What are the best visa options for UK citizens planning to stay and return to Thailand?

Jul 29, 2018
6 years ago
Megan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
My boyfriend and I (we are both from the UK) are travelling to Thailand in September for the first time, we would like to stay for two months then move onto travel neighbouring countries for a few months. We then plan to come back to Thailand again for a month or two. Just wondering what the best visa option is for us both to make this possible? How many times can you return to Thailand in one year? Thanks.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Two UK citizens planning to travel to Thailand for two months and then return after visiting neighboring countries can opt for a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) or a Single Entry Tourist Visa (SETV) to facilitate their travels. The METV allows for multiple entries with a 60-day stay per entry, which can be extended, while the SETV provides a one-time 60-day stay. Both options help avoid the hassle of frequent immigration visits and offer the possibility of extending stays easily.
Tod *********
And we're done. Good Luck
@Me***
(y)
Ben **********
I’d go for a multiple entry tourist visa. Save any messing around later on and you’re then free to come and go.
Ben **********
@Tony ********
yes, there is that. If not, single entry!
Tony *********
All very well if they both had £5000 in the bank for 6 months.
Anthony *************
You do not need a visa. You will get 30 days in arrival. You can extend another 30 days once here (That is 60 days) You cross the border and when you come back you again get anther 30 days which can be extended a further 30 days, Each extension costs 1900THB
Tod *********
@Nitzan ****
because IF you have a SETV you're stamped in for 60 days, you're not questioned at all by passport control comin' into the country without a visa, you're not wasting half a day messing around with the immigration office queuing up to get your extension AND most consulates in the west let you apply for the visa by post so you don't even have to go to the consulate.
Nitzan *****
Not sure why some people here are so hellbent on SETV. Either way will work, and either way will be about the same amount of hassle. If anything my personal experience with extending was no hassle at all- in and out in under two hours typically.
Anthony *************
Depends on hard much trouble it is to apply for a visa in the consulate, hand over your passport and wait there days or more.

A 60 day visa is the same length of time as a 30 day Visa free plus 30 day extension. The choice is the applicant. Cost is about the same Cost of a visa from consulate I think is more, But not a huge amount,
Tod *********
and pray tell how is that less hassle than just getting a single entry tourist visa BEFORE they come here, letting them stay 60 days, then getting another single entry tourist visa from the thai consulate in what ever country they're in before they come back to thailand.

They don't need to visit the immigration office at all here AND single entry tourist visas are cheaper than extensions and last twice as long
Tod *********
@Megan *******
, as you can see there is more than one way to achieve your goal.

The easiest and least troublesome would be to get a SETV <- single entry tourist visa from a thai consulate in your country BEFORE you wing your way here. That would get you stamped in for 60 days when you arrive.

Then after those 2 months are up go see some countries in S/E Asia like you intend to

AND

then just BEFORE you intend to come back to thailand get a single entry tourist visa from a thai consulate in what ever country you're in at the time. That will also get you stamped into thailand for 60 days when you come back.

That is the easiest, least troublesome way to pull it off. It doesn't involve bouncing out and back in at a border, it doesn't involve dealing with ANY immigration office inside the country and it meets the criteria you said you wanted.

Good Luck
Megan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Great, thank you very much!
Tony *********
Tony *********
Liam *********
get the 60 day visa before you arrive its cheaper and easier than extending while you are there. then if you travel to neighbouring countries and return to thailand by plane you can stay for an additional 30 days on a visa exempt stamp
Megan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks so much for all of the advice everyone. It's all really helpful to us!
Tony *********
I think your find everyone else is asleep in Thailand.

There be getting up after midnight it will be 6 in the morning over there.

And if I'm not mistaken Tod Daniels will be the first person to comment on this post.😉

I don't think there's anything he don't know.

Let's see what he says 🤔
Paul *********
Definitely take advantage of the multiple entry tourist visa that you can get in your home nation before flying here. You can get stamped in with 60 days each entry and can extend for 30 days each time.

If you use it correctly you can get up to 9 months out of it.

You need to plan your last entry in to Thailand a day or more before the use by/ expire by date and you’ll get 60 + from that entry.

If you get a single entry while in the uk you will have to then apply for another single entry in a country outside Thailand while you’re traveling. No real hardship but why bother if you don’t have too..
Tony *********
Yes .

I posted it
Megan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I've just read that to apply for an METV you need a bank statement with £5000 in your account, is this correct?
Tony *********
And there 1900bt each

And if they want to leave Thailand the re entry permit are a 1000bt each about £100 in all

If they dont get a re entry permit and leave for a week and they will lose the days on there Setv.

And come back in on a visa exempt

And you can only do that twice in a calendar year.

And they want to travel.

METV is the safe bet
James *********
Single entry tourist visa whilst in the UK will give you your 60 days, then just time it so that your trip to 'neighboring counties' ends in Laos and get yourselves another 60 day setv, other options would be just get 30 day visa exempt when you arrive an extending, but the setv is cheaper and generally less hassle if you plan it right
Ellie *******
@To**
, I agree to avoid overstay. Still, SETV entry of 60 days can be extended for 30 days more at a local immigration office. She can plan up to 90days (89nights) for her travel...
Tony *********
Megan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony ********
thanks so much for all of this info, really appreciate it!
Tony *********
Tony *********
If you want to get a SETV get it in Vientiane Laos they don't want to see a bank statement i think your find the rest do for
*****
bt each.

You won't have a Thai bank account

But you can print out one of your UK bank accounts.

Keep your customers numbers somewhere so you can log in .

I got a virus in my phone once and could not get into my internet account.

That's if you want to get another SETV.

If not comeback into Thailand on a visa exempt.
Tony *********
You get them from a post office.

In the south east of England there are only 3 post offices that you can get them from.
Tony *********
Tony *********
If your planning to rent a car or a motorcycle on your holiday you must now have a IDP international driving permit.

But thats only good for 90 days in Thailand. After that you should get a Thai driver's license.
Tony *********
That is what you will need to extend your 30 days Visa exempt for another 30days at any immigration office in Thailand
Tony *********
Tony *********
Travel about where ever it is you want to go.

And you can come back into Thailand on a land border crossing or fly back.

And get a visa exempt stamp into your passports for 30 day's.

But you may be asked to show
*****
bt or in £€$ etc.

Prove of a hotel booking and a flight ticket out of Thailand.

That 30 day visa exempt can be extended for 30 days at any immigration office in Thailand
Tony *********
Plan your 60 day's in Thailand no longer or you will be on over stay.

Don't ever over stay.
Tony *********
When you get it's for 60 day's but you might think it's for 90 day's its not that's how long it lasts for so you have to fly out before the 90 day's are up.

From the date you get the visa's.
Tony *********
@Tony ********
so it's the £5000 each in the bank for 6 months ok that's understandable.

So go for the single entry tourist visa. SETV £25 each.😉
Tony *********
That is doable to.

Up to 60 day's in Thailand. Travel about and come back in on a SETV for the rest of the trip.

But if the wanted to leave and go somewhere they must get a re entry permit.

From a immigration office

Or a air port.

And won't have to show

£5000 In the bank and they would both have to do that.
Steve *******
METV. It's made for this.
Steven ***********
Visa exempt, 30 days for free then extend at immigration for 1,900 baht for an additional 30 days. If you don't have a history of abusing this system and haven't been to Thailand dbefore that's the most convenient way to do it
Jim *******
@Steven **********
. Not if you're meaning a visa Exempt, as it means wasted time and money at immigration.
Steven ***********
Depending how close you live to a consulate in the UK. How I mentioned can certainly be the most convenient way.
Jim *******
No it's not. Either a tourist visa or a multi entry.
Lisa ******************
This.
Tony ********
multi entry tourist visa
Graham *********
you need a 60 day tourist visa to start with...from uk embassy
Oscar ******************
Yep, but the thing isn't "no visa, no flying", the airlines ask for a ticket out of Thailand before 30 days if you wanna fly without visa. But, even you don't use, is enough any cheap flght, bus or train ticket. Often cheaper than a visa If there is not any thai consulate in your home town and you have to travel to another city.
Tyson ********
Maybe he should’ve said recommended instead.
Oscar ******************
You can go to Thailand without any visa. 30 days exemption visa stamp plus 30 days extension at any Inmigration Office (30+30=60).
Lewis *********
@Graham ********
That's anecdotal. Most people don't have that problem so to say "you need" just isn't accurate.
Graham *********
Graham *********
i was staying 60 days flying ba that asked for my visa otherwise no flying. .so work that out Mr clever
Lewis *********
No, they don't. Please try not to give advice if you don't know for sure. It just confuses people.
Graham *********
call for todd
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