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What type of visa should I get for an extended stay in Thailand after already using my exemptions?
Aug 6, 2025
9 months ago
Mike *********
ORIGINAL POSTERQuestion:
I am not sure what I will need or not need but here is the scenario.
USA Citizen
I was in Thailand from middle February to end of April.
I am coming back next Tuesday and plan to stay until Dec, 18th give or take.
I booked an onward flight to Cambodia in early October for a week with a return flight to Thailand until December with a exit flight to the USA
I know I get a 60-day tourist visa exempt upon arrival the first time. Will, what or should I get some kind of other visa for my stay?
I need some guidance here
I am not sure what I will need or not need but here is the scenario.
USA Citizen
I was in Thailand from middle February to end of April.
I am coming back next Tuesday and plan to stay until Dec, 18th give or take.
I booked an onward flight to Cambodia in early October for a week with a return flight to Thailand until December with a exit flight to the USA
I know I get a 60-day tourist visa exempt upon arrival the first time. Will, what or should I get some kind of other visa for my stay?
I need some guidance here
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user, a U.S. citizen, is unsure about the visa requirements for a stay in Thailand from now until December following a previous 2.5-month visit. They are currently on a visa exemption which grants them 60 days upon arrival. Comments suggest considering a six-month multiple entry tourist visa for more flexibility, checking the Thai embassy for current visa options, and possibly applying for an extension at a Thai visa center upon arrival.
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Frankie *******
Once u arrive in bangkok u be given 60 days n then go to thai visa center n tell them u want an extension. Let them take care of it.its easier n faster
Henrik *****
Why support corruption by using a agent, when you just can go to the Immigration office and do it yourself, without extra expenses to pay a agent.
Greg ***********
@Frankie ******
you are an (censored)Reply to
Greg ***********
Reply
Henrik *****
Always start by checking which visa options available on the Thai Embassy website, and THEN plan how long you can actually can stay.
Do things the other way around can be costly and difficult.
Do things the other way around can be costly and difficult.
Mike *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Henrik ****
yes next time ...lesson learned....kinda new to this....Reply to
Mike *********
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Bob **********
A multi entry tourist visa would work but doubt you have time a tourist visa??time? I doubt you’ll get all that time on exempt stamps in the same year
Bob **********
Well 15 years here never heard of it ,that’s what it’s for
Bob **********
Never heard of a denial on a METV
Greg ***********
@Bob *********
That's why you should pay attention in Thai visa advice groups, as since the visa-exemption went from 30 days to 60 days, Immigration officials are checking your entry history more accurately, and I have read some reports of the 7th and 8th month out of a METV being refusedReply to
Greg ***********
Reply
Greg ***********
@Bob *********
on a multi entry 6-months tourist visa, he doesn't need an agent for a border run. The service of such agencies he only needs when he tries to enter visa-exempt for a second or third timeBob **********
@Greg **********
yes he’ll get almost 9 months if done properly then he still needs another 3 months??Greg ***********
@Bob *********
6 months on a METV are guaranteed, yet those 8 or 9 months are never guaranteed. There were some reports of denialsGreg ***********
@Bob *********
we have some reports of people being denied the last 60-days stay permit when they entered shortly before the expiry of their METV. The 9 months are not guaranteed! The last 60-days stay permit is upon the discretion of the Immigration officer, and it depends on the stamp history in your passportReply to
Greg ***********
Reply
Mike *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bob *********
I applies for the multi entry visa on lineBob **********
@Mike ********
yes in your country onlyReply to
Bob **********
Reply
Mike *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bob *********
I get that through thai embassy?Reply to
Mike *********
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Jan ******************
You’ve stayed for 2,5 month already and would like to stay for four months more. Personally I would at least have applied for a six months multiple entries tourist visa through the Thai embassy before I left home. Gives you 60 days each time upon arrival with a potential 30 days local extension within six months. Fee 180-200 USD.
Mike *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jan *****************
I file for the multientry visa onlineGreg ***********
@Mike ********
do itReply to
Greg ***********
Reply
Mike *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jan *****************
will this cure my long stay issueJan ******************
@Mike ********
There’s no formal regulation regarding this and the best ting to do is to cover your stay with a visa -don’t know anything about your previous travel history- but even though you’ve already been in Thailand once, your total stay will not exceed a maximised six months multiple entries tourist visa this time. Maybe you’ll get pulled aside and told to get a DTV next time. If you want to be 💯 sure you can use a professional landborder transport company to bounce you out and in to activate the new 60 days or use a safe entry service -so called prescan- with an agent at the airport.Mike *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jan *****************
"professional landborder transport company to bounce you out and in to activate the new 60 days or use a safe entry service -so called prescan- with an agent at the airport." is this referred to as a border run?Greg ***********
@Mike ********
on a multi entry 6-months tourist visa, you don't need an agent for a border run. The service of such agencies you only need when you try to enter visa-exempt for asecond or third timeReply to
Greg ***********
Reply
Andy *****
@Mike ********
There is no guarantee really. If you are unlucky, they may not let you enter even with a tourist visa. You should really do some research and get the appropriate Visa for your long stay. Staying in Thailand for about 6 months/ per year will not be considered as a genuine tourist. If you want to come to Thailand regularly, you definitely need a long term solution.
Mike *********
ORIGINAL POSTERSo you are saying I may not even be let in the county because i came already one time this year?
Jan ******************
@Mike ********
I think you will be fine with a multiple entries tourist visa now. Just be prepared to show onward and return tickets upon entry if they’ll ask you. -Professional landborder company, yes that’s a border run with a company that prepares everything for you and make sure you’ll be able to return with them on a new 60 days visa exemption. (Price 3500 -5000 baht)
-Safe airport entry or prescan is a service at the airport where an agent prepare your entry and escort you through the immigration and make sure you’re allowed to enter on a new visa exemption. (Cost 7-8 000).
As said if you don’t have any excessive travel history beyond the 2,5 months my guess is that you’ll be fine with a multiple entries tourist visa for your planned stay now and might just risk to be told to get a proper long stay visa as a DTV if you plan or wish to do further long stay in Thailand.
Greg ***********
@Jan *****************
the six months of stay are guaranteed on a multi entry tourist visa. What we have heard from some reports is, that a final 60-days stay permit when doing a last entry before the expiry of the visa validity, can be refused or handed out including a warning that for the next half year no more touristic entries are possibleJan ******************
@Greg **********
Nothing is guaranteed even with a tourist visa, as everything is in the discretion of the IO you’re standing in front of and depends on your previous travel history.Greg ***********
@Jan *****************
6 months on a METV are guaranteed. It's the 8 or the 9 months some people claim to be possible, that are not guaranteedJan ******************
@Greg **********
As said, it depends on the IO you meet and your previous travel history. Even if an embassy/consulate issues you a tourist visa without any insight in your previous potential excessive travel history, the immigration will not be obligated to let you enter on this visa. Remember holding a visa to thailand in your passport doesn't mean you get in, all it means is IF they let you in, you get stamped in for the days the visa allows you.Greg ***********
@Jan *****************
I knowMike *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andy ****
they dont really say that you cant come multiple times on a visa exempt.......I will be less than 6 months.....my exit is prior is 49 days in to cambodia.Mike *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andy ****
thanks I am trying to learn.....I applied for a multiple entry visa just in case it is an issue or not. My total time will be less than 180 days so hope i don`t run into issuesReply to
Mike *********
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