Immigration cracks down on ‘visa runners’

PHUKET: The Immigration Bureau has ordered a nationwide crackdown on foreigners repeatedly entering Thailand on visa-free stays, aiming to stop the practice of ‘visa runs’ being used as cover for illegal business and cybercrime.

https://www.thephuketnews.com/immigration-cracks-down-on-visa-runners-98256.php

Take this with a pinch of salt, though these two sources are well-established visa agents:

 

Quote

Urgent Notice:
The visa exemption rule will revert to a 30-day stay effective November17th, 2025.
Travelers are strongly advised to re-enter Thailand before November17th to obtain a 60-day stamp.
No more free visa for 93 countries, visa rules to enter Thailand will be more restrictions especially with some countries.
Confirm by passport control department at border and airport.
PJ Lanta 
Founder of PJ Lanta Property and Visa services.

 

Source

 

Quote

📢 Official Announcement: Updated Visa Extension Regulations
Dear Valued Customers,
Please be informed that, effective 13 November 2025, the Immigration Bureau has introduced new regulations regarding visa extensions. The key changes are as follows:
 1. Visa extensions are now limited to two (2) times per calendar year.
 2. The first extension grants an additional 30 days of stay.
 3. The second extension grants an additional 7 days of stay.
 4. Foreign nationals entering Thailand via land border checkpoints are not eligible for visa extensions.
 5. Visa extensions will not be granted to individuals who depart and re-enter Thailand on the same day.
These updates aim to enhance regulatory efficiency and ensure compliance with current immigration policies.
Issued on: 13 November 2025
Immigration Bureau
If you have any questions or need assistance with your visa process, our team at TikTok Visa Services Thailand is ready to help you.

 

Source

3 hours ago, Persuader0963 said:

Take this with a pinch of salt, though these two sources are well-established visa agents:

 

 

Source

if you look at your source link (which goes to Facebook) it contains another link to The Thaiger which in turn says that this appears to come from Phuket Immigration.

Don't think I'm allowed to post?

 

So a LARGE pinch of salt, indeed. Bit like the alcohol "clampdown" which has just been repealed, perhaps?

 

36 minutes ago, VBF said:

if you look at your source link (which goes to Facebook) it contains another link to The Thaiger which in turn says that this appears to come from Phuket Immigration.

Don't think I'm allowed to post?

 

So a LARGE pinch of salt, indeed. Bit like the alcohol "clampdown" which has just been repealed, perhaps?

 

It would appear that the Thaiger article and the Phuket Times article are correct in relation to the If a foreigner repeatedly uses visa-free entry more than twice without providing a valid reason, they will be denied entry, allowing them to apply for a visa that reflects their true purpose.

Since the beginning of 2025, the Immigration Bureau has denied entry to
approximately 2,900 foreigners exhibiting such behavior at airports.

https://www.immigration.go.th/?p=34106

41 minutes ago, VBF said:

if you look at your source link (which goes to Facebook) it contains another link to The Thaiger which in turn says that this appears to come from Phuket Immigration.

Don't think I'm allowed to post?

 

So a LARGE pinch of salt, indeed. Bit like the alcohol "clampdown" which has just been repealed, perhaps?

 

 

The source links are two different visa agents (and fairly established ones in Koh Lanta and Pattaya respectively). Of course nothing official from immigration yet, which is why I said to take with a huge punch of salt, but if the agents themselves are hearing things, it's a harbinger of things to come...

This is from another visa run company. Even more confusion 🤔

 

The reduction from VE60 to VE30 is discussed here:

 

Quote

Visa-Free Period In Thailand to be Changed Again, Reduced To 30 Days

 

The Thai government has announced plans to again adjust the permitted stay period for those entering Thailand through the visa exemption scheme. This measure aims to curb illegal business activities while still allowing tourists enough time to explore and enjoy their trip.

 

Though the details are still being finalized, the change to the visa-free stay period is expected to be implemented soon.

 

...according to tourism business operators, the majority of visa-free travelers only stay in Thailand for two to three weeks, and illegal workers have exploited the system to the detriment of local businesses. As a result of these concerns, the government has set plans to return the stay period to 30 days.

 

https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-visa/visa-free-period-in-thailand-to-be-changed-again-reduced-to-30-days

Should help eliminate some of the riff raff 

20 minutes ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

The reduction from VE60 to VE30 is discussed here:

 

 

https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-visa/visa-free-period-in-thailand-to-be-changed-again-reduced-to-30-days

Annoying! 🤬

I stay 60 days so I guess I'll need to get a visa.

It says "... no exact date has been set for this change," -  I'm travelling in February, so I'll have to watch out for when (if??) this is implemented

And of course a TDAC to add to the paperwork.

Hopefully a Tourist Visa will still be cheap.

2 minutes ago, VBF said:

I stay 60 days so I guess I'll need to get a visa.

 

You should still be good for the 30 day extension. I know it's annoying when you have to sacrifice a day of your holiday at immigration but they don't care.

 

Current rumours are that the reduction to VE30 will happen next Monday. We shall see but, if true, it's going to cause a lot of inconvenience for people coming in the near future 😔

 

 

14 minutes ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

I know it's annoying when you have to sacrifice a day of your holiday at immigration but they don't care.

 

Or they could just get a SETV before coming. All paperwork submitted online, and still cheaper than a 30-day extension on VE entry. Still plenty of time if the change is announced next Monday.

22 minutes ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

 

You should still be good for the 30 day extension. I know it's annoying when you have to sacrifice a day of your holiday at immigration but they don't care.

 

Current rumours are that the reduction to VE30 will happen next Monday. We shall see but, if true, it's going to cause a lot of inconvenience for people coming in the near future 😔

 

 

You're right, but why would I bother?

Just get a Tourist Visa before I leave UK.

Visa Extension will cost me 1900 Baht ((approx £45) whilst a visa used to be about £30 and I can do it from the comfort of home - which is what I did when it was necessary before.

 

As to your other point, I do have the luxury of time being on my side - just leave it until January and see how many times they've changed the rules and the current rumours have changed.  😂

 

UPDATE... just noticed that @Persuader0963 already made those points - my bad.

Oh dear , why can't they just make the rules and stick to them,  so everyone can plan ahead.  I had planned on getting another 60 days via Nongkhai . Looks like I'm now fcuked . 

I have a border run booked for Monday morning at Mukdahan. It will be my second visa exempt this calendar year, so hopefully I will not be denied entry at least.

 

More worrying is that the admitted stay period can be reduced to 30 days.

 

And no hope for any extension.

1. Visa extensions are now limited to two (2) times per calendar year.

2. The first extension grants an additional 30 days of stay.

3. The second extension grants an additional 7 days of stay.

--TikTok Visa Services

 

Maybe need to look into getting a retirement visa. Or a soft power DTV.

22 hours ago, Chuck443 said:

I have a border run booked for Monday morning at Mukdahan. It will be my second visa exempt this calendar year, so hopefully I will not be denied entry at least.

 

More worrying is that the admitted stay period can be reduced to 30 days.

 

And no hope for any extension.

1. Visa extensions are now limited to two (2) times per calendar year.

2. The first extension grants an additional 30 days of stay.

3. The second extension grants an additional 7 days of stay.

--TikTok Visa Services

 

Maybe need to look into getting a retirement visa. Or a soft power DTV.

You won't get denied there. I have 3 years straight of extensions and just got back from there no problem.

On 11/8/2025 at 6:08 PM, BrandonJT said:

This is how you flood your country with scammers.

so you think that despite the current very harsh immigration visa rules, there are no scammers ? 🤣

Did my border run to Mukdahan on Sunday morning instead of Monday as I originally planned. Recommended by my visa agent.

 

Business as usual, VE 60 days. But very busy as expected.

 

According to thaivisaservice the new directives will allow two visa-exempt entries per calendar year, regardless of the port of entry (airport or land border). They assume it will remain 60 days per entry. 

 

We will know for sure shortly. Also if extensions still possible as before.

40 minutes ago, Chuck443 said:

Did my border run to Mukdahan on Sunday morning instead of Monday as I originally planned. Recommended by my visa agent.

 

Business as usual, VE 60 days. But very busy as expected.

 

According to thaivisaservice the new directives will allow two visa-exempt entries per calendar year, regardless of the port of entry (airport or land border). They assume it will remain 60 days per entry. 

 

We will know for sure shortly. Also if extensions still possible as before.

 

sounds fair enough, in fact pretty generous, if you're planning to stay here for more then four months (possibly six with extensions) then you're not a tourist and should apply for the visa appropriate to your status in the country.

On 11/13/2025 at 10:35 PM, vinny41 said:

If a foreigner repeatedly uses visa-free entry more than twice without providing a valid reason, they will be denied entry, allowing them to apply for a visa that reflects their true purpose.

The "true purpose" of this, is to force-boost sales of their "safe entry" service. Many options remain available to those who will pay them via agents.

28 minutes ago, Rob Browder said:

The "true purpose" of this, is to force-boost sales of their "safe entry" service. Many options remain available to those who will pay them via agents.

Yes, I agree. The two visa-exempts per calendar year is open for interpretation - and possibly abuse:

ดังนั้น ด่าน ตม.ทุกด่าน ทั้งสนามบิน และชายแดน จะใช้มาตรการเข้มคุมการเข้าออกของคนต่างชาติ หากรายใดใช้สิทธิวีซ่ารันซ้ำเกินกว่า 2 รอบ โดยไม่มีเหตุผลที่ชี้แจงได้ ตม. จะพิจารณาปฎิเสธการเข้าเมือง เพื่อให้ไปยื่นขอวีซ่าให้ถูกต้องตามวัตถุประสงค์ที่แท้จริงต่อไป

 

Therefore, all immigration checkpoints, both at airports and land borders, will enforce stricter measures on foreign entries and exits. If any individual uses visa runs more than twice without a valid explanation, immigration will consider denying entry and require them to apply for the appropriate visa that matches their actual purpose.

 

My interpretation is that more than two visa-exempts per calendar year will still be possible if you have a valid explanation – whatever that could be.

Planning for a January 2026 visit, and my previous history is as follows:

November 2024 to January 2025, I entered on visa exempt and stayed the full 60 days, with a 30 day extension. That was my only entry for 2024.

 

2025, I entered visa exempt in May, but only stayed for 21 days.

 

As I understand it,  they count it on a calendar year basis, so technically the January 2026 date will be my first visit of the year anyway... plus it's been about 8 months since my last entry, and in that time I've travelled to lots of different countries in between.

 

I shouldn't have any problems, right? Probably overthinking this a bit, but would be good to know where I stand.
 

7 hours ago, bobcat888 said:

Planning for a January 2026 visit, and my previous history is as follows:

November 2024 to January 2025, I entered on visa exempt and stayed the full 60 days, with a 30 day extension. That was my only entry for 2024.

 

2025, I entered visa exempt in May, but only stayed for 21 days.

 

As I understand it,  they count it on a calendar year basis, so technically the January 2026 date will be my first visit of the year anyway... plus it's been about 8 months since my last entry, and in that time I've travelled to lots of different countries in between.

 

I shouldn't have any problems, right? Probably overthinking this a bit, but would be good to know where I stand.
 

 

I had 7 months in Thailand in 2024 using 3 visa exempts and had no problem coming in late 2025 on visa exempt (first visit of 2025). So I'd wager you'll be fine. Dress respectfully, get in a line with a male agent, and have 20k baht cash equivalent and onward ticket to minimize your chances of a problem. The bigger question is probably will they still be giving out 60 days in January but you didn't say how long you were planning on staying so that may not even matter to your situation.  

Will those of us who genuinely visit 3-4 times a year for a couple of weeks be affected ?

 

31 minutes ago, Chelseafan said:

Will those of us who genuinely visit 3-4 times a year for a couple of weeks be affected ?

 

According to this article you should be okay

https://thai.news/news/thailand/thailand-is-tightening-up-on-visa-runs-and-long-stays-on-exemption

Source unknown and uncorroborated.

 

25 minutes ago, treetops said:

Source unknown and uncorroborated.

 

 

From Google AI image search:

 

Quote

The image displays outdated information regarding Thailand's immigration rules. The specific regulation mentioned, limiting overland visa exemption entries to twice per calendar year for certain nationalities, was introduced in 2014 and has since been replaced or modified by various policies and visa exemptions

 

11 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

Will those of us who genuinely visit 3-4 times a year for a couple of weeks be affected ?

 

Absolutely. There's only 2 entries per calendar year visa-exempt. Get a proper visa if you're coming multiple times to Thailand. 

I'm arriving Fri next week for 3 maybe 4 Months. I applied for a Non 0 retirement Visa for 90 days. After a 3 weeks of jumping through hoops from photo not good enough to, bank statements not acceptable , not enough funds in my account but were happy to take the £60 cost iv'e given up. The site was to hard to Navigate simply didn't load pages and froze trying to go forward to the next page. I E-Mailed the Thai embassy In london for them to offer any or even give me a Tourist Visa considering i gave you £60  but they ignored all  E-mails. Then they wonder why there losing tourists.

3 hours ago, bbi1 said:

Absolutely. There's only 2 entries per calendar year visa-exempt. Get a proper visa if you're coming multiple times to Thailand. 

 

What "proper" visa ? I don't live there. I have a house in Thailand and I'm married to a Thai but still working in my home country for a few more years. Reading through what @vinny41 posted, it looks like I am fine.

 

 

1 hour ago, Chelseafan said:

 

What "proper" visa ? I don't live there. I have a house in Thailand and I'm married to a Thai but still working in my home country for a few more years. Reading through what @vinny41 posted, it looks like I am fine.

 

 

 

 Non O.