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What is the best visa option for a 6-month to 1-year stay in Thailand?

Dennis *******
asked Sep 24, 2024
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Hi I fly out to Thailand on the 29th of January and have over 12 places booked !, and I’m looking to stay out there for 6 months-a year , what’s my best bet visa wise ? Thanks for any advice given
Answer summary
If you're planning to stay in Thailand for 6 months to a year, you have several visa options to consider. The Multi-Entry Tourist Visa (METV) allows for 6 to 9 months of stay, and the new Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) offers various pathways for a 6-month stay. Alternatively, you can enter Thailand visa-exempt for 60 days, extend it for another 30 days through immigration, and then do a visa run to Laos to gain additional time. Research these options on your local Thai Embassy's website to ensure you meet the requirements.
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Cliff *********
Cliff *********
Courtney ******
Courtney ******
Same!! I wish to come over but Dont Want to be bound to a Job after 3 years. I will have 5.5 milion Baht but No verified income. Help!!
Simone ************
Simone ************
How long you gotta stay in Lao?
Billy ******
Billy ******
Robert *****
Robert *****
Sounds crazy but you don’t need a visa. Bring only your passport and you’ll get automatically a 60 day visa exempt stay. Just before that expires go to immigration and pay 1900 baht for another 30. That’s 90 days. Then take an organized bus to Lao and return, you get another 60 days and 30 more at immigration. That’s 6 months. Enjoy.
Matt *********
Matt *********
@Baz ********
thank you, appreciate the information
Matt *********
Matt *********
can only do what twice? restart a tourist visa, in a year or two years or longer? please clairfy
Baz *********
Baz *********
@Matt ********
Twice per calendar year is the general rule but as many say on here it's at the discretion of the Immigration officer if you attempt a 3rd time within a year and in most cases you will probably get in ok..

If you are concerned then get a cheap flight to Cambodia or another neighboring country and stay there for a few days and then fly back in and get another 60 days..

Flying in and out seems safer than doing a day run over a border and back again..

The bottom line is this...

If the immigration officer dealing with you on the day you enter Thailand from anywhere (land, air or sea) thinks you are abusing the tourist visa exemption system and living in Thailand and not a genuine tourist then you can be refused entry after more than 2 entries in a year.

But in reality this is unlikely but it's always a risk..
Dennis *******
Dennis *******
OP
@Robert ****
thankyou that is perfect !! , I can only do that twice tho can’t I?
Robert *****
Robert *****
@Dennis ******
yes. Twice. However it depends on the immigration officer for a third time. I know people who’ve done border runs for years. So don’t count on more than twice.
Graham ******
Graham ******
Look up the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) on your local Thai Embassy website to see if you meet the requirements
Dennis *******
Dennis *******
OP
@Graham *****
thankyou!
Andi ***********
Andi ***********
METV 6-9 mth multi entry visa or the recent DTV gives you a 6 mth stay via various options
Dennis *******
Dennis *******
OP
@Andi **********
as when I looked before it said you need 5k in bank
Andi ***********
Andi ***********
@Dennis ******
I think now is much more simple. No longer need the 5K statement. Flights and accomodation need to be given. You also can get 90 days with a UK passport so leave and reenter gets u 6nths
Dennis *******
Dennis *******
OP
@Andi **********
do you have to show proof of income ? Like bank statements ?

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