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What are my options for extending my stay in Thailand after using a METV?

METV Visa Extension Thailand Immigration Tourist Visa Visa Regulations Nomad Visa Visa Application Process

Jul 11, 2024

4 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello - looking for a gut check.

I have a METV from the US. I understand that I can make that last 9 months, with extensions and border runs. I did 1 border run and 2 extensions and then left the country in May, so I used 6 months. Now I'm planning on returning in September so I think I can use 3 more months with the last of that METV and then will have to move to another visa(hopefully the new nomad visa is available by then)

Does this sound right? Just want someone to check my work before I get to customs :')

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is seeking clarification on their options for staying in Thailand after using a METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa). They intend to return in September and are exploring their remaining options, including potential extensions and the upcoming nomad visa. The discussion includes critical points such as the expiration of the METV, the validity of entries, the necessity for border runs, and the importance of being seen as a genuine tourist to avoid denial of entry.

Andy **********

There is a use by/expiry date on a METV, what is it??

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Cole *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Andy *********

use by

****

/24

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Andy **********

the METV has a 6 months validation period, if you want to get 8 or 9 months out of it, you need to do a border bounce just before the expiry date, along with a 30 day extension at your local immigration office.

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Andy **********

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Cole *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jan *****************

date of grant is

*****

/23, so looks like it's used up. So looking at my options when I return in September: single entry visa and get 90 days, education, or wait and see if new nomad visa comes out. Right?

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Jan ******************

If you’ve stayed for 180 days in Thailand within the last 8-9 months, you could be close to a turning point as a regular tourist in Thailand for a period of time, but yes your option could be a single entry tourist visa which you could extend. For longer stay ED visa also if you plan to study and get in rolled in a school program approved by the Thai immigration. I don’t want to have any strong opinion here, but remember if you meet any difficulties you’ll almost always will manage to enter on a tourist visa by land, -unless you use the strict Poipet border in Cambodia.

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Cole *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jan *****************

could you expand on the turning point? So my multi entry is for sure done, right? But you're saying maybe even single entry wouldn't work

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Jan ******************

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Jan ******************

This is a difficult question, but there’s a limit to how long time you can stay and be going back to back on a tourist visa (and visa exemptions) and still be seen as a genuine tourist and not a person using tourist solutions for a long term stay in Thailand. Everything is in the discretion of the IO you’re standing in front of at the airport, but you’ve already spent quite long time as a tourist in Thailand in a shorter period of time. If you enter and maximise a new tourist visa in September again it would or could be 270 days within approximately twelve months and it’s starting getting excessive. That’s why I say it could be a turning point where you might risk to get questioned or even denied at an airport.

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Jan ******************

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Cole *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jan *****************

thanks for this info. With this all being said, do you have a suggestion of how to proceed? I have a conference in Chiang Mai in November and family was planning to visit me in January

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Jan ******************

I wish I could give you a straight answer, but you’re close to a limit and everything is up to the IO you’re standing in front of. Personally I would have done two preparations for myself; 1) Try to get a international flight direct to Chang Mai as they have no reported denials of entries 2) Be prepared to fly to a nearby airport and enter by a land border as they almost certainly will let you in on a tourist visa, unless you use the Poipet border.

You could try to apply for another METV. If they don’t approve it, they will only issue a single entry visa.

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Cole *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jan *****************

got it, never considered another metv. This is very helpful, appreciate you!

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Jan ******************

🤞🏻

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Jan ******************

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Henrik *****

Get the visa that will match the period, you wan’t to stay in Thailand.

But what you want, isn’t always what you can get.

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Henrik *****

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Jan ******************

Valid six months from it’s issued at your embassy/consulate. To get 9 months you’ll have to get stamped in straight before it expires and do an extension. You cant just pick 9 months you’d like to stay.

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Graham ******

You can enter Thailand up to and including the date your METV is valid until and get 60 days per entry and a 30 day extension on each if desired

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Brandon ************

When does the visa expire? That's the only thing that matters. Each time you enter Thailand before your visa expires you'll receive a 60 day tourist visa entry stamp. So look at the visa that you received from the embassy and that will tell you if you can still use your visa or not.

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Brandon ************

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