180 Day Rule And 90 Days Within 180 Days Rule Explained?

[heatwaving]

Hi all, I'm a United States citizen, and I arrived in Thailand by air on February 2nd. I am currently here on a 30-day visa exemption, my first since passing through Thailand multiple times during a long trip about 2 years ago.

Overall goal: I very much would like to be able to stay in Thailand (allowing for visa runs) until at least the end of May. But through July or beyond would be even better. I'm wondering whether this is easily possible, somewhat possible, impossible or..?

I came here intending to do monthly visa runs but have since learned that the ability to do that too often is gone, and someone scared with me with the 180 day rule and the 90 days within 180 days rule....but no one I've talked to has been able to explain these to me. I know there was a 180 day rule put in place years ago that didn't end up being enforced too long? But it sounds like it's back again. So...

1. Could someone please explain the basics of the 180 day rule and the 90 days within 180 days rule? and...

2. I'm also interested in the best way to map out a stay of 6 months with whatever kinds of visas would be best to do that. (getting 60 day visas twice and extending each one 30 days?)

Thanks in advance for your help. (and if this has recently all been thoroughly covered, please just point me to those discussions. I didn't find anything through my searches.)

[beechguy]

There is no 90 days in 180 rule any longer, it was changed over three years ago. If you wish to stay 6 months, go to neighboring country and apply for a double entry Tourist Visa. As stated, each entry would be for 60 days and can be extended by 30 days. Also, you can make other visa exempt entries, 30 days by air, 15 days if entering by land.

Edited February 19, 2012 by beechguy

[Lite Beer]

There is no 90/180 rule.

If you cross the border and return at a land check point you will get 15 days.

Enter by air and get 30 days.

You really should have got a Visa before arriving.

Get a Visa in a neighbouring country.

You should be able to get a double entry in Laos.

[bangkokburning]

You were foolish not obtaining a visa prior to your arrival. Would have saved time, money and grief.

Assuming your pp is fresh, virtually any emb/cons will give you a single. Make an extention and do a visa run if need be. That should get you will into May.

I also think VNE should give you a double if you have a fresh passport for what that is worth.

Edited February 20, 2012 by bangkokburning

[heatwaving]

Thanks for the replies. I'm glad to hear there is no 180 day or 90 days within 180 days rule. But I'm surprised, because I keep hearing about them and seeing references to them online. And people on here seem to discuss a tightening of visa policy that's taking place right now.

So what are the current likely restrictions on staying in Thailand without a work permit? If I get a double entry visa, and use both entries up is that pretty certain to be the end of my time in Thailand for the year? Or can I possibly get other visa exemptions or another shorter visa somewhere?

Also, it sounds like everyone agrees that Laos is the most likely to give me a double entry visa, is that right?

And what is meant by a "fresh" passport? Until arriving here in February, I haven't used my passport in over 18 months, but I filled it up with visas before that and have the extra visa pages in it now.

Thanks again for your help!

[Jingthing]

Confirming again: there is NO 180 day rule in effect and no news that it will become in effect again. So ignore everything you read about that online. The internets have a long memory.

[SunSeek01]

Last time I was here I did a visa run for the double entry. We mini-vanned from Pattaya, were just supposed to have to stay in Cambo 1 night (we left very early from Ptty, 3 am) but we ended up staying 2 nights as the guy did not get back in time. It was OK, a casino hotel. I guess the guy took our passports to Phnom Penh, got the visa's and returned them back to us. I mean we stayed at the border in the hotel. Got the double entry and the 180 days (had to go back after 90 just for an hour).

Now I am wondering, if I was to fly to PPenh myself, how do I go about getting myself a double entry? I just go to the Thai Embassy and ask/pay for it? I already have an Air ticket that I bought in case I needed to show a ticket coming over from the U.S. (I did not as it turns out but it did happen to me once before).

My main concern is, I need to know as good as possible that I can get the double entry on my own. Otherwise I'll have to use the visa man again and take the mini van trip (which is terrifying, believe me, about passing on the right on 2 lane!).

Anyone done it on their own in Phnom Penh? Thanks to all.

[Maestro]

While there is currently no published rule about limitation of touristic stays in Thailand, two things happened after the abolition of the 90 days in 180 days rule.

1. Visa-exempt entries

A member posted about his chat with a Thai immigration official on the Cambodian border. The official said that immigration head office encouraged border officials to notify them about foreigners with many back-to-back visa-exempt entries if they suspect that they work illegally in Thailand. I saw no consequence of that until the other day, when I saw the post of a member who was visited by police and questioned how he earns his living. If I remember correctly, the member, who is married to a Thai, said he spends up to eight months a year in Thailand on back-to-back visa exempt entries.

2. Tourist visas

Consulates have been asked to restrict or refuse a tourist visa when the applicant is suspected of stating that his trip is for tourism when in fact there is reason to suspect that he may be working illegally in Thailand. We had the first inkling of this when we got a copy of this leaflet posted or handed out at the Thai consulate in Helsinki, Finland and later an identically worded leaflet at the consulate in Vientiane.

// Edit: Correction: I found the post again referred to under No 1 above and the member is in Thailand on a non-O visa, not back-to back visa-exempt entries.

Edited February 20, 2012 by Maestro
Added edit note.

[bangkokburning]

If you want to learn about the situation - read the board. Same questions asked perpetually and same angels reply. If you plan any length of time here, it would serve you to have a full understanding of the current situation.

There is lots of misinformation spread by tourists and guys spending a few months a year here (met one last week), up to you so sort it out. This board is pretty current and is fairly quick so straighten out poor advice or misinformation.

Get your head around how you intend to manage your visa issues. Each visa catagory often have its their own set of issues.

Edited February 21, 2012 by bangkokburning