Should I inform Thai immigration about my approved Tourist Visa or re-enter Thailand with it later?

Visa Exempt Multi Entry Tourist Visa Thai Immigration Visa Status Change Re-entry Visa Process

August 9, 2023

a year ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello!

I spent 4 months in Thailand (visa exempt 30+30 extension x2), then had to go back to Europe. While in Europe, I applied for Multi Entry Tourist Visa. I had my flight to Thailand already booked, as stated in my visa application. The processing ended 1 day after I arrived in Thailand. So, I entered with another visa exempt, although I have a Tourist Visa fully approved now.

Should I go to immigration office to inform them I have a Tourist Visa to change status? Or should I just stay in Thailand with visa exempt, then fly out and re-enter enter using my new tourist visa?

Thank you for suggestions.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is seeking advice on whether to inform Thai immigration about their approved Multi Entry Tourist Visa (METV) after entering Thailand on a visa-exempt basis. Comments indicate that one cannot activate the unused visa while in Thailand and should leave and re-enter the country to validate the METV.

James **********

Leave and come back before the metv is invalid- easy!

You’re actually quite lucky 🍀😊

a year ago

Ellie *******

You cannot "activate" your unused visa at the immigration office inside Thailand. To be on tourist visa entry, you must leave and return to Thailand by air or land/sea (border-bounce). It's your decision when you want to do it. The clock on your METV validation is already ticking anyway. The last day you can use your METV wouldn't be changed regardless of when you bounce at the border.

a year ago

Michal ****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you! Very helpful info. Is it going to be odd for the immigration officer if I extend my visa exempt after 30 days, even though I have a METV granted? Will they have issues when I fly out on my last day of visa exempt to fly in and enter using my METV?

a year ago

Ellie *******

@Michal ***

, extension application wouldn’t be a problem.

As you have METV, you could have “buffer” for travel. No need to do border-bounce on the last day of your stay.

a year ago

Florian ***************

@Michal ***

most likely he wouldn’t even know and if he knew he wouldn’t care. And no issues with flying out on the last day and coming back with the metv.

a year ago

Reply to

Florian ***************

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