Answered4 months ago

Will returning to Thailand on a visa exemption after a work visa cancellation cause immigration issues?

Visa Exemption Thailand Immigration Work Visa Cancellation Visa Rules Extending Stay in Thailand Travel Tips for Expats

ThoughtfulH***********

asked Jun 16, 2026

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Hello everyone,

Has anyone here been in a similar situation?

I just finished working in Thailand (2 years) and my work visa has been cancelled. I’m planning to return to my country for 10 days and then come back to Thailand on visa exemption to stay around 60 days for packing my stuffs and wait until my housing contract ends before moving home permanently, is this likely to cause any issues with Immigration? What documents should I prepare?

Thank you in advance

Answer summary

An expat who worked in Thailand for two years has had their work visa cancelled and plans to return home for 10 days before coming back to Thailand on a visa exemption for 60 days. They are concerned about potential immigration issues upon re-entry and seek advice on required documentation. Comments suggest that while the return should generally be fine, there might be questions regarding the intentions of the stay since it's longer than typical tourism. Recommendations include preparing tickets, accommodation details, and potentially applying for a tourist visa for clarity.

11 repliesnewest first

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Michael ********

Just usual as tourist outbound tickets equivilant of

*****

baht cash accomadation you can explain

4 months ago

Christopher ********

You might have trouble since your purpose is not tourism. A border guard might think that you intend to work illegally. If it's not too much trouble, I would apply for an actual tourist visa.

4 months ago

ThoughtfulH***********

Christopher Leslie thank you!

4 months ago

John **********

I assume your actually on an extension of stay if you have been working in Thailand for 2 years. And if you are still inside Thailand beyond the cancellation date of your extension of stay you are currently on overstay. A short overstay won't affect you returning but be careful you don't get challenged by the authorities while on overstay, if you are you may get deported and banned, you should never overstay. At some point a 60 day visa exempt entry is going to drop to 30 days but if you're returning in 10 days you should be fine and even if you miss that you can still get a 30 day extension

4 months ago

Terry ********

@John *********

When a work permit is cancelled/expires then any extension of stay is invalid. He basically has 7 days to exit the country.

But I'm sure the poster already knows that.

4 months ago

ThoughtfulH***********

@John *********

I am on a 10-day trip to my country, I am just worried that because my time spent back home is so short, I might get questioned when returning to Thailand for a long tourist stay. Therefore, I plan to buy a 48-hour valid onward ticket and cancel it later. Once I arrive in Thailand, if the 60-day visa exemption is still active, I will just use that. If it has already been reduced to 30 days, I will simply extend my stay at a local immigration office. Is this plan feasible?

4 months ago

Graham ******

ThoughtfulHedgehog1926 The 60 to 30 days change will come into effect 15 days after it appears in the Royal Gazette and that has not happened yet so do the sums. Also Thailand is currently in a state of mourning so everything might be on hold for now.

4 months ago

ThoughtfulH***********

Graham Seal thank you!

4 months ago

Colin **********

You should be fine, its a solid and understandable explanation, they may ask for your ticket out, and accommodation details, I doubt if they would want to see 20kthb cash.

4 months ago

Graham ******

Colin Chaffers I doubt it too but you need to have it just in case

4 months ago

ThoughtfulH***********

Colin Chaffers thank you for your advice, then I will prepare well in case they ask me

4 months ago