METV for Cambodians

[taxin]

Hi all, can anyone clarify if Cambodians are able to obtain multiple entry tourist visas for visiting Thailand?

[BritTim]

If they can qualify, it is possible. Few Cambodians who can have any interest in acquiring one. They spend their leisure time elsewhere.

[Caldera]

Strangely, it's not being mentioned as one of the visas that are available on the website of the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh. Their other information is pretty up to date (they even list the LTR visa), so I'm wondering if this is just a mistake or policy.

 

For Cambodian citizens who frequently travel to Thailand but stay just the usual few days (or to transit on their way to and from other countries), they're covered by their visa exempt allowance. Maybe with those who wish to stay longer, the embassy wants to approve each stay individually.

 

So you'd need to check with them, or with an agent that deals with them on a regular basis.

[Sheryl]

If you find out, let me know.

 

The Thai Embassy in PP often applies different rules to Cambodians with regard to visa than is the norm elsewhere.

 

As for the web site those postings are both very old and not specific to Cambodians.

[Caldera]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

As for the web site those postings are both very old and not specific to Cambodians.

The Phnom Penh website is a lot better than many others, and lists their specific requirements. Some visas require residency status in Cambodia (NOT necessarily being a Cambodian citizen), while others don't.

 

Which is why I'm leaning towards thinking that they don't list the METV on purpose.

[BritTim]

It is known that the Phnom Penh Thai embassy used to issue the METV under some circumstances. This page has an outline of the visa rules there as of a few years ago: https://cambodiakingdomofwonder.com/embassies/view/2/royal-thai-embassy-phnompenh-cambodia.

At that time, these were the requirements for tourist visas:

WARNING: Outdated

Quote

TYPES OF TOURIST VISA AND VALIDITY: 

1.      Single-Entry Tourist Visa: valid for entering Thailand once within 3 months from the date of application. The period of stay is 60 days maximum.

2.      Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa (enforced on 13 Nov 2015): valid for entering Thailand within 6 months from the date of application. The period of stay is 60 days maximum per stay. The Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa holder may enter Thailand again as long as the visa is still valid. Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa will only be granted to Cambodian nationals or those with proof of permanent residence in Cambodia.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: 

1.      Visa Application form(s) and photograph(s): Completed and signed Visa Application form and recent photograph(s) (size 3.5x4.5 cm).

2.      Passport (valid for no less than 6 months) 

3.      A copy of passport or travel document

4.      Travel tickets in and out of Thailand

5.      Evidence of adequate finance

-          Single-Entry Tourist Visa: $1000 per person and $2000 per family

-          Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa: $8,000 per person (6 months of financial statements)

6.      Letter of Employment (compulsory for Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa applicants)

7.      Evidence of accommodation booking (compulsory for Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa applicants)

8.      Other documents: as may be requested by Consular officers in addition to the documents above. Please note that Consular officers reserve the right to require additional documents, or an interview with the applicant, as deemed necessary, without prior notice. The Royal Thai Embassy reserves the right not to accept any visa application whereby any required document is absent. If the above procedures are not completed, the official will not proceed with your application. **The Royal Thai Embassy reserves the right to reject any visa application with insufficient documents or if the reasons given are not fully supported. The visa fee is non-refundable**

VISA FEE (Cash only in US Dollars – Non-refundable)

1.      Single-Entry Tourist Visa: $40

2.      Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa: $200

I can recall no announcement that issuing of the METV had been discontinued. There are two reasonable explanations for removing it from the embassy website. One is an unannounced discontinuation of the visa. The other is that it is so rare in Phnom Penh that (as with other rarely issued visas) they did not want to clutter up the website with its inclusion.

[Highlandman]

On 10/22/2023 at 3:05 AM, BritTim said:

If they can qualify, it is possible. Few Cambodians who can have any interest in acquiring one. They spend their leisure time elsewhere.

Plenty of Cambodians spend their leisure time in Thailand, but few are likely to spend months and months in Thailand at a time, unless they're here for medical treatment (or accompanying someone for medical treatment) or accompanying a family member who's studying in the Kingdom, or they're married to a Thai citizen, something like that.

Edited October 23, 2023 by Highlandman