Anyone has recent experience with multiple back to back visa exempt entries?

[fekman]

I did five in one year, back to back, extended for 30 days each time. In November, on my fifth, immigration told me I need regular visas now. No more exempts for me 'for a while'. They let me in, and Im on a double entry now. I'd like to take full advantage of visa exempt entries.

We asked immigration officials during my extension, in Thai, and after running around like the keystone cops, they came up with an "im not sure' answer. The question being "when am I eligible to come back in on a visa exempt entry again?"

I know it's pretty much up to the officer when you arrive. Does anyone know of any hard and fast rules now?

[ubonjoe]

There is no written rule that limits visa exempt entries. They can only deny entry under section 12 of the immigration act. The most common denials are for not having financial proof (20k baht) and/or suspicion of working here.

Since you have used a tourist visa you should be able to at least one before being questioned again.

[tj916]

Asked the question for a friend last week at a well known visa shop in Pattaya.

Their advice was after arriving in Thailand on a 30 day, extend at Jomtien for another 30, then up to four back to back single entries from Laos. Which will give you 4x(60+30). Total 420days.

Real pain going to Laos, but apart from an ED visa not sure you have too many options if under 50.

Cost of trip to Laos: 6900 bt inc.

[elviajero]

As said there is no written rule about how many visa exempt entries you can have. I have a friend that works in Cambodia and re-enters Thailand several times a month on visa exempt entry without a problem.

However, since August 2014 immigration officers are under orders to warn and/or possibly deny entry to anyone considered a "visa runner". A visa runner being someone with back to back visa exempt entries. It seems to be up to the IO as to how many that is, but in my opinion 5 back to back visa exempt entries would definitely be classed as a visa runner.

How long or how many tourist visas you'll need before entering again using visa exempt entry is anyones guess, and, as you say, would come down to the officer when you arrive.

[ldiablo]

I don't know about the rest of Thailnd but I was told by a reliable person that at the Ban Laem border crossing they will allow 6 visa exempt entries per calendar year.

[darrendsd]

I don't know about the rest of Thailnd but I was told by a reliable person that at the Ban Laem border crossing they will allow 6 visa exempt entries per calendar year.

They will allow 3,

http://www.thaivisaservice.com/

The guy who runs this service knows his stuff

[ubonjoe]

I don't know about the rest of Thailnd but I was told by a reliable person that at the Ban Laem border crossing they will allow 6 visa exempt entries per calendar year.

They will allow 3,

http://www.thaivisaservice.com/

The guy who runs this service knows his stuff

That only applies at certain Cambodia border crossings not at an airport.

Six would be correct if they were 15 day entries or 3 if if allowed 30 days. It is 90 days total in a calendar year.

[ldiablo]

I don't know about the rest of Thailnd but I was told by a reliable person that at the Ban Laem border crossing they will allow 6 visa exempt entries per calendar year.

They will allow 3,

http://www.thaivisaservice.com/

The guy who runs this service knows his stuff

Well that's funny because he, being Claudio told me and 2 other people two weeks ago in Cambodia while using his service that they will allow 6 30 day visa exempts per calendar year but may question you after three.

[darrendsd]

I don't know about the rest of Thailnd but I was told by a reliable person that at the Ban Laem border crossing they will allow 6 visa exempt entries per calendar year.

They will allow 3,

http://www.thaivisaservice.com/

The guy who runs this service knows his stuff

Well that's funny because he, being Claudio told me and 2 other people two weeks ago in Cambodia while using his service that they will allow 6 30 day visa exempts per calendar year but may question you after three.

And I spoke to him a month ago and he told me 3, as we all know (or maybe you don't) rules here do change without notice

[rogeroc]

From the Thai Embassy (London) website.

Foreigners who enter Thailand under the Tourist Visa Exemption category and would like to leave and re-enter may only stay for a cumulative duration which does not exceed 90 days and is within a 6-month period from the date of first entry. (Passport or travel document must be valid for at least 6 months after the date of first entry).

I did the 3 x 30 January to end March 2015 coming back through airports. No questions asked.

[ubonjoe]

From the Thai Embassy (London) website.

Foreigners who enter Thailand under the Tourist Visa Exemption category and would like to leave and re-enter may only stay for a cumulative duration which does not exceed 90 days and is within a 6-month period from the date of first entry. (Passport or travel document must be valid for at least 6 months after the date of first entry).

I did the 3 x 30 January to end March 2015 coming back through airports. No questions asked.

That info on the embassy website is out of date by more than 7 years. The 90 days in 6 months rule was revoked in 2008 when they started the 15 days at a border crossing..

[csabo]

I don't know about the rest of Thailnd but I was told by a reliable person that at the Ban Laem border crossing they will allow 6 visa exempt entries per calendar year.

Wouldn't bank on this. And no way it applies to flying in as 6 entries plus 6 extensions would be 360 days already.

[steve73]

I take it these comments only apply to out-in border hops....

I pal of mine works 2 weeks in Oz then spends one week in Thailand, and use 30 day exempt entries each time - with no problems.

[thecyclist]

Don't you need a plane ticket out of Thailand to get the 30day visa-exempt entry, or is that just in theory and rarely enforced?

Wonder whether the people doing in-outs get a ticket every time, or risk being refused entry. How do the visa-run agencies handle that?

[rogeroc]

Ubonjoe said 'That info on the embassy website is out of date by more than 7 years. The 90 days in 6 months rule was revoked in 2008 when they started the 15 days at a border crossing'

I have checked again, the paragraph re 3 x 30 visa exempt in 6 months is on the same website that provides all of the details of the Post 13 November 2015 METV. I would be grateful if you could take a look at the website, if the info, is wrong people could be misled.

[rogeroc]

Don't you need a plane ticket out of Thailand to get the 30day visa-exempt entry, or is that just in theory and rarely enforced?
Wonder whether the people doing in-outs get a ticket every time, or risk being refused entry. How do the visa-run agencies handle that?

When i did the 3 x 30 visa exempt i made sure i had an air ticket out just in case but i was never asked for it.

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[ubonjoe]

Ubonjoe said 'That info on the embassy website is out of date by more than 7 years. The 90 days in 6 months rule was revoked in 2008 when they started the 15 days at a border crossing'

I have checked again, the paragraph re 3 x 30 visa exempt in 6 months is on the same website that provides all of the details of the Post 13 November 2015 METV. I would be grateful if you could take a look at the website, if the info, is wrong people could be misled.

That same info has been on the London embassy website for a very long time. Lots of people have already been mislead.

See here for the correct info: policy778-2551_en.pdf

[rogeroc]

Thanks very helpful.