Do I need to leave Thailand to activate my multi-entry tourist visa (METV)?

Visa Rules Multi-Entry Tourist Visa Visa Extension Immigration Advice Thailand Visa Exemption

Jun 9, 2024

5 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello! I applied for a 6-month multi entry TV but it didn’t get approved until after I arrived in May so got 30 day visa exempt. The reason it was delayed was they needed my entry and exit plane tickets which I submitted 3 times prior to approval.

I went to the Koh Tao immigration office to see if they can honor the visa and one of the volunteer student girls told me I have to leave the country and re-enter for it to be valid. Can anyone confirm this is accurate? My 30 days are up on June 13 so I will have to apply for an extension. It’s very frustrating to have to pay 1900 baht for 30 days when I already paid 200 USD for the ME TV and now the visa exemption is supposed to be 60 days. 

Thanks in advance for any advice or assistance!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user expressed concerns about their multi-entry tourist visa (METV) approval timing and the need to leave Thailand to activate it. Responses from the community confirmed that to use the METV, the user must exit Thailand and re-enter to initiate its validity. The importance of carrying documents related to the visa, such as the approval email and e-visa, was also emphasized. Community members suggested exiting instead of extending the current visa exemption despite the costs associated with traveling.

Tom *********

Yes they are correct you will have to leave and re-enter the country to begin your METV, why not do that instead of extending your visa exempt entry? Also the 60 day visa exempt entry you mentioned at the end of your post has not yet been finalised yet or out into place 1st June was a speculation but nothing yet.

5 months ago

Jennifer *****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tom ********

Thank you. The cost of leaving Koh Tao to travel and re-enter will far exceed the 1900 baht extension fee.

5 months ago

Tod *********

@Jennifer ****************

you're going to have to bounce out and back on that 6 month METV to use it anyway

and

all you're doing now is burning it's validity down (it's valid 6 months from the date it was issued)

so you might as well get on the visa and start using it 😉

5 months ago

Dominic ****

@Jennifer ****************

but you have to do it anyway. Why wait 30 more days and waste 1900 baht before you do it

5 months ago

Reply to

Dominic ****

Bart **************

It's accurate.

5 months ago

Wannikea *********

You must leave the country to return and activate a new tourist visa.

5 months ago

Martin *******

Go with the above plans as Visa Exemption stamps are still 30 days, the new rules have not yet come into force.

5 months ago

James ********

@Martin ******

she has the METV multiple entry tourist visa and is entitled to 60 days on each entry during the 6 months validity of the METV visa.

5 months ago

Reply to

James ********

Yes you will need to leave Thailand and re-enter to activate the METV multiple entry tourist visa.

Be sure to print out the Email you received. Show it to the Thai immigration officer on entry.

Look at the STAMP you are given in your passport to make sure it's for 60 days.

Keep a copy of the Evisa to show if ever asked.

And the METV is valid for 6 months from its ISSUE DATE. NOT 🚫 FROM THE DAY YOU ARRIVE into Thailand.

If you depart and re-enter on or before the 6 months ending date of the METV, you will be stamped in for another 60 days and that can be extended an added 30 days at your local Thai Immigration office for 1900 Thai baht.

5 months ago

Jennifer *****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@James *******

Thank you. It was issued on May 30.

5 months ago

James ********

@Jennifer ****************

it's good for entries into Thailand for 6 months from the date it was ISSUED. Look at the Evisa ending date... that's the last day you can enter Thailand and get a 60 Day STAMP. Which also can be extended for 30 ADDED days.

5 months ago

Jennifer *****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@James *******

Thank you! That is very useful. The end date is November 25, 2024.

5 months ago

James ********

@Jennifer ****************

then make sure you leave and and re-enter on or before November 25 and you will get another 60 days STAMPED. Keep a copy of the METV Evisa to show Thai immigration officer.

5 months ago

Reply to

James ********

Jason ***********

It’s accurate. Once you leave Thailand and reenter, you can start using the multi entry visa that you were approved for.

5 months ago

Reply to

Jason ***********

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