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Answered9 years ago

Is there a limit on the number of days you can stay in Thailand with 30-day exemptions and SETV/METV?

Alex ****
asked Jun 20, 2017
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Anyone knows if there is a limit on number of days in a year that u are allowed to stay in Thailand, with means of entries with 30 days extemp/ SETV/METV? Thanks in advance!
Answer summary
There is no strict official rule on the total days allowed in Thailand with 30-day visa-exempt entries or tourist visas. However, it's generally understood that you can make two land border visa exempt entries per calendar year, while there's no clear limit on entries made by air. Tourist visas like the SETV and METV allow stays of 60 days, extendable by another 30 days. Some advice suggests applying for no more than two SETVs per year to avoid complications with immigration authorities.
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Ադամ ********
Ադամ ********
You can stay until an IO says you can't. Clear as mud?
Lucian *********
Lucian *********
Somebody from a Travel Agency in Penang who organizes VISA Runs on a daily basis has told me that you can get up to 3 SETV's/year from there, on the same passport. With all the extensions that makes 9 months/year. On the other hand, the consulate in Penang told me that, because I already had 6 SETVs and 2 VOA's in my 3 yr old passport (that's an average of 2 SETV/year), I might get a red-flag the next time I apply for a SETV. This leads me to believe that, by average, 2 SETV's/year is the optimal number permitted that raises no eyebrows. (unless you have other Visa Exempt Stamps or VOA's)
Alex ****
Alex ****
OP
@Tod ********
would that be an issue or have u ever heard of one if applying for back to back METV?
Tod *********
Tod *********
@Li**
, the thai consulates have their own limit of how many tourist visas they'll sell you before they warning stamp your passport saying you can't get another visa from them.

It's why a lot of people use different consulates rather than one over and over again.
Lisa *****
Lisa *****
It sounds very much like it's up to the person in the embassy on the day.
Tod *********
Tod *********
no matter what a visa run company says, or what anyone says there still is NO official rule on how long you can be here in a period of time, how many visa exempt entries you can have by air or how many tourist visas you can get.
Ian ***************
Ian ***************
The days of staying indefinitely on back-to-back tourist visas or visa-exempt entries are OVER. If you want to stay long term, get a proper (Non-Imm) visa, which is attached to marriage (to Thai), retirement (over 50 with money), or a real job with supporting documentation.
Barry ******
Barry ******
Pick a course and study. Recommend learning thai if you're serious at living in Thailand.

Get an APEC card which gives you 90 days on arrival,

Or Thai elite visa
Robert ********
Robert ********
The Thai Elite visa is the only way to go for long-term visitors, that do not "fit in" other visa categories.
Tod *********
Tod *********
Even the big companies which used to "sponsor" people to get year-long, multi-entry Non-B visas (which you used to get for the purpose of thinking about doing business here) won't guarantee you'll get anything but a 90 day single entry Non-B now :(
Robert *******
Robert *******
I think the Thai Elite Visa is the option for those loaded youngsters. But I know, they did not win the jackpot when it comes to payments.
Tod *********
Tod *********
@Robert ******
, Sadly, there are few long term options for people who don't fit neatly into the oh-so restrictive cubby-holes to get visas & extensions to be here. :/

I can only think of the 6 month METV (for the short go) or the thai elite..
Robert *******
Robert *******
But what if you're young, hit the jackpot monthly with internet casino (or another way of income) and do not want to marry?
Tod *********
Tod *********
I agree
@L**
, If those days aren't over now, they soon will be.
Tod *********
Tod *********
There is NO official rule about it.

The only rule is you can ONLY do TWO 30 day visa exempt entries by a land border in a calendar year.

There is no official rule about how many 30 day visa exempt entries you can get by flying in.

There is also no official rule about how many tourist visas you can get in a period of time either. The thai consulates have their own rule about how many you can get from them before you get the warning stamp.
Laurence **********
Laurence **********
Tod Daniels you have more patience then my mother had, and greater knowledge then God! Maybe you are the immigration God! Thanks for what you do buddy!
Davey *******
Davey *******
Does this warning stamp mean don't come back .
Robert *******
Robert *******
Visa Exepmpt 30 days, SETV 60 days and METV 60 days on each entry. All three can be extended once with 30 days at local Immigration.

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