What visa options are available for a 4-month stay in Thailand, and can I get a visa extension without leaving the country?

May 27, 2024
7 months ago
Dianne ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am traveling to Thailand in December.

I am very confused on the visa .

I will be staying for 4 months.

Where do I start ? Can I get a 90 day visa ? Then get a 30 day? What are my options?

Thank you very much for any help .

Can I get a visa without having to leave Thailand?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Travelers to Thailand for 4 months have several visa options. The most common route is obtaining a Tourist Visa for the initial 60 days, which can then be extended for an additional 30 days for a fee. Border runs can provide further time, as re-entry allows for another 30 days stamp. For individuals over 50, a Non-O retirement visa is available but requires financial proof and provides longer stays with yearly renewal options. The Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) is also mentioned but is often deemed excessive for a single trip of 4 months. It's recommended to check specific embassy guidelines based on nationality and to consider upcoming visa rule changes.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Bob *********
I too will be traveling for 4 months. NEW Visa rules. We will get 60 days stamp upon arrival. Then I’ll apply for a 30 day extension. Then I’ll travel out to Cambodia or Vietnam for a short visit and return to Thailand and we will be give a new 60 day stamp.
Des *********
Wait for new visa rules coming out 1 June
Dianne ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
METV ?

SETV?
Helen ********
@Dianne **********
METV = multiple entry tourist visa. SETV = Single entry tourist visa. As others have mentioned, the METV is overkill for 4 months.
Rei ***********
Exemption visa then renew. Fly out and in the same day then extension. That's 4months.
Terary **********
You'rem nationality effects your visa options.

For me (and most other western nationalities)

4 months = 1 METV or 1 SETV + 1 border bounce
Graham ******
@Terary *********
the METV also requires a border bounce but no extension
Aake **********
MET
Henrik *****
Best to check visa options before deciding how long time you should go, since it is much easier to go for 90 days.

When going to Thailand for 31 - 60 ( 90 )days, the 60 days touristvisa is the best option.

It is cheaper than visa excempt + 30 days extension.

No need of a onward ticket ( 90 days 1 onward ), if returnticket within 60 days.

It is easier to apply from the comfort of your home.

thaievisa.go.th

If visiting the nearest Thai Embassy website, you may find informations, that make it much easier to apply online.

Not wasting holiday time to find, go to and waiting at a immigration office ( 90 you would need that ).

Then no need to leave Thailand in up to 90 days.
Dianne ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Wow this is excellent advice.

Thank you

Can you fly to Cambodia from Phuket area? I would stay for a couple of days if I had to do that . Maybe someone has a better suggestion of which country would be nice to go to.

Yes we are over 50 but not sure if we would return every year.
Nongnuch ********
@Dianne **********
The best advice came from Graham Seal,

as no financial proof is needed for the application to a single entry 60+30 tourist visa, like it is for an application to a "Non-Imm-O retirement visa"

Why fuss around with the proofs that are required for a Non-Imm-O, which by the way doesn’t give you any minute longer in Thailand than the 90 days you can get out of a tourist visa

. . and you need to do the border run anyways, if you want to extend your stay to 4 months
Liz *******
Does anyone know much about the 6 month multi entry visa? Been looking at it, bit confused.. Thanks
Malcolm *************
@Liz ******
£150. Apply on line through thai embassy London.
Nongnuch ********
@Liz ******
yes, the METV would also be a good solution for a 4 month stay. However you don't get around doing at least one border run. You will get stamped in for 60 days, and then one border run will give you another 60 days stamp (saves you from paying the 1900.- THB for a 30 days extension and having to do the border run at the end of the 90 days, anyways)
Brandon ************
@Nongnuch *******
METV would be overkill for 4 months. You're already going to have to leave at least once, so paying hundreds of dollars for a METV that gives no benefit over a single entry would be wasted money. The METV only makes sense for frequent travel/entries or trying for 9 months.
Nongnuch ********
@Brandon ***********
oooppps!! I just checked the website of the Royal Thai Embassy Ottawa. Couldn't believe what I see! SETV is 65.- CAD, and METV is 325 CAD! Damn! In my country, the difference is less, it is between 35.- Euro and 175.- Euro. 175 Euro are 260.- CAD. Well it makes sense to stick to the single entry TR visa. you are right,
@Brandon ***********
Brandon ************
@Nongnuch *******
still better than New Zealand 😂
Nongnuch ********
Stick talked to mutt
Nongnuch ********
@Brandon ***********
XXX for the hint . . .. the change of the NZ Thai visa fees a while ago was an absolute stunt. Maybe they don't want any more NZ guys in Bangkok like Stickman 😃
Graham ******
@Liz ******
plenty of posts on here explaining how to get almost 9 months in Thailand with two border bounces and 3 extensions
Larry **********
Depends on your age and if you plan on making it a yearly thing , like David said if you are over 50 it is completely different.......... from my experience and choices , it is by far easier to use an agent once you get here if you are over 50 ( save yourself so much time and frustration...I promise ) you will get 100 different answers and it truly comes down to age to begin with
David *******
If you are over 50 you can get a Non O visa ‘for Retirement’ that will give you 90 days but you can’t extend it for another month, only for a year which will require things like funds in bank etc or a fairly expensive agent fee. If you plan to visit each winter then it might be worth it?? as you can get an extension each year.

Otherwise you will have to leave the country and re-enter as the previous reply said.

Edit: I’ve just seen you’re in Canada? If so, the Embassy there is known to be rather unhelpful so the Non O may be an issue.
Brandon ************
@David ******
Depends on which embassy. The Ottawa embassy is one of the worst in the world according to reports, alongside the Paris embassy. But the one in Vancouver has great reports.
Graham ******
You will need to purchase a Tourist Visa for your first 60 days then extend for another 30 days for 1900B. Then you leave and re-enter for a 30 day stamp assuming you qualify for Visa Exempt entry. This can also get a 30 day extension if required.
Paul **********
@Graham *****
hi Graham if I travel from uk I get 30 days . While I am there in them 30 days do I apply for tourist visa in Thailand or do I need that before I leave uk ? If so where do I purchase it from ?
Bosco *******
@Paul *********
apparently from. 1st June. You can get 60 days visa exemption..
Graham ******
@Paul *********
You cannot get a Tourist Visa in Thailand. You apply for a 30 day Extension of stay for 1900B once.
Ling *****
@Graham *****
this is the correct answer and the cheapest way to do it.
Nongnuch ********
@Graham *****
best reply and advice of 'em all, as no financial proof is needed like it is for an application to a "Non-Imm-O retirement visa". Why fuss around with the proofs that are required, when the application to a tourist visa is that easy
Nongnuch ********
you could apply for the multi entry tourist visa. It gets you stamped in for 60 days. Just before they expire, do one border run and get stamped in for 60 days, again. It saves the 1900.- THB, and the inevitable border run you have to do anyways, with a single entry TR visa, if ya want to stay for 4 months
Graham ******
@Nongnuch *******
A SETV costs £30 but the METV is £150 (at RTE London). It works out a little expensive to save one extension at Immigration.
Nongnuch ********
@Graham *****
correct!
@Dianne **********
is from Canada, the difference is even higher, 65.- CAD for SETV , and 325.- CAD for a METV. I couldn't believe it until I saw it on the website of the Consulate Ottawa.
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