Visa exempt entries

[Gary2164]

Hi, 

does anybody know of the rules for -

How many 30 day tourist exempt visas is allowed each calendar year?

so far this year including future trips will be 6.

Dec 2015 - Jan 2016 - 18 days.

April 2016 - May 2016 - 18 days.

Aug 2016 - Aug 2016 - 9 days.

Aug 2016 - Aug 2016 - 4 days.

coming up-

Nov 2016 - 16 days.

Dec 2016 - Jan 2017 - 18 days.

 

i did 5 trips last year and no probs, but heard that their may be changes in how many i can come in and out on 30 day visas in a year ?

 

Traveling on an Australian Passport,.

not working , just holiday.

 

i been looking on here and Thai embassy site , but really no specific answers,

Thanks Gary

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

I don't know the exact number, but you are correct as to the rules being tightened, and you will probably have a problem doing back to back exempt entries. Loads about it on many posts.

The theory is that if you are coming here a lot you ain't a tourist, which just isn't always true, but that's the way it is now.

Is there any reason you don't get a multi/ double entry tourist visa which would have covered you for the August trip and will for the Nov/ Dec/ January trip if you plan it right?

[ubonjoe]

There is no written rule how many visa exempt entries you can do.

The immigration officer will get an alert when your reach 6 entries to inform them that they should review your entries.

Looking at what you posted you should not have a problem doing another one in November.

 

[BritTim]

If entering through a Bangkok airport, you should have no real problem. You might get questioned when you reach 6 visa exempt entries, but nothing in your pattern of entries should cause the immigration official undue concern. You do not resemble someone working here, or unable to support oneself during your stay. Note, however, that some land entry points, and even some airports, can decide to deny entry for no logical reason.

[bbi1]

Best to get a single entry tourist visa to be safe, or instead of staying 16 days in Nov then coming back the next month in Dec for 18 days, just fix your travel plans a bit better so you aren't wasting time & money on flights all over the place. Just stay in Thailand for 34 days from Nov or change it to Dec. Makes more sense really...

[elviajero]

There is no limit if entering at the airport, however, overuse of Visa Exempt Entry is on the Immigration radar. At some point you will likely get questioned about what you do in Thailand, which could be on the next or future entries. Worst case, if questioned, would likely be a request to get a Tourist Visa for future entries. Make sure you have at least 10K in cash and if possible confirmation of your onward flight. As you are not staying the full 30 days, and aren't doing back to back entries in order to live here, you shouldn't have any problems.

[gregk0543]

There is nothing to worry about if you are staying less than 30 days each time and you make any number of trips with gaps larger than the stays in between. It is not a pattern that would concern them.

 

I do about 10 to 12 trips a year with 3 days to 14 days in each trip. Never been questioned.

If you add it all up I spend 2 months per year in Thailand.

 

The pattern they are looking for is 30 days stay. Short time away. 30 day stay. Which means 6 months in Thailand in a year.

It is not the number of visas but the pattern and length of stay in Total.

 

Thats the trigger but your explanation when asked is the next step. Your funding and your reasons and where you stay while there.

 

Its a great system and privilege they have in place which should not be abused for other purposes.

Countries that run a visa system like this all have better tourism outcomes in response. The net result is positive.

Wait until they bring it in in Myanmar where I live. Will be a big boom.

Myanmar have introduced a policy like this for some Asean states and the results are greatly increased tourism. 

 

[Tom Parkinson]

I agree with other posters that there is no absolute limit. For seven years I worked in Hong Kong and had clients all over the region. I used Bangkok as a sort of home base. I flew in and out routinely on visa exempt status. I remember flying in 37 separate times one year (2012 or 2013).

i think it is true that they are scrutinising such behaviour more closely. Nonetheless, I have not had any real problems. I noticed that they would spend a lot more time leafing through and looking at all my entries. One officer did ask me why I came to BKK so often. I said, "My wife lives here; I come to see her."  No further questions. 

[RC8]

I do about 10 to 12 visa exempt entries a year for about 2 weeks each time. Questioned once by the immigration supervisor about why I come so often but I explained I come for a holiday when I'm not working offshore. Showed her a uk bank account statement with my wages from my uk job. Never questioned again.

Edited September 9, 2016 by RC8

[laochef]

Yes, I agrre to the members, stating no problem. If you don't stay the full 30 days, and only a day or two in another country, before getting bac to Thailand, you have 0 problem. I have lived in Thailand for 32 years, and lately 7 years in Laos, with Family in Bangkok, so I fly back and forth all the time...NEVER a problem !

[Cinderella Man]

You don't stay whole 30 days + extending the exempt entries so 99.99% without problem

[RC8]

I do about 10 to 12 visa exempt entries a year for about 2 weeks each time. Questioned once by the immigration supervisor about why I come so often but I explained I come for a holiday when I'm not working offshore. Showed her a uk bank account statement with my wages from my uk job. Never questioned again.

Entered on 16th December and got pulled by immigration. The officer showed me a computer message on his screen in Thai that apparently said I had too many visa exempt entries. Got escorted to see his supervisor. She said I had 6 VE entries in the past 3 months and that was too many. I explained that I work an offshore 2 and 3 rota so it was impossible for me to have 6 entries in 3 months, 3 entries max. She said whatever it was I had too many. I explained I just come for a holiday and she did eventually stamp me in for 30 days but said "I give you warning, get a proper visa next time".
Now I would like to get a proper visa and did get married in October to a Thai but it was only a village ceremony so not legal. I looked at legalising it in bkk this trip but no appointment available at the British embassy until mid January so it will have to wait till next trip. Then I intend to go to Savanekett to get an non o marriage multi entry.
But.... will I get in next time on visa exempt? Do you think if I get pulled again and explain I will have a marriage visa next time they will accept that?