60-day visa exemptions are now unlimited at land borders

[Tod Daniels]

ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS: (I edited this to better show the entry / stay (overstay) history 😛 )

 

We interrupt this broadcast to bring you a breaking News bulletin..

 

The new 60 day entry stamp program that started 3 days ago is not limited to two entries by land in a calendar year, it is unlimited entry by land.

 

Just had somebody that did two free stamp land entries this year bounce out and back and get a new 60-day entry with no questions at al.   The officer said unlimited.

 

Here are the  two 30 day land entry stamps and the new 60 day stamp they just got this morning.. as you can see they even had a 3-day overstay this morning when they left.

Remember you heard it first from Tod Daniels.

 

EDIT:

Okay here's the stamp "trail" and it's a screwy one with an overstay at every step of the process

The person entered their FIRST ENTRY BY LAND on March 16th was stamped in 30 days until April 14th.

They went to the immigration office on the 17th of April paid a 3 day overstay (no stamp image) and got a 30 day extension good until 14 of May

They went to the border on May 17th paid a 3 day overstay (no stamp image) and got a 30 day stamp until Jun 15th (note the stamp has 2/67 meaning second land entry this year)

They went to the immigration office on the 18th of June paid a 3 day overstay AND got a 30 day extension good until 15th of July

They went to the border July 18 paid a 3 day overstay AND got a NEW THIRD LAND ENTRY STAMP for 60 days

 

 

 

 

 

[itsari]

If you like traveling why bother with a 12 month visa .

The agents will miss out on this new arrangement.

[Jack1988]

If it's really true that now is possible to do unlimited border run then there is no need that I go to Vientiane to apply for another tourist visa 

[Seany25]

At Wang Prachan boundary post with my Thai partner yesterday and was told same. No more limits on 60 day land border crossings. 

Thankfully the border fee remains 1,300 for now too. 

 

[Tod Daniels]

Okay people listen up.

This isn't about flying in, and you can/will get grilled if you're milking free stamp to live here.

This is about the fact that the prettiest rule, exacted Jan 1, 2017 that limited visa exempt entries by land to 2 in a calendar year does not apply to this new 60 day Visa exempt entry program.

There is no longer a limit of 2 visa exempt entries by land

[Jack1988]

9 minutes ago, Tod Daniels said:

Okay people listen up.

This isn't about flying in, and you can/will get grilled if you're milking free stamp to live here.

This is about the fact that the prettiest rule, exacted Jan 1, 2017 that limited visa exempt entries by land to 2 in a calendar year does not apply to this new 60 day Visa exempt entry program.

There is no longer a limit of 2 visa exempt entries by land

Does this new rule apply to all border runs like Laos, Cambodia etc?

[MarkBR]

Will see how long this lasts.

[parafareno]

so what it means you get 2 month visa on arrival and then you extend it for 1 month and then border run to get 2 months and then extend again for 1 month?

[adrin]

26 minutes ago, Tod Daniels said:

Okay people listen up.

This isn't about flying in, and you can/will get grilled if you're milking free stamp to live here.

This is about the fact that the prettiest rule, exacted Jan 1, 2017 that limited visa exempt entries by land to 2 in a calendar year does not apply to this new 60 day Visa exempt entry program.

There is no longer a limit of 2 visa exempt entries by land

why reporting if you are grilled when doing it xD

and thats one case, so maybe it was just luck

[cnx101]

1 hour ago, itsari said:

If you like traveling why bother with a 12 month visa .

The agents will miss out on this new arrangement.

Yes exactly I just got an email off the agency saying I can renew the retirement visa two months in advance and price drop of 5000 baht, no thanks I won’t be renewing it.

[JesseHumphry]

I really wouldn't hang a hat on this. All it'll take is one high-profile crime linked, however tangentially, to the abuse of these exemptions, and that'll be the end of it. 

[1happykamper]

I can't imagine this is true all over Thai borders. Why bother with my non o....   Plus airport arrivals were always classed as a more priveliged way to enter Thailand.. Land crossings were backpacker territory and frowned upon. 

 

But... TIT 

[mikeymike100]

7 minutes ago, MarkBR said:

Will see how long this lasts.

Yes, and will all IO officers at all borders apply the same 'rule'?

[brianthainess]

2 hours ago, Tod Daniels said:

ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS:

 

We interrupt this broadcast to bring you a breaking News bulletin..

 

The new 60 day entry stamp program that started 3 days ago is not limited to two entries by land in a calendar year, it is unlimited entry by land.

 

Just had somebody that did two free stamp land entries this year bounce out and back and get a new 60-day entry with no questions at al.   The officer said unlimited.

 

Here are the  two 30 day land entry stamps and the new 60 day stamp they just got this morning.. as you can see they even had a 3-day overstay this morning when they left.

Remember you heard it first from Tod Daniels.

 

EDIT: there seems to be some confusion about the stamps.

 

The person got their first land entry March 15, then they took a 30 day extension (which I didn't post) good until May 14), then they bounced out and back for their second 30 day land entry stamp on May 17 (3 day overstay) good until June 15, then they took another 30 day extension good until July 15, then they bounced out today (3 day overstay) and got a new 60 day entry until Sept.

 

 

Not meaning any offence or trying to be rude, what makes You a Thai Visa Forum "EXPERT" ?

[transam]

Weeeell, being allowed in multiple times by plane and not land borders does seem a bit daft...🤗

[bob smith]

excellent news.

 

always good to have an option to fall back on in case for whatever reason you don't quite meet the requirements for your usual visa.

 

open them floodgates baby, let's have some fun!

 

bob.

[bob smith]

25 minutes ago, 1happykamper said:

I can't imagine this is true all over Thai borders. Why bother with my non o....   Plus airport arrivals were always classed as a more priveliged way to enter Thailand.. Land crossings were backpacker territory and frowned upon. 

 

But... TIT 

it was like that for a longggggggg time.

 

I remember when I first arrived you had guys that had been living here for 20/30 years on T visa exemptions and border bounces. It was only in the mid 2010's that they started tightening the screws with this whole good guys in, bad guys out nonsense.

 

long may the free-for-all continue imo.

 

bob.

[Sharp]

This will end in tears wait until the unsavory start setting up here on temporary visas

[Stekmer]

Given it only started 3 days ago, I wonder if the practice varies from the official announcments.

I received an update from the Austrlian Govt SmartTraveller service today that states that the 60 days visa exemption for Australian passport holders (plus 92 other countries) started on 15/7/24 and that it applies for 2 entries only in a calendar year.

The same (60 days exemption - max 2 per calendar year) is also stated on the Royal Thai Embassy website.

Time will tell I gess.

[impulse]

33 minutes ago, 1happykamper said:

I can't imagine this is true all over Thai borders. Why bother with my non o....

 

They're not saying you can get away with living in Thailand on visa exempt.  Even people flying in (where there is no arbitrary limit) are being scrutinized if it looks like they're abusing the privilege.  They also seem to be recognizing that the 2 land crossing limit is costing Thailand a lot of sweaty tourist money.

 

I suspect there will still be scrutiny of abusers, but the extremely arbitrary 2 crossing limit by land was probably cutting tourist numbers and spending by millions a year.

This is great news for many!  I hope it's not a false alarm, never implemented.  We'll see.

 

[bob smith]

2 minutes ago, Sharp said:

This will end in tears wait until the unsavory start setting up here on temporary visas

they are already here.

 

bob.

[nakhonandy]

5 minutes ago, Sharp said:

This will end in tears wait until the unsavory start setting up here on temporary visas

I'm not sure what you mean by unsavoury, that could cover a lot.

However people that didn't meet the requirements for the non O 12 month variants have been using agents for years.

[ryandb]

I am not holding out hope this will actually remain this way or even be true for all crossings but I'll check in with the Visa run companies here in a few weeks, my current visa runs until mid December anyways so plenty of time to see what happens

[recom273]

Speaking as someone who has abused every visa that the Thai government introduced over the years I can suggest that the only people this decision will benefit will be backpackers with little budget, now doing a bi-monthly land border run, digital nomads / YouTubers or uncertified teachers working in schools. It doesn't make sense.

 

Just maybe it would apply to a small number of tourists that arrive in BKK, do a vacation in Thailand, pop over to see Ankor Wat, back to Thailand, over to Laos, back into Thailand then fly to VN or overland to Malaysia. Making a move like this now only benefits people here now, no one will plan a holiday for next high season around visa rules.

[Shmo]

20 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Not meaning any offence or trying to be rude, what makes You a Thai Visa Forum "EXPERT" ?

I’m only 2 years connected to Thailand and read and watched a lot about visas in that time. He’s helped me a lot and didn’t even know it! 
 

Tod has been keeping track of visa information for many of the offices in the country and keeping up to date from boots on the ground reports back to him about papers and procedures. 

Frankly I think he is possibly more knowledgeable about the immigration process at many offices in the country than some the immigration people  that work there! 
If there is such a label as “Thai immigration expert”, he surely is the hallmark of it, and he’s not charging you! 
 

My deepest respect, Tod.
Thank you, you have saved me hours because you post important information. 
 

[bob smith]

3 minutes ago, recom273 said:

Speaking as someone who has abused every visa that the Thai government introduced over the years I can suggest that the only people this decision will benefit will be backpackers with little budget, now doing a bi-monthly land border run, digital nomads / YouTubers or uncertified teachers working in schools. It doesn't make sense.

 

you seem to underestimate the collective fiscal power of this group in large numbers.

 

that's a big mistake.

 

bob.

[Toby1947]

You'll still need an onward ticket to show airline before being allowed to board. Showing your intention of leaving Thailand within 60 days 

[MikeUdon]

Thank you for the update @Tod Daniels. It's great to hear about the new 60-day entry stamp program and the unlimited land entries. This certainly makes travel more convenient for many. However, I wish the Thai lawmakers would also consider easing the requirements for long-term stays for foreigners who are deeply integrated into Thai society. Many of us are married to Thai nationals, have children, own homes and cars, and are responsible for school fees and health insurance for our families. Simplifying the process for these individuals would not only recognize their significant contributions to the community but also provide more stability for families who have made Thailand their home. 

[No Forwarding Address]

26 minutes ago, bob smith said:

it was like that for a longggggggg time.

 

I remember when I first arrived you had guys that had been living here for 20/30 years on T visa exemptions and border bounces. It was only in the mid 2010's that they started tightening the screws with this whole good guys in, bad guys out nonsense.

 

long may the free-for-all continue imo.

 

bob.

Big Joke is no longer in charge of Immigration. -  he ruled with an iron fist, now LOS may start acting like neighboring countries visa wise that is.        Cheers

[Wake Up1]

2 hours ago, Tod Daniels said:

ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS:

 

We interrupt this broadcast to bring you a breaking News bulletin..

 

The new 60 day entry stamp program that started 3 days ago is not limited to two entries by land in a calendar year, it is unlimited entry by land.

 

Just had somebody that did two free stamp land entries this year bounce out and back and get a new 60-day entry with no questions at al.   The officer said unlimited.

 

Here are the  two 30 day land entry stamps and the new 60 day stamp they just got this morning.. as you can see they even had a 3-day overstay this morning when they left.

Remember you heard it first from Tod Daniels.

 

EDIT: there seems to be some confusion about the stamps.

 

The person got their first land entry March 15, then they took a 30 day extension (which I didn't post) good until May 14), then they bounced out and back for their second 30 day land entry stamp on May 17 (3 day overstay) good until June 15, then they took another 30 day extension good until July 15, then they bounced out today (3 day overstay) and got a new 60 day entry until Sept.

 

 

Tod

 

great to see the forum added you as a moderator. You have the knowledge and temperament that reminds me of Ubonjoe. Always knowledgeable and never demeaning to others.

 

A rare double quality.