@Robert *********

your experience also proves that there is no "reset" in the new year, as they have included in their total count stays you did in 2024

@Michael *******

This poster from the border to Laos is telling you total rubbish

There are no new "visa rules" or a new law.

There is no limit of two visa-exempt entries within a calendar year or within a one-year period.

Anybody – and this includes some Immigration officers - who claims there is a limit of two visa-exempt entries has his wires crossed.

There only is a limit of two extensions for the 60-days visa exempt stay permit per one-year period.

You can enter visa exempt as many times as you want, if you do never exceed a total number of 157 (some will say 150) days on visa-exempt stay within a one-year period and as long as you have never extended a stay with 30 days. . . .

just keep in mind oil riggers or airline pilots spend multiple 2-week holidays on 4, 5, or 6 visa exempt entries per year, without any problem as long as you prove your onward travel, an accommodation booking and carry 20,000 THB or equivalent in cash on you

@Kim ******

you are correct to assume this, many Immigration officials are making up things out of the blue. I am in touch with Immigration Volunteers, and their knowledge is above anything some Immigration officials are fantasizing, and people like

@Michael *******

are throwing more oil into the fires of misconception. This guy seems to be trolling

@Robert *********

Unfortunately, it remains unclear, and it's left to the discretion of the individual immigration officer.

There have been reports where the 7-day extension was denied, with the explanation that you can't get an extension for visa-free entry via a land border, and there have been cases under the same conditions that were accepted.

And there are cases where 30 days were also granted for the second extension! What your experience will be is uncertain.

@Kim ******

that's not true. . . . this is a total misconception, being spread by misinformed people like

@Michael *******

. . . . . Visa-exempt entries are NOT limited to two. Only the extensions of visa-exempt stays are limited to two per year. Do NOT listen to these inventors of fairy tales

There are no new "visa rules" or a new law. There is no limit of two visa-exempt entries within a calendar year or within a one-year period.

Anybody – and this includes some Immigration officers and the internet troll

@Michael *******

- who claims there is a limit of two visa-exempt entries has his wires crossed.

What has changed, mandated from above, is the stricter review of the number of visa-free entries and the check for "visa runs" (actually, "back-to-back border runs" were meant).

The new approach of border officials is to ensure that "visa runs" and the visa-free entry system is not “milked” for a longstay in Thailand.

You can now only extend visa-free entries twice within a 365-days period.

The first visa-exempt entry can be extended with 30 days, but the second exempt entry can only be extended by 7 days.

60 + 30 + 60 + 7 = 157 days maximum within a 1-year period.

This applies REGARDLESS of whether you arrive by air or via a land border.

Unfortunately, it remains unclear, and it's left to the discretion of the individual immigration officer.

There have been reports where the 7-day extension was denied, with the explanation that you can't get an extension for visa-free entry via a land border, and there have been cases under the same conditions that were accepted.

And there are cases where 30 days were also granted for the second extension! What your experience will be is uncertain.

REMEMBER: Only these two extensions are possible per one-year period on visa-exempt entries.

This is not about the "calendar year," as that would make absolutely no sense. Nothing is "reset" on January 1st - this is a rumor circulating in Facebook groups, but it is NOT true.

Visa-exempt entries themselves are unlimited!

BUT: the total number of days of visa-free stays is limited!

Some people believe that unlimited visa-free entries are possible by air, yet that's simply wrong.

It is certainly possible, at the individual discretion of the border official, to allow multiple visa-free entries, for example, 3, 4, 5, or even more times.

In this case, your passport and the immigration central computer must show that your stays were short-term, for example, two weeks, and your total annual stay should not exceed 157 days.

There should be several weeks between each entry. The goal of this new approach was to prohibit "same-day visa runs," where you only stay briefly in a neighboring country and then immediately re-enter Thailand.

You must be able to prove your planned short stay at the immigration counter – for example, with proof of onward travel, such as a flight ticket.

I can say with certainty that border officials will consider you a "genuine" tourist for such short trips within a year.

However, they should be able to see on their central computer that you never extended these short trips with border runs or made any extra trips.

@Arvid **********

There are no new "visa rules" or a new law. There is no limit of two visa-exempt entries within a calendar year or within a one-year period.

Anybody – and this includes some Immigration officers - who claims there is a limit of two visa-exempt entries has his wires crossed.

What has changed, mandated from above, is the stricter review of the number of visa-free entries and the check for "visa runs" (actually, "back-to-back border runs" were meant).

The new approach of border officials is to ensure that "visa runs" and the visa-free entry system is not “milked” for a longstay in Thailand.

You can now only extend visa-free entries twice within a 365-days period.

The first visa-exempt entry can be extended with 30 days, but the second exempt entry can only be extended by 7 days.

60 + 30 + 60 + 7 = 157 days maximum within a 1-year period.

This applies REGARDLESS of whether you arrive by air or via a land border.

Unfortunately, it remains unclear, and it's left to the discretion of the individual immigration officer.

There have been reports where the 7-day extension was denied, with the explanation that you can't get an extension for visa-free entry via a land border, and there have been cases under the same conditions that were accepted.

And there are cases where 30 days were also granted for the second extension! What your experience will be is uncertain.

REMEMBER: Only these two extensions are possible per one-year period on visa-exempt entries.

This is not about the "calendar year," as that would make absolutely no sense. Nothing is "reset" on January 1st - this is a rumor circulating in Facebook groups, but it is NOT true.

Visa-exempt entries themselves are unlimited!

BUT: the total number of days of visa-free stays is limited!

Some people believe that unlimited visa-free entries are possible by air, yet that's simply wrong.

It is certainly possible, at the individual discretion of the border official, to allow multiple visa-free entries, for example, 3, 4, 5, or even more times.

In this case, your passport and the immigration central computer must show that your stays were short-term, for example, two weeks, and your total annual stay should not exceed 157 days.

There should be several weeks between each entry. The goal of this new approach was to prohibit "same-day visa runs," where you only stay briefly in a neighboring country and then immediately re-enter Thailand.

You must be able to prove your planned short stay at the immigration counter – for example, with proof of onward travel, such as a flight ticket.

I can say with certainty that border officials will consider you a "genuine" tourist for such short trips within a year.

However, they should be able to see on their central computer that you never extended these short trips with border runs or made any extra trips.

@Arvid **********

sometimes people get 30 days for the second one. It depends on the Immigration officer

@Seagan *********

he would not even get the "you have 7 days to leave" stamp.

@Michael *******

90 and 90 only possible on two single entry tourist visa within a one-year period. Not on visa exemption. You live in Thailand and don't know this?