Answereda year ago
Can I extend my 60-day Multi-Entry Tourist Visa or convert it to a retirement visa in Thailand?
Hi , I arrived in Bangkok yesterday after successfully getting a 90 day METV online from the Thai embassy in London last month. The immigration officer stamped TR 60 in my passport. Does that mean I have to leave after60 days just like visa exempt or can I extend it to 90 days or even better can I convert it to a retirement visa before the 60 days runs out? Please help me out as I’m confused with the whole immigration process and want to do it properly. Thanks
Answer summary
The original poster has entered Thailand on a 90-day multiple entry tourist visa (METV), which was stamped by immigration for a 60-day stay. Commenters clarified that the METV allows for multiple entries but each stay is initially limited to 60 days with a possible 30-day extension available at a local immigration office. Additionally, converting the existing visa to a retirement visa (NON-O) is not straightforward; to apply for a retirement visa, the individual would need to fulfill specific requirements, including maintaining a bank account balance of 800,000 baht for at least two months. It is advisable to utilize the current visa effectively before considering alternatives.
31 repliesnewest first
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Anthony ******
The Multi entry tourist visa is not 90 days it’s 60 days for each visit which you can extend 30 days, then you have to leave the country, then you get 60 again when you return. Check the validation of your visa if Multi then this should be 6 months.
David *******
Sounds messy. I really hope this helps somebody else that they do their homework before they come. Get the right information and be prepared. so thank you for writing the mistake’s that were made. If this post help’s at least one person it was definitely worth posting. I wish you luck on your journey I’m quite confident you will get it done. Just gonna take some extra steps
David *********
OP@David ******
thanks, the more I look at visa types and rules, the complex it appears. But I've some great advice from Tod Daniels so that's put my mind at ease. Thanks to everyone that responded.
Stuart ********
@David ********
Yes Tod is very helpful and also his information is correct ;)David *******
I’m gonna tell you right now Tod is the one that helped me get here and do the right moves. He has been a lifesaver for me. I followed all of his directions and everything was smooth easy-going. I wish you luck David you’re gonna get this handled and you’re gonna learn a whole bunch from it and then you can help somebody in the future as I do now it’s not all easy to navigate unless you have someone that helps you along the way. Tod is a blessing to many.
David *********
OP@David ******
thanks. I'll let you all know how it goes in a few months time.Tod *********
I do not think you can "convert" to any visa (certainly not buy one from a consulate outside the country) because you already HAVE a visa that's valid for unlimited entry for 6 months after it was issued.
I think you will have to use the visa you have now, burn it down until you're on the last 60 day entry,
THEN if you got the bank account open, you could apply in country for the 90 day Non-O or go to a thai consulate in a nearby country and apply for a 90 day Non-O visa thru them via the eVisa online portal
I think you will have to use the visa you have now, burn it down until you're on the last 60 day entry,
THEN if you got the bank account open, you could apply in country for the 90 day Non-O or go to a thai consulate in a nearby country and apply for a 90 day Non-O visa thru them via the eVisa online portal
James ********
Thank You 👍
Tod *********
You might as well use the 6 month METV that you got seeing as it's a 200USD visa (when you buy it in the US)
It will be pretty hard to open an account on a tourist visa (probably can be done BUT you're sure gonna work at it)
IF your objective was a "retirement visa" it would have been way better for you to have gotten the 90 day Non-O visa BEFORE you came here rather than the 6 month METV because banks will let you open an account on a Non-O
It will be pretty hard to open an account on a tourist visa (probably can be done BUT you're sure gonna work at it)
IF your objective was a "retirement visa" it would have been way better for you to have gotten the 90 day Non-O visa BEFORE you came here rather than the 6 month METV because banks will let you open an account on a Non-O
James ********
The Thai Immigration Officer was correct in stamping you in for 60 days. You can get an ADDED 30 days extension at your local Thai Immigration office for 1900 Thai baht.
These are the common found requirements for the 30 days extension. Be sure you have a TM30 address registration on file with Thai Immigration.
These are the common found requirements for the 30 days extension. Be sure you have a TM30 address registration on file with Thai Immigration.
James ********
We need to clarify exactly what Thai Visa you have in your passport ... IF any.
Did you buy a Thai Visa before you entered Thailand?
You said it is a METV.... that's a multiple entry tourist visa good for entry into Thailand for 6 months from the date it was issued.
Look at the Evisa PDF you received from the Thai Embassy or Consulate after you applied for the Thai Visa. What does it say for the DATES VALID. .?
How much did you pay for the Thai Visa?
You applied for the Thai Visa from the UK Thai Embassy.
IF you in fact obtained the Non O Visa as retiree from the UK Thai Embassy... then you were stamped in for 90 days on arrival into Thailand.
Go to your local Thai Immigration office and ask them for their list of requirements for the One year extension of stay as retired.
Do you have a Thai bank account!
If not...
You will need to open a Thai bank account now AND transfer the 800,000 Thai baht required for the One year extension of stay as retired.
Did you buy a Thai Visa before you entered Thailand?
You said it is a METV.... that's a multiple entry tourist visa good for entry into Thailand for 6 months from the date it was issued.
Look at the Evisa PDF you received from the Thai Embassy or Consulate after you applied for the Thai Visa. What does it say for the DATES VALID. .?
How much did you pay for the Thai Visa?
You applied for the Thai Visa from the UK Thai Embassy.
IF you in fact obtained the Non O Visa as retiree from the UK Thai Embassy... then you were stamped in for 90 days on arrival into Thailand.
Go to your local Thai Immigration office and ask them for their list of requirements for the One year extension of stay as retired.
Do you have a Thai bank account!
If not...
You will need to open a Thai bank account now AND transfer the 800,000 Thai baht required for the One year extension of stay as retired.
David *********
OP@James *******
thanks for the quick reply, yes I paid £150 for the e-visa online from the Thai embassy in London which it says is valid from *****
/2025 until *****
//2026. Visa type is Tourist TR, number of entries is Multiple.James ********
@David ********
thanks for your helpful reply. YES you do have METV multiple entry tourist visa.AND you are wanting to get a retirement visa ...
Read the post from
@Tod ********
"You might as well use the 6 month METV that you got seeing as it's a 200USD visa (when you buy it in the US) It will be pretty hard to open an account on a tourist visa (probably can be done BUT you're sure gonna work at it)
IF your objective was a "retirement visa" it would have been way better for you to have gotten the 90 day Non-O visa BEFORE you came here rather than the 6 month METV because banks will let you open an account on a Non-O"
Bob **********
You can extend leave and get another 60 days which you can extend again and leave and re enter just before it expires you’ll need a bank account with 800k baht in it for two full months to apply for a non-o retirement visa
David *********
OP@Bob *********
I qualify for all the retirement qualifications except I don't have a Thai bank account yet as this is my first application to enter on this visa and I wish to convert it to a retirement visa.
Andrew *********
@David ********
Rental contract ?Bob **********
@David ********
unfortunately you cannot open a bank account on a tourist visa you should go to Laos and apply for a non-o visa come back open an account and transfer in your 800 k let it sit for two full months then apply one year extension
Stephen ***********
@David ********
..You can't get a bank account on a Tourist Visa anymore. You'll need to get a 90 O visa in your Home country and you will be able to get a bank account.Andrew *********
@Stephen **********
or neighbouring country.Tod *********
@David ********
why did you buy a 6 month METV if your objective was to get the 'retirement visa' ?
Henrik ***********
Tourist visa, you need a non o to make a retirement visa
Vin *********
@Henrik **********
or non oa
Dan *******
Did you show the immigration officer your documents that you got from the London Embassy?
David *********
OP@Dan ******
yes but he didn't take any notice of my printed visa nor my TDaCTod *********
@David ********
they don't care about the TDAC because it shows in their system that you filed one AND
You were clearly stamped in correctly because your entry stamp has TR in the visa class 🙂
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