METV or Visa Exemption for multiple short-stay entries? (+ internal flights).

[OPHaynes]

19 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

In that case thinking METV is good fit.

Let the METV validity run out prior to marriage and do a visa exempt entry.

That could even be a border bounce. 

Assume you are aware that if you reenter Thailand (last time on valid METV you will be stamped in for another 2 months. 

Thank you so much for all the help!

 

I don't know if you were able to advise on the VE stamp when going from BKK Suvarnabhumi --> Samui non-transit? Would this incur another VE stamp?

[OPHaynes]

20 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Obviously, you couldn't apply for the Non Imm O visa or extension based on Thai spouse until after you married.

 

If the METV expires, get another.  

 

Just sent a PM regards marriage.

Thank you so much for all the help!

 

I don't know if you were able to advise on the VE stamp when going from BKK Suvarnabhumi --> Samui non-transit? Would this incur another VE stamp?

[Liquorice]

14 minutes ago, OPHaynes said:

I don't know if you were able to advise on the VE stamp when going from BKK Suvarnabhumi --> Samui non-transit? Would this incur another VE stamp?

Not sure what you mean!

 

Once you enter VE you can travel to any part of Thailand within that 60 day period.

[Upnotover]

3 hours ago, OPHaynes said:

When entering Koh Samui travelling from Bangkok (non-transit as advised above), would this pick up another visa exemption stamp when going through passport control at Samui and again returning to Bangkok, or because this is domestic travel and never 'officially' leaving the country you are still operating on the same exemption stamp?

You are going to and from a Thai island.  You will not go through passport control in either direction.

[Pattaya57]

Just a follow up to whether someone can get a re-entry permit on a visa exempt entry like stated you can in this thread.

 

There are numerous sites that say you can't and if it was possible why would agents that sell re-entry permits say it's not possible? Surely they would gladly sell it to you if they could.

Here are 3 sites that say it's not possible. Before people start to discredit these sites, how about instead link one site that clearly says it is possible. I couldn't find any!
- - - - - - - - - - - 
Bangkok Immigration - clearly says a re-entry permit can be granted for a visa (visa exempt entry is not a visa)

"But if before leaving the Kingdom, the alien has been granted permission by the competent official to be able to re-enter the Kingdom with the current visa held."

https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/re-entry-permit/

- - - - - - - - - - -

Who Is Not Eligible for a Thailand Re-Entry Permit?

You are not eligible for a Re-Entry Permit for Thailand if you have one of the following:

• A Thailand Visa On Arrival, which is valid for a maximum of 15 days and non-extendable.

• If you are from a country whose nationals do not need a Thailand Tourist Visa and you have entered the country under the visa-exemption rule.

https://visaguide.world/asia/thailand-visa/re-entry-permit/

 

- - - - - - - - - - -

"If you are holding 30 days exempt visa stamp or Visa on arrival than you can’t get a Re-entry permit"

 

https://thaivisaexpert.com/single-multiple-re-entry-permit/

 

Yes it's not updated to new 60 day visa exempt but it's pretty clear visa exempt doesn't qualify.

 

- - - - - - - - - - -

 

I can post many more sites saying it's not possible and I've had an agent actually tell me it's not possible. Can anyone post a site that clearly says you can get a re-entry stamp for a visa exempt entry?

 

[Pattaya57]

4 hours ago, Liquorice said:

I have a friend visits Thailand regularly 3 times a year VE, sometimes extended.
From July, he now gets 60 days on entry.
He regularly likes to take a 5-10 day break in Vietnam when he's here.
Been using re-entry permits for years to facility his Vietnam trips and avoid further VE entries.

I'd love to see a simple pic of VE stamp with re-entry permit stamp right next to it with same date. Your chance to prove 20+ websites wrong by showing you can get a re-entry permit for a VE entry

[Liquorice]

1 hour ago, Pattaya57 said:

Bangkok Immigration - clearly says a re-entry permit can be granted for a visa (visa exempt entry is not a visa)

Immigration as you are well aware call an extension of your permission of stay a 'visa' - extend visa sir!

 

1 hour ago, Pattaya57 said:

"But if before leaving the Kingdom, the alien has been granted permission by the competent official to be able to re-enter the Kingdom with the current visa held."

I haven't held a visa since 2014.

I have had consecutive permission of stay, and they grant me re-entry permits.

 

1 hour ago, Pattaya57 said:

"If you are holding 30 days exempt visa stamp or Visa on arrival than you can’t get a Re-entry permit"

 

https://thaivisaexpert.com/single-multiple-re-entry-permit/

 

Yes it's not updated to new 60 day visa exempt but it's pretty clear visa exempt doesn't qualify.

 

I wouldn't trust any outside sources, either.
First line of that site states;

Re-entry permit allows Visa holders to leave Thailand for a short period of time to travel to another country and then Re-enter Thailand on the same Visa. 

 

Any single entry visa is 'USED' on entry.
Any entry regardless of visa or not permits a period of 'permission of stay' and that is what a re-entry protects.

 

[Liquorice]

3 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

I'd love to see a simple pic of VE stamp with re-entry permit stamp right next to it with same date. Your chance to prove 20+ websites wrong by showing you can get a re-entry permit for a VE entry

How does this work then Rob.

You have an extension of stay based on Thai spouse until 10th Sept.
You apply for a further extension of stay and Immigration gives you a 30 day under consideration stamp from 10th Sept to Oct 10th.

Your visa expired years ago, your permission of stay ended on Sept 10th.

How then is it possible to obtain a re-entry permit for that 30 day under consideration period.

[Pattaya57]

1 minute ago, Liquorice said:

How does this work then Rob.

You have an extension of stay based on Thai spouse until 10th Sept.
You apply for a further extension of stay and Immigration gives you a 30 day under consideration stamp from 10th Sept to Oct 10th.

Your visa expired years ago, your permission of stay ended on Sept 10th.

How then is it possible to obtain a re-entry permit for that 30 day under consideration period.

What does any of that have to do with getting a re-entry permit for a visa exempt entry?

[Liquorice]

5 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

What does any of that have to do with getting a re-entry permit for a visa exempt entry?

Work it out!

You appear to have all the answers.

 

I've already told you I have a friend that has always entered VE and obtained a re-entry permit from Immigration as he enjoys a few days break in Da Nang.
He's never been questioned on re-entry and always been stamped in accordingly.

Now if you don't want to believe me, that's your prerogative, but please don't quote sites or agents that don't know the difference between a visa and a permit of stay.

[Pattaya57]

20 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Work it out!

You appear to have all the answers.

 

I've already told you I have a friend that has always entered VE and obtained a re-entry permit from Immigration as he enjoys a few days break in Da Nang.
He's never been questioned on re-entry and always been stamped in accordingly.

Now if you don't want to believe me, that's your prerogative, but please don't quote sites or agents that don't know the difference between a visa and a permit of stay.

So no simple Pic then. Just hearsay what someone you know told you. And yet 20+ websites say you can't do it? Go figure

 

Even the infamous thaiembassy website that is clickbait for Siam Legal trying to get baht from everywhere says you can't do it

 

[norsurin]

Many times and often short trips back and forward will rise a red flag at IMM.

Dont be surprised if they start to question u about ur trips.

That u have a thai gf doesnt matter if they want to investigate the reasons for ur travel history.

 

[impulse]

11 hours ago, Pattaya57 said:

Just a follow up to whether someone can get a re-entry permit on a visa exempt entry like stated you can in this thread.

 

There are numerous sites that say you can't and if it was possible why would agents that sell re-entry permits say it's not possible? Surely they would gladly sell it to you if they could.

 

Sorry if this has been covered, but why would anyone want a re-entry stamp on a visa exempt?  Even if you could get a re-entry permit, wouldn't it expire when your VE entry stamp expires?  Just enter again on a visa exempt.   Get a fresh stamp...

 

My own experience...  I've recently flown into BKK 17 or 18 months in a row (I lost count), each one on a visa exempt.  Last one was September.  Next one is in about 2 weeks.  I stay for about a week each entry.  (no extensions for a week's stay, obviously)   So far, so good.  I'll post back if I ever do have an issue with my entry.  (US passport, worked in Thailand pre-Covid, nothing but VE's since Covid)

 

Just to be clear, I only stay a few days each visit.  My experience has nothing to do with extended stays. YMMV

 

[Greenwich Boy]

17 hours ago, OPHaynes said:

 

Hi,

 

Many thanks for your reply! 

 

Being based in the UK, I assume the best way to apply for this METV would be through the eVisa portal? (unless I am wrong!!)

 

I have had a brief look at the requirements and I can see that I can get these I believe, including the financial ones. My only slight hesitation would be that my accommodation would be staying with my girlfriend at her place (Thai National), so I assume I would need an invitation letter or maybe further information (cope of lease)?

 

Many thanks!

There are now no financial requirements for  METV from London. Now a very simple application, got mine a couple of months ago. Took maybe 3 days

[OPHaynes]

On 10/8/2024 at 4:31 AM, Greenwich Boy said:

There are now no financial requirements for  METV from London. Now a very simple application, got mine a couple of months ago. Took maybe 3 days

Useful to know!

I've submitted mine today and will see what happens!

[Liquorice]

On 10/8/2024 at 10:31 AM, Greenwich Boy said:

There are now no financial requirements for  METV from London. Now a very simple application, got mine a couple of months ago. Took maybe 3 days

Sure, you're not confusing the TV with the METV?

 

For Single Entry 

•  A current passport with validity of over 6 months beyond the date of application
•  Visa application form  completely filled out
• Two (2) recent photos of the applicant
• Consular officers reserve the rights to request additional documents as deemed necessary.

 

For  Multiple Entries 
Multiple entries tourist visa,  please click here

• A current passport with validity of over 6 months beyond the date of application
• A completed application form
• Two (2) recent photos of the applicant
• Original bank statement of the applicant showing a balance of at least £5000 (for 6 months) or a print out with official stamp of the bank

https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/84256-tourist-visa?page=5d6636cd15e39c3bd00072dd&menu=5f4b6eb3f6ae4b236972c562

[OPHaynes]

36 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Sure, you're not confusing the TV with the METV?

 

For Single Entry 

•  A current passport with validity of over 6 months beyond the date of application
•  Visa application form  completely filled out
• Two (2) recent photos of the applicant
• Consular officers reserve the rights to request additional documents as deemed necessary.

 

For  Multiple Entries 
Multiple entries tourist visa,  please click here

• A current passport with validity of over 6 months beyond the date of application
• A completed application form
• Two (2) recent photos of the applicant
• Original bank statement of the applicant showing a balance of at least £5000 (for 6 months) or a print out with official stamp of the bank

https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/84256-tourist-visa?page=5d6636cd15e39c3bd00072dd&menu=5f4b6eb3f6ae4b236972c562

Just submitted application through E-Visa service - Specific financial information was not requested or asked to be uploaded at any point. 

 

Will update with further news once I hear back from application!

[Pattaya57]

1 hour ago, Liquorice said:

Sure, you're not confusing the TV with the METV?

 

For Single Entry 

•  A current passport with validity of over 6 months beyond the date of application
•  Visa application form  completely filled out
• Two (2) recent photos of the applicant
• Consular officers reserve the rights to request additional documents as deemed necessary.

 

For  Multiple Entries 
Multiple entries tourist visa,  please click here

• A current passport with validity of over 6 months beyond the date of application
• A completed application form
• Two (2) recent photos of the applicant
• Original bank statement of the applicant showing a balance of at least £5000 (for 6 months) or a print out with official stamp of the bank

https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/84256-tourist-visa?page=5d6636cd15e39c3bd00072dd&menu=5f4b6eb3f6ae4b236972c562

That web page you linked to is dated August 2019 and still says visa exempt is 30 days.

 

The latest web page from the London Embassy does not require any financial information for METV (nor does e-visa application portal). This changed in July this year just after the 60 day visa exempt became active

 

https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/page/tourist-multiple-entries-visa

 

[Liquorice]

5 hours ago, Pattaya57 said:

That web page you linked to is dated August 2019 and still says visa exempt is 30 days.

 

The latest web page from the London Embassy does not require any financial information for METV (nor does e-visa application portal). This changed in July this year just after the 60 day visa exempt became active

Thanks.

The London Embassy is an absolute shambles for information.

Different pages for the same visa types, with different requirements.

[bigt3116]

On 10/7/2024 at 11:17 PM, Pattaya57 said:

So no simple Pic then. Just hearsay what someone you know told you. And yet 20+ websites say you can't do it? Go figure

 

Even the infamous thaiembassy website that is clickbait for Siam Legal trying to get baht from everywhere says you can't do it

 

 

This page does not state that you need either a long stay visa/extension.

 

https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/re-entry-permit/

 

And the application form even has an "other" tick box along with "Non-Imm", "tourist" and "transit"

 

So it sure would appear that you can, apply for a re-entry permit with a visa exempt entry. The only reason I can think of as to why, would be if you were using a land crossing back when you were only allowed 2 exempt entries, this way, your re-entry would not count.

 

 

[Greenwich Boy]

13 hours ago, Liquorice said:

Sure, you're not confusing the TV with the METV?

 

For Single Entry 

•  A current passport with validity of over 6 months beyond the date of application
•  Visa application form  completely filled out
• Two (2) recent photos of the applicant
• Consular officers reserve the rights to request additional documents as deemed necessary.

 

For  Multiple Entries 
Multiple entries tourist visa,  please click here

• A current passport with validity of over 6 months beyond the date of application
• A completed application form
• Two (2) recent photos of the applicant
• Original bank statement of the applicant showing a balance of at least £5000 (for 6 months) or a print out with official stamp of the bank

https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/84256-tourist-visa?page=5d6636cd15e39c3bd00072dd&menu=5f4b6eb3f6ae4b236972c562

Definitely METV. Applied and received July 2024. I followed advice from a couple of posters here that no financial evidence has been required for a while. Another case of websites not being kept up to date?

[OPHaynes]

20 hours ago, Greenwich Boy said:

Definitely METV. Applied and received July 2024. I followed advice from a couple of posters here that no financial evidence has been required for a while. Another case of websites not being kept up to date?

 

On 10/9/2024 at 6:36 PM, Liquorice said:

Thanks.

The London Embassy is an absolute shambles for information.

Different pages for the same visa types, with different requirements.

For completeness for this thread, I applied for the METV yesterday and I have already received my approved Visa today without any financial information submitted! Shocked by a 24hr turnaround time! 
 

Thanks everyone for their help on this and their insights!

[post]

On 10/11/2024 at 4:57 AM, OPHaynes said:

I applied for the METV yesterday and I have already received my approved Visa today without any financial information submitted!

just wonder whether you needed to get the supporting documents of accommodation and ticket submitted respectively when you made the application online.

[Phillip9]

On 10/11/2024 at 3:57 AM, OPHaynes said:

Shocked by a 24hr turnaround time! 

That's because the METV is nearly useless now that visa exempts are 60 days, and I'm sure almost nobody else is bothering to apply for them.

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, Phillip9 said:

That's because the METV is nearly useless now that visa exempts are 60 days, and I'm sure almost nobody else is bothering to apply for them.

Actually no. 

For the OP example a METV is a good option and would provide 9 month trouble free stay. 

Especially if the trips in and out of Thailand were via air and even moreso if the stays in Thailand were not maxing the 60 day stamp that is currently provided by visa exempt entry 

[Phillip9]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Actually no. 

For the OP example a METV is a good option and would provide 9 month trouble free stay. 

But the OP didn't ask about a 9 month stay. 

 

He's doing short trips to Thailand without much time in the country.  I've never seen any reports here from anyone who had problems doing visa exempt entries with that travel pattern.  Immigration is mainly concerned about total too much time in Thailand. 

 

[Pattaya57]

29 minutes ago, Phillip9 said:

But the OP didn't ask about a 9 month stay. 

 

He's doing short trips to Thailand without much time in the country.  I've never seen any reports here from anyone who had problems doing visa exempt entries with that travel pattern.  Immigration is mainly concerned about total too much time in Thailand. 

 

Yep, this is a case of a couple of posters pushing their beliefs on a newbie who bought into it. 

 

Total waste of money on METV as nearly every report of problems relates to considerable back-to-back entries not multiple short stays like OP.

 

As I've stated many times, I used 3/4 visa exempt entries per year since I retired in 2018 and I stayed 270 days in 2022 and 220 days in 2023 with no questions ever asked, so why would IO care about OP's week long stays?

 

[DrJack54]

27 minutes ago, Phillip9 said:

But the OP didn't ask about a 9 month stay. 

If you read my early posts (first reply in fact) I suggested no issue with visa exempt entries as per his history.

 

As thread progressed we learn is planning to marry Thai national.

From the OP.....

"I've done extensive looking into marriage - would look to be around middle of 2025, so any METV would expire by that point allowing for the 0 visa conversion to spousal. "

 

Yes he could continue with ve however given that he looks to marry mid 2025 then METV good option. 

When married he can obtain a non O and subsequent 12 month extension+ multiple reentry permit 

 

[DrJack54]

16 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

Yep, this is a case of a couple of posters pushing their beliefs on a newbie who bought into it. 

You are blowing hot air.

Both posters you refer to (me being one)  suggesting METV as an option have not indicated potential problem with visa exempt entries.

 

My first reply .......

"Using visa exempt history and short stays in Thailand suggest no issue to continue with visa exempt entries"

 

[Rob Browder]

4 hours ago, Phillip9 said:

That's because the METV is nearly useless now that visa exempts are 60 days, and I'm sure almost nobody else is bothering to apply for them.

Not completely useless.  If one is flying into Thailand's BKK airports, and staying in Thailand most of the time, one is less-likely to be denied-entry with a Tourist-Visa than Visa-Exempt.  The visa costs less than paying the "guaranteed entry" agent ~3K per entry.  

 

That said, if staying in Thailand "too much" (undefined), one probably needs to pay the airport-agent service, regardless.  See what they did to this guy with a METV - and he wasn't even doing same/next-day bounces out and back:
https://aseannow.com/topic/1318940-metv-effectively-rescinded-at-don-mueang/