2 hours ago, redwood1 said:

 

The under 50s have had it rough in Thailand for a long time...They have had a break for a few years....Now I guess the tide has turned against the under 50s again....

 

 

In some ways yes. 

 

Still (granted off topic on this thread) the DTV opens up opportunities that did not exist in the past, where age is not nominally a restriction for that Visa. Rather the constraint is either having an existing life style compatible with the DTV, or finding a way to restructure one's lifestyle to qualify for the DTV.

 

That did not exist over a quarter of a century ago, when i was under age-50, of moderate means, but struggling to find a way to live in Thailand.

 

My hope is that those impacted by any enforcement of these new rules, find a satisfactory way forward.

8 hours ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

 

I just read on your website that 'the clock will be reset on 1st Jan 2026' in regards to the number of entries allowed per year. Does this mean that all 2025 entries will be disregarded by Thai immigration? 🤔

 

Officer discretion still applies just like before.

 

Even though the guideline mentions two entries, an officer can decide on fewer in certain cases, especially if someone has a long or heavy travel history of exempt entries.

 

For our prescreening, we explain that your purpose is to obtain a long term visa, since your travel pattern clearly falls outside the normal use of exempt entry. About 95 percent of travelers using this entry type stay only one to two weeks, so a full 60 day stay followed by another 30 day stay stands out even more. With a follow up entry on top of that, you'd be an extreme outlier compared to typical exempt entry arrivals. By clarifying everything in advance, the officer understands your situation, and your arrival and history are expected rather than becoming a surprise at the counter with only a few minutes to decide.

3 minutes ago, ThaiVisaCentre said:

Officer discretion still applies just like before.

 

Even though the guideline mentions two entries, an officer can decide on fewer in certain cases, especially if someone has a long or heavy travel history

 

Thanks for the reply although rather cryptic 🤔

 

I am on my 3rd 'back-to-back' VE60, which expires on 1st Jan, with the previous 2 entries extended by 30 days. Basically I've been here continuosly since May.

 

So another entry after the new year is not guaranteed or not likely? 🤔

ITs ALWAYS up to the immigration officer, same as its always been

10 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

ITs ALWAYS up to the immigration officer, same as its always been

 

No <deleted> Sherlock

18 minutes ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

I am on my 3rd 'back-to-back' VE60, which expires on 1st Jan, with the previous 2 entries extended by 30 days. Basically I've been here continuosly since May.

 

So another entry after the new year is not guaranteed or not likely? 🤔

 

There is a YouTube channel called Cal. His significant other is an immigration officer. He posted a clear discussion of the current rules today. One thing he said is that a pattern of continuous stay is not necessarily confined to a calendar year. It doesn't reset in the new year. It sounds to me that you would be likely to be denied.

Glad I got my DTV after almost having been denied entry a couple years ago on a waiver.  I swore I would never put myself in that situation again.  Having a DTV feels like I have superpowers now.  When immigration sees that there are never any raised eyebrows.

43 minutes ago, Martyp said:

 

There is a YouTube channel called Cal. His significant other is an immigration officer. He posted a clear discussion of the current rules today. One thing he said is that a pattern of continuous stay is not necessarily confined to a calendar year. It doesn't reset in the new year. It sounds to me that you would be likely to be denied.

 

My dog channeled the 3000 year old spirit of a Native American chief and he says the complete opposite.

 

According to Chief Dum Dum, I'll be welcomed with open arms by Thai immigration. They'll have a special ceremony upon my arrival and give me a million baht spending money because I'm such a valuable customer.

On 11/17/2025 at 10:29 AM, StayinThailand2much said:

 

Reminds me of the visa clampdown 2014 to 2015...

 

So I'm not the only one experiencing feelings of deja vu when reading this thread then. 😌

 

Hi guys.

For those who have a history of visa runs,is it still possible to apply for an education visa and attend classes or will a history of visa runs make this impossible?

Any insight would be much appreciated. 

 

Deleted

1 hour ago, Daithi85 said:

Hi guys.

For those who have a history of visa runs,is it still possible to apply for an education visa and attend classes or will a history of visa runs make this impossible?

Any insight would be much appreciated. 

 

We can assist with ED, and your exempt history does not affect our ability to help.

 

If you apply or transition visas on your own inside Thailand, it can depend on the immigration division you visit. Some offices may scrutinize repeated 60 plus 30 day stays more closely and make the process difficult. In those situations, it’s usually smoother to apply through a consulate outside Thailand or have an agency handle the process for you.

On 11/15/2025 at 12:28 PM, transam said:

I had an immigration visit on Sunday, it took about 2 hours.............😬

 

Some really strange questions for us and our witnesses................🫢

 

One who spoke great English (but not one of the team) said things are changing, delving deep into farangs relationship with a Thai national, something about actual 'relationship'...........🤔

Do they go to these lengths if you are on a retirement extension living in your wife's  house.?

1 minute ago, saintdomingo said:

Do they go to these lengths if you are on a retirement extension living in your wife's  house.?

No idea, I would suspect each office has their own ideas...🤗

13 hours ago, Liquorice said:

I don't think you understand.

You apply for a 30 day extension, but they refuse, and you're instead given a 7 day extension to pack up and leave the Country.

If is sure that they refuse I won't apply . Easy

30 minutes ago, ThaiVisaCentre said:

We can assist with ED, and your exempt history does not affect our ability to help.

 

If you apply or transition visas on your own inside Thailand, it can depend on the immigration division you visit. Some offices may scrutinize repeated 60 plus 30 day stays more closely and make the process difficult. In those situations, it’s usually smoother to apply through a consulate outside Thailand or have an agency handle the process for you.

Ok thank for your reply.

I will have a look at your website for contact details.

1 hour ago, Jack1988 said:

If is sure that they refuse I won't apply . Easy

You won't know if they refuse a further 30 day extension until you've submitted an application and paid the fee, 1,900 BHT.

 

Word is, only 2 VE land border entries per calendar year, and only 1 30 day extension, a second 30-day extension would be refused, and you'd be issued a 7 day extension.

49 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

You won't know if they refuse a further 30 day extension until you've submitted an application and paid the fee, 1,900 BHT.

 

Word is, only 2 VE land border entries per calendar year, and only 1 30 day extension, a second 30-day extension would be refused, and you'd be issued a 7 day extension.

only 2 VE land border entries and/or airport entries per calendar year? I am confused. Is there an official announcement? 

3 minutes ago, JosephineMasy said:

only 2 VE land border entries and/or airport entries per calendar year? I am confused. Is there an official announcement? 

Only an Immigration memo and Thai agents advising how the new requirements will be applied.
Translated Imm memo on page 1 of this thread.

 

Also read page 17 of this thread;
https://aseannow.com/topic/1328518-thailand-visa-exemption-60-days-and-visa-on-arrival-voa-15-days/page/17/

 

Im sure the land borders will allow you in for the maximum specified 2 entries per calendar year regardless if you have an extensive stay history or not. Granted most likely you need to stay a few nights at least in the other country. So basically this part has gone back to the same as it was before the "unlimited" rule was introduced.

On 11/19/2025 at 5:41 AM, ThaiVisaCentre said:

We do not have a minimum amount of days out of country for our FastTrack + Prescreen services, and we service BKK, DMK, and HKT.

Just make sure to book them before you board your flight, ideally at least 1 day notice.

I have a couple of questions.

 

How much is this service going to cost if I enter the country through BKK? I have many stamps in my passport, and four 60 day entry stamps (visa exemption) from this year alone.

 

Also, where in the airport do I meet the specific IO who stamps my passport? If I can't find that person, then I would need to go to the regular immigration line and they might reject my entry. Has this happened to anybody? Thanks.

 

On 11/19/2025 at 6:00 AM, Hummin said:

You stay 60 days every time or you come and go with weeks or months between? Just wondering if you where working offshore on a schedule 2 weeks on and 4 weeks off, you could theoretically come and go 8 times a year, but still be a tourist with an holiday home for an instance. 

I've stayed almost 60 days each time, and earlier in the year 90 days (2+1 month). Not much time spent outside Thailand. The last 2 times I went to Ranong and took a boat to Myanmar and back, and paid about 2800 baht to some people there who took care of everything. Smooth process both times.

 

But not sure if Ranong is still okay for those who have many recent entry stamps 😐

19 hours ago, Liquorice said:

You won't know if they refuse a further 30 day extension until you've submitted an application and paid the fee, 1,900 BHT.

 

Word is, only 2 VE land border entries per calendar year, and only 1 30 day extension, a second 30-day extension would be refused, and you'd be issued a 7 day extension.

I stay less than 180 days per year. No problem for me in any case 

1 hour ago, Jack1988 said:

I stay less than 180 days per year. No problem for me in any case 

Is it still 60 days for VEE , or has it gone back to 30 ? 

6 minutes ago, persimmon said:

Is it still 60 days for VEE , or has it gone back to 30 ? 

Still 60.

12 hours ago, thaiasia said:

I have a couple of questions.

 

How much is this service going to cost if I enter the country through BKK? I have many stamps in my passport, and four 60 day entry stamps (visa exemption) from this year alone.

 

Also, where in the airport do I meet the specific IO who stamps my passport? If I can't find that person, then I would need to go to the regular immigration line and they might reject my entry. Has this happened to anybody? Thanks.

 

Please send our team a message on Line.

 

They’ll review your situation and give you an exact quote.

 

Make sure to provide photos of Thai Visa Stamp history, as well as where you plan to fly from.

 

LINE: https://tvc.co.th/line

 

On 11/19/2025 at 8:36 PM, Daithi85 said:

Hi guys.

For those who have a history of visa runs,is it still possible to apply for an education visa and attend classes or will a history of visa runs make this impossible?

Any insight would be much appreciated. 

 

That should have no effect on your ability to get an ED visa.  But you better have a really good plan for after your ED finishes, because having both a visa runner history AND an ED visa history, you're looking at leaving Thailand for a few years or getting a proper long-term visa, because you're not getting in any other way for a while after that.

4 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

That should have no effect on your ability to get an ED visa.  But you better have a really good plan for after your ED finishes, because having both a visa runner history AND an ED visa history, you're looking at leaving Thailand for a few years or getting a proper long-term visa, because you're not getting in any other way for a while after that.

Unfortunately I'm getting close to the big 50 so it will be the retirement visa in a few more years.

On 11/21/2025 at 8:13 AM, Jack1988 said:

I stay less than 180 days per year. No problem for me in any case 

          That's the second time I have heard 180 days mentioned today.  Earlier this afternoon  I was tempted by a bit of clickbait on you tube  about these new visa regs.    A so,called "visa expert" had produced a video giving out information about it all this.

           He was implying that there was an  overriding 180 day per year limit  on time spent in Thailand, and that this limit applied to holders of tourist visas and included multiple entry visas too. !

            Anybody else heard of a 180 day / year limit?   

             

42 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

Anybody else heard of a 180 day / year limit?

 

I believe it's an old law that was rarely enforced. The 'limit' now seems to be 157 days if you want to pay for the 7 day extension at the end, otherwise 150 days