Answered9 years ago
What are the actual requirements for obtaining a long-term visa to stay in Thailand for 6 months?
So I'm wanting to come to Thailand for at least 6 months possibly longer and I've been looking into visas but as far as I can tell in required to provide 6 months of bank statements showing a minimum balance of $7000 a month which I definitely don't have and also proof of employment which I won't have considering I'll be gone for at least 6 months. Am I reading this correctly or do I have bad information? This seems really strict.
Answer summary
The inquiry revolves around the perceived strict requirements for obtaining a long-term visa for Thailand, specifically the requirement for six months of bank statements demonstrating a minimum balance of $7000 each month. However, responses indicate that this information may be misinterpreted, as documentation expectations can vary between consulates. Many users suggest that only a single bank statement showing a total minimum of $7000 is typically necessary. They also point out that the Single Entry Tourist Visa (SETV) might be a more feasible option, which allows an initial 60 days with a possible extension and the option to renew by traveling to neighboring countries. Additionally, various personal experiences illustrate the lower cost of living in Thailand, contrasting with the financial requirements stated.
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Aya *******
Just applied for a multiple visa in NY. I only gave them one bank statement for last month and he seemed ok with that. I don’t think u need to show 6 bank statements.
Terary **********
Kelly, I have been here a couple years already using Single Entry Tourist Visa. Every three months I leave the country to get a new one. There are several services to help you if you choose that route. Try not to over think things - it's pretty easy to stay in Thailand. If you are coming from the US please bring me starburst. Enjoy the land of smiles
Johnsuma ******
by the way, are you working ? ....
Joe ***********
I've not heard the 6 months of bank statements before.... All three sites have that rule?
Brad *********
Different countries have different rules. You need to check with the consolate/Embasy you'll be applying for the visa at for their requirements.
Jason ******
You don't need the Multi Entry Tourist Visa. Just get the Single Entry. You still get 90 days total. If you want to stay in Thailand for 6 months, then the only difference is after the first 90 days, instead of just leaving/re-entering the same day on the same visa, you just take 2 days of your time to go to the Thai consulate in Cambodia or Laos and apply for another Single Entry Tourist Visa and come back for the remainder of your planned trip.
Jason ******
@Robert ***********
Also me as I have experience everything pertaining to Tourist Visas in Thailand with over 10 Visa exemptions by air and 6 Tourist Visas.Robert ********
Many visitors end up staying longer than planned :-)
Robert ********
@Kelley *********
Follow the visa advise offered by @Leo ****
and @Robert ******
(and Tod) and you will not go wrong.
Kelley **********
OPOk great information thank you but I will likely end up staying longer than 6 months just not sure yet
Robert ********
The OP stated a minimum of 6 months, possibly longer...
Jason ******
If someone plans to to stay in Thailand for 9 months then the Multi Entry is more convenient. But as OP only wants to stay for 6 months, two single entry visas would work. and also gives a chance to spend 2 days to see another country.
Lots of people confuse the METV thinking it allows them to stay put in Thailand for 6 months without leaving, but both Visas require you to leave after 90 days (of course after you pay for the extension at immigration), so the only difference someone will save is the extra 2 days spent applying for a new Visa at the embassy.
Lots of people confuse the METV thinking it allows them to stay put in Thailand for 6 months without leaving, but both Visas require you to leave after 90 days (of course after you pay for the extension at immigration), so the only difference someone will save is the extra 2 days spent applying for a new Visa at the embassy.
Robert *******
I hope you mean before the last day of the 60 days stay you visit Immigration and apply for a 30 day Extension of Stay. After this stay go abroad and repeat the same.
Robert *******
The financial requirement is minimum $7000, Thailand is not as cheap anymore as many people think. I think that it is really a minimum if you want to stay 6 months or even longer. With the Tourist Visa you can not work here to gain some extra income.
Kelley **********
OPYes I know I've been to Thailand many times just never stayed put there long enough to need more than a 30 day visa. Thank you though for the advice.
Stéfan ********
Kelley Houghton life in Thailand is much cheaper than the people pretend. There are lots of condos for rent around 300 usd per month, some will even have a pool for that price. Most people that stay for a few months easily find a room for about 200 per month, including cable TV and internet access. Forget about the ridiculous 1000 baht per day for a room. I even rented a 4-bedroom house for 120 per month when I was living in Chiang Mai. Thai food is cheap... 1-2$ per meal... There are entire buffets for $4-5. A large beer will set you back 2-3$... Same for services such as fitness centers and swimming pools.
Johnsuma ******
yes, sorry i was thinking in thai so my mistake.
Robert ********
@Parmentier *****
That is why I always quote "US$" or "Bt"...if you just state 40.000 it is confusing to understand what currency you are talking about!
Terry **********
@Parmentier *****
correctJohnsuma ******
a big spender ! is it a joke, we need between 80, 000 and 120, 000 bahts by months.
Oh yes its BAHTS not Us Dolars. lol
Oh yes its BAHTS not Us Dolars. lol
Robert ********
@Parmentier *****
must be a really BIG spender ;-)Kelley **********
OPOk thank you for the information that's really helpful! Also not sure what
*****
by months means either...Robert ********
What is 40,000 by months???
Johnsuma ******
So its about 40.000 Bahts by months, far not enough if you cannot legally work, and in case of accidents or medical problem (ok its happen only to other!) you will be on a BIG trouble. Up to you.
Robert ********
Yes, it states a minimum of US$ 7,000...not per month.
Robert *******
@Kelley *********
Consulate in Los Angeles only ask for: • Bank statement showing a minimum of US$7,000 Their website: ******************************************************************
Kelley **********
OPYes I understand that but the way it was worded sounded like they wanted my last 6 months of bank statements showing a minimum balance of $7000 each of the last 6 months which I didn't have every month.
Robert ********
@Kelley *********
even the most basic of clean hotels will cost you minimum Bt.1,000+ / night unless you stay in a shared dormitory style room at a guest house.Robert ********
Incidentals = visa runs plus extras ;-)
Robert *******
You forget the visa runs.
Robert ********
Hotel rooms, food & drinks, transportation & incidentals, will surely cost a lot more than $7,000 over 6 months!
Ian ***************
The METV requirements are indeed strict and (opinion) highly unrealistic, but requirements do vary at some embassy/consulates. A Single (SETV) is way easier to get (you're from USA?) which gives you a 60-day entry then can extend 30 days at immigration. Then go to Thai consulate in Vientiane, Penang, etc. and get another SETV and repeat. Total 6 months, use that time to consider longer term options.
Graham *******
Smart
Tod *********
What consulate would you be applying for the 6 month METV at? Those are the requirements for it at most places but not all of them
Kelley **********
OPOk well LA is much closer to me anyways 🙂 thank you!
Tod *********
@Kelley *********
you can't get a 6 month METV from either consulate in Texas anymore. :/ You can only get them at the thai consulates in Chicago, LA, Washington DC or New York now.
Kelley **********
OPI'm in the USA I believe the consulate is in Texas.
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