What are the options for extending my stay in Thailand with an METV, and do I need a visa for Myanmar when doing a border run?

METV Thailand visa extensions border run Myanmar visa immigration rules

August 19, 2019

5 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Traveling to Thailand on US passport.  Planning to get an METV.  I will be in Thailand  around 95 to 105 days - maybe a bit more.. I understand the METV when I arrive  is initially good for 60 days - I could then get a 30 day extension.  Question 1) Is that correct?  Question 2): Could I also get a second extension to cover the end of my stay?  I understand another option is to leave Thailand and return which would then start a new 60 stay.  If I go to the Myanmar border at Mae Sai I believe I can leave Thailand briefly (hours) and then return to Thailand to get the new 60 day.  Question 3) Is that correct?  Final  question 4)  - do I need to get a separate Myanmar visa to enter at Mae Sai or do they have some type of "on arrival" visa - realize this is not specifically a Thai visa question but I've seen many posts referencing doing the Mae Sai trip but couldn't find details on the entry to Myanmar.  My thanks in advance.

774

views

likes

all likes

replies

images

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

The METV provides an initial 60-day stay upon arrival in Thailand, which can be extended for an additional 30 days at immigration for a fee of 1,900 baht. While you cannot obtain a second extension for the same entry, you can conduct a border run to countries like Myanmar to get a new 60-day entry stamp and then apply for an extension afterward, potentially increasing your stay significantly. For the border run through Mae Sai to Myanmar, you typically need only a day pass and do not require a full visa to enter Myanmar.

Tod *********

okay we're using WRONG Terminology and that's messing things up

There is NO extension of an METV when you bounce out and back :O That is getting a completely NEW 60 day entry. The only extension you can get on it is a 30 day extension which you can get from the immigration office ONCE every 60 day entry for 1900baht

The way to max out a 6 month METV is to get it as close to when you are coming here as you can (because the visa is valid for 6 months from the date it's ISSUED not the date you enter the country)

Enter get 60 days

when that is up go to the border, exit/re-enter get 60 more days

when that is up go to the border, exit/re-enter get 60 more days

when the VISA is almost expired exit/re-enter get a final 60 days

extend that by 30 days at the immigration office

That is how you get 9 months of stay out of it

5 years ago

Robert *******

you entered Thailand and got a 60 days Admitted to Stay, You can apply for the 30 day Extension of Stay at your local Immigration Office.

5 years ago

Darren ********

Tod Daniels I just did this scenario you mentioned here and I am at the point of the last re-entry 3 days before the 6 month metv expiry. I flew into bkk from vietnam but was pulled over for more questioning and they said I been in thailand over 180 days for the year and this is a no no. I do everything by the book and after all was said and done they stamped me for another 60 days.

My question is. Will I still be able to get the 30 days extension after this concerning incident?

5 years ago

Reply to

Darren ********

Ellie *******

Q2&Q3) Not totally correct. You CANNOT get second extension for your entry on tourist visa. You NEED to go for border bounce to get new 60 days entry stamp. Getting extension (<- you do at immigration office) and getting new entry stamp by exit/enter Thailand (at the border) are totally different things.

I believe you will be able to exit Thailand - enter & exit Myanmar - enter Thailand at MaeSai border with a kind of “Myanmar day pass” (not really travelling into Myanmar, just for bounce), so no need to worry about ‘real’ visa to Myanmar.

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

Yes, that's correct. For the Mae Sai trip, I believe you buy a "day pass", which simply lets you enter the border town. A close analogy would be a "visa on arrival".

5 years ago

James ********

1...YES you are correct...you get 60 days on arrival plus 30 days extension from Thai Immigration 1,900 Thai baht...2...you can get a second extension of 60 days (border run) plus added 30 days extension at Thai Immigration. 1,900 Thai baht...and if you do border run before second 90 days ends...get added 60 days plus 30 possible with extension 1,900 Thai baht....4.....Myanmar border run easy. Use search top of forum... Mae Sai ...for posts from others. Also

@Amornrat *********

can answer your border runs questions.

5 years ago

James ********

Bruce W Bean yes you need to leave and return to Thailand to get the second 60 days...after your first 60+30.

5 years ago

Bruce *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks for your info - so I guess it is not possible to enter on METV - stay 60 -extend for 30 - and then extend for another 30? That is to say - no second 30 day extension - need to leave and re-enter Thailand to get beyond 90 days.

5 years ago

Reply to

Bruce *********

Thai Visa Advice

... members · 40% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.

Join the Group

Thai Visa Advice

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice

What should I know about the METV Tourist Visa validity and extensions for stays in Thailand?

6 comments