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What is the least expensive visa option for six months with multiple entries into Thailand?
Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV)Visa CostsVisa Options for ThailandEntry RequirementsExpat Visa Help
Apr 8, 2025
a year ago
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTERWhat is the least expensive visa for 6 months multiple entries ? Not applying for the dtv visa. 6 months is good for now
TLDR : Answer Summary
For a budget-friendly, flexible visa option that allows multiple entries into Thailand over a six-month period, the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) is recommended. Typically costing around 150 to 200 USD depending on the applicant's home country, this visa permits holders to enter Thailand multiple times with each stay lasting up to 60 days, and the possibility of applying for a 30-day extension once in the country. Applicants need to secure this visa from their home country before arriving in Thailand.
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Dany ********
How many times do you want to enter? you might just get away with 2-3 visa exempt entries but you might get questioned
Pru *****************
Hi Steven, if you're looking for a flexible visa option for six months without going the DTV route, the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) could be a solid choice. It allows you to enter Thailand as many times as you like within a six-month window, and each stay can be up to 60 days. You can even apply for a 30-day extension once you’re in Thailand if needed.
It’s relatively affordable, usually around 150 USD depending on your country and gives you some nice flexibility if you plan to travel in and out. Just a heads-up: it typically needs to be applied for in your home country before you arrive in Thailand.
If you're planning to stay longer or prefer fewer entry hassles, you might also want to keep an eye on any visa policy updates or special visa options that come out, they do change from time to time. Good luck, and hope you enjoy your time in the Land of Smiles! 😊
It’s relatively affordable, usually around 150 USD depending on your country and gives you some nice flexibility if you plan to travel in and out. Just a heads-up: it typically needs to be applied for in your home country before you arrive in Thailand.
If you're planning to stay longer or prefer fewer entry hassles, you might also want to keep an eye on any visa policy updates or special visa options that come out, they do change from time to time. Good luck, and hope you enjoy your time in the Land of Smiles! 😊
Roger *********
@Pru ****************
You just answered my question also. thank youReply to
Roger *********
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Crispus *********
go to the Philippines, visa much better. Thai visa's are bullshit.
Dany ********
@Crispus ********
its very easy to handle the visa in thailand and there is sooo many options. i guess the people with „problems“ are the ones that try to game the system / dont have money / etc.Jamie ******
@Crispus ********
not any more they’re not ,,,you can only get two month extensions in Philippines nowadays as opposed to 6 months and many of these extensions cost a lot of money in travel and time to get to the offices as not all are onlineCrispus *********
@Jamie *****
I have friends in the Philippines who lived in Thailand for years and left because of the constant visa headaches and always changing irrelevant requirements. I've only been there for a month. then came back to Thailand.Jamie ******
@Crispus ********
a more cost effective visa is Cambodia ..one time onlyJamie ******
@Crispus ********
the reality on the ground is in 99% of cases the extensions are only for 2 months ,,,if you are lucky you stay near an extention office with little or no costs involved ..in most cases it will be a long boat ,plane ,bus ,taxi ride ,with hotel costs involved as well …so yes in theory you can STAY inside phillipines for up to 36 months but the realty is as difficult as Thailand ..box luck if your friends found their sweet spot in Philippines and they have an office nearby to do their extensions..as your photo states Initial application in Manila …and also What it DOESNT SAY Manila only gives out 6 month extensions ,all others are discretion of officer ( sounds familiar ) and normally only 2 months…also each extention for visa is around £200 + travel,costs + hotel food costsReply to
Jamie ******
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Bob **********
About $200 in the US but you probably should be asking what things cost over here now 😎😎😎
Joe *******
I got an education visa for 6 months to learn Thai.
Jim *******
@Joe ******
If you really have strong dedication and attend the classess and do homework (rarely anyone on that visa does that, they hardly show up at the school) you might attain the profficiency to talk to street vendors, nothing serious.6 months visa is all they need.
Upon renewal, Immigration officers talk to you in Thai only and quickly realize that.
Dany ********
@Jim ******
my language school is only 2x2 hours per week. and i think 80% attendance rate (recommended, not enforced). and after a few months you can speak basic stuff. its a hard language to learn. immigration officers dont test your skills usualy. if you can say hello, be polite and niceley dressed it is a non issue. never had a problem with my ED visas. (i learn for more than 1,5 years now)Reply to
Dany ********
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Greg ***********
@Joe ******
no you didn't get an ED visa for 6 months. You got an ED visa for 90 days, and had to apply for the 12-months extensionDany ********
@Greg **********
that is incorrect. you get the ED for 90 days. and with a private language school each extension is another 90 days. and if you only sign up for a 6 months class you will only be able to extend it once.Greg ***********
@Dany *******
You are incorrect. You can also get an extension for a full year - it depends on the school or university. Joe Seeds mentioned the 6-months course contract AFTER I had already replied to him. Well then, he only needs and will only get issued a 90 days extension. I corectly noted that he DOESN't get an ED-visa for 6 months. He gets an ED visa only for 90 days. The next three months are NOT an "ED visa". They are an "extension of a temporary stay permit based on education"Dany ********
@Greg **********
i am not incorrect. i said PRIVATE language school and that is what 99% of people are using for their ED… university is a totaly different process. with a PRIVATE school you allways extend 90 days. i had multiple ED myself in the past 😅Greg ***********
@Dany *******
that's true for YOUR school but not generally true for ALL schools. Joe Seeds wrote "I got an education visa for 6 months to learn Thai" . . he didn't say if it was a Thai school or private school. What is WRONG in his claim is that he has a 6-month ED-Visa. THERE IS NOTHING SUCH AS A 6-months ED-Visa . . . . He only has a 3 months ED-Visa, plus a 30-days stay permit extension based on educationReply to
Greg ***********
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Joe *******
@Greg **********
I get it tomorrow when I go to immigration. You maybe right as this is the first time I’ve done this. But my Thai lessons are only for 6 months with regular checks from immigration. I’ll let you know how I get onReply to
Joe *******
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Jim *******
@Joe ******
My daughter (21), a Thai national, her first language was Thai, left Thai as 4.5 years old. A student now in Australia. Raised in Japan, International School, English spoken at home.She took so far 400 lessons from a professional Thai teacher (15 US$ an hour, online), reading, writing, speaking.
She can barely make a phone call from overseas to Thai.
Stick with yur English.
Joe *******
@Jim ******
I’m looking forward to learning Thai tbh. Maybe your daughter wasn’t that willing to learn? Whatever, not everybody is the same! As I have a child due in about a months time I thought it important I learn the language as I would like him to speak Thai and EnglishJim *******
@Joe ******
Daughter speaks, reads, writes Japanese as grade 6. To get Thai to that level, for an adult, it may take years and years, even with dedicated full time courses as foreign goverments send their staff to learn Thai, 6 days x 8 hours a day for a year.Joe *******
@Jim ******
well done to your daughter! I’m going to be living here as I have a baby on the way, there’s no harm in trying.
Reply to
Joe *******
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John **********
The Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is the only one that matches your requirement but you can only get it in your home country
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
how many months before my trip should i apply for it ?John **********
@Steven ********
it runs from the moment it's issued so relatively close to your departure dateGreg ***********
@Steven ********
you can apply for the METV only in the country of your residence. The requirements can be found on the website of the Royal Thai Embassy of your home countryReply to
Greg ***********
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Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
link ??Reply to
Steven *********
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Jan ******************
METV normally around 200 USD.
Wayne *********
METV and extension and leave and return
Phil ******
Multi entry TR Visa or non O will five you 6 months
Willem ****
Phil Beer
Non O is 90 days. Only extendable with 1 year. If doing a border bounce and get 60 days visa exempt its possible to extend that with 30 days. So yes its 6 months totall but not as 1 visa.
Non O is 90 days. Only extendable with 1 year. If doing a border bounce and get 60 days visa exempt its possible to extend that with 30 days. So yes its 6 months totall but not as 1 visa.
Reply to
Willem ****
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Michael **********
METV. It's good for 6 months and can get up to 9 with extensions done at the right time
Reply to
Michael **********
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