Extending METV visa

[mihastare]

In December 2017 I came to Thailand with METV visa. Did a border run on last day of visa being valid, so now it will be 8 months total.

 

I would like to stay in Thailand for 2 more months.

 

I know you can do 30-day extension at immigration office for 1900 baht (9th month), but as I will be in Hat Yai, I was thinking of doing 2 overland border runs to Malaysia (Padang Besar) to get 2 times 30 day VOA.

 

Is that possible? I am looking towards cheapest option, as my budget is very low.

 

Thank you very much for your help!

[elviajero]

You can do two visa exempt entries at a land border (not visa on arrival), but you don’t need to.

 

You could do one visa run for a new 30 day visa exempt entry, and then extend that by another 30 days at immigration for 1,900 baht.

[BritTim]

A warning: if you use the most obvious border crossing from Hat Yai, the one at Sadao,

• they may insist that you stay at least one night in Malaysia; and
• they may verify that you have 20,000 baht cash equivalent on you before they allow you to enter.

This might also happen if you take the train to Pedang Besar, and cross there, but your chances are better at that crossing.

[mihastare]

10 hours ago, elviajero said:

You can do two visa exempt entries at a land border (not visa on arrival), but you don’t need to.

 

You could do one visa run for a new 30 day visa exempt entry, and then extend that by another 30 days at immigration for 1,900 baht.

Thank you very much for a reply. Can you please clarify to me what is visa exempt and VOA? I thought this is the same.

 

Than I will do 2 times visa exempt - much cheaper than 1900 baht, as I will be staying at Hat Yai - near the border.

 

9 hours ago, BritTim said:

A warning: if you use the most obvious border crossing from Hat Yai, the one at Sadao,

• they may insist that you stay at least one night in Malaysia; and
• they may verify that you have 20,000 baht cash equivalent on you before they allow you to enter.

This might also happen if you take the train to Pedang Besar, and cross there, but your chances are better at that crossing.

Yea I read about it. I will go to Padang Besar for sure. I will also have 20k and I will be ready to sleep one night there also. No problem with that. 

[ubonjoe]

30 minutes ago, mihastare said:

Can you please clarify to me what is visa exempt and VOA? I thought this is the same.

A visa on arrival is only for 15 days after applying for it and paying a 2000 baht fee for it if you are from one of the 21 countries that can qualify for it.

A visa exempt entry is for 30 days and costs nothing if you are from a country that qualifies for it. See: http://www.consular.go.th/main/contents/filemanager/VISA/Visa on Arrival/VOA_แก้ไข 15-03-61.pdf

[mihastare]

Wow now I understand it ? Really appreciates it! Yes I am from Slovenia - EU, so I am able to get visa exempt 2 times overland for 30 days.

 

BTW just for my knowledge. What are my options after 2 visa exempt? 

 

I read a lot, but totally lost.

[ubonjoe]

18 minutes ago, mihastare said:

What are my options after 2 visa exempt? 

Do them by air or get a single entry tourist visa at a nearby embassy or consulate that will allow a 60 day entry that can be extended for 30 days.

 

[mihastare]

And how many times you can do it by air? Unlimited?

[jackdd]

15 minutes ago, mihastare said:

And how many times you can do it by air? Unlimited?

No written limit, depends on the IO at the airport, see:

 

[mihastare]

Interesting...I think that now I figured it out ? 

 

Thanks to all of you guys!

[Nice Boyd]

Avoid lady immigration officers, they like drama

[mihastare]

24 minutes ago, Nice Boyd said:

Avoid lady immigration officers, they like drama

haha good to know ?

[elviajero]

35 minutes ago, mihastare said:

1 hour ago, Nice Boyd said:

Avoid lady immigration officers, they like drama

haha good to know ?

There is no reason to “avoid lady immigration officers”. There is no evidence that you’re more likely to be hassled/denied entry by a female officer. It’s just baseless opinion.

[mihastare]

Today I have done a visa run at Padang Besar - actually yesterday, but they forced me to stay overnight.

 

Today they saw my METV is expired and sent me to VOA office. The lady (only a lady was in a VOA office) wanted me to have a visa. I told her that I want visa exempt for 30 days and she complicated but gave me a stamp at the end - very unwillingly.

 

And she added that next time I must have a visa. She has been looking through all my passport several times (been to Thailand on visa exempt in 2015 and 2016).

 

PS: This was not at the train station crossing, it happened on vehicle border crossing (for cars and buses) as we wanted to start before a shuttle train departs at 8:55. Well we have been waiting in line for more than 1 hour and now we will be in Hat Yai later than train ? bummer

 

I am thinking of going next time to Padang Besar train border crossing and try to get another visa exempt. What do you think?

 

Thank you

[ubonjoe]

16 minutes ago, mihastare said:

I am thinking of going next time to Padang Besar train border crossing and try to get another visa exempt. What do you think?

 

You might be able to get another visa exempt entry this year since apparently you have only done one. If you do another one it will be last one for this year unless you are from a country that has a bilateral agreement for your visa exempt entries.

You can also extend your visa exempt entry for 30 days.

Perhaps best to travel a little further and get a single entry tourist visa in Penang.

[mihastare]

Ok, thank you for the answer. We will see what to do. Probably will try the train border cross next time and hope for the best.

 

If not, then I will go to Penang from there. 

 

Is it possible to do so? If already stamped out of Malaysia, and they reject you for visa exempt. What than?

[ubonjoe]

10 hours ago, mihastare said:

 

Is it possible to do so? If already stamped out of Malaysia, and they reject you for visa exempt. What than?

You return to Malaysia and they will cancel your departure stamp.

[mihastare]

Thanks. Then we will probably try to do it ?

 

Really appreciate all your help here on the forum! Thanks, ubonjoe!

[mihastare]

As I decided not to risk being rejected, I will go to Penang to make a SETV. But I have a question about the required documents:

 

I will have

-passport photocopied

-photos

-hotel booking from Agoda for 1 week after coming back to Thailand (which I will cancel after) as I am renting an apartment in Songkhla without any rental agreement - it's a friend.

-20.000 baht in cash

 

1. My first concern problem is only the air ticket for onward travel - which I don't have planned yet.

2. Any visa agent recommendation? I am checking this info also here: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1052419-visa-agents-in-penang/?tab=comments

 

Thank you,

Miha