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Will my partner be allowed entry into Thailand given his travel history and my work permit?
Thai Visa RulesImmigration Entry RequirementsVisa ExemptionsWork Permit in ThailandTourist VisaRemote Work Visa
Dec 14, 2025
5 months ago
Megha *****
ORIGINAL POSTERHello Everyone,
My partner will be travelling with me to BKK on 21st December and this will be his third entry this year, his last exit from BKK was in September to his home country and he’s entering after 3 months.
I hold a work permit in BKK and have rented my own condo and I will be entering to BKK with him on 21st.
Since I’m with him and I hold a valid work permit and stay, should the immigration officer be lenient in admitting him as well? Or should I be worried he might be denied entry based on new rules.
He holds exit ticket from BKK to Vietnam before hitting 60 days mark and he works remotely.
Seeking some genuine advise so we can plan better.
Thanks in advance!
My partner will be travelling with me to BKK on 21st December and this will be his third entry this year, his last exit from BKK was in September to his home country and he’s entering after 3 months.
I hold a work permit in BKK and have rented my own condo and I will be entering to BKK with him on 21st.
Since I’m with him and I hold a valid work permit and stay, should the immigration officer be lenient in admitting him as well? Or should I be worried he might be denied entry based on new rules.
He holds exit ticket from BKK to Vietnam before hitting 60 days mark and he works remotely.
Seeking some genuine advise so we can plan better.
Thanks in advance!
TLDR : Answer Summary
The individual is concerned about their partner's entry into Thailand on a third visit in a calendar year, despite holding a valid work permit. Various commenters express doubt about leniency from immigration, emphasizing the importance of possessing necessary documentation such as an exit ticket and cash for entry. Opinions suggest that having the partner present may not improve chances of entry and that the immigration officer may scrutinize the situation, questioning whether the partner qualifies as a genuine tourist, particularly due to the partner's remote work status.
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Rob *********
Flying in, and with an onward ticket booked, he may be OK. But I got bounced at a land border (Padang Besar) Dec. 7th, with two entries this year, even with the one in March only one week: two months June/July, one week March, one month Oct '24... Bounce.
I heard under 150 days in a year wouldn't be a problem. Not so said the officer. They wanted onward tickets and hotel bookings.
At least, that's what they said. It's hard to tell. My guess is that they have a frame for what "tourism" is, and even intermittent slow travel, under the max stay, and without extensions, doesn't fit their frame anymore.
Or it may be land borders. Mine offered to give me a letter to go back and fly in. Why going back and flying in would make a difference, I don't know. They may have orders to seal the land borders to falang because the visa run agencies commonly use them.
I heard under 150 days in a year wouldn't be a problem. Not so said the officer. They wanted onward tickets and hotel bookings.
At least, that's what they said. It's hard to tell. My guess is that they have a frame for what "tourism" is, and even intermittent slow travel, under the max stay, and without extensions, doesn't fit their frame anymore.
Or it may be land borders. Mine offered to give me a letter to go back and fly in. Why going back and flying in would make a difference, I don't know. They may have orders to seal the land borders to falang because the visa run agencies commonly use them.
Proficien**********
What we do is go up to immigration together let him hand over both passports including printed out visa
Bob **********
You have a work permit or a DTV ? And you have nothing to do with his entry
Megha *****
ORIGINAL POSTERReply to
Megha *****
Reply
Art *******
Lenient? Why would immigration ever be lenient?
Chances are that your friend is not gonna be allowed in. But wish him well.
Chances are that your friend is not gonna be allowed in. But wish him well.
Graham ******
@Art ******
Why will he be denied? Don't just throw that out without some justification.Art *******
@Graham *****
you obviously have not heard of the new law. I saw a lady that lived in Th for 14 years that was not let in. She was a border runner.Graham ******
@Art ******
The law has not changed but now it is being enforced for those abusing the systemReply to
Graham ******
Reply
Ian **********
He needs to get a DTV and stop abusing the system. Turning up with you will decrease his chances of getting in IMO. New guidelines say two visa-exempt entries per calendar year unless you can convince the IO you are a genuine tourist
Andy ********
The question the Immigration Officer is asking themself is "is this person a genuine tourist". They could come to the conclusion that if you are working in Thailand that it is less likely that your boyfriend is a genuine tourist.
Unfortunately we can't tell what the Immigration Officer is going to think. All you can do is ensure that he gives himself the best chance of entry by having if asked 20K Baht (or equivalent) in cash, proof of accommodation and onward ticket. It sounds from your answers to others he will be able to show these if asked.
If you had been asking the same question a month ago I would of recommend for him to apply for a tourist visa. This would of increased his chances. It is possibly a bit late to apply now.
I wish you both the best of luck.
Unfortunately we can't tell what the Immigration Officer is going to think. All you can do is ensure that he gives himself the best chance of entry by having if asked 20K Baht (or equivalent) in cash, proof of accommodation and onward ticket. It sounds from your answers to others he will be able to show these if asked.
If you had been asking the same question a month ago I would of recommend for him to apply for a tourist visa. This would of increased his chances. It is possibly a bit late to apply now.
I wish you both the best of luck.
Megha *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andy *******
thank you for your suggestions.Reply to
Megha *****
Reply
John **********
Nobody can say definitively, only guess. The same as you. Does your partner work remotely from Thailand? If so they need to get either a DTV based on workation or an LTR Remote Worker visa as these are the only 2 visas that allow remote work from inside Thailand.
Terry ********
Hi new to site
Regarding the new rules
We are from Perth, Western Australia
We travel to phuket about 5 times a year for about 2 weeks at a times
How will the new rules effect us
Thanks
Regarding the new rules
We are from Perth, Western Australia
We travel to phuket about 5 times a year for about 2 weeks at a times
How will the new rules effect us
Thanks
Stephen *********
@Terry *******
Not at all.Just touristsGraham ******
@Terry *******
No effectIndigoJa********
@Terry *******
You are guinuine tourists , not doing extensions , or border runs and you leave after a couple of weeks each time and return to your home country . Should have no problems at all . Just ensure you have a ticket out , *****
baht or equivelent in Aussi Dollars or any other currency and proof of accommodation . Then enjoy your hols . They "might" tell you to get an MTV in future , but wont stop you entering this time imo .
Terry ********
IndigoJaguar8670 thanks
Reply to
Terry ********
Reply
Nongnuch ********
@Terry *******
you won't have any problems, as visa-exempt entries within a one-year period are not limited, it the extensions which are limited. You 2-week holidays make you "real" tourists. No problem whatsoever because you can always show a flight out after two weeksJohn **********
@Terry *******
what new rules?Art *******
@Terry *******
2 per year per normal tourist entryIndigoJa********
@Art ******
RubbishNongnuch ********
@Art ******
that's wrong - visa-exempt entries are not limited. It's the extensions that are limitedTerry ********
@Art ******
well this year have had 4, so not sure what you meanReply to
Terry ********
Reply
Roger *******
Better to say their home country, but likely no issue IMO.
David ********
If if came back home country each time between each travel, all will be ok ;)
Peter ******
If you are concerned, just get guaranteed entry into Thailand , a few thousand Baht
Peter ******
I was at border recently and there were two Thai/felang couples and both Felangs got refused entry . Your BF being with you wont make any difference
Thomas *******
@Peter *****
do you have any information about their previous time in Thailand? Based on her information, regardless of whether she is there or not and their time spent there, they very well could be okay as he has never got an extension and doesn't seem to be abusing the system.Megha *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Thomas ******
appreciate your input!Thomas *******
@Megha ****
best of luck to you both 😊Reply to
Thomas *******
Reply
Megha *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Thomas ******
No he hasn’t asked extension and he has accommodation letter from me. He entered twice before and stayed about 55-58 days and left to home country. This time he’ll leave before 60 days mark again and move to Vietnam. In all his previous visit, he never had an issue passing immigration but only because it’s a third visit this year, I wanted to get some advise. And it’s late to apply tourist visa cus we leave in a week.
Thomas *******
@Megha ****
in my opinion,not an expert. I think that his entries fall well within the tourist spectrum. He never got an extension and has only spent 116 +- a few days in Thailand this year. He would appear to be an actual tourist.Reply to
Thomas *******
Reply
Megha *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Peter *****
thank you for your input.Reply to
Megha *****
Reply
Brandon ************
You being with him probably won't make a difference. For the first 2 trips, were they maxxed out trips? (60 days + 30 day extension?) The extensions are what really seem to get immigration interested in someone.
The exit ticket is good and important to have, but the other 2 proofs are also important to have (20,000 baht or equivalent in another major currency IN CASH, and proof of a hotel booking for a week or two at minimum).
The exit ticket is good and important to have, but the other 2 proofs are also important to have (20,000 baht or equivalent in another major currency IN CASH, and proof of a hotel booking for a week or two at minimum).
Megha *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
Both of the trips were about 55-58 days and no extensions in either. It makes any better?
Michael ********
@Megha ****
yes it makes it better 150 days in country seems to be the sort of limit they are looking for. If remote worker he should maybe consider DTVMegha *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael *******
got it, thanks!Reply to
Megha *****
Reply
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