60-day visa exemptions are now unlimited at land borders

[Maestro]

3 hours ago, bubblegum said:

So what did the minister specify?

 

This is what an English translation of the Announcement of the Ministry of Interior says:

Quote

…

Article 2, The list of countries and territories whose passport or passport-replacing
document holders entering the Kingdom temporarily for tourism are exempt from
immigration checks and permitted to stay in the Kingdom for up to sixty days is as follows:
(1) Republic of Albania

…

(90) Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Article 3
Holders of passports or passport-replacing documents of nationalities as specified in
Article 2 who enter the Kingdom temporarily for work or short-term business engagements
as defined in the Notification of the Department of Employment regarding the
determination of necessary, urgent, or ad hoc work shall be exempt from immigration
checks and allowed to stay in the Kingdom for a period not exceeding sixty days.

…

Source: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12Zn4PQT7dlqS39lhdeEd6HIGXsAeEG8Z/view?usp=drive_link

 

As far as I can see, the announcement says nothing about the number of visa-exempt 30-day entries that can be made within a specified period. For the original Thai text of the announcement in the Royal Gazette, see here:

https://ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/documents/37565.pdf

 

[Rob Browder]

8 hours ago, JensenX said:

Yes, you're spot on. People keep referring to "The Law" when all that counts is how specific immigration offices, border posts and airport entry points apply the law. The law gives them wide-ranging power to apply policy as they see fit.

Thai law limits their reason for denial to specific reasons, to prevent exactly the abuse  we have seen - "agent assisted entry."  "Been in Thailand too much/often" is not a legal reason to deny entry. 

 

OTOH, "Only two land-border entries per year visa-exempt" is the law.   If that law starts being enforced, again, those who gave up their Non-O extensions and have been doing border-bounces could be in a mess of a situation - depending on the timing of the policy-change relative to their remaining permitted-stay / time to apply for a Non-O / start-over.

[bubblegum]

9 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

None of your posts make sense.

Yes you can border bounce to any land border and reenter visa exempt.

What does that achieve.

Your non O would be killed off and you could apply for non O based on retirement at local immigration office using TM87.

Subsequently you could apply for 12 months extension.

What is the point of your posts

Jeezzz man. The point is that if we can do unlimited border runs we don't need Non O anymore. But if that happens to fail we can always roll back to it.

[DrJack54]

11 hours ago, bubblegum said:

The point is that if we can do unlimited border runs we don't need Non O anymore. But if that happens to fail we can always roll back to it.

That is not the case at all.

There is no limit to visa exempt entries via air.

Does that mean someone can live in Thailand by using back to back continuous visa exempt entries.

Answer No. 

You like a few others are not understanding what has changed here.

The "2 land border entries per calendar year rule" has been removed. That's it. 

Living ongoing in Thailand on visa exempt entries will not work.

[Chivas]

Certainly the introduction of 60 day plus 30 extension is going to make my application null and void for METV this autumn winter which will be trip just under 6 months

 

Pop down to Cambodia or even over to Angeles after 90 days rinse and repeat

[Rob Browder]

6 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

That is not the case at all.

There is no limited to visa exempt entries via air.

Does that mean someone can live in Thailand by using back to back continuous visa exempt entries.

Answer No. 

You like a few others are not understanding what has changed here.

The "2 land border entries per calendar year rule" has been removed. That's it. 

Living ongoing in Thailand on visa exempt entries will not work.

I will not be throwing away my Non-O retirement to try this, either.

But, assuming one used agent-arranged van runs to the border and/or agent-arranged entries to the airport, one could stay in Thailand long-term on visa-exempt entries. 

 

The downsides I see are:
1)  Visa-exempt policy could change at any time, and who knows if IOs will be happy to process a fresh Non-O 90-day (which is a PITA for the IO, requiring District-Office approval), for those who abandoned their Non-O extension, and spent a year doing serial visa-exempt entries.
2) If one is wiling to go the agent-route to stay here, a retirement-based annual extension is much less expensive than multiple border-runs and extensions.   If the 800K in the bank is the issue, this would be the better workaround. 

[persimmon]

9 hours ago, Chivas said:

Certainly the introduction of 60 day plus 30 extension is going to make my application null and void for METV this autumn winter which will be trip just under 6 months

 

Pop down to Cambodia or even over to Angeles after 90 days rinse and repeat

Same here , such a relief not to have to go through that arcane procedure of applying for the TV online . Let`s hope this new rule is here to stay .

[DrJack54]

6 minutes ago, persimmon said:

Let`s hope this new rule is here to stay .

The unlimited border exempt  thinking could be ongoing.

No so sure re stamp being 60 days.

Perhaps back to 30 days within 6 months. 

 

[Pattaya57]

11 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

The unlimited border exempt  thinking could be ongoing.

No so sure re stamp being 60 days.

Perhaps back to 30 days within 6 months. 

 

Why make up stuff? Every other increase in visa exempt had the word 'temporary' in the release with a definite start and end date. This one doesn't. Also to think this would end in 6 months, in the middle of peak season would be ridiculous.

[DrJack54]

7 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

Why make up stuff? Every other increase in visa exempt had the word 'temporary' in the release with a definite start and end date. This one doesn't. Also to think this would end in 6 months, in the middle of peak season would be ridiculous.

What is your point.

You have an opinion as do I.

Time will tell. 

Opposite to ridiculous. 

My understanding is that temporary boost during low season.

High season sensible time to remove this recent concession 

IMO if visa exempt 60 days is permanent then all visa options such as SETV, METV, etc would require serious change as basically obsolete. 

[JensenX]

23 hours ago, Rob Browder said:

Thai law limits their reason for denial to specific reasons, to prevent exactly the abuse  we have seen - "agent assisted entry."  "Been in Thailand too much/often" is not a legal reason to deny entry. 

 

OTOH, "Only two land-border entries per year visa-exempt" is the law.   If that law starts being enforced, again, those who gave up their Non-O extensions and have been doing border-bounces could be in a mess of a situation - depending on the timing of the policy-change relative to their remaining permitted-stay / time to apply for a Non-O / start-over.

You're being a bit dramatic. It will become common knowledge very quickly if they start restricting visa-free entries. The visa-run services will know what's going on, and as previously done, they will put warning stamps in passports stating that you won't be able to enter again, at which point, there will be plenty of time to apply for a new Non-O visa.

[Liquorice]

9 hours ago, Pattaya57 said:

Why make up stuff? Every other increase in visa exempt had the word 'temporary' in the release with a definite start and end date. This one doesn't. Also to think this would end in 6 months, in the middle of peak season would be ridiculous.

The fact, they haven't rescinded or repealed the Ministerial regulations limiting VE land border entries to two per calendar year, suggests unlimited entries is only temporary.

As I understand, only a memo was issued to basically not enforce the land border regulations until advised otherwise.

[black tabby12345]

On 7/20/2024 at 7:33 AM, DrJack54 said:

 

If over 50 you have option of obtaining extension based on retirement.

That option has by far more onerous financial requirements.

 

Just depends on How You Do It.

I do it straight(fully meeting financial requirement every time) .

But some people resort to the  Back Door Method.

Want to know more about it?

Contact any of the visa brokers in Pattaya.

And they will gladly tell you How...

[DrJack54]

4 minutes ago, black tabby12345 said:

Just depends on How You Do It.

I do it straight(fully meeting financial requirement every time) .

But some people resort to the  Back Door Method.

Want to know more about it?

Contact any of the visa brokers in Pattaya.

And they will gladly tell you How...

You took my post out of context.

Stating "far more onerous financials" was in comparison to requirements based on marriage. Chalk and cheese.

BTW: I'm well aware of use of agents to avoid financial requirements and how it works. 

[DrJack54]

Off topic post re use of agents removed

[Chivas]

I hope this thread can be archived because I genuinely believe people are in for a shock probably later this year when people try to enter on the "new" 60 day exempt entry in the same calender year for that the 3rd entry and its declined (ignore existing 30 day VE entries in this current year)

 

I've already had contact with Tod over this and we somewhat disagree. I've seen the websites and seen the agent videos and they sing from the same hymn sheet

 

You aint getting in more than twice (whether air or land) in the same calender year via the new 60 day VE entry. Embassies are already highlighting this on their websites. I recall a post couple weeks ago I made over this (different thread)

 

If this 60 day VE entry is unlimited (assuming actual discretion via immigration officer) than the SETV is totally obsolete and with the amount of revenue it generates for embassies worldwide that simply aint happening

 

Time will tell.

[Caldera]

10 minutes ago, Chivas said:

I hope this thread can be archived because I genuinely believe people are in for a shock probably later this year when people try to enter on the "new" 60 day exempt entry in the same calender year for that the 3rd entry and its declined (ignore existing 30 day VE entries in this current year)

 

I've already had contact with Tod over this and we somewhat disagree. I've seen the websites and seen the agent videos and they sing from the same hymn sheet

 

You aint getting in more than twice (whether air or land) in the same calender year via the new 60 day VE entry. Embassies are already highlighting this on their websites. I recall a post couple weeks ago I made over this (different thread)

 

If this 60 day VE entry is unlimited (assuming actual discretion via immigration officer) than the SETV is totally obsolete and with the amount of revenue it generates for embassies worldwide that simply aint happening

 

Time will tell.

 

What you wrote is nonsensical, as there have already been reports from people who got in a THIRD time overland. You're ignoring the facts.

 

Now how long this will last is anyone's guess, but as of right now, the information that has been posted on many Thai embassy websites is incorrect.

[Tod Daniels]

8 minutes ago, Chivas said:

You aint getting in more than twice (whether air or land) in the same calendar year via the new 60 day VE entry.
 

Time will tell.

Let's see how it plays out, BUT right now no one can dispute that a THIRD free stamp land entry this year is possible. Probably a couple THOUSAND people have that 60 day land entry stamp after already having their TWO free 30 day entries by land this year

Guess it'll take someone who has taken two 30 day free stamp land entries, their first 60 day land entry (maybe a 30 day extension), their second 60 day land entry (maybe another 30 day extension) and THEN goes to try for the 3rd 60 day free stamp entry by land

Get back to me in about SIX MONTHS 😜 as that's about the soonest we'd know if  😮 

Actually that isn't gonna work either because there's only FIVE months left in this year, so no one could get more than 2 60 day land entries (with 30 day extensions) before the year rolls over and as you say the count 'resets'

[Tod Daniels]

2 minutes ago, Caldera said:

What you wrote is nonsensical

I think what they're actually trying to say there is a limit of two SIXTY DAY free stamps per year (air or land) <- meaning these new entries don't have anything to do with the previous free entries you got when it was 30 days by land  🙂
OR
That is how I am interpreting what they're rambling on about, keep in mind though I am not the sharpest knife in the shed 😉 

[Chivas]

1 minute ago, Caldera said:

 

What you wrote is nonsensical, as there have already been reports from people who got in a THIRD time overland. You're ignoring the facts.

 

Now how long this will last is anyone's guess, but as of right now, the information that has been posted on many Thai embassy websites is incorrect.

No No No No lol

 

They have NOT ENTERED under the new 60 day VE entry since 15th July !!

They have entered maybe 3rd 4th or 5th time etc etc under previous calender entries etc etc but NOT under the "new era" from 15th July

 

 

[Chivas]

Just now, Tod Daniels said:

OR
That is how I am interpreting what they're rambling on about, keep in mind though I am not the sharpest knife in the shed 😉 

 

.............and after 168 entries into Thailand neither am I  😁

 

Lets wait and see

[paulikens]

 

[Chivas]

Well done @paulikens

 

Just glancing through my saved videos I have 6 more saying exactly the same but 3 of them from out and out visa agents

When reality bites I will be expecting more than a few whisky tokens in apologies a few from this forum but many more elsewhere

 

Only someone completely and utterly brain dead could remotely believe that the SETV and all the vast income generated from it would be obsolete dead and buried

 

 

[JensenZ]

11 hours ago, Chivas said:

 If this 60 day VE entry is unlimited (assuming actual discretion via immigration officer) than the SETV is totally obsolete and with the amount of revenue it generates for embassies worldwide that simply aint happening

 

Time will tell.

Which of course is a good incentive for consulates around the world to stress that only 2 visa-free entries per calendar year are permissible as it would make tourist visas redundant for most people.

 

I disagree with the people here suggesting that there will be a limit imposed any time soon. The whole idea of this new policy is to stimulate tourism. Russians already had unlimited visa-free entries. I spoke with a Russian "tourist" today who has been doing visa runs for over a year. I also spoke to a lady from Laos (she was a passenger in my mini-van group) who has been doing visa-free entries for years.

 

 

[DrJack54]

Some off topic posts removed 

[Chivas]

Now updated on the 18th July Royal Thai Embassy London

How is it remotely viable that we have so called visa experts claiming this is inaccurate !

 

2 times a year utilising the new 60 day visa exempt entry....period

 

 

[Chivas]

Further down the same page the reference to land/air entry is made. In short its 2.....!

[Pattaya57]

23 minutes ago, Chivas said:

Now updated on the 18th July Royal Thai Embassy London

How is it remotely viable that we have so called visa experts claiming this is inaccurate !

 

2 times a year utilising the new 60 day visa exempt entry....period

 

As I posted in other thread

 

Go back 3 or 4 months on this forum and there were a number of guys quoting that visa exempt had changed to two per year for Air as well as land because the Thai Embassies in Canberra and London said so. Was proven to be incorrect info and threads locked.

 

Here we go again with the same Canberra and London Embassy source used to state the same "only 2 visa exempts per year" and we have people believing it again

 

Here's an example thread of the false news from 2nd of May, well before the 60 day visa exempt came into play

 

[george]

There is no limit of entering visa exempt, according to this interview with a Director of MFA, but the Immigration Officer has the last word (as in all countries):

 

[Jack1988]

7 minutes ago, george said:

There is no limit of entering visa exempt, according to this interview with a Director of MFA, but the Immigration Officer has the last word (as in all countries):

 

I use a border run agency that deal with immigration officers so I can get 60 days visa exemption for unlimited times, no issues at all. 100% guarantee. 4000thb all in service