plus years
2 years ago
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Mitchell *******
No.
2 years ago
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Billy *******
Magic eight ball says definitely maybe.
2 years ago
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Steve ********
It's unlikely you'd get any problems. It's those doing extensions followed by back to back visa exempt entries who can run into trouble. Follow the advice of Stuart just to make sure, but I can't see you having any issues
2 years ago
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Jo **********
@Steve *******
 what you say is correct. many people worry about frequent entries but that’s not the issue
2 years ago
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Jo **********
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David *******
Only issue i'm aware of is if you're in country over 180 days in the same calendar year. Know a couple people who did but were able to get in after showing they had sufficient cash and a place to stay.
2 years ago
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Graham ******
@David ******
 The 180 day rule is a total myth as your entry is entirely at the discretion of the Immigration Officer you are facing
2 years ago
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David *******
Apparently so mate, as my friends were able to get in
2 years ago
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David *******
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Todd *********
@Marc *******
 ok - many nations don’t even have visa exemptions. And especially for holders of specific passports. Fire away with some of those that you are 100% sure of. I’m interested. It also very much depends on the passport you hold
2 years ago
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Marc ********
@Todd ********
 My own country for instance. Switzerland. As a tourist you can only stay 6 months in a year.

And Jamaica too.
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Marc *******
 fair points. Non EU passport holders either have
******
days for tourism, and that’s for within Schengen. Definite limits to to stay although somewhat dubious enforcement at times. And 🇨🇭 is a bit of an outlier in Europe. Fair points.

Others, are very lenient. Thailand allows border bounces. Mexico let’s you in for 180 days, they you can exit and return for another 180.

But generally, agreed. You need a visa other than simple tourism entry for long stays
2 years ago
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Marc ********
@Todd ********
 And I am pretty sure USA I cannot stay more than 180 days either with my swiss passport

Will be same for french, italian, german, spanish passport holders
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Marc *******
 all of Schengen governed by same rules. Any EU passport holder can stay as long as they wish for tourism within Schengen…

For Canadians in America, no restrictions on time for tourism in USA. There are many dozens of nations one can stay longer for tourism. Depending on your passport
2 years ago
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Marc ********
@Todd ********
 Yes I know Schengen is different.

Canada/USA is different.

But I am talking about my passport, german, french, italian, UK.

If we go to the US or Canada we can stay up to 180 days.

USA has very strict rules. Exept passport holders of Canada no other citizen of any other country can stay as long as they please
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Marc *******
 much like Schengen. Depends on your passport. I would far prefer a Schengen passport
2 years ago
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Marc ********
@Todd ********
 Yes Schengen passport can move freely within Schengen area.

But outside not.

Same as ASEA countries can move more or less freely too. Cambodians can do as many land border runs as they want in a year.
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Marc *******
 zactly. I’ve been full time travelling (retired) since 2013. I often overstay 🤷‍♂️ because I’m really not worried about the generally small fines. Including many overstays in Schengen for summers. But I have long term residency/visa in both Thailand and Mexico now, so can use those as my bases rather than my own country 🇨🇦
2 years ago
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Marc ********
@Todd ********
 Why would you prefere Mexico over the US if I may ask?
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Marc *******
 Marc Widmer USA many issues and realistically, a bit boring culture. (I even have family in Arizona which is great, but…

Culture, gun violence, big city crime, tax (Uncle Sam wants you after 183 days), weather, crazy politics, cost of living, and insane cost of healthcare contribute to my not spending much time in the states. Even with free accommodation, great outdoors life, golf and a pool lol.
2 years ago
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Marc ********
@Todd ********
 Well Mexico has big crime too.

But I get your point
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Marc *******
 it also does for sure. But easy to avoid unless you have strong desire to move in on the cartel.

Overall, it feels VERY safe. And the crime headlines have seem desperately overhyped to the reality of spending long times there. Have a great place north of Puerto Vallarta, on a golf course and have never felt a need to lock it up…

Petty crime seems very rare (although worse than Thailand) and people often find lost wallets and phones returned to them.
2 years ago
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Marc ********
@Todd ********
 Yes Thailand is exeptional. The only country I know you can get drunk and decide to walk home leaving your motorbike with helmet.

Next day pick it up. Nobody troubled it.

Even helmet is still there🤣

Do that in Switzerland. Your helmet is in the next river or lake.

Your motorbike is either gone or damaged because some other drunkos thought it is very funny to destroy or drive it in the lake aswell.

In other developing countries the bike is not destroyed but gone.

Or the parts are missing.
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Marc *******
 100% man. Same for Canada and USA… Thailand special that way
2 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Todd ********
 Crime has reached an all-time low in Australia
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Bobby *******
 😂 that’s where we seem to be at also 😂
2 years ago
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Todd *********
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Todd *********
@David ******
 what's the issue if over 180 days/year? Many do it
2 years ago
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Marc ********
@Todd ********
 The issue is officially you are not allowed to stay more than 180 days in a year.

Many countries have this rule and I think Thailand is one of it.
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Marc *******
 there is no such rule in Thailand. Or in any nations. You just need the appropriate visa
2 years ago
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Marc ********
@Todd ********
 But we are talking here about visa exemption or tourist visa.

Certainly some nation have this rule.

I know it from my own experience.

I can name you a few countries I am 100% certain
2 years ago
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Marc ********
@Josh *****
 I think it was a warning. Next time you have problems entering on VOA
2 years ago
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Marc ********
@Josh *****
 I would not be worried about that. Once they give me a visa I don't think immigration will give me further problems.

But it's still up to immigration officer. Even if you have a visa he can deny you entry if he wants
2 years ago
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Josh ******
@Marc *******
 calendar year or starting 12 months from first entry
2 years ago
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Marc ********
@Josh *****
 Yes ok my bad I forgot to write the word calendar. Any other hair to split?
2 years ago
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Josh ******
@Marc *******
 Chill out I was just asking a question and forgot the ? Lol
2 years ago
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Marc ********
@Josh *****
 Ah ok my apologies. Unless I am making a misconception but it works out the same. Calendar or first entry
2 years ago
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Marc ********
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David *******
Tourist visa i guess. If on an O visa can do it.
2 years ago
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David *******
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Stuart *********
Unlikely but see below.

If questioned by immigration on arrival (rare but does happen) you need to provide 3 proofs for entry into Thailand.

1. 20,000 baht cash or equivalent in a major currency. It needs to be in cash. A bank statement, credit card or phone app showing you have funds won’t suffice.

2. Accommodation booked for at least the first few days. If you’re staying with family or friends then have them write an invitation letter for you to stay at their place.

3. A ticket out of Thailand booked within the number of days your entry allows, regardless that you can get an in country extension. 30 for Exempt, 60 for Tourist Visa (although the likelihood on being asked if you have a actual tourist visa is minimal). Bus train or plane. The two former must be an international ticket out, not just to a border town where you could walk across a border.

These proofs won’t guarantee you entry as that’s at the discretion of the immigration officer, but they’re the three things they’ll generally use as a reason to deny entry.
2 years ago
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Alex *******
@Stuart ********
 Is it actually well spent money to focus on the "three proofs"? If an immigration officer wants to deny you entry, he can do so anyway so is this not really a bit of wasted money? Just thinking out loud...
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
@Alex ******
 It’s really is rare that they’ll ask you any of this and almost certainly if they do it’s because you have a long history of entries in to Thailand. Maybe back to back tourist visas or visa exempt entries and they suspect you could be working here illegally. For your average tourist visiting once, twice or eight times in a year with no suspicion that they could be working they’re just not going to bother. No one can say for sure that you won’t be questioned because that’s the prerogative of the immigration officer you hand your passport to. It’s their call.
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
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