Can you get back-to-back 6-month tourist visas for Thailand with only a few weeks apart?

January 11, 2018
7 years ago
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Has anyone had any experience getting back-to-back 6-month tourist visas with only a few weeks separation?

I had a 6-month visa last winter, returned to Canada for 3 months and got another 6-month tourist visa. That expired yesterday and now I'm back in Canada hoping to get my 3rd 6-month visa within 3 weeks. I'm hoping it's quick and easy because they collect $200 for approving it.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion centers around the feasibility of obtaining consecutive 6-month tourist visas to Thailand with minimal time in between applications. Experiences shared highlight that there may not be restrictions on reapplying for the visa immediately after the previous one expires, assuming all criteria are met. Various commenters have provided detailed insights on strategies to maximize time on these visas, including tips on extensions and border runs.
Jennifer *********
I read here recently that one could obtain a six month visa in Penang . . . . . is this verified. We are Canadian and were just talking about this.
Jennifer *********
Thanks so much Tod. It would certainly make life much easier.
Tod *********
@Jenn****
, there is some question about the proof of multiple flights they require.

The person who did get one issued from KL had 2 flights spaced out 60 days apart but they were confirmed flights and they got it.

It's real I've seen pictures of the visa. It's just that for a LONG time KL was really cranky about issuing tourist visas so people don't know they issue them and people are afraid to go there and apply and get denied.
Tod *********
You read that the 6 month METV is available in KL (y)
Ivan ************
KL not Penang
Tod *********
you cannot :/
Jeremy ********
From what the consulates in Frankfurt Germany and NYC told me there is no restrictions on the 6 month METV, you can expire on one 6 Month METV go to your home country and apply the next day to return to Thailand, there is no restrictions on how many back to back ones you acquire either...this is all assuming you meet the criteria for the 6 month METV....
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
$200 CDN is about $160 US. Good deal for us then.
Jeremy ********
@Michael *********
they all cost $200 or the equivalent in the home country currency
Jeremy ********
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
How much do 6-month METVs cost you? They're $200 Canadian.
ริค ***********
Yes I have gotten that in Toronto. Walked in dropped everything off picked up next day. Funny because no person works there. I believe the man and lady lady are Russian lol
Ivan ************
You know for future reference you can get 9 months on a "6 month tourist visa"?
Tod *********
@Dia***
, you certainly could do that if you wanted to. I was only talking about how much time in country you could wring out of a 6 month METV ..
Dianne *****
@Tod ********
With the scenario, you have described would it then be possible after those 9 months in the country, to cross a border and come back in on a 30 day visa exempt entry, extend that by a further 30 days at immigration and then repeat thus adding 4 more months to that visa?
Ivan ************
There is no 60 day extension. You get 60 days on entry, for "free". The 30 day extension inside Thailand is 1,900. Then you need to leave again- maximum you can stay on that visa in one entry is 90 days, then you need to border hop.
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I assume the 60 day extension is 2000 baht and 30 days is 1000?
Tod *********
The way to get almost 9 months out of a 6 month METV is to

-get it as close to the time you're comin' here so you don't burn up the validity of the visa not being here

Then you do this

enter get 60 days

border-bounce get 60 days

border-bounce get 60 days

just prior to the enter before date on the visa border bounce one last time getting 60 more days (taking you to 8 months)

get a 30 day extension on that last 60 days at the immigration office
Ivan ************
Like
@Do**
describes. The "6 month" refers to the validity of the visa- this is the last date you can *enter* Thailand on, not the date you need to leave by. So if you do a border run and re-enter Thailand on the very last day of your visa you will get 60 days and then can extend it by 30 at immigration inside Thailand, so 9 months total.
Dori *******
You leave again shortly before the 6 month visa expires... you have tonnage your last entry a day or a few days before the expiry date on your visa and you will get another 60 days. Then at the end of that you go to immigration and get a 30 day extension... =almost 9 month.

I got one METV in London.. after 8 month went to KL and applied for a new METV and got it. So I had two back to back. Literally. However they told me next time i would have to go back to London. I am going home for a while anyway.
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
No. How, please?
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