Two visa-exempt nationalities

[Larry]

I  am a citizen of two visa-exempt countries. Is it OK to enter on one passport, exit within the 30 days, go abroad, enter on the second one for 30 days, and then exit on the second passport?  Does the two tourist visa exempt periods per year rule apply per person or per passport.  My name differs between the two passports:

[ubonjoe]

The 2 visa exempt rule is only for land border crossings. By air there is no limit.

If immigration can link your 2 passports in their database the 2 entry rule would apply when you use either passport for entry.

[Larry]

Thanks.  I should add that I have had a non-immigrant visa up until a few months ago, but no longer have it, as I am generally not in Thailand

 

[JackThompson]

The rule is 2 land-crossings per calendar-year for "persons" - not "passport."  Whether your identity would be linked with 2 passports under different names is unknown, but when/if it is, you could have a problem.  I would not attempt to skirt this rule.

 

If planning more than 2 land-border entries in a year, obtaining a Tourist Visa before returning solves your problem, as there is no legal restriction/count on entering with a valid Tourist Visa.  But be sure to avoid the Poipet/Aranyaprathet crossing, which does not follow immigration law, and may deny your entry on false grounds.

[Larry]

Thanks.....very helpful.  No point getting into trouble.

[mickam]

I tried that once cannot remember which countries, I think Malaysia Thailand but the passport control wanted to see stamps from the previous country and did not accept the switch

 

[BritTim]

8 hours ago, mickam said:

I tried that once cannot remember which countries, I think Malaysia Thailand but the passport control wanted to see stamps from the previous country and did not accept the switch

That is always true when crossing land borders. Usually, you can swap passports when arriving by air.

[tryasimight]

Two passports in two different names...is that legal? I am interested to know the answer.

James Bond? Jason Bourne?

[BritTim]

39 minutes ago, tryasimight said:

Two passports in two different names...is that legal? I am interested to know the answer.

James Bond? Jason Bourne?

That depends on the passport issuing country. There are, in fact, many cases where it happens quite routinely. As an example, when a woman marries, and takes her husband's family name, most country's do not insist that passports be changed. Thus, a dual national with a new name could have two passports with different names.

 

If you change your name by deed poll in one country, you are able to get a new passport with the new name there. Your other country passport might use the old name indefinitely.

 

Of course, there are cases of getting passports fraudulently in someone else's name.