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What are the visa options for a 6-month stay in Thailand with possible border runs?
Jul 18, 2025
9 months ago
Ian ******
ORIGINAL POSTERJust a bit confused by visa requirements and a bit of friendly advice would be appreciated, I am the original dinosaur.
I am looking at coming to Thailand towards the end of October and staying until some time in April.
I think that the 6 month tourist, Multiple Entry is probably the Visa I require?
My main issue with this is, it looks like you need to leave the country every 60 days, so I would need to do a border run twice to be able to stay for the nearly 6 months, is this correct?
If there is a better visa, or way of doing it, your advice would be appreciated.
Have a good day x
I am looking at coming to Thailand towards the end of October and staying until some time in April.
I think that the 6 month tourist, Multiple Entry is probably the Visa I require?
My main issue with this is, it looks like you need to leave the country every 60 days, so I would need to do a border run twice to be able to stay for the nearly 6 months, is this correct?
If there is a better visa, or way of doing it, your advice would be appreciated.
Have a good day x
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking clarification on visa requirements for a stay in Thailand from October to April, considering the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) which necessitates leaving the country every 60 days. Responses suggest alternatives, including the DTV visa for longer stays without frequent border runs and tips on extending current visas.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Robert *********
No ,you do a 30 day extension after 60 days .
You leave the country once every 90 days .
I do it every year
You leave the country once every 90 days .
I do it every year
Ar *******
@Robert ********
My friend did that last year and return after one month and hassle from immigration at airport had to do a lot of talking to get into country from uk so be careful , so many horror storiesRobert *********
@Ar ******
done it for twenty five years .Ar *******
@Robert ********
so then you have more “ history” than my friend; the two trips last year were his first to Thailand, retired and being encouraged by friends to travel . So glad you haven’t been stopped yetRobert *********
@Ar ******
its a pre arranged visa .Approved by Thai immigration .
Why would they stop me .
Also they see I go home six months every year
Reply to
Robert *********
Reply
Shaughn ***********
@Ar ******
your friend most likely had a lot of recent history in Thailand that flagged him, or wasn't coming in on the METV that the original question was aboutAr *******
@Shaughn **********
he came in September to December extension of 30 days to 60 days then went home to uk for 5 weeks and returned late January that’s when he had the hassle , the I O lady gave him a real hard time .Reply to
Ar *******
Reply
Peter *******
Ian you can extend your 60 days by 30 then do a border run. Get another 60 days + 30 day extension and that is your 6 months
Ian ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Peter ******
Are you talking about the visa free 60 days? Do you think that I would get away with doing that and getting the second extension? What exactly does a border run entail? Are there specific points in the border that you need to go to? I will be based in Chaiyaphum. TiaPeter *******
@Ian *****
you can do this on METV with no hassles at the border. The border can be with a neighboring country or by air. It is possible to do the same utilizing 60 day visa exempt but can possibly be hassle on re-entry at the border.Shaughn ***********
@Ian *****
you can do this with your 6 month METV that you were first asking about. You not limited to 60 days on that visa. One border bounce with 2x extensions (one from each entry) will get you your 6 months. Probably the least hassle visa to get in the current times for what you are wanting to do so long as you meet the financial requirements of the visa of your home embassyWannikea *********
@Shaughn **********
to add, you must show proof of need for the METV so, a ticket out within the first 60 days you'd be stamped in for, and a ticket back sometime after that.Ian ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Wannikea ********
surely I need METV because I am a tourist and they don't do a 6 month visa where I do not have to leave the country in that time. That is the proof. All I want is to look around their country for 6 months, quite happy to have a return ticket to leave within 6 months, can show proof of finance for the trip. It almost feels like they don't want people to visit and spend money finding out about their history and customs.Wannikea *********
@Ian *****
for the METV you need a ticket out within the first 60 days and then a return ticket to Thailand sometime after that, and of course you can show your ticket home in 6 months, actually you can get almost 9 months out of this Visa if you time your border bounces correctly.Reply to
Wannikea *********
Reply
Garrett ***********
Hey Ian, would recommend you take a look at the DTV. It's 5 years and you need to leave every 6 months. About the same price as the METV.
Garrett ***********
****************************************************************
Ian ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Garrett **********
Would I need to do anything to qualify for that, I am 66 years old, TiaGraeme ******
@Ian *****
if you look at getting a DTV you would need to apply using a soft power which means either a course in muay thai, cookery or medical treatment. Where are you staying in thailand? Easiest is muay thai from an approved gym can be 12k baht for the course but they are usually flexible about when you go so can be managed to.suite you. Have you been to thailand before. If so how often as this will determine whether you will breeze through immigration or have a little troubleIan ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graeme *****
I will probably be spending most of the time based in Isan, but will be doing a bit of travelling. Not sure that Muay Thai for a 66 year old is a great idea 😂 A cookery course might work. I was in Thailand in March for a month, first time in about 10 years.Graeme ******
@Ian *****
DM me and I'll explainReply to
Graeme ******
Reply
Andrew ********
@Ian *****
DTV requires 500k baht in savings around 12k USD but you also have to demonstrate reason like remote working medical treatment or classes you can apply for 1 yr tourist visa with multiple or one entryWannikea *********
@Andrew *******
there is no one year tourist visa, there is a 60 day +30 extension, or the METV 6 months, 60 day+30 then bounce.Wannikea *********
@Andrew *******
about $16-17,000USDReply to
Wannikea *********
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