At some point, you may be required to do a visa run depending on what type of visa you have. Most nationalities are permitted 15 or 30 days stay in Thailand as a tourist. 15 days will be granted for visa on arrival, 30 days will be permitted to certain nationalities with no visa and some will be required to apply for a visa before going to Thailand.
If you are working or studying in Thailand, you may still be required to do a visa run even if you have a student or work visa. Typically, the company you work for will assist you in obtaining the appropriate visa. Some companies will even take care of your 90 day report, otherwise you have to do it yourself at the immigration office. The laws are always changing and many companies use confusing loopholes. Check with your employer or school for updated visa details.
My visa run experiences:
Visa runs can be a huge headache if you don’t do your research. Visa runs by minivan are terrifying and yes, they do crash sometimes. You will be crammed into a minivan with, sometimes smelly, strangers for hours. This type of visa run is not for people who get carsick! However, my first travelling experience alone was a minivan visa run and it was exhilarating. Whatever border country you choose will be a little seedy and sketchy. Keep your wits about you and be prepared to deal with the rude, overworked officers. You will certainly meet some interesting people on a visa run!
Visa runs by plane are wonderful. For double the price of the minivan companies, you can fly an easy 2 hours to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, do some shopping and return in less than 8 hours total (if you are simply re-entering as a tourist). I highly recommend visa runs by plane if you have the funds to do so.
Types of visa runs:
1- Visa run by plane – You will be allowed back into Thailand for 15 or 30 more days as a tourist depending on your nationality. There are several budget airlines that offer multiple flights per day. These are my favorites for convenience and price.
2- Visa run by minivan or bus – these are operated by visa run companies. I have used 2 and they are nearly identical, except some offer different days.
Alternatives to a visa run:
Extend your visa at the immigration office. The cost is less than 2,000 THB and will allow you 7 additional days in Thailand.
Visa overstay:
If you absolutely cannot do a visa run or extend your visa at the immigration office, you will be charged an overstay fee upon leaving the country. The immigration officers are lenient about one day overstay, but anything beyond that will result in 500 THB fee per day overstayed. The maximum overstay fee is 20,000 THB. You will be “black listed” for overstaying and may have trouble re-entering Thailand.
- If you know you will overstay your visa, you can pay the fees in advance at the immigration office to avoid the hassle at the airport immigration.
- If you are caught overstaying your visa outside of the airport, you may be arrested and deported until fees are paid. However, after living here for 3 years I have never been forced to show police my passport, but it isn’t worth the risk.
- Children will only be charged overstay fees if they are over the age of 7.
Visa run tips:
- Be aware of Thai public holidays that may fall during your visa run. Offices are closed on public holidays, which could result in you overstaying your visa if you don’t plan ahead.
- Bring snacks! Some visa run companies advertise that snacks and meals are included, but you never know what will be on the menu. There will be a couple of pit stops for driving visa runs where you will be able to use the bathroom and / or purchase food and drink at a mini-mart or 7-11.
- Be safe! Visa run drivers are notoriously reckless. Try to do a visa run by plane if at all possible.
- Familiarize yourself with any problems you may encounter at immigration. You may be asked to show proof of money in your account, vaccinations and other documents depending on your nationality.
- DO NOT do a visa run by plane and attempt to take the same plane return. You will not have enough time to go through immigration at the airport and make it back on the flight. You MUST go through immigration to board the plane.
Other helpful links:
Angela Killian 
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