I am an American citizen looking to spend an extended period in Thailand. I"m 40 y/o, so not eligible for retirement visa. I'm prepared to do visa runs, either by border crossing or flying in/out, but I've read mixed information about cracking down.

Should I get a visa before entering Thailand, or just apply for extension once there?

What happens after 30/60/90 days? Do I need to go in/out to get a new visa?

Are they really cracking down or is it more relaxed again?

Can someone please walk me through this process?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for your time!

An "extended stay " will not be easy to achieve .

Seeking serial visa exempt entries will not work and tourist visas will eventually become troublesome to obtain.

Best you further define what is meant by "extended stay" and what , exactly you are seeking to achieve.

Best you further define what is meant by "extended stay" and what , exactly you are seeking to achieve.

Thanks - to clarify, I'm looking to spend one year

I'm fairly certian the information I'm going to present is accurate, but if anyone sees an error please correct me.

I'll assume you are from a G7 country, if not then it will be a little more tricky. Being a USA or UK passport holder makes things much simpler.

1. Get a triple entry Tourist visa from you're home country. This will allow you to stay for up to 9 months give or take. This type of visa gives you three 60 days "blocks" of time to spend in Thailand. Each one of these 60 day blocks can be extended to 90 days at an immigration office for 1900 baht ( around $45 USD ). Assuming you take advantage of the option to extend each block to 90 instead of 60 days, every 90 days you will have to cross the border into a neighboring country ( or fly out somewhere ). When you come back into Thailand you will start up another "block" of 60 days.

**When you use up all of your Tourist entries ( time blocks ) you should be right around 8 or 9 months. You have to make sure you do your last (3rd) entry right around the 6 month mark. The visa itself only lasts 6 months ( last entry needs to be used by 6 months past issue date ).

2. Ok now all your entries are used up and you have to leave Thailand. Around 8 months in lets just assume. Maybe 9 if you really calculated out all the dates to the letter. Now simply take a flights ( or bus if you are brave ) up to Vientiane Laos. Here you will seek to obtain a double entry ( or single ) Tourist visa. Double will let you stay up to 6 months, single up to 3 months. Since you do not yet have a Tourist visa from this location yet, you should be good to go with no problems. **Assuming you are from a G7 country.

Search this forum and google for Triple entry tourst visa, Double entry tourist visa, and Thai visa runs. Should turn up lots of links to blogs and forums where people discuss this issue. People have been doing this for a LONG time.

NOTE: The reason G7 countries get a easier time is they figure you have money and are not coming to Thailand to work in manual labor or other jobs Thai people do. They dont' want Thai people to lose jobs to illegal alliens. If you look like you have the cash to support yourself for a long time, they give out tourist visas no problem for the most part.

Det a triple entry tourist visa in the US just before your departure. The cost will be $120. It will be valid for 6 months from the date of issue and , if used correctly. you can get almost 270 days with two border runs, cost depnds on crossing used, and three 30 day extensions, cost 1900 baht each. At the end of the third entry and extension, go to Laos and apply for a double entry tourist visa, cost 2000 baht. This will give you another 6 months with one border run and two extensions.

Total cost:

Visas: 5000 baht

Five Extensions: 9500 baht

Border Runs: Depends on crossing/country used plus travel

"Best you further define what is meant by "extended stay"..."

You must have missed the topic line.

"What is the best way to stay in Thailand for a year (with visa runs)?"

"Each one of these 60 day blocks can be extended to 90 days at an immigration office for 1900 baht ( around $45 USD ). "

Can someone tell me where I can get around 1900 baht for $45.00?

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"Best you further define what is meant by "extended stay"..."

You must have missed the topic line.

"What is the best way to stay in Thailand for a year (with visa runs)?"

"Each one of these 60 day blocks can be extended to 90 days at an immigration office for 1900 baht ( around $45 USD ). "

Can someone tell me where I can get around 1900 baht for $45.00?

I did not "miss" the topic line which is Not referred to in the body of the OP.

What is asked about is an unspecified "extended period in Thailand"

I therefore requested the OP to clarify exactly what was being sought .

Difficult for some to comprehend !

However the OP understood and wrote .......

" Thanks - to clarify, I'm looking to spend one year"

Nit picking criticism is unwelcome here !

NB

1900 Baht is worth a little more than $45 Yankee dollars if you insist on counting every cent !

Hopefully such a a small discrepancy will not cause the OP to become Bankrupt ,

Edited May 6, 201511 yr by nzexpat

1900Bt = 58USD

I would opt for getting another double entry tourist over getting an extension on every entry, going to immigration is not fun for the price they charge & they won't be smiles and friendliness with constant extensions.

Edited May 6, 201511 yr by BuckBee

_{What sort of visa you get is up to you. I've got a retirement visa now. but I did have a marriage visa issued in Australia before that, so I had to do visa runs. I used to go to Sa Keow for my visa run. I have a thai wife and walked thru the thai border with her. When I walked up to the gate, I was approached by lots of "Cambodian visa agents" requesting crazy money for assistance to get my Cambodian visa.}

_{I used to work in Saudi and remembered friends who had to do a visa run to the Saudi border. They only walked in through the Saudi border crossing and straight out again without entering Jordan (closest border), they didn't require a Jordan Visa.}

_{So I thought why not try to do the same at the thai border. I walked in, after doing the Thai exit process of course, and crossed the road and headed to the Thai entry line. Did all the paperwork and went to the entry line for stamping. I noticed another guy there who was in the line doing a visa run also when I did my thai exit stamp. I asked him if he got a Cambodian Visa. Yes, cost him about 1500 baht for "agent" assistance plus the cost of the Cambodian visa. So I was a bit apprehensive when I got called up for my Thai stamp. The guy didn't bat an eye, got my stamp and my visa run cost me the price of petrol for the car.}

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"Best you further define what is meant by "extended stay"..."

You must have missed the topic line.

"What is the best way to stay in Thailand for a year (with visa runs)?"

"Each one of these 60 day blocks can be extended to 90 days at an immigration office for 1900 baht ( around $45 USD ). "

Can someone tell me where I can get around 1900 baht for $45.00?

when you find those extra 9 pips , mate let me know, maybe looking at PHP instead of USD .

You can also try to get a Non B business Visa in your home country.

Your reason would be to explore business opportunities in import/export or something like that.

It is valid for a year. Every 90 days you have to do a border crossing.

I did this a few years ago in Holland and had no problem obtaining the visa.

I'm fairly certian the information I'm going to present is accurate, but if anyone sees an error please correct me.

I'll assume you are from a G7 country, if not then it will be a little more tricky. Being a USA or UK passport holder makes things much simpler.

1. Get a triple entry Tourist visa from you're home country. This will allow you to stay for up to 9 months give or take. This type of visa gives you three 60 days "blocks" of time to spend in Thailand. Each one of these 60 day blocks can be extended to 90 days at an immigration office for 1900 baht ( around $45 USD ). Assuming you take advantage of the option to extend each block to 90 instead of 60 days, every 90 days you will have to cross the border into a neighboring country ( or fly out somewhere ). When you come back into Thailand you will start up another "block" of 60 days.

**When you use up all of your Tourist entries ( time blocks ) you should be right around 8 or 9 months. You have to make sure you do your last (3rd) entry right around the 6 month mark. The visa itself only lasts 6 months ( last entry needs to be used by 6 months past issue date ).

2. Ok now all your entries are used up and you have to leave Thailand. Around 8 months in lets just assume. Maybe 9 if you really calculated out all the dates to the letter. Now simply take a flights ( or bus if you are brave ) up to Vientiane Laos. Here you will seek to obtain a double entry ( or single ) Tourist visa. Double will let you stay up to 6 months, single up to 3 months. Since you do not yet have a Tourist visa from this location yet, you should be good to go with no problems. **Assuming you are from a G7 country.

Search this forum and google for Triple entry tourst visa, Double entry tourist visa, and Thai visa runs. Should turn up lots of links to blogs and forums where people discuss this issue. People have been doing this for a LONG time.

NOTE: The reason G7 countries get a easier time is they figure you have money and are not coming to Thailand to work in manual labor or other jobs Thai people do. They dont' want Thai people to lose jobs to illegal alliens. If you look like you have the cash to support yourself for a long time, they give out tourist visas no problem for the most part.

The only difference in treatment for G7 (G8) countries is that they now get 30 days when arriving overland on a visa exempt entry, it makes no difference in the visa issuing criteria.

I took every day 3 of them , in BKK and Pattaya,

after 60 days and 1 extention,

I felt te be here more than a year !

So 1 year done !!

with 1 single Visa;

"I did not "miss" the topic line which is Not referred to in the body of the OP.

What is asked about is an unspecified "extended period in Thailand"

I therefore requested the OP to clarify exactly what was being sought .

Difficult for some to comprehend !

However the OP understood and wrote .......

" Thanks - to clarify, I'm looking to spend one year"

Nit picking criticism is unwelcome here ! NB

1900 Baht is worth a little more than $45 Yankee dollars if you insist on counting every cent !

Hopefully such a a small discrepancy will not cause the OP to become Bankrupt ,"

NB, thanks for your well thought out, somewhat defensive, reply.

Do you have children? If you do, you probably learned that they sometimes ask some questions more than once, even though you already answered them. And you do that politely, as the OP did when replying to your question that was clearly stated/answered in the topic line.

As far as the currency exchange rate; it must be nice to be you when a "small" 25%+ difference is just "counting every cent".

Have a nice one.

Terry

All the information is listed above and well documented on this site so all I will say is start

with a triple entry visa that you want to get just before you leave the USA. This will give you

almost 9 months of time in Thailand when combined with 30 day extensions when your 60 day

visa expires and the necessary boarder runs. What makes the 6 month visa last 9 months

is the ability to make you third boarder run (in and out) on the last day your tourist visa

is valid for letting you stay in Thailand another 60 days + a 30 day extension. After the just

under 9 month stay you make a visa run to Laos (well documented on this site) and you get

a double entry tourist visa. (A double entry tourist visa from Laos is the best you can do

adjacent to Thailand, a triple entry is not available) This will get you another 6 months in

Thailand. So with two visas you will have just shy of 15 months, all legal. If you are not sure

you understand simply get a triple entry tourist visa as close to your departure date as possible.

The clock on your first 270 days of eligibility starts ticking then. Any expat under 50 in Thailand

(and many over) can explain it face to face over a beer and with a calendar in front of you to

give you your critical dates for your 30 day visa extensions at immigration and where the

immigration office is near you, and your boarder run dates. Enjoy your time in Thailand and learn

the ins and outs, here. Everything you need to know about Thailand to make your time safe

and enjoyable can be found on this site from many extremely knowledgeable and helpful ex-pats.

....so much hatred dispensed in some of these posts.....

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....so much hatred dispensed in some of these posts.....

This site offers a very useful "IGNORE" feature which allows the "haters" and other assorted misfits to be flagged and excluded from ones personal screen .

I have just added one such irritant and will be pleased to never see its name again!

Simple got a million baht? buy a Thai elite card.

Or the tried and true method come here overstay time you want to be here then on leaving pay 20,000 baht.

Same strange advice here given G7 country has ZERO all ALL to do with tourist visas.

If you're coming from the States, get a triple entry tourist visa if you can, if not a double entry. 60 days each entry, extendable by 30 days at immigration for 1900. Do a border run (land is fine) cross into other country, get stamped in and out, immediately re-enter, another 60 days later get another 30 day extension (note you don't have to do this on the last day, a week before still gets you the extra 30 days.) If you've got a third entry repeat and rinse.

At the end of 180 days or 270 days (depending on whether you have a double or triple entry) visit a neighbouring country for a new tourist visa. Vientiane is recommended as they're the only close by consulate that does double entries. Apply for new tourist visa, if you apply in the morning, will have it back in the afternoon the following day.

Return to Thailand, repeat and rinse.

You can in theory do this for years on end, although after a while Vientiane will say no to more new tourist entries (they'll stamp your passport) but from other reports here you'd have to be doing it constantly for at least 2-3 years before it might became a problem.

"Should I get a visa before entering Thailand, or just apply for extension once there?

What happens after 30/60/90 days? Do I need to go in/out to get a new visa?

Are they really cracking down or is it more relaxed again?

Can someone please walk me through this process?"

You don't need a visa but it's best to get one from the USA before coming.

If you don't have a visa you will be given a 30 day stay (visa exempt entry). This can be extended for 30 days in Thailand towards the end of the initially 30 days. Giving you about 2 months.

After that you have no option but to exit.

You could re-enter again and repeat the visa exempt entry for the year you plan to stay, but at anytime you may be stopped at the border (or when applying for an extension) and asked for proof that you are not working. If you can prove income from abroad then they can do little to stop you entering. They are targeting people that do back to back entries like this as they are often illegal workers.

Choosing this option is not a good idea and it's best to stay here on Tourist Visas.

Someone can stay here using tourist visas without hassle for 1-2 years. Technically you can have back to back tourist visas indefinitely but at some point (typically 3 or 4 tourist visas), especially if using the same office, you might be asked for proof of income and that you are not working. If you can't or an office decline the application it may still be possible to apply elsewhere.

Tourist visas are available as 1, 2 or 3 entries. Each entry gives you 60 days. You should get the maximum number of entries available. If you apply in the USA you should be able to get a 3 entry tourist visa which will see you through the best part of 9 months. That would include 2 border runs and 3 extensions. Extensions give you an additional 30 days. If you get a 2 entry it will be good for about 6 months. 1 border run and 2 extensions. When doing a border run you can exit, turn around, and re-enter the same day.

Once your tourist 2 or 3 entry visa from the USA is used you will need to exit and get a new tourist visa from a neighbouring country. This will require a minimum 2 day stay. The best option is to go to Laos where you can get 1 or 2 entry tourist visas. You can organise the trip yourself or use one of the companies that, for a small fee, will take you over the border and help with your visa application. Not necessary for a border run but a good idea for your first time applying for a new visa. The 1 entry + 1 extension gives you about 3 months and a 2 entry + 2 extensions about 6 months.

If I were you I'd get a 3 entry visa from the USA followed by a 1 or 2 entry from Laos. A 2 entry from Laos gives you a total of about 1yr 3mths. 60 + 30ex + Border Run + 60 + 30ex + Border Run + 60 + 30ex + New 2 entry visa from Laos + 60 + 30ex + Border Run + 60 + 30ex

Note that 2 and 3 entry visas have a life of 6 months from issue and the last entry (2nd or 3rd) must be within the enter by date.

"You could re-enter again and repeat the visa exempt entry for the year you plan to stay"

WRONG and a guaranteed method of landing in deep trouble !

"You could re-enter again and repeat the visa exempt entry for the year you plan to stay"

WRONG and a guaranteed method of landing in deep trouble !

I also said "it's best to get one (a visa) from the USA before coming" and "choosing this option is not a good idea".

Yes it's a bad idea but the advice is not "wrong". There is no limit to the number of back to back visa exempt entries someone can have and he "could" enter unchallenged for a year. And as long as someone isn't illegally working they will not get in "deep trouble". Assuming he's a genuine tourist supported by income from abroad the worst that could happen is an interview and possibly a denied entry.

I don't recommend this option, but unlike you I read what people write and answered the OP's question regarding getting a visa before entering.

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"You could re-enter again and repeat the visa exempt entry for the year you plan to stay"

WRONG and a guaranteed method of landing in deep trouble !

I also said "it's best to get one (a visa) from the USA before coming" and "choosing this option is not a good idea".

Yes it's a bad idea but the advice is not "wrong". There is no limit to the number of back to back visa exempt entries someone can have and he "could" enter unchallenged for a year. And as long as someone isn't illegally working they will not get in "deep trouble". Assuming he's a genuine tourist supported by income from abroad the worst that could happen is an interview and possibly a denied entry.

I don't recommend this option, but unlike you I read what people write and answered the OP's question regarding getting a visa before entering.

Stop attempting to justify giving bad advice !

Attempts to secure serial Back to Back "visa exempt" entries are actively discouraged and will fail !

You have positive evidence to the contrary ?

Thought not.

If after reading all these posts you still unclear. an ED Visa is pretty cool way to stay here , The girls in the Institution will organise everything for you , You just follow the advice, plus you will meet some expats who can offer you more advice on matters as you go. Just try find a reputable Institution , plenty listed, Its easier if you can speak and read the language , You will be able to avoid the usual money traps. hope it helps. Just try have respect for the culture no matter how backwards it is at times.

Det a triple entry tourist visa in the US just before your departure. The cost will be $120. It will be valid for 6 months from the date of issue and , if used correctly. you can get almost 270 days with two border runs, cost depnds on crossing used, and three 30 day extensions, cost 1900 baht each. At the end of the third entry and extension, go to Laos and apply for a double entry tourist visa, cost 2000 baht. This will give you another 6 months with one border run and two extensions.

Total cost:

Visas: 5000 baht

Five Extensions: 9500 baht

Border Runs: Depends on crossing/country used plus travel

I agree with Wayned. This would only mean getting two visas, the triple in the US and the double in Laos.

You get the extensions at whatever immigrations office serves your residential area. Usually not that big a hassle. With valid visas there would be no problem with doing in/out border crossings. As long as you're getting extensions of your visa entry stays, no one will get upset at immigrations. Issuing extensions is what they do ... among other things. Better than repeatedly getting visa exempt entries and extending those.

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_{What sort of visa you get is up to you. I've got a retirement visa now. but I did have a marriage visa issued in Australia before that, so I had to do visa runs. I used to go to Sa Keow for my visa run. I have a thai wife and walked thru the thai border with her. When I walked up to the gate, I was approached by lots of "Cambodian visa agents" requesting crazy money for assistance to get my Cambodian visa.}

_{I used to work in Saudi and remembered friends who had to do a visa run to the Saudi border. They only walked in through the Saudi border crossing and straight out again without entering Jordan (closest border), they didn't require a Jordan Visa.}

_{So I thought why not try to do the same at the thai border. I walked in, after doing the Thai exit process of course, and crossed the road and headed to the Thai entry line. Did all the paperwork and went to the entry line for stamping. I noticed another guy there who was in the line doing a visa run also when I did my thai exit stamp. I asked him if he got a Cambodian Visa. Yes, cost him about 1500 baht for "agent" assistance plus the cost of the Cambodian visa. So I was a bit apprehensive when I got called up for my Thai stamp. The guy didn't bat an eye, got my stamp and my visa run cost me the price of petrol for the car.}

no need ever pay for visa agent if you can read

If after reading all these posts you still unclear. an ED Visa is pretty cool way to stay here , The girls in the Institution will organise everything for you , You just follow the advice, plus you will meet some expats who can offer you more advice on matters as you go. Just try find a reputable Institution , plenty listed, Its easier if you can speak and read the language , You will be able to avoid the usual money traps. hope it helps. Just try have respect for the culture no matter how backwards it is at times.

Would that not negate the need to learn Thai and pay for an ED visa ?

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"You could re-enter again and repeat the visa exempt entry for the year you plan to stay"

WRONG and a guaranteed method of landing in deep trouble !

I also said "it's best to get one (a visa) from the USA before coming" and "choosing this option is not a good idea".

Yes it's a bad idea but the advice is not "wrong". There is no limit to the number of back to back visa exempt entries someone can have and he "could" enter unchallenged for a year. And as long as someone isn't illegally working they will not get in "deep trouble". Assuming he's a genuine tourist supported by income from abroad the worst that could happen is an interview and possibly a denied entry.

I don't recommend this option, but unlike you I read what people write and answered the OP's question regarding getting a visa before entering.

Stop attempting to justify giving bad advice !

Attempts to secure serial Back to Back "visa exempt" entries are actively discouraged and will fail !

You have positive evidence to the contrary ?

Thought not.

You really have a problem with comprehension!

I didn't advise him to do back to back exempt entries.

I advised the possibility and warned the consequences.

I did actively discourage it.

Being discouraged is not the same as not being possible.

The evidence I have is that it's not legally possible to be denied entry for the sole reason of having multiple back to back excempt entries. I'm happy to admit I'm wrong if you can evidence otherwise.

The OP asked for advice. He's got it. With little help from you I might add because you are being your usual unhelpful pedantic self. My recommendation was to get a visa from the US followed by a second in Laos.

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"You could re-enter again and repeat the visa exempt entry for the year you plan to stay"

WRONG and a guaranteed method of landing in deep trouble !

I also said "it's best to get one (a visa) from the USA before coming" and "choosing this option is not a good idea".

Yes it's a bad idea but the advice is not "wrong". There is no limit to the number of back to back visa exempt entries someone can have and he "could" enter unchallenged for a year. And as long as someone isn't illegally working they will not get in "deep trouble". Assuming he's a genuine tourist supported by income from abroad the worst that could happen is an interview and possibly a denied entry.

I don't recommend this option, but unlike you I read what people write and answered the OP's question regarding getting a visa before entering.

Stop attempting to justify giving bad advice !

Attempts to secure serial Back to Back "visa exempt" entries are actively discouraged and will fail !

You have positive evidence to the contrary ?
Thought not.

You really have a problem with comprehension!
I didn't advise him to do back to back exempt entries.
I advised the possibility and warned the consequences.
I did actively discourage it.
Being discouraged is not the same as not being possible.
The evidence I have is that it's not legally possible to be denied entry for the sole reason of having multiple back to back excempt entries. I'm happy to admit I'm wrong if you can evidence otherwise.

The OP asked for advice. He's got it. With little help from you I might add because you are being your usual unhelpful pedantic self. My recommendation was to get a visa from the US followed by a second in Laos.

I am delighted to add yet another ignorant person to the "ignore " list