What are the duration regulations for leaving Thailand on a 6-month METV?

6-month METV Thailand visa regulations Border run rules Visa extension Re-entry requirements Visa expiration dates

Dec 17, 2018

6 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

On the 6 month METV, is there an out of Thailand duration period regulation when doing the border runs? E.g. Can I do my first 2/3 months in Thailand, then go to another country for a few months (say 2-3 months) then come back and start the second portion of that visa no problems?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The 6-month Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) allows for extended stays in Thailand, but it's important to understand that the visa duration begins on the issuance date and does not stop while you are outside the country. You can spend 2-3 months in Thailand, then leave for a longer duration, as long as you re-enter Thailand before the "enter before" date indicated on your visa. Each entry can potentially give you additional stays and extensions. However, extending your stay in Thailand locally is essential if you want to remain longer than the initially granted period. Always check the expiration on your visa before planning extended travel.

Sarah **********

Hey dear! I have one if you want to ask me any questions... I was confused at first too haha. You will have no problems leaving for an extended period of time, aside from "wasting" that chunk of the visa. As other have mentioned, the 6 months begins when it's stamped and the date it expires will remain the same and not be affected by any travel or extensions during that period. The only extension that will buy you more time is leaving and re-entering as close to the expiration date as possible, which will give you another 60 day stamp that you can extend for an extra 30 (to make it a "9 mo visa" so to speak). Getting an extension to remain in the country 90 day vs. 60 at any other point during the visa will not extend it, it just will be paying for the convenience of not doing a border run... I'm on budget and also much prefer a road trip to sitting at immigration all day, so I've been going to Mae Sai each time and making a little vacation of it, which has been cheap and lovely.

It seems like if you only want to stay for 2 or 3 months it might be more cost effective to get a single entry for 2 months and then extend if needed... then go wherever you're going and do that again when you want to return. The 6 mo could be great though if you're more interested in convenience and not having to worry about getting another visa when you return :)

6 years ago

Lexi ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Sarah *********

thank you! I may contact you closer to the time when I really need to figure this out 🙏🏻

6 years ago

Reply to

Lexi ******

Jeremy ********

Your visa goes active the Day its issued....

6 years ago

Timi *********

Be careful. Check visa valid until on your passport

6 years ago

Thomas ********************

You need to extend your stay locally if you want to do 3 months. But no, no required duration outside the country.

6 years ago

Lexi ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Thomas *******************

okay, I think I understand but I'm not 100%.. I'll post again in this group once I've entered on that VISA next month and get some more specific info once I have the date stamps in my passport. Thanks so much 🙂

6 years ago

Thomas ********************

Sorry, the wording on the visa sticker is "enter before" :) That's the crucial date. Leave/enter all you want for whatever duration until then.

6 years ago

Jon **********

if the visa has expired, then you dont have a visa anymore.... so yep, u need to return before that date

6 years ago

Thomas ********************

Your last entry just has to be before the "valid until" date on the visa. And you could then extend that stay.

6 years ago

Lexi ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Thomas *******************

yes ill be extending my stay locally and then leaving for a few months then coming back. The above comments suggest I need to come back in before the expiry date, is that correct? What about the third entry?

6 years ago

Reply to

Lexi ******

Lance *******

As long as you re enter before the enter before date

6 years ago

Lance *******

Or do 60 day's then bounce do 60 more and bounce again before enter before and get 60 more and just extend the last one for 9 months.

6 years ago

Lance *******

METV the clock starts when it's issued in your passport. Best to get as close to the time you leave as you can. You enter and get 60 day's extend that at immigration for another 30. Then leave and re enter for another 60 extend again. Leave again and return just before the enter before date for another 60 and extend that total nearly 9 months. If you leave for 3 months the clock keeps ticking.

6 years ago

Reply to

Lance *******

Travis *******

You need to make your second entry before the date of the visa expiration

6 years ago

Reply to

Travis *******

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