Answered8 years ago

When does the METV become active and how can I extend my stay in Thailand?

METV Visa Rules Immigration Visa Activation Visa Extension Chiang Mai Immigration Office

Mary ********

asked Apr 21, 2019

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Confused about two items regarding METV.

1)  does it become active the day the consulate/embassy puts it in my passport or the day I enter Thailand?.

2) if I am reading the information right I have to leave the country every 60 days to extend it.  Can I extend it in Chiang Mai or do I have to do a border bounce 3 times to get like 8 months out if it.

Answer summary

The METV (Multi-Entry Tourist Visa) becomes active the day you enter Thailand, not when it is issued by the consulate or embassy. Each entry allows you to stay for 60 days, which can be extended once for an additional 30 days at a local immigration office. After that, you will need to leave Thailand, perform a border run, and re-enter to obtain another 60-day entry stamp. It is advised to get the METV as close to your arrival date as possible to maximize your stay.

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Tod *********

okay a 6 month METV is valid for 6 months from the date it's issued by the consulate (That means you need to get it as CLOSE to when you come back to thailand as you can to get the maximum time in country out of the visa)

Each entry is good for 60 days, you can extend each entry by 30 days ONCE at the immigration office, then you have to go to a border, stamp out of thailand, stamp in&out of another country and stamp back into thailand to get another t60 day entry stamp.

8 years ago

Mary ********

Extend at the local immigration office?

8 years ago

Tod *********

David Ni keep in mind a re-entry permit won't ADD any days to the stamp you got it just lets you exit/re-enter and get stamped back in for that original expiration date on your last entry stamp

8 years ago

Ellie *******

@Monti *******

, visa is not permission to enter. Visa assures the days you can get with “permitted until” stamp once IF immigration officer decides to let you enter the country.

8 years ago

Monti ********

David Ni Yes, of course. You have a valid entry and can get a reentry permit.

8 years ago

Monti ********

You can extend at your local immigration office for 30 days once per entry. But since you have an METV you can just leave Thailand, reeenter and get another 60 days. You can leave and reenter up to the day your METV expires and get another 60 days. The visa is just permission to enter the country. Every entry you get 60 days. You can enter on the last valid day of your METV and get a another 60 days and then renew that for 30 days. So you can enter the last day your visa is valid and stay up to 90 days if you extend the 60 day entry at your local immigration office.

8 years ago