The Multiple Entry Tourist Visa Topic (METV)

[ubonjoe]

I actually think the METV could be ok considering that it was nearly impossible to get a triple entry tourist visa from nearly all cities across the world except a select few. Now everyone in essence could get a visa to stay for 9 months before needing a new one. Only thing is the METV is a bit expensive compared to the old system but doesn't bother me at all. Proof of bank funds no issue for me. Proof of employment doesn't seem to be an issue in my country. The only thing concerning is having to have airline tickets for each entry/exit that you will make when usually you can do all of this within Thailand (or land border crossing) on the old system which gave greater flexibility.

The METV only cost 2000 baht more to get than a 3 entry tourist visa. For a person that plans on doing some trips to nearby countries the extra 2k baht can be offset by not needing to do 2 extensions (3800 baht total) at immigration to get the first six months.

I don/t recall any of the embassies or consulates wanting a ticket for each entry. Some just for the first and last entry. Buying a one way ticket to nearby country several months in advance does not cost that much.

[Cpkt8]

If one does not have proof of employment in own country, does that mean she can't apply for METV?

[thaibreaker]

Let`s say that the money requirements somehow make sense.

Even for people who have income of different kind monthly, and don`t need all money up front.

By showing it, we`ll give Thailand some peace of mind before entering.

What I have a hard time to grasp though, is the job requirement. How can it make sense that we actually need to have a job in our own country to get this METV?

Many of us don`t need to have a job back home during our time in Thailand, of let`s say 6-9 months. Why would we? It is unlikely we get paid during our time here anyway.

Working beforehand is a quite different thing. Many of us are working for a while back home, saving up money and plan to spend the next half a year or so in Thailand. Money is no issue, and many stop working for a while.

To get this METV, one must still have this job while in Thailand, or you don`t get it at all. Who will fill these requirements? Who can just take a 6-9 month holiday, and even do it repeatedly, (for those who talk about "just go back and apply again"..)?

And the employer also have to write a letter stating the purpose of this vacation, as if they care what your purpose is, or what you do during your holidays. Even your salary and job position, and how many years working there, are required by some embassies.

I find this very hard to understand, and for me it does not make any sense. If the purpose is to keep people away from working illegally in Thailand, there are other ways of doing that imo. You have already showed that you in fact have the financial requirements, so you shouldn`t need to work anyway. Why do Thailand care what work we have when we go back to our own country after ended holidays or break here?

This METV will not be much used imo, the requirements are just not fitting the bill. Single entry tourist visas will be much more common after this, I guess, and will be the only choice of the vast majority that use TV today.

[Lampang2]

It is interesting to note that those using serial TV's both to live and "work" in Thailand were warned in 2013 !

http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/upload/pdf/TouristVisa2013.pdf

http://www.thaiembassy.se/minmapp/news%20from%20the%20consular/Announcement_visa%20runners.pdf

[elviajero]

Let`s say that the money requirements somehow make sense.

Even for people who have income of different kind monthly, and don`t need all money up front.

By showing it, we`ll give Thailand some peace of mind before entering.

What I have a hard time to grasp though, is the job requirement. How can it make sense that we actually need to have a job in our own country to get this METV?

Many of us don`t need to have a job back home during our time in Thailand, of let`s say 6-9 months. Why would we? It is unlikely we get paid during our time here anyway.

Working beforehand is a quite different thing. Many of us are working for a while back home, saving up money and plan to spend the next half a year or so in Thailand. Money is no issue, and many stop working for a while.

To get this METV, one must still have this job while in Thailand, or you don`t get it at all. Who will fill these requirements? Who can just take a 6-9 month holiday, and even do it repeatedly, (for those who talk about "just go back and apply again"..)?

And the employer also have to write a letter stating the purpose of this vacation, as if they care what your purpose is, or what you do during your holidays. Even your salary and job position, and how many years working there, are required by some embassies.

I find this very hard to understand, and for me it does not make any sense. If the purpose is to keep people away from working illegally in Thailand, there are other ways of doing that imo. You have already showed that you in fact have the financial requirements, so you shouldn`t need to work anyway. Why do Thailand care what work we have when we go back to our own country after ended holidays or break here?

This METV will not be much used imo, the requirements are just not fitting the bill. Single entry tourist visas will be much more common after this, I guess, and will be the only choice of the vast majority that use TV today.

The usual reason for the job requirement is that it demonstrates a reason for the person to leave the country they are visiting and go home. No job increases the chances of staying and illegally working.

Anyone that can prove an independent passive income might, at some embassies/consulates, be able to apply as they would not fall in to the risk category. We won't know until people try and apply.

The METV is no good for many of those that have abused tourist visas in the past and that have made a problem for genuine long term tourists. But I'm sure the genuinely financially independent tourist will be unaffected long term.

[elviajero]

If one does not have proof of employment in own country, does that mean she can't apply for METV?

Almost definitely unless she is a student, retiree or she has a source of regular income. It is too early to know what each embassy/consulate will accept.

[JLCrab]

From my readings the METV was designed primarily for persons in the region who want to make multiple (as in many or more than 3) short term trips to Thailand over the six-month validity period and not designed for someone to stay in Thailand continuously for the 6 month validity period exiting only to activate a new 60-day entry period.

[bbi1]

I actually think the METV could be ok considering that it was nearly impossible to get a triple entry tourist visa from nearly all cities across the world except a select few. Now everyone in essence could get a visa to stay for 9 months before needing a new one. Only thing is the METV is a bit expensive compared to the old system but doesn't bother me at all. Proof of bank funds no issue for me. Proof of employment doesn't seem to be an issue in my country. The only thing concerning is having to have airline tickets for each entry/exit that you will make when usually you can do all of this within Thailand (or land border crossing) on the old system which gave greater flexibility.

The METV only cost 2000 baht more to get than a 3 entry tourist visa. For a person that plans on doing some trips to nearby countries the extra 2k baht can be offset by not needing to do 2 extensions (3800 baht total) at immigration to get the first six months.

I don/t recall any of the embassies or consulates wanting a ticket for each entry. Some just for the first and last entry. Buying a one way ticket to nearby country several months in advance does not cost that much.

For some Embassies/Consulates they say "Copy of airline ticket or travel itinerary confirming date of arrival & departure" - I wonder what they consider a "travel itinerary"? Can you make up & print your own travel itinerary?

[jspill]

If one does not have proof of employment in own country, does that mean she can't apply for METV?

Almost definitely unless she is a student, retiree or she has a source of regular income. It is too early to know what each embassy/consulate will accept.

A Thaivisa poster called the UK embassy and was told G7 countries will likely not enforce all the requirements on the list http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867234-metv-im-confused/page-9#entry10038379

Would make sense as it was technically a requirement to show 20k Baht every time one applied for a double entry tourist visa, but that was relaxed for mail applications back home http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908/15398-Issuance-of-Visa.html

From my readings the METV was designed primarily for persons in the region who want to make multiple (as in many or more than 3) short term trips to Thailand over the six-month validity period and not designed for someone to stay in Thailand continuously for the 6 month validity period exiting only to activate a new 60-day entry period.

Another posted called the Germany embassy and was told these METVs can be issued for as long as needed, as long as you meet the requirements. Suggesting any length of stay, and back to back use, are totally fine. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868729-metv-visa-vientiane-laos-its-official/page-40#entry10075217

[JLCrab]

I said "primarily" not exclusively. The biggest problem it seems that needed to be solved was for those in region who wanted to make multiple short trips to Thailand especially those who did not qualify for 30 day visa exempt stays.

[ubonjoe]

Some posts are staring to take this topic off topic. Topic is not about who is a real tourist or not. If you want to discuss that post a topic on the general forum or the pub.

Just a reminder. And add digital nomads to it.

I have removed sevral posts already. No notice will be posted when they are removed from now on.

[VBF]

If one does not have proof of employment in own country, does that mean she can't apply for METV?

Almost definitely unless she is a student, retiree or she has a source of regular income. It is too early to know what each embassy/consulate will accept.

A Thaivisa poster called the UK embassy and was told G7 countries will likely not enforce all the requirements on the list http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867234-metv-im-confused/page-9#entry10038379

Would make sense as it was technically a requirement to show 20k Baht every time one applied for a double entry tourist visa, but that was relaxed for mail applications back home http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908/15398-Issuance-of-Visa.html

From my readings the METV was designed primarily for persons in the region who want to make multiple (as in many or more than 3) short term trips to Thailand over the six-month validity period and not designed for someone to stay in Thailand continuously for the 6 month validity period exiting only to activate a new 60-day entry period.

Another posted called the Germany embassy and was told these METVs can be issued for as long as needed, as long as you meet the requirements. Suggesting any length of stay, and back to back use, are totally fine. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868729-metv-visa-vientiane-laos-its-official/page-40#entry10075217

The problem with that is that what is currently stated on the UK Embassy's site is that all seven documents / items are required http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/574

The word "or" only appears in paragraph 4 pertaining to the method of showing financial worth.

So until people start applying, we won't know how strictly they'll enforce it.

[elviajero]

A Thaivisa poster called the UK embassy and was told G7 countries will likely not enforce all the requirements on the list http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867234-metv-im-confused/page-9#entry10038379

Would make sense as it was technically a requirement to show 20k Baht every time one applied for a double entry tourist visa, but that was relaxed for mail applications back home http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908/15398-Issuance-of-Visa.html

From my readings the METV was designed primarily for persons in the region who want to make multiple (as in many or more than 3) short term trips to Thailand over the six-month validity period and not designed for someone to stay in Thailand continuously for the 6 month validity period exiting only to activate a new 60-day entry period.

Another posted called the Germany embassy and was told these METVs can be issued for as long as needed, as long as you meet the requirements. Suggesting any length of stay, and back to back use, are totally fine. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868729-metv-visa-vientiane-laos-its-official/page-40#entry10075217

The problem with that is that what is currently stated on the UK Embassy's site is that all seven documents / items are required http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/574

The word "or" only appears in paragraph 4 pertaining to the method of showing financial worth.

So until people start applying, we won't know how strictly they'll enforce it.

I would expect that each embassy has looked at the MFA directive and already decided on their own individual list of requirements. London is asking for employment/business confirmation and the £5k. I expect they will enforce both, but they probably have flexibility as to what they can accept to satisfy each requirement.

[paz]

I actually think the METV could be ok considering that it was nearly impossible to get a triple entry tourist visa from nearly all cities across the world except a select few. Now everyone in essence could get a visa to stay for 9 months before needing a new one. Only thing is the METV is a bit expensive compared to the old system but doesn't bother me at all. Proof of bank funds no issue for me. Proof of employment doesn't seem to be an issue in my country. The only thing concerning is having to have airline tickets for each entry/exit that you will make when usually you can do all of this within Thailand (or land border crossing) on the old system which gave greater flexibility.

No. actually it is the opposite: "now nobody" can get a tourist visa for more than one entry. You seem concerned about yourself only and your country, but in all others the requirements have been made to reasonably exclude anyone. Read, e.g. the UK

http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/574

[Kitsune]

A young couple thinking lets take some time out in Thailand for 6 months may save up to the point of travel.

But to have saved £10,000 & have it laying in a bank account for 6 months.

They would be on SETV's or off somewhere else as soon as they'd saved the money.

Yes £10K for a couple is madness.

[uptheos]

A young couple thinking lets take some time out in Thailand for 6 months may save up to the point of travel.

But to have saved £10,000 & have it laying in a bank account for 6 months.

They would be on SETV's or off somewhere else as soon as they'd saved the money.

Yes £10K for a couple is madness.

Yup a couple of single entries can give them 6 months, nothing required in the bank.

[stament]

Just wondering how this would affect somone flying from the UK who has already booked a return ticket for 62 days and was planning to get a triple entry visa.

Will you be able to enter Thailand on a visa on arrival and then just do a couple of border runs or is it possible to get an immigration extension?

Guess one of the problems is 62 days is 2 days over the 30 day VOA and 102 x 15 day border extensions. Sorry to be specific but this is a real situation as my nephew has booked Dec 31 returning March 1st. What are his options? He is planning to travel outside of Thailand but nothing booked as yet before returning to BKK and flying home, His problem around new rules is that he is very recently self employed and dont think he had proof of £5k for 6 months of bank statements. Obviously I could transfer some money into his account but I suspect this wouldnt meet with the approval of the authoritites!

Happy to start a separate thread if this is diverging too much

Thanks

[uptheos]

Enter on a visa exempt 30 days

Extend at immigration 30 days

Pay 2 days overstay

[Gringogazzer]

Enter on a visa exempt 30 days

Extend at immigration 30 days

Pay 2 days overstay

Single Entry tourist visa =60 days

Extension =90 days

Or leaving the country before extension then visa exempt on return.

Get SETV.

He doesn't need the METV

[oncearugge]

Just wondering how this would affect somone flying from the UK who has already booked a return ticket for 62 days and was planning to get a triple entry visa.

Will you be able to enter Thailand on a visa on arrival and then just do a couple of border runs or is it possible to get an immigration extension?

Guess one of the problems is 62 days is 2 days over the 30 day VOA and 102 x 15 day border extensions. Sorry to be specific but this is a real situation as my nephew has booked Dec 31 returning March 1st. What are his options? He is planning to travel outside of Thailand but nothing booked as yet before returning to BKK and flying home, His problem around new rules is that he is very recently self employed and dont think he had proof of £5k for 6 months of bank statements. Obviously I could transfer some money into his account but I suspect this wouldnt meet with the approval of the authoritites!

Happy to start a separate thread if this is diverging too much

Thanks

Those from the UK with British passports are not eligible for a VOA !

And ! VOA's only provide a 15 day entry .................

There are no 15 day "border extensions" for people from the UK or anywhere else.

If you have a return ticket dated 62 days from the day of arrival then

1. Buy a single entry tourist visa from the Thai Embassy or one of the consulates which will provide a 60 day entry.

2. Apply for a 7 day extension at an immigration office for a fee of 1900 Bht

3 . Invest in a good tourist guide book such as the Lonely Planet!

[stament]

Enter on a visa exempt 30 days

Extend at immigration 30 days

Pay 2 days overstay

Single Entry tourist visa =60 days

Extension =90 days

Or leaving the country before extension then visa exempt on return.

Get SETV.

He doesn't need the METV

He is arriving Dec 31 but planning to exit Thailand around Jan 12th to Laos and/or Cambodia for about 2 weeks most likely by ground transport. So he will arrive back in Thailand the last week of Jan and then potentially have another 5 weeks or so left, so what would his options be?

Will Heathrow staff refuse to let him board if he can only show a return flight to BKK some 60 days later with no other flights or onward out of country travel booked? He only has a hotel booked for the first 3 days in BKK

Thanks for all the helpful responses all.

What is a UK passport holder entitled to then when arriving by plane now? I am a bit concerned myself now as I am coming to Thailand for 3 weeks in December and was just planning on arriving as normal as I am staying under 30 days.

[stament]

Just wondering how this would affect somone flying from the UK who has already booked a return ticket for 62 days and was planning to get a triple entry visa.

Will you be able to enter Thailand on a visa on arrival and then just do a couple of border runs or is it possible to get an immigration extension?

Guess one of the problems is 62 days is 2 days over the 30 day VOA and 102 x 15 day border extensions. Sorry to be specific but this is a real situation as my nephew has booked Dec 31 returning March 1st. What are his options? He is planning to travel outside of Thailand but nothing booked as yet before returning to BKK and flying home, His problem around new rules is that he is very recently self employed and dont think he had proof of £5k for 6 months of bank statements. Obviously I could transfer some money into his account but I suspect this wouldnt meet with the approval of the authoritites!

Happy to start a separate thread if this is diverging too much

Thanks

Those from the UK with British passports are not eligible for a VOA !

And ! VOA's only provide a 15 day entry .................

There are no 15 day "border extensions" for people from the UK or anywhere else.

If you have a return ticket dated 62 days from the day of arrival then

1. Buy a single entry tourist visa from the Thai Embassy or one of the consulates which will provide a 60 day entry.

2. Apply for a 7 day extension at an immigration office for a fee of 1900 Bht

3 . Invest in a good tourist guide book such as the Lonely Planet!

He is planning to travel outside of thailand before 60 days. Maybe now it would be sensible to stay in thailand for the first 6 weeks and then travel out of Thailand the last 2 weeks before re-entering Thailand for BKK flight home.

If he did do this would the single entry suffice, i.e. would it cover him for 6 weeks without the need for anything else?

[elviajero]

Enter on a visa exempt 30 days

Extend at immigration 30 days

Pay 2 days overstay

Single Entry tourist visa =60 days

Extension =90 days

Or leaving the country before extension then visa exempt on return.

Get SETV.

He doesn't need the METV

He is arriving Dec 31 but planning to exit Thailand around Jan 12th to Laos and/or Cambodia for about 2 weeks most likely by ground transport. So he will arrive back in Thailand the last week of Jan and then potentially have another 5 weeks or so left, so what would his options be?

Will Heathrow staff refuse to let him board if he can only show a return flight to BKK some 60 days later with no other flights or onward out of country travel booked? He only has a hotel booked for the first 3 days in BKK

Thanks for all the helpful responses all.

What is a UK passport holder entitled to then when arriving by plane now? I am a bit concerned myself now as I am coming to Thailand for 3 weeks in December and was just planning on arriving as normal as I am staying under 30 days.

Your friend should get a single entry tourist visa and he will be given 60 days on arrival. Yes he can board with a return flight of any duration if holding a visa.

• Before going to Laos/Cambodia he can buy a re-entry permit from an immigration office for 1,000 baht.
• On return to Thailand the IO will use the re-entry permit and stamp him in for the remainder of the original 60 days.
• Towards the end of the 60 days he can apply for a 30 day extension of stay at an immigration office for 1,900 baht.

or

• Don't buy a re-entry permit and let the tourist visa stay expire on exit to Laos/Cambodia.
• On return to Thailand he will be granted a 30 day visa exempt entry.
• Towards the end of the 30 days he can apply for a 30 day extension of stay at an immigration office for 1,900 baht.

If you only need 3 weeks then you can travel/enter with visa exemption as long as your return ticket is dated within 30 days.

[Gringogazzer]

Enter on a visa exempt 30 days

Extend at immigration 30 days

Pay 2 days overstay

Single Entry tourist visa =60 days

Extension =90 days

Or leaving the country before extension then visa exempt on return.

Get SETV.

He doesn't need the METV

He is arriving Dec 31 but planning to exit Thailand around Jan 12th to Laos and/or Cambodia for about 2 weeks most likely by ground transport. So he will arrive back in Thailand the last week of Jan and then potentially have another 5 weeks or so left, so what would his options be?

Will Heathrow staff refuse to let him board if he can only show a return flight to BKK some 60 days later with no other flights or onward out of country travel booked? He only has a hotel booked for the first 3 days in BKK

Thanks for all the helpful responses all.

What is a UK passport holder entitled to then when arriving by plane now? I am a bit concerned myself now as I am coming to Thailand for 3 weeks in December and was just planning on arriving as normal as I am staying under 30 days.

Would be nice if the Immigration Officer gave him an Visa Exemption stamp when arriving while having a SETV in his passport. But I couldn't say if he would or wouldn't. Some are more qualified than me.

The Visa Exempt for UK Nationals is 30 days.

He could get a re-entry stamp for ฿1000 but would still need receive an extension, ฿1900 & expensive all round.

Would advise your last post, taylor his trip to his visa.

Arrive on a SETV, visit Loas then return within 30days left to flight home.

Make sure he has the flight home details with him when returning in Thailand.

[paz]

Guess one of the problems is 62 days is 2 days over the 30 day VOA and 102 x 15 day border extensions. Sorry to be specific but this is a real situation as my nephew has booked Dec 31 returning March 1st. What are his options? He is planning to travel outside of Thailand but nothing booked as yet before returning to BKK and flying home, His problem around new rules is that he is very recently self employed and dont think he had proof of £5k for 6 months of bank statements. Obviously I could transfer some money into his account but I suspect this wouldnt meet with the approval of the authoritites!

He get a single entry tourist visa for which none of the requirements discussed here apply. Note what you call VOA is actually visa exempt entry

[Craig krup]

One day the government will start with what they're trying to achieve and work out from there. At the moment we've got a fallacy at the heart of everything, which is -

All successful countries have complex visa rules

We wish to be successful

Therefore we will have complex visa rules

But the complex rules that other countries have are driven by intentions. You can infer what they're trying to achieve by the rule. You'd struggle to work out what the intentions are behind Thailand's various requirements.

Forcing people to buy a bond on entry that would cover emergency healthcare would make sense. Requiring people to regularly present themselves at a police station makes sense - they might not know that they're wanted and this facilitates arrest.

[stament]

Thanks all very much. So just to summarise, the best option appears for him to get a sing entry visa which will allow him 60 days. He should then travel to Laos and Cambodia after approx 45 days which will be within the 60 day SEV. He then returns over the border to Thailand either by foot or Flight a few days before he flies out from BKK and will be ok.

[paz]

Thanks all very much. So just to summarise, the best option appears for him to get a sing entry visa which will allow him 60 days. He should then travel to Laos and Cambodia after approx 45 days which will be within the 60 day SEV. He then returns over the border to Thailand either by foot or Flight a few days before he flies out from BKK and will be ok.

No need to travel anywhere, he can extend 60 days for 30 more at any immigration office, fee Bt 1,900.

[Gringogazzer]

Thanks all very much. So just to summarise, the best option appears for him to get a sing entry visa which will allow him 60 days. He should then travel to Laos and Cambodia after approx 45 days which will be within the 60 day SEV. He then returns over the border to Thailand either by foot or Flight a few days before he flies out from BKK and will be ok.

No need to travel anywhere, he can extend 60 days for 30 more at any immigration office, fee Bt 1,900.

He wishes to visit beautiful Laos.

[JimGant]

Portland Honorary Consulate still has on its website for applicants applying by mail:

You must be physically in the United States at the time of application.

which when I noted that on a previous METV topic prompted the query: Well how can they tell?

How can they tell? Probably a funny looking stamp would be their first clue.

Have a feeling Canadians are exempted from this rule, if you read between the lines of this statement from Portland:

"Canadian residents: Do not send Canadian currency money orders - all payments must be in US Dollars."