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What is the best visa option for a 5-6 month stay in Thailand?
Thailandvisa rulesexpattourist visamultiple entry visavisa extensiontravel regulationsimmigration advice
Mar 27, 2026
a month ago
Rick *******
ORIGINAL POSTERSo here it goes. I am planning a winter 5-6 month retreat to Thailand from December 2026 till May 2027. I suppose if I arrive in Thailand with an exit flight within the first 90 days and the reenter for the remainder of my last 90 days with a return ticket to my home country should be acceptable? My understanding is that the tourist visa allows for 60 days with a 30 day extension correct? Just want to make sure I have the right plan in place prior to booking flights etc. Thanks in advance to those who take the time to share their thoughts.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster plans to stay in Thailand for 5-6 months and seeks advice on the best way to manage their visa. Most comments suggest obtaining a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) to ensure a longer stay without issues, as the standard tourist visa typically allows only 60 days with a possible extension of 30 days. There are concerns regarding potential changes to visa policies, including the reduction of visa exemption durations and stricter enforcement of immigration rules. Commenters emphasize the necessity of planning ahead and considering any updates from Thai immigration authorities.
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Peter **********
Been doing this for 13 years
Single or Multi entry 90 visa from your home country Thai Embassy
If single entry fly out to Vietnam , Malaysia etc cost 2,500 BHT
Upon returning you will get 60 visa free which you can extend for 30 days at immigration, cost is 1900 BHT
If multiple entry 90 day visa you only fly out once
I always fly in and have minimum
20,000 BHT or equivalent in cash on me
Single or Multi entry 90 visa from your home country Thai Embassy
If single entry fly out to Vietnam , Malaysia etc cost 2,500 BHT
Upon returning you will get 60 visa free which you can extend for 30 days at immigration, cost is 1900 BHT
If multiple entry 90 day visa you only fly out once
I always fly in and have minimum
20,000 BHT or equivalent in cash on me
Humphrey **************
Look contact the Thai embassy in your country
Peter **********
Don’t assume you will be granted ab extension.
Bent *************
Very soon visa exemption will be reduced to 30 days, and the second extension to only 7 days. You need a visa
Raffa ******
Thailand will loose 20% turist this year a lot of money lost...
Rick *******
ORIGINAL POSTERI have just been on the phone with the Thai Embassy in Ottawa Canada. The proper way to do this is to apply for the multiple entry visa before leaving canada which is valid for 6 months at a cost of 325 $ Canadian dollars. Canada is on the list of exempt countries not requiring a visa to visit Thailand so even if the visa arrives in my email after my initial arrival in Thailand it is fine. It is also necessary to have a ticket exiting Thailand within the first 60 days even though a 30 day extension is available. But there is no guarantee that the extension will be granted. Upon arrival back in Thailand another 60 days is granted and one can apply for the 30 day extension again. The immigration authorities look closely at the history of travel to and from Thailand to catch those individuals who have overstayed their visit and are circumventing the rules. Thank you for all your input on this and like everything in Thailand these rules are subject to change rather quickly so what is law now most likely will change at some point.
Jim *******
Raffa Rivo It is not any fault on the Thai side.
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Jim *******
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Kevin ****************
The amount of out of date misinformation offered here is astounding. For one it all depends on your un-stated nationality and age to some extent. Thailand is actively seeking to stop guys over 50 doing exactly what you're trying to do, which essentially translated is stay longer than just as a tourist?
The exemption will reduce to 30 days. Immigration will be enforcing to stop people bouncing in and out. Go to Thai Embassy site. And stop listening to guys in groups who may well be trying to help- but are not Thailand Immigration and are not up to date. Because some guy did what you're asking possibility of, in 1995 or 2022 does not mean you can now. Good luck. Happy travels.
The exemption will reduce to 30 days. Immigration will be enforcing to stop people bouncing in and out. Go to Thai Embassy site. And stop listening to guys in groups who may well be trying to help- but are not Thailand Immigration and are not up to date. Because some guy did what you're asking possibility of, in 1995 or 2022 does not mean you can now. Good luck. Happy travels.
Scott *******
Kevin Gary Shingler there is news that they might have a 6 month tourist visa soon
Jim *******
What has changed was in favor. DTV visa introduced, then exempt to stay 60 days with nothing, from 30 days. 90 days non -O visa introduced.
Jim *******
Kevin Gary Shingler what a rubbish post. Stop even noticing people like you. Adio.
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Jim *******
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John **********
Get yourself a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) before you travel. This is exactly what it is designed for.
John *********
It’s not a tourist visa just a 60 days (soon could revert to 30 days) exemption stamp, just apply for a 6 month METV and keep life simple!
Jim *******
John Hampton Rubbish, no say about that from the Thai government.
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Jim *******
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John *********
Just apply online for a 6 month METV 🤷🏾♀️
Andy ********
Yes all good but to stay 6 months you will need the multiple entry tourist Visa.
Graeme *******
Thought about 180 day rule.
Graham ******
Graeme Drake not an Immigration rule ;)
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Graham ******
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Ray ********
In 13 flights with most one way tickets I have never been asked about a return ticket. If asked I would tell them that I am leaving overland by way of Cambodia. I often leave and also enter by bus or taxi.
Doug ********
Ray Martin. First time I flew Qatar from the London they wanted proof of leaving Thailand within the sixty days. I showed them a train ticket to laos, which I didn't use and was 3 us dollar's so it's the airline that can refuse you boarding to even get to Thailand. Not just thai immigration when you get there.
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Doug ********
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Ray ********
I would apply well ahead of time for a 2 entry tourist visa and get the 30 extension for each. Gives you 180 days. I received a 3 entry tourist visa in 2006, but my understanding is that the 3 entry is no longer available.
Doug ********
Ray Martin 2006'hardly applies now,
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Doug ********
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Yesi **********
NO, this will not work. Firstly, the 60 is about to become 30, meaning you'd need to do 2 border trips. But, upon arriving back on the first one, you'll be refused entry unless you have a good reason ... not just tourism: Immigration don't want people 1 maxing out their stays, ie doing the full 60 and 2 re-entering, as 30 days is enough to see all of thailand. The possibility of staying even 3-4 months on engtry stamps is over, and has been since august|november last year when they made changes to their policy.
Doug ********
Yesi Lookgood I don't think the policy really changed,just rules started to Be enforced more correctly
Colin *********
Doug Powell the policy on extensions did change last November. 30 days on first visit and 7 days on second visit within a rolling one year period
Ralph *******
Doug Powell The attitude changed. The law is the same. You just can’t do what the law allows any more.
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Ralph *******
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Jason *************
It looks pretty cirtain it will go back to 30 days. If its your first time doing this, you can probably get 3 months with a extension and a border bounce . You used to be able to get 2 extensions but its 1 now. You could always spend a couple of months in neighbouring countries, flights are cheap once your here.
Per ******
Maybe get a 6 month non o from your local embassy
Easier, safer , cheaper
Easier, safer , cheaper
Wannikea *********
Per Lund there is no 6 month non O, they are 90 days.
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Wannikea *********
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Tim **********
February and March are the smokey months, with mid march starting to get to 40 degrees. April is better with Songkran but the temps get to 42; April is the hottest month of the year. May brings the monsoon rainy season till the end of October; it stays hot so its hot and muggy
Just know what you are getting into
Just know what you are getting into
Jim *******
Tim Hallmark You know that or Google university?
A rubbish post of yours, anyone, even from Pakistan with internet access could have post like you did.
A rubbish post of yours, anyone, even from Pakistan with internet access could have post like you did.
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Jim *******
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Vinson *******
The second extension is only 7 days , not 30 again
You plsn to do what they are trying to stop
There is talk of rolling back to 30 day visa exempt zThsilsnd has been known to just make chsnges
I suggest that you just Get a proper Visa so you don’t get csught in a chsnging situation
You plsn to do what they are trying to stop
There is talk of rolling back to 30 day visa exempt zThsilsnd has been known to just make chsnges
I suggest that you just Get a proper Visa so you don’t get csught in a chsnging situation
Jim *******
Vinson Dynes Get proper spelling.
Paul *******
Vinson Dynes He said he's getting a tourist visa no exempt.
Jason *************
Vinson Dynes its his first time so he would be fine with 30 day extension and a border bounce. Itd repeat entries and how often that is looked at.
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Jason *************
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Rick *******
ORIGINAL POSTERI looked into the multiple entry tourist visa and I think it was around 300 Canadian
Doug *******
Rick Garbe Are you trying to figure out a less expensive way to stay six months? If you can afford the $300 Canadian it’s probably your best and easiest approach.
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Doug *******
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Melissa *******
Second one they will probably not extent. So 90. Leave. Come back for 60 and leave. Second 30 extension is probably not going to work.
Brian ********
You can apply for a multi entry tourist visa for 6 months,
Nils **********
This is obviously not a good place for advice. Follow the rules…
Gene *********
There are so many bright attorneys here 🤓🤣🤣🤣🤣
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Gene *********
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Lisa ***************************
I would get a proper visa and it looks like the 60 may go back to 30 again and second extension not as long either
Jim *******
Lisa : Was it announced anywhere, other than fake news you are spreading?
Thaimer ******
Lisa Florence Hughesdon-Brown and he wrote he will get proper visa
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Thaimer ******
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AC *****
There is a chance that won’t work now lots of things changing including talk going back to 30 days all visa bouncing in and out is bandish
Jason *************
AC Cox border runs are not banished. Its about your persanal record. If youve done to many of anything.
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Jason *************
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Graeme ******
If you are looking at staying for upto 6 months you can get a 60 day tourist visa and then extend for 30 days, leave and then reenter enter on a visa exempt for another 60 days ( as long as visa exempt continues to be 60 days) or as suggested you get a multi entry tourist visa as you will need to leave the country for a period anyway. Be aware though the airlines may want to see an onward ticket of of thailand within the 60 day visa they dont typically take into account the 30 day extension. You would have to check this with your carrier. So the METV would be a good fit for you, leave thailand after 60 days have the flights or transport booked and also the return to thailand booked so they issue the METV and not just a tourist visa.
Marianne ********
If you are planning 5-6 months, might as well get the multiple entry tourist visa.
Bazaar******
Get a 6 month multiple entry tourist visa
Braulio *********
Get a proper visa
Paul ******************
Braulio Escobar why not suggest a visa type if you think a tourist visa is not a proper visa?
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Paul ******************
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