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What is the best visa option for a 9-month stay in Thailand?

Thailand Visa Tourist Visa METV Visa Extension Border Runs Immigration Rules

Aug 23, 2022

3 years ago

James ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Planning to go to Thailand from the UK mid September and want to stay for around 9 months, not sure if I should get a tourist visa and extend with border runs or is there any better options. Thanks

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TLDR : Answer Summary

To stay in Thailand for around 9 months, consider applying for the 6-month Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) at the Thai consulate in London. This visa allows unlimited entries for 6 months, with each entry granting a 60-day stay. After the initial 60 days, you can perform a border run to a neighboring country to reset your visa status, enabling you to potentially stay in Thailand for a total of 9 months.

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Tod *********

Get the 6 month METV from the thai consulate in london using the online eVisa system before you come here.

That gives you a visa that is valid for unlimited entries for 6 months from the date it's issued, each entry is good for 60 days and when that stamp runs down you go to the border, stamp out of thailand, stamp in&out of another country and right back into thailand to get another 60 day stamp.

IF you time the bouncing correctly you can get 9 months of stay (in 60 day increments) out of a visa that is valid for 6 months,

3 years ago

James ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

could I apply for the 30 day extension at the end of a 60 day visit? And can I do this multiple times or just once, but thanks for the advice

3 years ago

Tod *********

@James **********

you could get a 30 day extension ONCE per entry on that visa. You still would have to bounce out and back in 3 times to max out your stay whether you get extensions on the first 2 entries or not

3 years ago

James ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

do I need to have a flight booked out of Thailand when I apply for the visa ?

3 years ago

Tod *********

@James **********

you need to show WHY you need to get an METV, meaning you show onward travel OUT of thailand in about 60 days and then that you're flying back in too

If they feel you don't "deserve" or warrant the METV they sell you a single entry one and keep the difference in price 😮

3 years ago

James ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

thanks just trying to work out cause I would want to stay over 60 days on some of the entries

3 years ago

Tod *********

@James **********

that you want to stay more than 60 days on an entry isn't a problem BUT what you're not gonna do is stay more than 90, because you can get ONE 30 day extension per 60 day entry then you have to leave/come back to activate another entry on the visa

3 years ago

James ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

thanks man

3 years ago

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James ***********

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