Hi there,

Is there any limits to how many times you can fly in and out to get a visa on arrival?

Are there any issues with doing this every month?

Any info is appreciated!

Are you actually getting a Visa on Arrival?

Only a few nationalities qualify for this.

VOA costs 1,000 and gives a stay of 15 days.

If you are asking about Visa Exempt Entries, there are no limits but expect to be asked questions after a few times.

Edited May 6, 201610 yr by Eclipse

Hi Eclipse,

Apologies, I guess I mean..Arrival on Visa Exemption program.

There are no definite limits. However, in-out runs to get a new visa exempt entry are frowned upon. (They were originally to be banned altogether, but the higher ups then indicated this should be enforced flexibly.) If you are staying here on visa exempts, the immigration official will get a prompt from his computer to scrutinize your entry more closely after a number of entries (probably 6).

If you can prove you have money to live in Thailand without working, you are unlikely to be prevented from entering. However, the official may tell you you must get a "proper visa" next time.

No official limits but after doing a few they might want to know what you are doing in Thailand and how you finance yourself.

i.e not working illegally.

Thanks guys for the info...Very much appreciated. I arrived on visa exemption 3 months ago and have gone in/out once...Today is my second time as I am flying to KL and back to BKK later in the evening.

Thanks guys for the info...Very much appreciated. I arrived on visa exemption 3 months ago and have gone in/out once...Today is my second time as I am flying to KL and back to BKK later in the evening.

Which airline? It is possible the airline may wish to see an onward flight.

Its only your third visa exempt entry so you should not have a problem. However you are flying straight back. Wouldn't hurt to have cash in pocket.

@Jacksam: flying on Air Asia. OK that's good to know.

Will definitely keep that in mind! Thank you!

@Jacksam: flying on Air Asia. OK that's good to know.

Will definitely keep that in mind! Thank you!

The reason I mentioned it is that I fly AirAsia every other week. They often if not always look for a visa. If none and realize you intend to enter on exemption stamp then they want to see onward flight. Having said all that there have been times they have not looked inside my pp.

Pot luck

In Chiang Mai, if you have too many out-ins, you'll just be asked to fill in another form, after the 2 forms you've already filled in. Name, passport no., address, age, date of birth, lalalala.

And then they'll happily stamp your passport with another 30 days.

As long as the paperwork is in order, nothing else matters!

@janchangtha - Absolutely. Very good to know! No problem filling out another form for 30 more days

There are no official limits at the airports, but you will not be able to do back to back visa exempt entries for long. After a few entries you will probably be pulled aside and asked to prove you are a tourist and that you are not working here. They will also ask that you get a new visa before entering again and might make a note in your passport. If you are considered a 'visa runner' and cannot satisfy the IO that you're visit is for tourism they can deny entry.

If you are planning on staying you should switch to tourist/other visas asap as visa exempt entry is no longer a viable way to stay long term.

Edited May 6, 201610 yr by elviajero

@ElviaJero - Thanks for the great advice. After this trip, I am looking for a better option as you suggested...getting a proper tourist visa would be one of them. Cheers!

@ElviaJero - Thanks for the great advice. After this trip, I am looking for a better option as you suggested...getting a proper tourist visa would be one of them. Cheers!

You can get single entry tourist visas (SETV) from Thai Embassies/Consulates in neighbouring countries (1,000 baht). A SETV gives a 60 day stay on entry that can be extended by 30 days. There is no set limit on the total number of SETV's you can have, however, each consulate has it's own limits. You should expect to be limited to 2 or 3 before being frozen out at which time you can apply elsewhere.

What happens if immigration denies entry? Does the airline you flew in on, pay to fly you back where you came from?

What happens if immigration denies entry? Does the airline you flew in on, pay to fly you back where you came from?

IF you are denied entry (unlikely unless substantial reason for denial exists) it is your responsibility to remove yourself !

What happens if immigration denies entry? Does the airline you flew in on, pay to fly you back where you came from?

It is possible that the airline that brought the person into the country have to take them back at the airlines expense. However, I'm pretty sure the airline would pass that expense on to the passenger. Having been denied entry the person is usually allowed to make their own arrangements and would be free to fly anywhere. During the waiting time to board the plane the person would be in the custody of immigration or the airline flying them out.