Can I use a Visa on Arrival and then later apply for a METV visa for a longer stay in Thailand?

May 25, 2024
6 months ago
Stanley ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi 😊 I’m probably in unpleasant situation now . I applied for METV visa at the moment because I forget to do it earlier. My flight to Thailand is in one week 31th May . I have no idea if my visa will be ready 🫣. Question is … if not and I arrive and use visa on arrival. Can I later do visa run after 30+30 day extension and then show them METV visa and get proper stamp for 60 days ? Thank you very much
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is concerned about the readiness of their METV visa application before their flight to Thailand. They wonder if they can use a Visa on Arrival if the METV is not ready in time, and if they can subsequently do a visa run to upgrade to the METV for a 60-day stay. Community comments provide insights on the visa policies, noting that Visa on Arrival allows for only 15 days, and that one can apply for the METV after arriving in Thailand if necessary.
Christopher ********
Did you apply online for the visa because if you do the email it to you..
Stanley ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
yes i applied online 😊 because i don't have another option. Specifically to Vienna embassy. Hopefully there will be no problems when i will cross border later with this visa after i already was in Thailand on my visa exemption + 30 day extension
Nongnuch ********
@Stanley *****
there won't be any issues. Make sure you have printed out the .pdf Tourist Visa and show it to the Immigration officer upon re-entry, along with your passport. You will get stamped a 60 days stay permit, which can be extended for 1900.- THB on Immigration for 30 more days
Brandon ************
It depends on if you're from a country whose passport is eligible for visa exempt.

Visa on arrival is only 15 days and you pay for it and apply at the airport so I don't think you're talking about that.

If your embassy issues your visa after you're already in Thailand, it will still be valid and you can use it by leaving and then entering Thailand.
Stanley ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
yeah my mistake those are not visa on arrival. I can stay there for 30 days without a visa . So visa exemption. I think it’s not that bad situation after all . But I will lose my one extra month so I can stay 8 months not full 9 months πŸ˜“
Stanley ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yeah that’s nice 😊 but I send it this Friday at evening. And I need it next Friday 🫒 . Of course they have holiday at Thursday πŸ˜‚ I’m so unlucky. I saw most of the time they can handle it in 3-10 business days πŸ˜‚ unless they will require some extra documents. This is very clutch πŸ˜‚
Nongnuch ********
@Stanley *****
let me tell you something. Don't panick because your METV hasn't been issued, yet. Embassies and consulates, who are using the E-visa online system, usually wait until a date very close to the departure date you entered into your E-visa application. They do so, because the 6-months visa validity of a METV begins on the day of issue. They will make sure you don't loose more days than necessary, from the visa validity. They are aiming at saving you the maximum number of days, by issuing the visa as close as possible before your flight date
Shaughn ***********
@Stanley *****
to be safe make sure you do a land border bounce with a border run company when you are about to do your last entry just before the visa expiration date. At that time you are likely to be over 180 days in country recently due to coming in prior on exempt. The Bangkok airports have seemed to be getting strict in that area.
Peter ****************
@Stanley *****
I think when you arrive on visa exemption 30 days and somewhat later y'r visa arrives, you maybe also can do an extension of 30 days first and then leave and come back. Y'r visa is 90 days valid for coming into the country. You have to calculate a bit if this maybe delivers some extra time for you.
Brandon ************
@Stanley *****
you'd still be in Thailand the same amount of time, you just wouldn't use the visa as much
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