What are the options for a longer stay in Thailand on an Italian passport without frequent visa runs?

Thailand visa Non-Working Visa Multiple Entry Tourist Visa Thai Elite Visa Visa Runs Visa Regulations

Mar 28, 2019

6 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello all, a friend recommended I ask my Thailand visa-related questions here.

I've come to Thailand with an Italian passport 4 times now. This past time I have remained 1 month. I will soon go to Vietnam for a few days, and then return here for approximately 1 more month.

I take it I cannot keep doing this and was wondering if there is some 6 month visa I can get if I am not working in Thailand? Or any other suggestions of options that would allow me to stay for a longer period of time without having to keep doing visa runs (which I presume there's a limit to)?

Thanks in advance!!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An individual inquiring about options for a longer stay in Thailand with an Italian passport mentioned frequent short visits. Respondents suggested the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV), which can be obtained in Italy and allows for unlimited entries with a 60-day stay each time, but noted that it still requires border runs. For a longer stay without frequent visa runs, the Thai Elite Visa was also mentioned as an option.

Robert *******

With the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa you only get 60 days of stay, than you do a border run to activate a new 60 days of stay. The only visa that allows you to stay for 6 months, actually 1 year without doing border runs is the Thai Elite Visa.

6 years ago

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

Or do 30 day extensions at immigration to limit border runs. Might be easier depending on location.

6 years ago

Reply to

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

Dominic *****

Try to get an METV from a Thai Consulate in Australia? You’d still have to contend with border runs though.

6 years ago

Jeremy ********

@Dominic ****

yes every 60 days or every 90 days if you do a 30 day extension at immigration for ฿1,900....

6 years ago

Reply to

Jeremy ********

Ivan ************

There is a 6 month Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) that may be helpful for you. You can't get it in the region, you would need to get it in Italy. Other than your home country Australia is the nearest other option for it. And you need to be able to show money in the bank and a few other requirements. But if you can meet those it is good for unlimited entries for six months, and you get stamped in for 60 days each time.

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6 years ago

Ivan ************

@Ke***

would Sydney be nearest to you? This is the page for the Sydney consulate:

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-TOURIST-VISA.html

6 years ago

Kerry *******

@Ivan ***********

I am in Australia, I cant find any mention of that visa on Camderra Thain Embassy web site, I am interested in it myself.

6 years ago

Daniele **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ivan ***********

thanks so much for the thorough answer, much obliged

6 years ago

Ivan ************

You can apply for it again when it runs out. It's up to the individual consulate policy as to whether there comes a point they may refuse you for apply for too many, but many Western consulates seem not too picky about it.

If you were applying for one of these per year, and then going doing something else for the other six months, I think you could keep rotating on these forever, I know people who winter here every winter, stay 6 months or even a little more but do also go home for the summer and then get another METV before they come back and no problem doing that.

On the other hand, if you were going to try to live in Thailand on this continually, even if the consulate in Rome kept giving them to you, immigration particularly if you enter through a Bangkok airport would probably stop you at some indeterminate point. It's not for living here on continually. Every winter rinse and repeat could be OK though.

6 years ago

Daniele **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

This is perfect, thanks. Do you know if one can only apply for this visa once or can it be done multiple times?

6 years ago

Reply to

Daniele **********

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