Unanswered4 months ago
Can I re-enter Thailand on a visa exempt after using a METV for 6 months?
If you get a 6 month METV when the 6 months runs out. & you go back to your home country. Can you re enter Thailand a couple of months later on a visa exempt for 30 days. TIA
Summary so far
The question revolves around the possibility of re-entering Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption after utilizing a 6-month Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV). The community responses indicate that re-entry may be problematic. If the full 180 days of the METV have been used, immigration may question the applicant's travel patterns and could possibly deny entry, particularly given a perceived misuse of tourist visas. Many responses suggest that obtaining a different visa, such as a Non-O visa, could be a more reliable option. Overall, while technically re-entry is possible, it carries significant risk of complications and questioning at immigration.
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Den *****
Last year I came in Oct 2025 and left in Jan 2026 after touring Thailand.. Been in my home country ever since.. Thinking of coming in October again.. Will I have an issue? Or should I get a METV? The October trip should be almost the same length of stay touring up North this time... What is the best way to come to Thailand properly? METV?
Steven ***************
It is highly doubtful immigration will let you in again. Even if you managed to get a new METV visa you would probably be denied or at least questioned on arrival. The government is cracking down on people trying to spend long time in Thailand on tourist visas. Better off exploring other visa options.
Alan *****
OPBut I never want to stay in Thailand for more than 10 weeks. Probably 10 weeks. Then a couple of 4 week trips.
Steven ***************
Alan Bow I completely understand, believe me, those of us that live here and deal with Thai Government bureaucracy and immigration on a daily basis understand your frustration all too well. But we're just telling you like it is so you don't get jammed up. There are legitimate legal options but they can be difficult to meet. The different visa options each have their requirements and unfortunately sometimes a person's individual situation and circumstances, such as age, income, savings etc. Just don't meet the requirements for the visa they want. I'll leave you with one more piece of advice, be very, very careful if you consider using the services of an agent. Your best option is look closely at the requirements for all the different visas and see what you can actuality for. Again I understand what you want to fo but the current Thai immigration doesn't consider that normal tourist behavior.
Alan *****
OPI recon when you arrive in Thailand & your going thru immigration your always best picking the line which has a Male IO. The women can be arkward.
Kool *******
Yes
Greg ***********
while you can enjoy full 6 months in Thailand every other year on a METV, there is a (non-official) limit to the amount of days on touristic stays within a rolling one-year period. I would not attempt what you intend to do. Not even a single entry 60-days tourist visa will clean your "touristic entries slate". If an Immigration officer at the border concludes that you "misuse" touristic visas or the visa-exemption system for a longstay in Thailand, he might deny entry.You would not want to end in such an awkward situation like having to hand over your passport, getting isolated in a room at the airport, having to wait -sometimes a full day - until an airline representative allows you to buy a one-way ticket back to where you came from, and having to pay extra for drinking water and 3000 Baht for a night spent in this isolation room
Robert *********
Greg Alexander every other year?
I have done it every year for many years .
But
I go to my home countryband work for 6.5 months and they can see that in my bank statments .I do 1 visa runand two extensions
I have done it every year for many years .
But
I go to my home countryband work for 6.5 months and they can see that in my bank statments .I do 1 visa runand two extensions
Greg ***********
Robert Merrell you don't do a visa run, you do a border run. And two 30-days extensions for 1900 Baht. It's a perfectly good way to hibernate in Thailand
Robert *********
Greg Alexander your right
Greg ***********
Robert Merrell is what I am saying. No problem living in Thailand for 6 months on a METV, but not without a good 5-6 months spell outside Thailand in between
Alan *****
OPBut between visits I’d be returning back to my home country & on the 3rd visit there would be at least a three month gap. Thanks for your input 🙏
Greg ***********
Alan Bow 3 months would be not enough of a gap. Should be at least 5-6 months. Then apply for another METV
Wolf ******
The 6 months METV give you only access to stay 60 days in Thailand. You have to leave and come back and get another 60 days.
If you re-enter before the validity of your METV ends, you get 60 days.
So at all you can get a maximum of 210 days and have to leave 3 time Thailand.
If you try to come back after, be prepared that officer will ask you why, as this is not a normal tourist stay.🙏
If you re-enter before the validity of your METV ends, you get 60 days.
So at all you can get a maximum of 210 days and have to leave 3 time Thailand.
If you try to come back after, be prepared that officer will ask you why, as this is not a normal tourist stay.🙏
Luc ************
If you use the full 180 days? Nope. You will need a new visa.
Mma *******
Luc De Clerck Huh? Not what he is asking.
Kevin ******
Hard to say but I would think that at the least, you’d be questioned.
Will ************
Probably not
John **********
It will be up to the immigration officer you will stand in front of but in my view it's likely you will be denied entry. You'd be better getting a proper visa such as a 90 day Non-O visa if you qualify for it
Alan *****
OPThe plan would be stay in Thailand over the winter & never more than 10 weeks at most. Then go back in the summer for no more than 30 days
Graham ******
Alan Bow so you don't need a METV, a SETV will suffice
Alan *****
OPNo I want to visit Vietnam,Laos etc
John **********
@Alan ****
you'll struggle to do that on tourist entries
Phil ******
Alan Bow VoA is 15 days mate. Do you mean without a Visa, a VISA EXEMPT? Immigration is likely to give you a hard time and deny you entry with this plan.
Alan *****
OPNo the first &2nd entries would be on the METV when that ran out I’d like to enter on. Voa. Only for a month.
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