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What are the advantages of a multi-entry tourist visa compared to a visa on arrival in Thailand?

Thailand Visa Multi Entry Tourist Visa Visa on Arrival Visa Exemption US Passport Immigration Long-Term Stay Visa Requirements

Oct 5, 2025

3 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi 👋🏾 What are the advantages to getting a multi entry tourist visa vs. visa on arrival? I would still have to leave every 60 (or 90 w/extension) days, right? I have US passport. Thx.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A multi-entry tourist visa (METV) offers significant advantages over a visa on arrival, particularly for U.S. passport holders planning extended stays in Thailand. Unlike the visa on arrival, which grants only 15 days (or a 60-day visa exemption that can be extended by 30 days), the METV can allow you to stay nearly 9 months by managing entries effectively. It also eliminates the hassle of obtaining a re-entry permit after leaving Thailand. However, there are risks associated with frequent border crossings, as immigration officers are increasingly scrutinizing travelers looking to stay long-term without proper visas. Those considering multiple entries should stay updated on visa regulations and be mindful of the discretion exercised by immigration officers.

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Rio **********

We are going to Thailand Oct 18 and plan to stay for 6 months minus a few days. I chose the MEV because I wanted no entry hassles. It was a easy online application process and I had to show flights leaving Thailand every 60 days. I didn't provide a flight leaving at the end of the 6 months, just an explanation that we have 2 choices of where we want to go, and would make that decision later. To tell the truth, I thought that might have been a problem, but it was approved.

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Dawn ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

you had to show flights leaving every 60 days when you applied for the Metv or when you arrived in Thailand? The US application doesn’t require that or does it?

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Rio **********

we are from Canada and my application was done online through the Thai embassy in Ottawa. So I can only speak to that.

When I submitted my application they asked flights because it is a multiple entry. I submitted the flights except for the end of the 6 months. I also submitted a travel plan along with an explanation of why we did not get the last flights. I told them that at this time we are not sure where we are going, either Canada or leave a month earlier and go to Cuba.

I was concerned that they wouldn't accept that, but they did.

We arrive in Thailand in 2 weeks.

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Dawn ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks. I hope for US passports they don’t ask for that much detail. Hopefully, God willing, I will be escaping North America right behind you. Enjoy your trip. 😊

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Dawn ********

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Steven **********

Multi-entry visas can be a hassle to manage. If you're planning to stay in Thailand for a while, the 90-day visa with an extension and a border trip might be the way to go. Make sure to stay up to date with the latest visa requirements.

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Maitin *******

The days of getting in multiple times a year on visa exempt are coming to an end. It's all at the discretion of the IO. You might get lucky, might not.

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Terary **********

For about 10 years, off and on, they have been saying that all the while I was able to do it... Not only that, you can get a visa while in Thailand.... "days coming to an end" bah hum bug.

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Maitin *******

@Terary *********

Well, I've had friends get taken to a room and have had a talking to.

People can do whatever they want

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Maitin *******

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Matt ************

Note that you are not guaranteed anything if youre trying to essentially stay in Thailand long-term. Just last night, my friends were detained at the airport for 8 hours then sent back to where they came from. This was their 4th attempt in a little over one year. When they leave Thaioand, they only leave for a few weeks.

Last month I was questioned for the first time ever about my stay and they almost didnt let me in. For longer stays, choose longer visas. They are in crackdown mode right now, even as tourism is slipping ... they are seeing more value in retirement folks than the visa-run types.

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Elías ********

Visa on arrival is good for FIFTEEN days only. You might be talking about visa exempt, which is good for 60 days and can be extended in country for 30 days more. Don't confuse terms as both systems do exist.

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Ken *******

Exactly that reason, it is multiple entry. You do not have to purchase a reentry permit.

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Nigel ******

Go Pattaya see Mark bottom of Soi 6 he can advise and sort anything you need

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Alan ********

have the exact spot...thanks

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Alan ********

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Ian **********

If you time it right, you can get nearly 9 months out of a METV, whereas the visa-exempt entry is likely to only get you six months, and that is not guaranteed.

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

You do not receive a visa on arrival, but a 60‑day visa exemption. It is generally advisable to obtain a visa to cover your longer stays, as that is the purpose of a visa. Attempting to ‘border‑bounce’ after having maximized prior visa exemptions may result in being pulled aside for questioning and required to secure an appropriate visa, or in being denied entry.

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Arne *****

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

with the multi entry visa they STILL pull you aside and question you. Just depends on your visa history, the airport, the mood of the officer,... getting a visa doesn't mean they will let you in.

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Nongnuch ********

that solely depends on your stamp history of the past 365 days. . . of course you will be pulled aside if you have an extensive tourist and visa-exempt entry history. . . . You can get a METV every (!!) year and enjoy a minimum of 6 months in Thailand on this visa every (!!) year without ever been asked at the borders when doing a border bounce

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

A tourist visa is no guarantee that you will be regarded as a genuine tourist if you have previously made multiple entries using tourist arrangements. It may slightly improve your chances in borderline cases, but if you intend to maximize visa exemptions and perform a border bounce to a nearby country, this is, after all, consistent with the nature of a multiple-entry visa.

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

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Dawn ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

Thanks. Now that I realize the VoA is a “visa exemption” I get why people get denied multiple entry. I will get the METV while I’m still in the US. I was going to get the education visa but I really want to learn Chinese more than Thai.

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Christian **********

Hi highly recommend the METV. I've used in several times over the past number of years and have found it the least troublesome means of staying in Thailand for an extended period. I've never desired to stay in Thailand for longer than 4-5 months but while here I do study Thai and travel around the country a bit. Two exit/re-entries (every 60 days) are the only requirements. I've not once been challenged or questioned by immigration at any air or land border. Good luck.

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Greg ******

An ED visa works for most any educational program. If a college is offering a Chinese language course then you should be able to get an ED visa.

A business that is getting ED visas for people with a language course on the side, might not offer Chinese.

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Elías ********

the VOA and the visa exemption are two different things. The VOA is for people of certain countries that aren't elegible for a regular visa exemption. The former is good for 15 days, the later for 60+30 days.

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Dawn ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I’ve been to Cambodia & Bali but not Thailand before. I need time to figure out where I might retire in Southeast Asia. 😊

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

I understand. You’ll have to decide yourself. Everything is in the discretion of the IO you’re dealing with. If you don’t have any recent entry history, it will probably be fine to cross the border and re-enter on a new visa exemption, but it is always safest to cover your stay with an appropriate visa. A METV can also give you more than eight months of stay if you make a border crossing just before the visa itself expires.

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

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