Unanswered4 years ago

Can European citizens use a 30-day visa waiver and then switch to an METV visa in Thailand?

Visa Waiver METV Visa Visa Rules Thailand Multi-Entry Tourist Visa European Citizens Visa Regulations

Zvonimir ***********

asked Jul 8, 2022

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Hello, 

A little question about visa, is it allowed to spend 30 days under the visa waiver for european citizens. Then getting out and return by airplane a few days later under an METV visa? 

Could this 30 days waiver jeopardize the METV visa? Anyone experienced it?

Thanks a lot for your feedback :)

Summary so far

A user inquired whether European citizens could spend 30 days in Thailand under a visa waiver and subsequently return using a Multi-Entry Tourist Visa (METV). They were concerned about the potential impact of the initial 30-day waiver on their METV. A commenter raised questions about the type of visa they would have on their first visit and clarified the process, arguing that entering on a METV is more beneficial since it offers unlimited entries until expiration.

12 repliesnewest first

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Brandon ************

Are you already going to have the visa when you travel to Thailand the first time?

If you will already have the visa, will it be e-visa you received by e-mail and then printed out, or will it be a sticker in your passport?

If it's an evisa you have printed out, it shouldn't be a problem, just don't show them the e-mail when you enter the first time and save it for the 2nd time.

If it's a stamp in your passport, they will see it because they look through your entire passport, and they will likely require you to enter on it.

What I don't understand though is why you would even consider this if you have a multi-entry tourist visa. A Multi-entry tourist visa is good for unlimited entries until the expiration date. Not using it the first time you enter won't change the expiration date, as that's based off the date the visa is issued.

What exactly are you trying to do as your question doesn't really make sense.

4 years ago

Phil ********

Do make sure you're stamped in for 60 days when you enter the country with your visa.

4 years ago

Phil ********

Dress Properly

No 'bear' shoulders 🙃

4 years ago

Jo **********

@Phil *******

that guy is an acky grub

4 years ago

Brandon ************

Just get the METV and enter with it. You're making this way too complicated. You can get 9 months out of an METV if you enter for 60 days, extend for 30, leave and re-enter for 60 days, extend for 30, then leave and re-enter right before the visa expires and get 60 days and extend for 30. You're going to have the METV already so there's literally no reason to not use it immediately.

4 years ago

Zvonimir ***********

Oh I see, way simpler! I didn’t know I could add 30 days to each 60 days. Process and cost for it?

Brandon ************

Zvonimir ***********

Thanks a lot mate!

Brandon ************

1900₿ at immigration

Zvonimir ***********

It will be an e-visa sent by email, that’s what they mention on the Thai embassy website of Switzerland.

Actually, I already booked my flight to BKK for August. And in the process of requesting the METV visa, they require an outbound ticket within the 60 first days. The thing is I made a mistake and booked the outbound ticket for November (after 90 days) instead of October (60 days) and a modification of my current ticket would involve +150$ on top of the flight ticket which has cost me 200$. It’s not much but annoying, so I am trying to optimize it by using first the 30 days visa waiver if it’s possible. Make sense?

4 years ago

Brandon ************

Your airline won't let you board your flight if you can't show you're leaving Thailand within 30 days of arrival if you're using visa exempt so your plan won't work anyways.

Just buy a cheap bus ticket or flight to Singapore to show, or Google onward travel ticket.

Also why are you applying for a multiple entry tourist visa instead of a single entry tourist visa if you're only going for 90 days? It's a lot more expensive.

4 years ago

Zvonimir ***********

@Brandon ***********

nah you got me wrong. I want to apply for 3x 60 days METV visa.

The thing is I booked the outbound ticket wrongly (after 90 days instead of 60). To not loose this ticket or pay an extra, I’m trying to use the visa waiver the 30 first days. And of course, I will need to buy a cheap ticket to somewhere within the 30 first days and then return to BKK under my METV visa. So finally, it’s even better because I would be able to stay 7 months in total. Wondering if it works or if it could be an issue.

4 years ago