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How often do I need to renew my visa in Thailand after receiving a short-term visa instead of a DTV?
Visa RenewalDTV VisaMultiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV)Thailand Visa RulesImmigration Process in ThailandVisa ApplicationExpat Visa Issues
Apr 22, 2025
a year ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERThey rejected my DTV and gave me only half a year instead of five years - out of compassion. How often do I need to renew my visa at immigration - every 30, 60, or 90 days?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user received a multiple entry tourist visa (METV) with a validity of six months instead of the desired five-year DTV visa. They are inquiring about the renewal frequency for their visa. According to comments, a METV generally allows a 60-day stay initially, which can be extended by 30 days at an immigration office. After this period, the visa holder must leave Thailand and re-enter to receive another 60-day stay, effectively allowing for potential stays of up to nine months if managed correctly. Several commenters noted the importance of meeting financial requirements for visa applications, which may have contributed to the user's unsuccessful DTV application.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Excelle********
But the rules says 500,000 baht in account for 6 months. I can see why they denied you. I know a couple of people with having funds shorter term. But if you want no problems and higher success then season your money for 3-6 months. It’s not that hard. 2 days before statement cut off transfer the money into your account. Then transfer it the day after the statement date.
Excelle********
ExcellentTravel plus if you transfer from investment account did you show them that account in the interview with the money being transferred to checking
Reply to
Excelle********
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Kool *******
This is very strange as you can only get a metv in your passport country, not in the countries surrounding Thailand, unless you have permanent residency in writing in that country.
Charles **********
I don't understand this post
Greg ********
@Charles *********
DTV rejected and they gave him a METV (Multi Entry Tourist Visa) with 6 months validity. There has been a few postings of this happening in Japan but first one I have seen in Laos. It is usually down when Embassy assesses the soft power could be done on a 6 month METV. Often a short cookery course or a few medical appointments.Charles **********
@Greg *******
that's pretty crazy and unfairGreg ********
@Charles *********
He just posted it was because his funds were only in account 3 days and they did not beleive they were his.Charles **********
I had those funds in my account 2 days before only, he should have applied in vietnam
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Charles *********
Vietnam embassy already blocked my soft power company apply visa. So only left laos and Cambodia. Laos reject and tell me come back after 3 months and do not touch the 500,000 THB MoneyCharles **********
Anonymous participant Should have reapplied in vietnam under muay thai soft power
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Charles *********
can you recommend witch company? Because i am afraid will rejected again and waist my time and money, lilenlast time at laos Vientiane.Charles **********
Anonymous participant PhuketKing is the one I used and great Muay Thai school. Make sure they send business reg docs also was 15k baht when I applied and you should get like 12 pages in documents from them combine into one PDF. I would apply in Vietnam Hanoi or ho chi min city
Greg ********
@Charles *********
Yes it seems to be embassy dependent and I suspect they are tightening up currently. Some are having the funds supplied for them as a paid service.Reply to
Greg ********
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Urs ********
@Charles *********
me not either. He refuses to answer questions from people who want to help him.Reply to
Urs ********
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Karl ********
Is it possible you applied for the wrong visa? Sounds like you applied for a multiple entry tourist visa instead of the DTV visa.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Karl *******
I applied for a 5-year DTV, but since I transferred the money three days before the interview, they rejected the DTV, gave me only six months, called me a liar, and said they didn’t believe the money was mine because it arrived just a few days before. In reality, I withdrew it from long-term investments for the DTV, but it didn’t matter because they didn’t believe me.David ********
Anonymous participant were you able to present a paper trail from your long term account?? I sold a house, transferred money and applied next day. But I explained where $ came from with paper trail.
I also only had 1 month Muay Thai booked.
Not Laos though.
I also only had 1 month Muay Thai booked.
Not Laos though.
Greg ********
Anonymous participant Wow - first time I have heard that mentioned.
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Greg ********
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Anonymous ******************
@Karl *******
It is now common to receive other types of visas instead of the DTV if the initial requirements aren't fullfiled.Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 621 I applied for a 5-year DTV, but since I transferred the money three days before the interview, they rejected the DTV, gave me only six months, called me a liar, and said they didn’t believe the money was mine because it arrived just a few days before. In reality, I withdrew it from long-term investments for the DTV, but it didn’t matter because they didn’t believe me.
Karl ********
Anonymous participant where did you apply, and did you attend an interview?
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Karl ********
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Kevin ********
Did you have the soft power option booked with proof? And how long was the booking for?
Greg ********
I doubt any compassion was involved.
Tim ***********
Read under my post. He was in Laos. He had an interview for sure
Andi ***********
@Greg *******
sympathy?Greg ********
@Andi **********
Embassy would not issue METV instead of a DTV out of compassion. These decisions are technical or process orientated. Embassy would be interesting. We know Japan has done this a few times.Anonymous ******************
@Greg *******
that’s correct. They issued the visa they deemed appropriate based on his application.Andi ***********
@Greg *******
You correct, my UK sarcasm got the better of me..Reply to
Andi ***********
Reply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andi **********
Tourist TRAndi ***********
Anonymous participant ok, that is a tourist visa sounds like you have the METV 6 months with multi entry, you can get around 9 months out of that.
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Andi ***********
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Dany ********
after 60 days for +30 days. then leave and re-enter. if this is a METV
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Dany *******
Tourist TRDany ********
Anonymer Teilnehmer yes… metv = multi entry tourist visa.
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Dany ********
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Tim ***********
Please give us more information:
- Where did you apply for your DTV ?
- What is your passport nationality ?
- Soft Power or Remoter Worker ?
- Exact name of the Visa they gave you instead ?
- Do you have a Thai Visa history ?
- 500k in Cash on bank or Revolut or Bitcoin ?
To analyse what was the exact reason we need more input. Maybe you chose the wrong Consulat or did other unfavourable things
- Where did you apply for your DTV ?
- What is your passport nationality ?
- Soft Power or Remoter Worker ?
- Exact name of the Visa they gave you instead ?
- Do you have a Thai Visa history ?
- 500k in Cash on bank or Revolut or Bitcoin ?
To analyse what was the exact reason we need more input. Maybe you chose the wrong Consulat or did other unfavourable things
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tim **********
laos apply, Tourist TR, come to soft power, 500k bank accountQub *****
They gave you tourist visa instead of DTV soft power, thats actually quite common if your course or treatment is for 6 months or less.
It would be more helpful If you could answer all Tim's questions
It would be more helpful If you could answer all Tim's questions
Greg ********
@Qub ****
99% of peoples soft power is for less than 6 months when they apply in Vientiane and elsewhere. A tiny minority have received METVQub *****
@Greg *******
I wouldn't really complain if they would give me 6 months visa for 5months of MuayThai training. From the point of the embassy employee it makes sense and most likely he thought it is sufficient. I don't think he did it with bad intentions... Also understand that the Anonymous author expected something else. Still it is far cheaper option than ED visa. Good luck next time.
There are many things we dont know, left unanswered or unclear.
Reply to
Qub *****
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Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant How long was the 500k in the account for?
Tim ***********
I assume you were in Vientiane and had an interview. Could it be that the interview went badly?
Oswald *******
@Tim **********
It went off the rails....Reply to
Oswald *******
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Anonymous ******************
They gave you a multiple entry tourist visa, because that’s what they saw fit based on your application. Which embassy was this?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 326 Vientiane laos
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant may I ask your nationality? Also, did you submit 3 full months of bank statements showing a consistent balance of 500,000 THB maintained throughout that period?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 326 Russia nationality, send bank statements for all requirements, chai.
Reply to
Anonymous *************
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Andi ***********
Where did you apply ? You have a METV - multi entry visa? if so you will get a 60 day stay which can be extended for 30 more. When you leave and reenter you get another 60 days. You can get close to 9 months from this visa.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andi **********
apply laosAndi ***********
Anonymous participant ok, you applied for Softpower?
Reply to
Andi ***********
Reply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andi **********
multi entry, ChaiAnonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant Tourist TR
Andi ***********
Anonymous participant ok, so you can stay max 3 mths then leave and renter for another 3 months
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andi **********
I don’t understand why DTV visa holders must visit immigration every 90 days, but six-month tourist visa holders don’t. It’s a mystery I’m trying to figure out because I don’t want to get kicked out of Thailand after my six months for not visiting immigration at all.Andi ***********
Anonymous participant if you stay 90 days consecutively with the majority of visas you must report your stay to immigration. With the METV there is a 90 day limit of stay then you must leave and reenter. You can not stay 6 months non stop with METV, 90 days at most. You will visit immigration at the 60 day mark on your METV to get a 30 day extension
James ********
@Andi **********
on entry Gets 60 day STAMP... plus one 30 day extension of stay at local Thai Immigration office for 1900 Thai baht.Andi ***********
@James *******
yes..thats rightReply to
Andi ***********
Reply
Calvin ******
If it’s the METV, it’s up to 60 days with the opportunity to apply for extension, for additional 30 days at an IO.
Why did they refuse your DTV? What passport do you have?
Why did they refuse your DTV? What passport do you have?
Anonymous ******************
What kind of visa did they give to you? METV?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 621 Tourist TR
James ********
Anonymous participant but with a 6 months validity... which means they gave you a METV multiple entry tourist visa. With planning you can get up to 9 months stay with two simple border bounces.
Reply to
James ********
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 621 e-visa
Andy ************
Anonymous participant Most visas are e-visas. Which is yours specifically?
Reply to
Andy ************
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