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What are my options for extending my Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (ME-TR) in Thailand without quarantine upon re-entry?

Multiple Entry Tourist VisaME-TRVisa ExtensionThailand ImmigrationRe-entryTravel Restrictions
Jan 5, 2022
3 years ago
Eric *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
In need of some advice!

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→Current situation: I am an American currently in Thailand on a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (ME-TR). I have been here just over 2 months (I recently extended the visa another 30 days at BKK immigration). My visa now expires January 30.

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Originally, my plan was to fly back to the US for Christmas and come back to Thailand around the first week of January. However, I decided to abandon this plan when the government announced the suspension of the Test & Go scheme.

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Now I'm trying to figure out the best course of action. I understand I need to leave the country by the end of this month (or change to another visa), but if I try to re-enter Thailand I will have to deal with the quarantine or Phuket Sandbox, which is a cost and a headache I really wanted to avoid.

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1. If I fly to a nearby country (like Laos or Cambodia) and then come back to Thailand one day later, will that cause me a problem with immigration? I DO already have a Multiple Entry Tourist visa, but I'm not sure if they dislike this kind of behavior.

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2. Following up on #1 – which country would you recommend?

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3. Any other advice for me in this situation?

Thanks!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking advice on how to manage their Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (ME-TR) in Thailand, which is set to expire at the end of the month. They planned to leave Thailand for Christmas but are reconsidering due to new entry restrictions. They pose questions about the feasibility of leaving to nearby countries like Laos or Cambodia and returning immediately, as well as the potential risks with Thai immigration, and are looking for general advice on their situation.
Tod *********
@Eric *********
 your METV is valid for 6 months from the date it's issued. That is either printed on the visa sticker OR on the paper they emailed you if you have an eVISA <- and IF you have an eVisa you NEED that paper to show the validity of the visa.

During that 6 months you can enter/exit an unlimited amount of times AND as long as you meet the entry requirements in place at that time you'll get stamped in for 60 days each entry.

Most people (pre-covid shit show) routienely got 9 months out of a 6 month METV, by bouncing out and back just before the visa sticker expired getting that final 60 day entry and then extending that for 30 days for 1900baht at the immigration office.
3 years ago
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Eric *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 Thank you for this detailed response. Just one clarification if you don't mind – Is the METV valid for 6 months from when it was approved and emailed to me (for me this was October 10) or from when I entered Thailand (November 1). Thanks
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@Eric *********
 definitely the 6 months doesn't start when you ENTER the country, but look on your paper to see what the valid until date is
3 years ago
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Eric *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
AHHH I see. Thank you guys!
3 years ago
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Marguyvin **********
@Eric *********
 This is where to find the date on your sticker in your passport:
3 years ago
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Marguyvin **********
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Tod *********
@Eric *********
 look at the paper you printed off when you got the email saying you were approved, the one you showed passport control when you stamped in. That IS your visa

it should be written on there as two dates, the date of issue and "enter before" or "valid until"

like this
3 years ago
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Marguyvin **********
@Eric *********
 Neither of those. The date to focus on is the one that says ENTER BEFORE. That is the last day you can use the METV. After that date, you would need a new visa (or arrive visa exempt depending if your passport country is allowed to do that...USA is allowed).
3 years ago
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Marguyvin **********
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Marguyvin **********
How much longer is your ME-TR valid for? It might not be worth the hassle exiting. A Covid extension only costs 1900THB and gives you 60 more days in-country.
3 years ago
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Benjamin ******
@MarGuyvin **
 I would guess his METV is valid for another 4 months since the METV is valid for6 months and he’s been here about 2 months now.
3 years ago
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Eric *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
 Someone told me (in this group I think) that as long as I ENTER before the 6 months is up, I can stay for a full 90 days more (60+30). This means if I arrive back in Thailand on the 5 month and 29th day, I can stay for up to an additional 90 days, bringing the TOTAL time to nearly 9 months. Can anyone confirm this?
3 years ago
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Marguyvin **********
@Eric *********
 This sounds correct. METV has unlimited ins/outs during its validity. The challenge right now is it is not easy to border hop. So you have uncertainty of time/money/rule-changes. If you're okay to roll dice on that...by all means travel onward. If not, why not stay put another 60 days to "wait and see" what plays out after January? You can do a lot worse than be in Thailand another 2 months. ;)
3 years ago
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Eric *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@MarGuyvin **
 I would like to stay in Thailand, but I'm afraid if I take advantage of the 60-day "Covid Extension" it will invalidate my current visa.
3 years ago
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Benjamin ******
@Eric *********
 your visa will still be valid even if you take the 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19
3 years ago
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Marguyvin **********
@Eric *********
 I think
@Tod ********
 or other mods can answer accurately. But I believe covid extension only cancels your ability to convert to other types of "in-country" visas. Covid extension just gives you more time to stay here. If you leave, and your METV is still valid...you should be able to use it to enter. That is...unless for some stupid reason they announce all METVs are no longer usable. I doubt they will do that.
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@MarGuyvin **
 what controls if you can get an in country Non-Immigrant visa is the entry stamp you came in on not the covid extension.

The O/P's METV will still be valid IF they get a 60 day covid extension and as long as they exit/re-enter before the visa (sticker or paper) runs out they'd get stamped in for another 60 days
3 years ago
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Marguyvin **********
@Tod ********
 Thanks for the clarification. So
@Er**
, it sounds like your METV is in no kind of jeopardy if you extend 60 days more under the covid extension program. You just need to decide how much time/money/hassle you want to deal with if you would rather move onward to a neighboring country(Cambodia?) and return before your METV sticker expires.
3 years ago
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Marguyvin **********
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Eric *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
good question – I've only been stamped in once so far, so I'm assuming that means I can get stamped in two more times?
3 years ago
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Eric *****
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Robert *******
According the visa you have to leave before the date mentioned in the stamp permitted to stay until xx/xx/xx.

You can fly to any country and come back to use this METV again (as long as it is before the valid until date) to get another 60 days BUT you have to meet the entry requirements from the other country as wel as on return to Thailand. At this time it means doing the 7 days sandbox scheme.
3 years ago
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Robert *******
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