Limit on VOAs?

[Grin Grasser]

1. Is the following correct, as of Sep 2014?

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Source: "Pattaya Property Guide", August 2014, issue 45, page 26.
[ www.pattayapropertyguide.com ]

Article, "Update on Visa Situation", by www.magnacarta.co.th

"Under the new provisions of the VER [Visa Exemption Rule], visitors can now come regularly to Thailand without limiting their stay within a total of 90 days in a six-month period, though you can only stay for a maximum of 30 days each visit under the VER.

"The former provision stated that visitors cannot stay for more than 90 days within six months has been dropped.

"Tourists will be given a 30 day Visa on Arrival if arriving by air ... (15 day ... via a land border) ... .

"Furthermore, extensions ... after the Visa on Arrival has expired remain at 7 days ... ."

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2. Is there any other limit for visitors with the 30-day VOA?

3. Can I literally stay in Thailand for 30 days on a VOA, exit the country, re-enter the next day by an airline to obtain another 30-day VOA, and then repeat this process every 31 days?


Sorry, if my questions seem too simplistic.

I tried a little research on the Thai Visa board and 3 things were apparent. 1 - Each Thai visa official has his/her interpretation of the Thai law. 2 - Apparently there is a limit to back-to-back visa depending on the issuing office? 3 - There is a limit to the duration of a single visa, but it may depend on the type of visa and single/multiple entry, etc.

Yes, I have a lot to learn.

[Mario2008]

That article is totally incorrect.

You can get 30 days and even now extend it by 30 days. But you cannot continuously stay on visa exempt entries (as they are called) in Thailand. Then you will be denied entry.

If you want to stay long time in Thailand you must obtain the right visa.

[paz]

That article has many mistakes.

There is no 90 days rule visa exempt rules, it has been repelled in 2008. G7 countries get 30 days arriving by land. Extension is 30 days not 7.

However one can't do repeated back-to-back visa exempt entries.

[RichardThailand]

How about 30 days + 30 day extension. Then two weeks outside of the country followed by another 30 days + 30 days extension?

Is that possible or should I when out of the country get a tourist visa and if so then do some local countries give me a longer tourist visa than others and how long would it last me for?

[paz]

How about 30 days + 30 day extension. Then two weeks outside of the country followed by another 30 days + 30 days extension?

Is that possible or should I when out of the country get a tourist visa and if so then do some local countries give me a longer tourist visa than others and how long would it last me for?

I see that you ask repeatedly the same question, so will have to repeat the same answer again.

Visa exempt entry and extensions is not a good way to stay in Thailand. Tourist visa is not ideal, but better than that.

[TerryLH]

"I see that you ask repeatedly the same question, so will have to repeat the same answer again."

He'll probably have to ask it again since you didn't answer his second question.

Every consulate will give you the same tourist visa.

A single entry tourist visa is good for 60 days and can be extended for another 30 days at an immigration office.

[ubonjoe]

You can get a 2 entry tourist visa at the embassy or consulate in Laos. The can a total stay of about 180 days by extending each 60 day entry 30 days at immigration.

You can get single entry visas at other nearby embassy or consulates.

You could get a 30 day entry then extend it for 30 days then go out for a couple of weeks and get one more 30 day entry if that fits your travel plans.

[paz]

That article has many mistakes.

reading again (my bad), actually it does't have that many mistakes.

"Under the new provisions of the VER [Visa Exemption Rule], visitors can now come regularly to Thailand without limiting their stay within a total of 90 days in a six-month period, though you can only stay for a maximum of 30 days each visit under the VER.

"The former provision stated that visitors cannot stay for more than 90 days within six months has been dropped.

"Tourists will be given a 30 day Visa on Arrival if arriving by air ... (15 day ... via a land border) ... .

That is all correct excpet Visa On Arrival is "visa exempt".

[freddel08]

I would be interested to have an update about the number of Visa on Arrival (VOA) allowed per calendar year in 2024.  So far this year, I've used 4 VOAs and spent a total of 7 weeks in Thailand. The last time I arrived at BKK airport, the immigration officer told me I'd need a visa for my next visit. I've been out of Thailand for the past 4 months and am planning to travel back soon.  I'm concerned about being denied entry at the border. Has anyone had a similar experience or received updates on the number of VOAs allowed per year? Any insights would be greatly appreciated!  Thanks in advance!

[bigt3116]

58 minutes ago, freddel08 said:

I would be interested to have an update about the number of Visa on Arrival (VOA) allowed per calendar year in 2024.  So far this year, I've used 4 VOAs and spent a total of 7 weeks in Thailand. The last time I arrived at BKK airport, the immigration officer told me I'd need a visa for my next visit. I've been out of Thailand for the past 4 months and am planning to travel back soon.  I'm concerned about being denied entry at the border. Has anyone had a similar experience or received updates on the number of VOAs allowed per year? Any insights would be greatly appreciated!  Thanks in advance!

 

I doubt you ever came in on a VOA or the immigration officer would not have told you that you needed a visa next time.

 

Chances are you came in visa exempt, totally different.

[Lite Beer]

It is highly unlikely that you entered with a VOA.

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, freddel08 said:

I've been out of Thailand for the past 4 months and am planning to travel back soon.  I'm concerned about being denied entry at the border. Has anyone had a similar experience or received updates on the number of VOAs allowed per year? Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

Most likely the VOA you are referring to are "Visa Exempt Entries" 

What is you passport country.

Most recent visit 4 months ago you will have Zero issues.

Have a return or onward flight within 60 days for airline at departure. 

[bigt3116]

34 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Have a return or onward flight within 60 days for airline at departure. 

 

Proof of onward travel is all that is needed, it does not have to be a flight.

[DrJack54]

3 minutes ago, bigt3116 said:

 

Proof of onward travel is all that is needed, it does not have to be a flight.

Incorrect. Bus train etc won't cut it for airline at departure. 

[freddel08]

You are right I was referring to visa exempt. Now, I've heard there might be a rule limiting Visa Exempt entries to no more than two per 6 months period prior the last entry. Is this correct ? 

[DrJack54]

28 minutes ago, freddel08 said:

You are right I was referring to visa exempt. Now, I've heard there might be a rule limiting Visa Exempt entries to no more than two per 6 months period prior the last entry. Is this correct ? 

That is nonsense.

Currently there is no stated limit on number of entries visa exempt via land or air.

It's all about continuous stay in Thailand with very brief bouncers to obtain a new stamp.

You have been out of Thailand for 4 months. 

Zero issues. 

[Pattaya57]

Wow, digging up a 10 year old thread to talk about VoA and Visa exempt when everything changes reguarly (and the OP was full of false info for 2014 anyway). 

 

@freddel08 there is a massive "VoA and Visa exempt" thread pinned at the top of this page with current info

 

[bigt3116]

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Incorrect. Bus train etc won't cut it for airline at departure. 

 

And your evidence of that is where?

 

Here is mine;

"Many years ago I made a return trip from Bangkok to Hong Kong, while on a visa waiver entry. In anticipation of being asked in Hong Kong on the way back, I had bought a train ticket to Malaysia before leaving Thailand. It all worked out exactly as expected, no problem when asked for onward journey proof." 

 

 

[bigt3116]

1 hour ago, bigt3116 said:

 

And your evidence of that is where?

 

Here is mine;

"Many years ago I made a return trip from Bangkok to Hong Kong, while on a visa waiver entry. In anticipation of being asked in Hong Kong on the way back, I had bought a train ticket to Malaysia before leaving Thailand. It all worked out exactly as expected, no problem when asked for onward journey proof." 

 

 

 

An onward flight is the preferred method of proof, but not the only acceptable one

[MindfulPresence]

Quote

Have a return or onward flight within 60 days for airline at departure. 

Considering the 60 day's can be extended with another 30, won't the airlines then accept a return ticket within 90 days?

[Pattaya57]

37 minutes ago, MindfulPresence said:

Considering the 60 day's can be extended with another 30, won't the airlines then accept a return ticket within 90 days?

 

They have for me when I told them I was extending my visa exempt entry by 30 days as allowed (and promoted) by Thai immigration.

 

You'll get many on here that insist it must be within your visa exempt period though.

[DrJack54]

3 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

You'll get many on here that insist it must be within your visa exempt period though.

That's because it does occur.

 

Along with your experience of explaining intention of obtaining extension..

 

Along with asking for supervisor and in the end being asked to sign a waiver.

 

Along with not even being asked for onward flight by airline at departure. 

 

[Rob Browder]

14 hours ago, freddel08 said:

So far this year, I've used 4 VOAs and spent a total of 7 weeks in Thailand. The last time I arrived at BKK airport, the immigration officer told me I'd need a visa for my next visit.

How much time spent in Thailand in previous years?   Any long-stretches of time?  Seven weeks out of ~30+ weeks (at your last visit) should not have set them off - those were not long/extended stays - but it did, for some reason. 

 

Rejected entry would seem very unlikely with 4 mo away, but can always just pay them off to let you in, like those saying here full-time on visa-exempts do - is what they are really after with all the hassling:
https://aseannow.com/topic/1336926-setv-metv-still-around-now-that-visa-exempts-are-now-60-days/?do=findComment&comment=19217493
... I would guess you would be in the 2000 baht category, based on that post.

[DrJack54]

17 minutes ago, Rob Browder said:

Rejected entry would seem very unlikely with 4 mo away, but can always just pay them off to let you in, like those saying here full-time on visa-exempts do - is what they are really after with all the hassling:

4 months from last entry to Thailand he will not have an issue.

 

 

 

 

[MindfulPresence]

Quote

They have for me when I told them I was extending my visa exempt entry by 30 days as allowed (and promoted) by Thai immigration.

 

You'll get many on here that insist it must be within your visa exempt period though.

 

Quote

That's because it does occur.

 

Along with your experience of explaining intention of obtaining extension..

 

Along with asking for supervisor and in the end being asked to sign a waiver.

 

Along with not even being asked for onward flight by airline at departure. 

 

Alright. Thanks