Answered7 years ago
How can a US citizen extend their stay in Thailand beyond a METV and should they apply for an ED Visa?
Curious about how I might be able to stay in Thailand longer. Here are my details.
US citizen.
Came to BKK in late April on 30 day Visa on Arrival. Towards the end of the 30 days, I got the 30 day extension at immigration. I stayed about 25 of the 30 allotted extra days before returning home to the USA in June.
I enjoyed my first trip and wanted a longer trip. I applied for the METV in Los Angeles and received that. I came back to Thailand in July and have until mid January on my current METV.
I feel that if it were possible, I'd like to stay beyond that. Just haven't gotten to do everything I wanted to do. I was thinking that an ED Visa would be the way to go.
I was wondering about the likelihood of being approved or denied for an ED Visa since I will have been here for more than 6 months of 2019. I also wondered about the proper timing of the ED Visa application. Should I wait until my METV runs out in January? Should I go out of the country in 2019, then apply for the ED Visa in the first few weeks of 2020? Any difference?
Am I making a big deal of nothing? Might any answers given today change by year's end? Just looking for the best plan.
In addition to the above visits I came to Thailand in December of 2014 and 2018 for 1-2 weeks.
Thanks and gratitude for your help!
US citizen.
Came to BKK in late April on 30 day Visa on Arrival. Towards the end of the 30 days, I got the 30 day extension at immigration. I stayed about 25 of the 30 allotted extra days before returning home to the USA in June.
I enjoyed my first trip and wanted a longer trip. I applied for the METV in Los Angeles and received that. I came back to Thailand in July and have until mid January on my current METV.
I feel that if it were possible, I'd like to stay beyond that. Just haven't gotten to do everything I wanted to do. I was thinking that an ED Visa would be the way to go.
I was wondering about the likelihood of being approved or denied for an ED Visa since I will have been here for more than 6 months of 2019. I also wondered about the proper timing of the ED Visa application. Should I wait until my METV runs out in January? Should I go out of the country in 2019, then apply for the ED Visa in the first few weeks of 2020? Any difference?
Am I making a big deal of nothing? Might any answers given today change by year's end? Just looking for the best plan.
In addition to the above visits I came to Thailand in December of 2014 and 2018 for 1-2 weeks.
Thanks and gratitude for your help!
Answer summary
A US citizen currently in Thailand on a METV is seeking advice on extending their stay beyond the current visa expiration in January. They previously extended a Visa on Arrival and highlighted their experience visiting Thailand multiple times. Comments suggest that while it's possible to extend the stay by exiting and re-entering the country before the METV expires, applying for an ED Visa may be risky if the intent is solely to prolong the stay without genuine educational purposes. Some responses encourage considering an Elite Visa for longer stays, while others emphasize the increasing scrutiny on visa applications for long-term stays without proper justification.
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Jeremy ********
Have you ever looked into the Elite Visa?
Ryan ****
OP@Jeremy *******
I have, but don't need 5 years. Just wanting about 1 uninterrupted year. Would happily pay 3k for that, but 15k for the 5 year not quite a fit for me.
Robert *******
yes, you make a big deal out of it. It is well known that living the dream inside Thailand using Visa Exempt Entry, Tourist Visa and Non Immigrant ED visa (all employment prohibited) gets more difficult. For young people, not doing any work, not married to a Thai, no children there are not much visa options. Bit the bullet to get the visa you need or play the game, but have a plan B available.
Ryan ****
OPAlso wondered if my out/ins every two months should be via international flights? I've done one land border run but you hear those are frowned upon as well.
Benjamin ******
People who are here as a tourist and people who are here to learn are different people. If you are here to learn, you will only have time to travel during the weekends, so keep that in mind if you want an ED visa.
Ryan ****
OP@Tod ********
ahh understood.Ryan ****
OPBy out in I'm referring to having to leave Thailand every 60 days for the duration of the 6 month METV.
I am here as a tourist and happily taking it in and spending money.
At the end of my current 60 days I'm planning to go be a tourist in Vietnam for a week before coming back as Thailand is my home base of my tour. Hopefully that's no problem at the airport.
I'm also here to learn and if afforded the opportunity could become a student and the ED Visa would fit my reasons for being here.
Sounds like just follow the rules for application and hope for the best.
I am here as a tourist and happily taking it in and spending money.
At the end of my current 60 days I'm planning to go be a tourist in Vietnam for a week before coming back as Thailand is my home base of my tour. Hopefully that's no problem at the airport.
I'm also here to learn and if afforded the opportunity could become a student and the ED Visa would fit my reasons for being here.
Sounds like just follow the rules for application and hope for the best.
Bobby ********
@Ryan ***
. There is actually only one thing which is frowned upon and that is not having the correct visa for your intention to be in Thailand. Yes, they get shitty with people who think they are smart by using a variety of methods to circumnavigate their system. If you follow their rules you should have no problem, although you can always strike one cranky IO who got out of bed the wrong side. Doing a land border crossing carries less risk as @T**
has said. Worse case scenario if you are refused entry, better to be sent back into Laos etc, than be detained at an airport and sent back to country of originTod *********
@Ryan ***
, just make sure you're bouncing at a "friendly border" (there are some land crossings you just avoid) and you won't have any problems bouncing out/back at all on your METV.Tod *********
whoever told you land bounces are frowned upon doesn't know their ass from their elbow. You have a far easier chance of getting in on a bounce out and back by land than you do flying out and in by air on an METV.
Benjamin ******
What do you mean by "out/ in" every two months mean?
Jeremy ********
If you do an Out/In prior to your METV expiring you get 60 more days then you can pay ฿1,900 at immigration for a 30 day extension...during that 30 day period go to different language schools and take advantage of their free class prior to commitment...Ed visa paperwork takes approximately 30 days to complete....
Ryan ****
OP@Jeremy *******
I see. So get the full benefit of my current METV before trying for something else? Sounds like I could potentially get to April if I do an out in in January, receive 60 days before expiration, then do a 30 day extension.Tod *********
You can wring almost 9 months of stay out of the 6 month METV you have IF you play the dates correct bouncing in and out and get a 30 day extension on the last 60 day entry (taking you to 9 months).
The question is are you thinking about an ED visa to actually study something OR are you thinking about an ED visa to just further your stay here. More and more consulates are denying people ED visas if they have a history of living in thailand on visa exempt or tourist visa entries before they decided to switch to an ED visa.
I'd say go back to your country and get another 6 month METV. To make sure you don't get questioned when you fly in, DON'T fly into thailand, but instead fly into Malaysia and enter the country on your valid 6 month METV by a land border (where there isn't the scrutiny you get entering by air).
The question is are you thinking about an ED visa to actually study something OR are you thinking about an ED visa to just further your stay here. More and more consulates are denying people ED visas if they have a history of living in thailand on visa exempt or tourist visa entries before they decided to switch to an ED visa.
I'd say go back to your country and get another 6 month METV. To make sure you don't get questioned when you fly in, DON'T fly into thailand, but instead fly into Malaysia and enter the country on your valid 6 month METV by a land border (where there isn't the scrutiny you get entering by air).
Mark ***********
Not sure about land borders either, had nothing but hassle everytime and had all necessary documents and requirements to enter. Grilled every time. On the other hand, never had a problem when flying in. I guess its totally down to the IO as always if you have all the correct requirements.
Ryan ****
OP@Tod ********
if I legit wanted to study Thai whilst being emerged in the culture for longer, would I have a shot at the ED Visa? Would being denied for an ED Visa increase likelihood of being denied METV? I've heard back to back METV is also frowned upon. Might I be denied METV if I try for a second one in a row?Activity
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