The Multiple Entry Tourist Visa Topic (METV)

[jspill]

I sent my local consulate an email. I got a bit of clarification for the METV. Any local consulate can give you a METV. The job verification is not required. Only the money and bank statements will be required. I'm in the states though.

Yeah quite a few of us expected they wouldn't enforce that.

What do you mean by any local consulate - any consulate in the US?

[thaibeast]

Yes any consulate in the US can approve your METV. It doesn't have to go thru DC. I sent my consulate an email yesterday. He replied back today. If there's not one in your city then you can go to the closest consulate to you.

[paz]

Jack spot on. Most folk connected the end of double and triple tv with the new metv. The main thing that caused this was it was all done on same date. They all are yes tourist visas but completely unrelated. The metv did not replace. It is a new visa and the previous ones expunged.

Glad Jack t for one understands difference

What do you mean with that. It actually replaces double and triple tourist visa, exactly because these are not available anymore.

[paz]

But this path is only available to those from nations that receive those privileges. From what I can tell, the METV is, as earlier posters pointed out, designed for a small slice of visitors from nations that cannot get visas in the region - India being the perfect example. It is in no way a replacement for the 2 and 3 entry visas obtainable prior.

And what would be number of such frequent tourists form India? One hundred perhaps, you believe MFA designed anything for them?

The METV was made to eliminate double and triple entry visa obtained with little or no requirement, and lift the hurdle for people staying on tourist visa.

[bmanly]

The METV was made to eliminate double and triple entry visa obtained with little or no requirement, and lift the hurdle for people staying on tourist visa.

And to extract more money out of foreigners. It is way more expensive than a single, double or triple ever was.

[Gringogazzer]

The METV was made to eliminate double and triple entry visa obtained with little or no requirement, and lift the hurdle for people staying on tourist visa.

And to extract more money out of foreigners. It is way more expensive than a single, double or triple ever was.

More expensive because they lose out on the extension money. So yer they don't want to lose out on their farang income.

Someone must of sat there & thought about that.

Triple £75 + 3 extensions ฿5700

METV £125 + 1 extension ฿1900.

So a bit cheaper overall than a triple from the UK.

[JLCrab]

Yes any consulate in the US can approve your METV. It doesn't have to go thru DC. I sent my consulate an email yesterday. He replied back today. If there's not one in your city then you can go to the closest consulate to you.

The O-A visa it seems is the only Visa that has to go through an official embassy/consulate and not an honorary consulate and, since I live in Florida, I would have to use the Washington DC Embassy as my designated consulate. So maybe I was the source of that confusion.

If there was ever a reason for me that I could not obtain extensions of stay in Thailand using an income affidavit, using the METV with a $7000 account in the USA vs roughly a $25,0000 account that must be in Thailand might be an interesting way to go..

[Kitsune]

The METV was made to eliminate double and triple entry visa obtained with little or no requirement, and lift the hurdle for people staying on tourist visa.

The most relevant thing I read about METV so far.

Thank you Paz

[Gringogazzer]

Yes any consulate in the US can approve your METV. It doesn't have to go thru DC. I sent my consulate an email yesterday. He replied back today. If there's not one in your city then you can go to the closest consulate to you.

The O-A visa it seems is the only Visa that has to go through an official embassy/consulate and not an honorary consulate and, since I live in Florida, I would have to use the Washington DC Embassy as my designated consulate. So maybe I was the source of that confusion.

If there was ever a reason for me that I could not obtain extensions of stay in Thailand using an income affidavit, using the METV with a $7000 account in the USA vs roughly a $25,0000 account that must be in Thailand might be an interesting way to go..

But 1 day year obtaining an extension then reporting online every 90 days is highly more attractive than applying in your home country, then making border runs every 60 days, then 1 day sorting an extension while holding an address etc in your home country to have to fly back & repeat every 9 months. (If continuous METV's)

But if you've no choice...keep em running.

[JLCrab]

For me, it is a 35 baht train ride to the Nong Khai bridge. I go to the USA about once a year anyway as I have not cut all ties there and have plenty to do for about 3 weeks or so. I am a bona fide resident of the State of Florida -- driver's license, registered voter, physical address, etc. I would also be able to meet the official requirements of self-employed whether that is necessary or not. I would not be mailing back my passport and applying for visa via 3rd parties whilst sitting in some country ex-Thailand for a month or so.

[Gringogazzer]

Well could work well for you JLCrab. You wasn't co-author on this visa was you???

I have an apartment in UK where I am for at least 3 months a year but this visa still doesn't work for me as have a home in Laos. I may wish to be in Thailand, I may not. I can live on SETV's without the grim extension day.

But I'm still a decade away from 50, so a long time for circumstances to change.

I just wanted a visa more progressive than keep them running if vetting people.

Don't think I'd be without my passport either, would just escort it back myself.

[Pattaya46]

And to extract more money out of foreigners. It is way more expensive than a single, double or triple ever was.

You compare things very different. METV has always been said for people who make frequent trips to Thailand on a 6 months period. To do that with a Double Entry you would have to buy a multi-rentry permit, and I think it's 4'000 baht..

[jacksam]

Jack spot on. Most folk connected the end of double and triple tv with the new metv. The main thing that caused this was it was all done on same date. They all are yes tourist visas but completely unrelated. The metv did not replace. It is a new visa and the previous ones expunged.

Glad Jack t for one understands difference

What do you mean with that. It actually replaces double and triple tourist visa, exactly because these are not available anymore.

Good you have your take on it. Mine is different. If a car manufacturer produced say couple of smallish passenger car then announced they had ceased making them oh and btw we are introducing a new model based on a hummer.I hardly think it is a replacement. We all know the requirements and uses of the various tv,s. The metv with its requirements is a different breed

[Gringogazzer]

Jack spot on. Most folk connected the end of double and triple tv with the new metv. The main thing that caused this was it was all done on same date. They all are yes tourist visas but completely unrelated. The metv did not replace. It is a new visa and the previous ones expunged.

Glad Jack t for one understands difference

What do you mean with that. It actually replaces double and triple tourist visa, exactly because these are not available anymore.

Good you have your take on it. Mine is different. If a car manufacturer produced say couple of smallish passenger car then announced they had ceased making them oh and btw we are introducing a new model based on a hummer.I hardly think it is a replacement. We all know the requirements and uses of the various tv,s. The metv with its requirements is a different breed

It's just the same old but having to give more without receiving more.

Using your methodology its like taking the badge off a Ford, putting a Mercedes badge on & stating it's of better quality.

But only better for the manufacture.

[BritTim]

And to extract more money out of foreigners. It is way more expensive than a single, double or triple ever was.

More expensive because they lose out on the extension money. So yer they don't want to lose out on their farang income.

Someone must of sat there & thought about that.

Triple £75 + 3 extensions ฿5700

METV £125 + 1 extension ฿1900.

So a bit cheaper overall than a triple from the UK.

I can well believe the calculation was done this way, but the thinking is flawed. Since border runs are time consuming and also cost money, those who do not want to travel for other reasons will still choose to do extensions. For them, METV becomes £125 + 3 extensions ฿5700 (an extra £50). This is not a huge difference in the larger scheme of things, but still a legitimate moan.

[BritTim]

And to extract more money out of foreigners. It is way more expensive than a single, double or triple ever was.

You compare things very different. METV has always been said for people who make frequent trips to Thailand on a 6 months period. To do that with a Double Entry you would have to buy a multi-rentry permit, and I think it's 4'000 baht..

A multiple reentry permit is 3,800 baht. However, single reentry permits are 1,000 baht each. I cannot imagine many people who will make 4+ trips overseas during a 60-day period (yes, a very few would travel every weekend) so most travelers (say, those leaving and returning once a month) would opt for 1,000 baht single reentry permits.

I agree the METV (once you have it) is slightly superior to the old triple entry TV. However, the requirements (if enforced) make it pretty inconvenient to apply for.

[seancbk]

Seancbk your just one of many genuine folk that are excluded from this rubbish metv

The reality is that for most people it won't make a bit of difference.

Even for me it makes no real difference, except that because I will need to travel somewhere that I can actually get a new visa every 60-90 days, it will make going to visit my family in Macau very hard, or at least add some expense and time to doing so.

If I didn't want to go to Macau for regular visits then a single entry visa would suit me fine.

What will really kill me is when they limit the number of actual visits or days per year that you can stay here.

[stament]

At the end of the day we can compare the new rules and different visas forever and a day but it makes no difference as the new rules and options are whats available, and we have to choose one or none.

i think the conversation would be better focused on current options and their merits and difficulties of obtaining. I am pretty sure years ago visa rules changed but we are not comparing them, why because they are defunct, so irrelevant!

I look forward to some flaming as I am sure I have upset a few ;-)

[notmyself]

I see the Thai Consulate in Washington has now posted their METV requirements for Americans. Yes, the bank balance and employment requirements are there. Regarding the funds, it is interesting that they state "bank balance or evidence of adequate finance", so presumably that could mean monetary assets other than bank accounts, such as accounts at investment firms.

Purpose of Visit: This type of visa is issued to applicants who wish to enter the Kingdom for tourism purposes.

Documents Required:

1. Your actual Passport or Travel Document. (Passport or Travel Document must not expire within 6 months and contain at least ONE completely empty visa page).

2. One visa application form completely filled out (Download)

3. Two passport-size photographs (2″x2″) (photocopy or photo taken from Photostat will not be accepted). Photographs must have a light color background with a full- face view of the person without wearing a hat or dark glasses and covering up shoulders Photos must be taken within 6 months.

4. Flight confirmation/reservation (The name of the applicant must clearly appear on it)

5. Hotel reservation confirmation (The name of the applicant must clearly appear on it)

6. A copy of bank statement or evidence of adequate finance for the last 6 months with a minimum balance of $7,000 (every months) (The name of the applicant must clearly appear on it)

7. For non-US citizen, a copy of permanent resident alien card or a copy of valid US visa

8. An employment verification

9. For students, full-time student status proof

10.For self-employed, business license or business registration indicating the applicants name.

11.For minor under 20 years old, copy of a birth certificate, copies of mother and fathers passports/ID and copy of Marriage Certificate if any, letter of consent from mother and father for the minor to travel abroad in case not accommany with the child (have to be notarized) . in case of sole custody, a copy of court order must be provided

http://thaiembdc.org/tourist-visa-category-tr-multiple-metv/

I am a contract engineer. I am not an independent as I work on W-2s and get paid by payroll agency companies when I support a client. When a contract ends, I do get unemployment compensation, but I am unemployed. Technically I, nor anybody else that is not employed could not get a METV That would include Retired people. This seems nuts. Also while my net worth is approaching one mil, I don't keep exactly 7,000 minimum balance for a running 6 months! When working, I pile up money then invest it. I certainly always have 5K laying around but my paychecks are pretty big and I get paid every two weeks so I know I always have another 5K coming in so not too worried about how much cash I have in hand. This METV as written looks really weird.

That's my take on it though not for exactly the same reason. I don't think the powers who wrote up this METV have any idea of investments and how people invest in other countries. If I want something then I get it on credit (via one of my banks), sell an asset within 30 days, and pay the credit off before I have to pay interest. Why would I, or anyone for that matter, want to keep US7k or equivalent in any bank account?

Not that bothered myself as my existing triple will last me until May next year then get a visa exempt which will last until I go to the UK. By the time I return a couple of months later I will have 8 months until I'm 50. SETV from the UK followed by one in the region and then another visa exempt.

Speaking of visa exempt. Backpackers are still prevalent in SE Asia with many people getting a triple just to make things easier. Now they will just use exempt entries which are free.

[elviajero]

Jack spot on. Most folk connected the end of double and triple tv with the new metv. The main thing that caused this was it was all done on same date. They all are yes tourist visas but completely unrelated. The metv did not replace. It is a new visa and the previous ones expunged.

Glad Jack t for one understands difference

The METV has replaced the DETV and TETV, because now the only way to get 2 or more entries from one visa is with the METV. (without re-entry permits)

Had the METV been introduced without the go home, money in the bank, job etc requirements people would love it. The complaints seem to be because of the stricter requirements which have been introduced to better vet the frequently visiting and long staying tourists. The point most people seem to miss is that the tourist visas are not designed for people to stay long term.

A SETV covers almost all tourists. The METV is a better visa than the DETV/TETV as it gives more flexibility to the frequently visiting tourist who should have no problem meeting the requirements.

[elviajero]

Even for, let's be crazy -in terms of Indian holidays- four weekends, why would you have to prove that you had 7000USD for 6 months in a current account, where salary/pension is paid and where you have regular transactions, so not a saving account?

(By the way foreigners can apply in India for METV through VFS )

• • The bank statement is stamped by the bank
  • The bank statement should cover the full history for the last year 6 months
  • The account must have regular financial transactions with minimum balance of Rs.400,000 per applicant
  • It is favourable if salary/pension/regular income is deposited to that account
  • http://www.vfs-thailand.co.in/Kolkata/Category_TR_Tourismmutiple.html

"(By the way foreigners can apply in India for METV through VFS )"

Have you confirmed that fact with VFS?

I emailed VFS to ask if someone not living or working in India could apply for the METV, This is their reply.

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for writing to the Thailand Visa Help Desk.

We understand that you would like to know about the Thai Visa.

Please be informed that we only assist if the applicants are applying Visa from India to Thailand.

Request you to get in touch with the Embassy/Consulate of Thailand from your respective Country.

For further assistance, please visit our Website: www.vfs-thailand.co.in or Contact us at 022- 67866003,

Timings: 08:00 – 17:00 hrs. Monday to Friday (except holidays).

[jacksam]

Elivajero , so your implying that soon the limit to number of back to back setv will come into effect. There also is no mention of limit to btb metv. So how has this stoped people living in los LONG term

Setv plus extension followed by stamp plus extension. 150 days. Repeat process for next 3 years. That is still only 6 visa exempt stamp.

Do it all again

[JackThompson]

"(By the way foreigners can apply in India for METV through VFS )"

Have you confirmed that fact with VFS?

I emailed VFS to ask if someone not living or working in India could apply for the METV, This is their reply.

Dear Applicant, Thank you for writing to the Thailand Visa Help Desk. We understand that you would like to know about the Thai Visa.

Please be informed that we only assist if the applicants are applying Visa from India to Thailand. ...

First - Sincere Thanks for your ongoing research into this visa. I only wish they responded in clear language.

Are they saying one "visiting" India could apply, or only "Indian citizens / legal-residents" can apply? A trip to India would be interesting, but I would guess this is not an option to apply - primarily given the METV rules at other consulates.

[elviajero]

Elivajero , so your implying that soon the limit to number of back to back setv will come into effect. There also is no mention of limit to btb metv. So how has this stoped people living in los LONG term

Setv plus extension followed by stamp plus extension. 150 days. Repeat process for next 3 years. That is still only 6 visa exempt stamp.

Do it all again

I didn't imply that a limit on SETV's will come in to effect. I also didn't say that the METV has stopped people living here long term. I said that the tourist visas aren't designed for people to live here long term. They are designed with typical tourists in mind and not tourists planning on taking root.

IMO there has not been an announced limit on back to back SETV's or METV's because it's not necessary. The embassies/consulates already have that power and so it's better that they are left to make individual decisions and limits. e.g. Vientiane may have a limit due to people using the SETV to live and work here, whereas embassies/consulates further from Thailand probably don't need a limit.

It's possible that the METV will be limited, but maybe the stricter requirements and application from ones home country are designed to filter out many of the long stayers they don't want, therefore, limits are not needed if the applicant can meet the requirements.

[elviajero]

"(By the way foreigners can apply in India for METV through VFS )"

Have you confirmed that fact with VFS?

I emailed VFS to ask if someone not living or working in India could apply for the METV, This is their reply.

Dear Applicant, Thank you for writing to the Thailand Visa Help Desk. We understand that you would like to know about the Thai Visa.

Please be informed that we only assist if the applicants are applying Visa from India to Thailand. ...

First - Sincere Thanks for your ongoing research into this visa. I only wish they responded in clear language.

Are they saying one "visiting" India could apply, or only "Indian citizens / legal-residents" can apply? A trip to India would be interesting, but I would guess this is not an option to apply - primarily given the METV rules at other consulates.

In my email I said that I am a UK national travelling Asia and not legally resident in India. I also said I wasn't employed in India and the funds were in a UK bank. I made it clear that I wanted to apply for the METV and could travel to India if necessary. Based on that they have referred me to the Thai embassy/consulate in my home country.

I agree that the language is unclear and the answer does create more questions, but I wouldn't rush off to India based on Kitsune's statement unless she has something to share to back up her claim.

[Namplik]

Will be interesting when first posts filter into thaivisa about first experience applying for metv.

I might go get one. But I need to be in Australia .

Pass

Yeah, I will apply next week when Im back in Oslo

[hawkeye76]

Maybe its possible to simply mail your embassy your passport for a new visa (I know throughout Scandinavia its possible)..

I am thinking, (I dont know, as i have not done this yet!), but if you enter Thailand, on a tourist visa, then right away send the passport inc filled out visa application form+++ to a family member in your country, and have them re-ship the items to your home countys embassy for a new visa application, and then they ship everything back to you, after you get the new visa. Should take maximum 1 month for the whole process.. If this would work, its simply just make a early morning int. flight ad come back later same day, and show your new visa in the airport.

I am thinking, this would be a lot easier than all the usual lao/Penang visa trips, + you never have to worry about single entry or possibly only double entry and so on.. In your home country most of us can get trible entry tourist visa, without any problems..

Maybe i am wrong, but if it works.. Could be nice ..

[JLCrab]

5. To apply for a visa, a foreigner must possess a valid passport or travel document that is recognised by the Royal Thai Government and comply with the conditions set forth in the Immigration Act of Thailand B.E.2522 (1979) and its relevant regulations. In addition, the visa applicant must be outside of Thailand at the time of application.

http://mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908/15405-General-information.html

If you are still in Thailand your passport has no Thai exit stamp.

If you are willing to exit Thailand and stay in a third country while your passport wings it way to your home country, that is maybe possible. However if the consulate decides to call via telephone with a question presuming you are now in the consulate's country, they might not be happy.

[notmyself]

In my email I said that I am a UK national travelling Asia and not legally resident in India. I also said I wasn't employed in India and the funds were in a UK bank. I made it clear that I wanted to apply for the METV and could travel to India if necessary. Based on that they have referred me to the Thai embassy/consulate in my home country.

One iteration (can't remember which country) stated that the applicant needs to provide proof that they are legally allowed to be in the country they apply from. Not sure what the rules are for Indian visas but I assume they have an overstay concept. i.e. if you are illegal in India then you cannot get an METV. In time and as usual, a 'clarification' will be given by some government body.

[JLCrab]

In my email I said that I am a UK national travelling Asia and not legally resident in India. I also said I wasn't employed in India and the funds were in a UK bank. I made it clear that I wanted to apply for the METV and could travel to India if necessary. Based on that they have referred me to the Thai embassy/consulate in my home country.

One iteration (can't remember which country) stated that the applicant needs to provide proof that they are legally allowed to be in the country they apply from. Not sure what the rules are for Indian visas but I assume they have an overstay concept. i.e. if you are illegal in India then you cannot get an METV. In time and as usual, a 'clarification' will be given by some government body.

The only one that I have noticed is the Portland OR honorary consulate which says:

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

but it makes no suggestions as to what if any proof would be required or requested. Maybe they don't want you to know what proof might be required or requested.