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Can I apply for a 6-month tourist visa for Thailand while abroad?

Thailand Visa Tourist Visa Non-O Visa Length of Stay Visa Application Process Expatriate Living Travel Regulations

Oct 17, 2025

6 months ago

Tony **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I an from the UK . I may have a chance of work in UAE which will be 8 weeks on and 8 weeks off through the year which means I can go to Thailand on the 60 day visa . When it comes to Christmas I could be in Thailand just over 90 days . My question is can I apply away from my home country for a 6 month tourist visa for this time or is there a better option

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user from the UK inquires about spending time in Thailand while working part-time in the UAE. They want to know if they can apply for a 6-month tourist visa from abroad and discuss other options. Comments clarify that while a 6-month METV is not available outside the home country, a 60-day entry stamp is the standard for tourists. They may need to consider border runs to extend their stay, and they should be cautious about tax residency rules if staying over 180 days.

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Wayne *******

UK - 60 days visa exempt so your time off would be three terms of 60 days in a year which is the limit for tourists (IO pending) so you could possibly just come and go as a tourist. Your months in Thailand would be (in capitals) JAN FEB mar apr MAY JUN jul aug SEP OCT nov dec. so 6 months

Not sure how you would get around the 90 over Christmas though as you become a tax resident if you stay in Thailand more than 180 days. I think Im correct. If not, Id like to know if Im wrong obviously 😆

6 months ago

Tony **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Wayne ******

The months in Thailand roughly as you say its the period over Christmas is the problem but also I may visit family in uk which could shorten that . As for 180 days I don't think I will be in any country for 180 days if I visit uk UAE 18-24 weeks the rest in Thailand and maybe visit uk

6 months ago

Tony **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I think you can get a single entry tourist visa for 3 months and you don’t have to be in your home country .

Also I will have to visit the uk to see family

6 months ago

Wayne *******

@Tony *********

Yeah obviously the format I used that starts in January isnt cemented so if for example your 1st entry to Thailand was 1st March or early March, that format would allow you a 60 day visa exempt over Christmas in Thailand and the amount of days allowed (180) is dependant on the IO at the time I guess which isnt helpful at all as your risking flying to BKK from either UK or UAE not knowing if you're going to be turned away

Obviously a way around it would be to use one of your 2 month periods not at work, somehwere other than Thailand . . .

6 months ago

Reply to

Wayne *******

Tony **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

The work VISA will be taken care of in UAE I am just looking to spend time between contracts in Thailand at my house there

6 months ago

Ian ********

You will need work visa for UAE and that takes time and depending where your working that are only single entry

6 months ago

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

If you're not in your home country then you cannot apply for the METV from there.

But that is irreverent because you would still only receive a 60 day entry stamp as it's a tourist visa. You're going to be have to do a border bounce to get a new stamp either way.

6 months ago

Tony **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

Is the METV not either a single entry 60 Days extendable to 90 or a multi entry where you can stay for 60 days then leave to return

6 months ago

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

@Tony *********

METV gives you a 60 day stamp every entry. Each entry can be extended by 30 days. But you stated you wanted more than 90 days, so whether you came in with a visa or not, you would need to leave and return at some point because both visa exempt and tourist visa give 60+30.

6 months ago

Reply to

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

Andi ***********

There is the DTV you can apply for away from home which gives you 6 month stays. The METV 6 mth tourist visa is from your home country.

6 months ago

Tony **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Andi **********

Thankyou for your advicenwill look into DTV

6 months ago

Andi ***********