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Can I obtain three tourist visas in one year while staying in Thailand for nine months?
Thailand Visa RulesTourist VisaVisa Exempt EntryMETVImmigration AdviceVisa ExtensionDigital Nomad Visa IssuesConsulate Visa Application
Sep 5, 2019
7 years ago
Adam ****************
ORIGINAL POSTERIf I am planning on staying up to 9 months. Can I get a tourist visa then get a new one twice in a row from Vientienne? I have no stamps or visas in my passport. Does that count as my 2 tourists visas in one calendar year or has that rule been changed. I am a bit confused. I want to book my ticket and don't know what to do. Thank you
TLDR : Answer Summary
The question pertains to staying in Thailand for up to nine months using tourist visas and clarifies confusion regarding obtaining multiple tourist visas in one calendar year. It discusses options such as the Single Entry Tourist Visa, Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV), and the implications of visa exempt entries. The advice given includes checking eligibility for visas based on current immigration regulations, potential strategies for extending stays, and considerations for working online while on a tourist visa.
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Tod *********
And we are done. There is enough good advice for the O/P to figure out what they are gonna do.
Amornrat **********
there are always ways to beat the system. If you in UK try to get a SETV or METV. If you have a past history avoid entry via airport, extend. Than do 2 border run in one year. Take a look at the calendar, we already in September, if you plan ahead you can stay at least 8 -14 month without worry.
Rodd ********
@Amornrat *********
Thank you very much. That is good to know.Amornrat **********
@Rodd *******
only the land border count will reset on 1.1.2020. They write manually ****
, ****
or this year ****
, ****
. No rule re Tourist, when the Thai Embassy in Vientiane changed that "Lady" was heard shouting "ONE PER YEAR", but this is no rule. Without a remark you could apply for a second within same year, but if they approve is a different story.Rodd ********
Amornrat Mattioli do they reset everything (all visas,, tourist, etc) at end of calendar year too or is it reset from when that last visa expired? So if tourist visa expired in August, do you have to wait August 2020 to try again? And i know that there is technically no limit in Tourist Visa, but I was told by IO at DMK 1 per year...she just didnt say when that "year" is (calendar or full year from last expiration)
Amornrat **********
@Adam ***************
they link the data from old passport even if new passport is from home country.Adam ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Amornrat *********
i have a new passport and no visa border run this year i need to do border run next year. I can enter at airport?Reply to
Adam ****************
Reply
Bobby ********
@Adam ***************
. Also keep in mind that having no stamps in your current passport means nothing. Your history of visits is in the Thai immigration computer and that can work against youRobert *******
To continue: You can buy a Single Entry Tourist Visa at a Thai Consulate, which gives you 60 days of stay. This 60 days can be extended with an additional 30 days if you apply at your local immigration office, but be aware also this visa is employment prohibited.
Robert *******
it is working and not allowed without a Work Permit and a visa that allows you to work in combination with the Work Permit.
Adam ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ******
would working online based in another country be ok?Reply to
Adam ****************
Reply
Robert *******
Adam Gabriel Saint, please try to find a way to understand the Thai visa system. There is a Visa Exempt Entry which is an entry without a bought visa from a Thai Consulate and gives you 30 days of stay. You can use this stamp twice a calendar year if you enter by land borders or official unlimited by air. But as this stamp is made for short time tourist, Immigration Officers will start asking additional questions when you live and work inside Thailand using this working prohibited stamp.
Adam ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ******
i will buy a 60 day tourist visa from the uk firstReply to
Adam ****************
Reply
Adam ****************
ORIGINAL POSTERI think getting to exempts at the same embassy is difficult. I will get one exempt in laos and one in myanmar. Would that be ok do you think?
Luke *******
Try to read between the lines here. It should be OK, and may even be OK, but if the IO is having a bad day, even if you have the TV, you could be denied. It is happening occasionally and you may be unlucky.
Reply to
Luke *******
Reply
Marty *********
Also, I don’t think you are allowed to be a digital nomad without a work permit. I would limit mentioning that as much as possible.
Tod *********
@Adam ***************
you need to understand the HUGE difference between entering on a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp <- (meaning you showed up here without a visa) and were stamped in for free for 30 days. That has a limit of TWO entries by land per calendar year.AND
Entering on a valid tourist visa <- that you BUY from a thai consulate in another country before you wash up here. That gets you stamped in for 60 days when you arrive AND which technically has no limit as far as how many you can get or enter the country on..
Tod *********
@Adam ***************
STOP and listen. IF you went to Vientiane and BOUGHT a tourist visa you would be entering thailand on a valid VISA and that doesn't count towards the two 30 day visa exempt entries you can get by land in a year.Luke *******
As everyone will tell you, there is no guarantee. If you fail with the 3rd TV, you would be OK with an exempt land crossing for 30 days and extend.
Adam ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Luke ******
yes the third one is where I am not sure. Or maybe do the third in mayanmmarLuke *******
You should be able to do 1 TV from home and extend. Then 1 TV in another country and extend. You may get a third, but that is where you also may get stuck.
Luke *******
They seem to be cracking down on tourists trying to stay long term. You may be OK, but there is no guarantee.
Adam ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
vientienne gives 60 days right? Which i can extend for 30 more? Would that be ok if i did that twice in a row for my 2 exempts per year?Tod *********
@Adam ***************
, OR you could just buy a 6 month METV <- multi-entry tourist visa from the thai consulate in your country which would give you almost 9 months of stay here (in 60 day increments) and then you wouldn't need the 30 day extensions OR to go buy two more tourist visas or get 30 day visa exempt entries by border bouncing. :/Adam ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
yes that is what i plan to do. Get a tourist visa 60 days and extend it for 30. Then do two border runs to vientienne for 60 days visas which i will extend twice. Is that ok?Reply to
Adam ****************
Reply
Adam ****************
ORIGINAL POSTERI can't get a METV as it requires documents from my employer and I am currently not working. I am self employed and work online based in another country. I can't get the documents they require for METV.
Alex ***********
Adam where are you applying? I got my last METV as ‘unemployed’ with no issue
Paul ********
@Charlotte ******
I was in a similar situation, copy of tax return is sufficient; I think bank statements showing £5k over 6 months is the critical criteriaCharlotte *******
@Adam ***************
I too am self employed - I took a sabbatical in Thailand 2 years ago on an METV. If you are self employed you just need to show a tax return rather than an employer’s letter.Janos **********
@Adam ***************
in my situation I actually resign from my job when I came to Thailand on METV. I attached a letter from my employer that says I worked for them till the date I lived uk. I got the visa with no issue.Reply to
Janos **********
Reply
Jacco ***********
There is no limit to obtaining tourist visa. METV is what you should get, it can give you 270 days in thailand, you just need to do a border run every 60 days, or 90 if you extend with 30 days. Be sure to make last entry before validity date runs out, which is 180 days past the issue date
Tod *********
why not just get a 6 month METV <- multi-entry tourist visa from a thai consulate in your country BEFORE you wing your way here?
Rodd ********
On a similar note, it is tourist visa per "calendar year" as Op said or is it year since last tourist visa?
Rodd ********
@Adam ***************
Understood...but I wanted to know the details for myself as it makes a huge difference if its TV per calendar year vs a year from last TV expirationMike *******
@Rodd *******
good questionAdam ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rodd *******
i have no visas at all. Per calendar year I was asking.Reply to
Adam ****************
Reply
Rodd ********
2 tourist visa per year? i thought it was only 1
Robert *******
There is no official limit on the amount of Tourist visa you have have in your passport. Thai Consulates or Embassies are allowed to check and decide if you are a genuine tourist and sell or deny you a new Tourist visa.
Rodd ********
Dale Morton I know about the 2 visa exempts but saw op say 2 TV per year and was curious. No rule on how many TV but i havent heard of anyone recently being allowed 2 per year. The more I think i know...the less I actually know.
Dale ********
@Rodd *******
you are thinking of 2 visa exempts in one year. Not tourist visa. There is no rule on howMany tourist visas you can get in a row.
Reply to
Dale ********
Reply
Robert *******
it depends on what your purpose of stay is, but i suggest to get the Multiple Entry Tourist visa before you make your way into Thailand. This visa is valid for 6 months and on each entry you get 60 days of stay. if you plan correctly you can get almost 9 months of stay inside Thailand to visit all the touristic places.
Reply to
Robert *******
Reply
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