Visa exempt entries limited to 2 each year?

[dastott]

Last month I flew into BKK, transited by road to Don Muang to fly with AirAsia to Phnom Penh and flew out of Thailand the same day. Then, a few days ago I crossed back from Cambodia to Thailand to catch my return flight out of BKK to go home. I stayed in Thailand for a total of 3 days over the two entries. Does this mean I can't repeat this process for another 12 months? Have heard of travellers having similar issues travelling around SE Asia and using Thailand as a hub.

[ubonjoe]

There is no such limit. There is no limit to the number of visa exempt entries you can make nor the amount of time you can be in the country on them over any amount of time.

The only restriction is on doing them back to back after staying for the entire 30 days by leaving and immediately returning for another entry.

[dastott]

Thanks for the clarification. Did sound strange to me.

[Deacx]

This was a question I was wondering about too! Having said that back to back entries and also staying the full 30 days is likely to get refusal, is there a minimum time to stay out of Thailand before you come back and can expect another visa exempt entry! I'm not asking so I can do visa runs but live in Cambodia and feel the need to visit LOS every couple of months or so! Last year I flew into Thailand, got a stamp, stayed near 30 days then went around Laos for 3 weeks, came back and got another visa exempt entry, didn't stay full 30 days (but again near to) before going Cambodia. Didn't know amount of time before I could go back to Thailand and expect another free visa exempt entry without problems. Not been back since Oct because too busy in Cambodia but would be nice to know for future reference.

[ubonjoe]

The guidance for exempt entries that immigration issued states returning immediately,

If your trips appear to be for touristic purposes and not just going out and back to get another 30 day entry you will not have a problem.

[Ketchup]

Hi, I am in a similar situation to the OP. I'm an American and would like to use Thailand as a hub for exploring many parts of SE Asia this summer. My current plan is to get a RT flight from the US to BKK with the return trip some 90-100 days out. I would arrive and get a 30-day exempt tourist visa, but I would leave the country before then to visit other places. I could return to Thailand a few times during my total trip, but each time I left Thailand it would be for at least a week perhaps, probaby longer. I won't stay in Thailand for more than 90 days cumulative.

- Would Thailand allow me to get an exempt 30-day visa each time with no hassle? I understand that it is only 15-days at some land crossings.

- Will it be a problem for my onward flight to be so far in the future? Do the rules explicitly say that my onward travel has to be within the time frame of the current visa?

- Should I get a multi-entry visa in advance?

[steve187]

Ketchup

as you will not have a flight booked out of Thailand within 30 days you may be denied boarding by your airline.

Why not get a 3 x 60 day tourist visa, that would give you 3 entries into Thailand, and maybe a visa exempt entry for your flight home, giving you a total of 4 entries, you could also get re-entry permits ( 1,000 baht at local immigration offices) if required for more entries. it would depend on how many times you plan on re-entering Thailand.

I say get a 3 entry tourist visa because if you are having to get a visa to keep airline happy, its just as easy and not a lot of money to get 3 entries about 1000 baht per entry in local currency.

someone may be along with a different plan, i personally do not think repeated visa exempt entries is good planning even if doable.

edit correct price added for re-entry permit

[ubonjoe]

Hi, I am in a similar situation to the OP. I'm an American and would like to use Thailand as a hub for exploring many parts of SE Asia this summer. My current plan is to get a RT flight from the US to BKK with the return trip some 90-100 days out. I would arrive and get a 30-day exempt tourist visa, but I would leave the country before then to visit other places. I could return to Thailand a few times during my total trip, but each time I left Thailand it would be for at least a week perhaps, probaby longer. I won't stay in Thailand for more than 90 days cumulative.

- Would Thailand allow me to get an exempt 30-day visa each time with no hassle? I understand that it is only 15-days at some land crossings.

- Will it be a problem for my onward flight to be so far in the future? Do the rules explicitly say that my onward travel has to be within the time frame of the current visa?

- Should I get a multi-entry visa in advance?

You can do it with visa exempt entries without a problem other than you flight out will not be within 30 days of your first entry. You could be denied boarding your flight without the ticket out of the country You could purchase a low cost one way ticket (check airasia.com) to a nearby country to show the airline if asked for it.

There has not been a 90 day total stay rule for over 6 years.

You will get a 30 day entry at all border crossings because you are from the states (G7 country rule).

[Ketchup]

Thanks very much for the helpful information. Trying to find anything useful on the main Washington D.C. Thai Embassy web page is impossible. From a page on the Los Angeles Counsulate's site (http://thaiconsulatela.org/service_visa_detail.aspx?link_id=33) I gather that I can pay $120 for a three-entry visa that will be good for 180 days, but only for 60 days at a time.

If my return flight is 90-100 days out as I anticipate, could my airline still deny me boarding because my return is not within 60 days, or will they go by the overall 180 day validity of the visa?

[ubonjoe]

If you have a valid visa a return or onward ticket is not required.

Did you check some prices for one way tickets to a nearby country. Air Asia to Phnom Penh is 1390 baht on the 8th of next month.

You only need a ticket out for your flight to here. They don't ask for them at border crossings.

[Ketchup]

I just sent away to get a 3 entry tourist visa, so I'm hoping for the best. It could be possible that I would want to go out and back more than three times. I understand that after I exhaust my 3 entries I can still enter on a visa exemption as long as I have proof of onward travel in the allowed time frame. But how do re-entry permits work in concert with a multiple entry tourist visa? I could apply for a re-entry permit while in country on my visa and in effect get an "extra" entry? If someone could elaborate on how this works and explain the limitations, I'd be grateful.

[ubonjoe]

You can get a re-entry permit for any your 60 day entries and/or the 30 day extensions that would keep the remaining days from them valid when you re-enter the country.

A single re-entry permit costs 1000 baht.

[Ketchup]

I just got my passport back from the consulate in Los Angeles. They only gave me a 2-entry visa and refunded $40 of the $120 I sent in. No explanation for not giving me a 3-entry visa, maybe they just didn't feel like it. I'll definitely have to get re-entry permits while in country. Is there still a re-entry permit desk at BKK? My first exit will be overland to Laos, so I guess I'll have to visit an immigration office.

[skatewash]

I just got my passport back from the consulate in Los Angeles. They only gave me a 2-entry visa and refunded $40 of the $120 I sent in. No explanation for not giving me a 3-entry visa, maybe they just didn't feel like it. I'll definitely have to get re-entry permits while in country. Is there still a re-entry permit desk at BKK? My first exit will be overland to Laos, so I guess I'll have to visit an immigration office.

Yes, there is a re-entry permit desk at BKK, open 24 hours a day. You pay an extra 200 Baht convenience fee to get a re-entry permit at the airport, but they will take the photo, make necessary passport copies, and fill in your paperwork for you.

Yes, if you are planning overland travel you will have to visit a Thai immigration office to obtain your re-entry permit. The cost of a single re-entry permit is 1,000 Baht, the cost for a multiple (unlimited entries) is 3,800 Baht. The re-entry permits are only valid up to the date of your permission to stay (stamped in your passport).

[ubonjoe]

I just got my passport back from the consulate in Los Angeles. They only gave me a 2-entry visa and refunded $40 of the $120 I sent in. No explanation for not giving me a 3-entry visa, maybe they just didn't feel like it. I'll definitely have to get re-entry permits while in country. Is there still a re-entry permit desk at BKK? My first exit will be overland to Laos, so I guess I'll have to visit an immigration office.

No problem at BKK they are open 24 hours a day.

If crossing at Nong Khai their is a re-entry permit desk at the bridge. Not sure about the operating hours though.