Is a border hop required during the 180 days with a Thai Multiple Entry Tourist Visa from South Africa?

Thailand Visa Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV)Visa Rules Expat Information Immigration Retirement Visa BORDER BOUNCE South African Embassy

April 17, 2023

a year ago

Evelyne **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

South African Embassy not issuing any visas currently and non immigrant retirement o-visas are not available to S.AFRICANS, only O-A.  Embassyhere not responding to ph call or answering emails.  One has to deal with VFSGlobal now. VFS Global offer S.A.  Multiple Entry Tourist visa valid for entering Thailand once within six months from the date of theissuance of the visa.  The period of stay is 180 maximum. My question is then, once in Thailand there would  not be a need to exit and renter within those 180 days (border hop) ?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The South African Embassy is currently not issuing any visas, and South Africans can only apply for the O-A retirement visa. The VFS Global offers a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) for South Africans, which allows entry into Thailand multiple times over six months. Each entry provides a 60-day stay, which can be extended for another 30 days at an immigration office. To maintain legal status beyond this period, border hopping is necessary after each 60-day stay to refresh the visa allowance.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement 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.

James ********

The METV multiple entry tourist visa is valid for 6 months from its date of issue.

You're stamped in for 60 days on arrival into Thailand...

PLUS you can get one 30 day extension of stay at Thai Immigration office for 1900 Thai baht.

AND/OR...

You can LEAVE THAILAND and REENTER Thailand with a New 60 day stamp .. with another 30 day extension of stay if you choose.

With planning you can get up to 9 months stay in Thailand with a couple simple BORDER BOUNCE depart and re-enter Thailand.

a year ago

John **********

A multiple entry tourist visa does not give 180 days. It gives 60 days every time you enter which can be extended by 30 days at an immigration office then you must leave and re-enter

a year ago

Reply to

John **********

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Is there a recent change to the Multi-Entry Tourist Visa for Thailand?

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