Answered3 years ago
What should I know about the 60-day entry limit with the METV visa for Thailand?
Hello, thanks for this very helpful informative group. I just got approved for the METV. However, the letter states that my length of stay is 60 days. Also the stamp on my passport is for 60 days. I thought I got 6 months. Is it because I have to leave the country within 60 days? But when I return I will get another 60 day stamp?
Answer summary
The METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa) allows you to stay in Thailand for a total of almost 6 months under optimal conditions. Each entry grants you a 60-day stamp, which can be extended once for an additional 30 days at an immigration office. If you leave Thailand before your initial 60 days expire and re-enter, you'll receive another 60-day stamp, plus the potential for another 30-day extension, allowing for a total stay of up to approximately 180 days. However, the visa is designed primarily for short-term tourism, not long-term residency.
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Dan ********
Under ideal circumstances a METV can last almost 6 months.
Near the end of your first 60 days, extend the visa at an immigration office, which adds 30 more days (for a total of 90 days). At the end of those 90 days, leave Thailand briefly. When you return, the immigration officer will give you another 60 days. Near the end of that 60 days, go to immigration and get a 30 day extension. That's a total of 180 days.
The only problem I found is that, the METV visa has a 6 month Maximum expiration date. Immigration won't give an extension if it finishes after the Maximum expiration date.
Keep in mind, the main purpose of the METV is make it easy for tourists to go in and out of Thailand while on a several month trip to SE Asia. Although it can be used to stay for almost 6 months, that's not why Thailand offers it.
Also, AFAIK Thailand will not issue more than one METV to a foreigner in a 1 year period.
If you want to stay longer, get an education, retirement, or Elite visa.
Near the end of your first 60 days, extend the visa at an immigration office, which adds 30 more days (for a total of 90 days). At the end of those 90 days, leave Thailand briefly. When you return, the immigration officer will give you another 60 days. Near the end of that 60 days, go to immigration and get a 30 day extension. That's a total of 180 days.
The only problem I found is that, the METV visa has a 6 month Maximum expiration date. Immigration won't give an extension if it finishes after the Maximum expiration date.
Keep in mind, the main purpose of the METV is make it easy for tourists to go in and out of Thailand while on a several month trip to SE Asia. Although it can be used to stay for almost 6 months, that's not why Thailand offers it.
Also, AFAIK Thailand will not issue more than one METV to a foreigner in a 1 year period.
If you want to stay longer, get an education, retirement, or Elite visa.
Steven ***************
If metvs were 6 month stays, every foreigner in Thailand would be using them to live here. See above
Graham ******
@Steven **************
I beg to differ as Immigration will no longer allow you to live in Thailand long term on tourism entry stamps
Nigel **************
@Graham *****
yep agree. I was stopped at Swampy a few weeks ago and told to get a Non O retirement visa if I want to stay 5 months every year. I am not a tourist in their eyes.Brown ********
@Nigel *************
cool good to hearNigel **************
@Brown *******
that's what a lot of people are saying 🤔🤔 but yes she let me in after the lecture. Just extended it SETV today for 30 days.Brown ********
@Nigel *************
it is. You must of got a real tyrant officer this day. Hope they let you inNigel **************
@Graham *****
Yeah I was a bit shocked as I though my plan was okay. It was good last year but not this year. But I still see many people outlining my plan as being perfectly okay. 😢😢😢Graham ******
@Nigel *************
that's a bit toughBrown ********
@Graham *****
so if you have one of these metv visas and you go to do a border bounce they'll deny you? If so do you know how long you gotta stay in a bordering country before they consider you're travelling not living?Steve ********
@Brown *******
I just go by the laws, not bar-talkBrown ********
@Steve *******
I'm the same as that so hopefully they don't know what they're talking about and you doSteve ********
@Brown *******
Your situation must be different to mine. I retain tax residency in Australia and pay taxes there, so I'm ok. Everyone's situation is differentBrown ********
@Steve *******
actually 2-1. I've had 2 people tell me I'll be fukked next yearSteve ********
@Brown *******
"You've been told"? I just told you otherwise. Does that make it 1-1? 😆Brown ********
@Steve *******
yes but I've been told that doesn't matter in this case but I hope you are rightSteve ********
@Brown *******
If you're living off rental income (same as me), it's already been taxed.Brown ********
@Steve *******
Im 52 and not using a retirement fund. I'm living off rental income. They'll likely figure some way to investigate this.Steve ********
@Brown *******
There's no new tax for retirement funds. It's bar-talk gone out of control. Technically every retiree could have been taxed on pensions for years, but it's a "too hard" item with little or no rewards for Thai treasury due to double taxation laws. Keep in mind that anyone spending more than 180 days in Thailand can be deemed a "tax resident" irrespective of visaBrown ********
@Graham *****
ok. I was thinking of going this path as I spend 3 months a year in Australia spending time with family. But if they are going to deny me entry even with a visa because I am settled in one place best to stick with the retirement visa route. The only issue I have with the retirement visa route now is the new tax bollocks coming inGraham ******
@Brown *******
Not if your time in Thailand looks like you are a genuine tourist and not someone who might be living there or, even worse, working there. They will look closely at your stay history to determine that. If denied entry at a land border they usually tell you to enter by air.Steven ***************
@Graham *****
. Read my post again carefully. Imm has never allowed it . That's the point. Op thought 6 month TVs were for 6 months stays, they aren't. They have a 6 month expiry. If thailand DID issue 6 month stay tvs it would literally allow you to.live here timewise.
Steve ********
You can extend the stamp by 30 days at immigration. Then you can leave/re-enter for another 60+30, and if there's still time left on your visa, bounce again for another 60+30. You can get almost nine months
Davejuna *****
OP@Steve *******
ty for that info!
Stuart *********
That’s how the METV works. It’s valid for 6 months from issue. Every time you enter Thailand you are stamped in for 60 days. You have the option of extending that entry once per entry at a local immigration office for 30 days (1,900 baht) or do a border bounce and re-enter Thailand for another 60 days.
Do a bounce just before the visa expires and you’ll get another 60 (plus 30) days. Depending when you applied you can get almost 9 months with that visa.
Do a bounce just before the visa expires and you’ll get another 60 (plus 30) days. Depending when you applied you can get almost 9 months with that visa.
Davejuna *****
OP@Stuart ********
Ty for that info!Activity
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