Hello, I am a British Citizen travelling to Thailand in July for 6 weeks. I plan to have two weeks in Cambodia throughout this time. My query concerns the METV; will I need this visa if I am planning to travel to Cambodia halfway through my trip (i.e. will be re-entering Thailand)? I am worried as I have not had £5,000 in one account for 6 months, which is one of the requirements for the METV. Is there an alternative solution available?

 

Apologies if this has been asked before but I could not find it. I would greatly appreciate any help with this, thanks.

You don't need a METV if you are here for 6 weeks with 2 of them in Cambodia

 

You can just arrive on a Visa Exempt, (no visa from the Embassy required) you will be stamped in for 30 days at the Airport in Thailand

 

Leave for your 2 weeks in Cambodia, when you return you will be granted another 30 days when you enter Thailand, 

 

This will be enough for your trip, the last (or indeed first 30 days) you receive can be extended for another 30 days at a Immigration Office within Thailand if you need the extra days

 

Save yourself the hassle of applying for a METV, you don't need it

Edited March 22, 20179 yr by darrendsd

No you don't need this visa (METV).

 

Get a SETV (no £5K required). You'll be given permission to stay for 60 days (approx 8 weeks). When you go to Cambodia you can buy a re-entry permit (1,000 baht) which will keep the balance of your 60 day permit to stay alive. On re-entry you'll be given permission to stay for the remainder of the original 60 days.

 

Alternatively, leave without a re-entry permit and re-enter under the Tourist Visa Exempt Scheme. That will give you permission to stay for 30 days.

Just now, elviajero said:

No you don't need this visa (METV).

 

Get a SETV (no £5K required). You'll be given permission to stay for 60 days (approx 8 weeks). When you go to Cambodia you can buy a re-entry permit (1,000 baht) which will keep the balance of your 60 day permit to stay alive. On re-entry you'll be given permission to stay for the remainder of the original 60 days.

 

Alternatively, leave without a re-entry permit and re-enter under the Tourist Visa Exempt Scheme. That will give you permission to stay for 30 days.

A SETV is really not required for his trip and works out at extra cost and hassle

 

Free entry twice into Thailand with a VE as opposed to the cost of the SETV (25 pound) and re entry permit (approx 25 pound)

Thank you for your replies. Would it be easier to apply for the SETV and re-entry visas as elviajero stated, or for both visits to be under the tourist exempt visa as darrendsd stated?

Just now, thaiUK123 said:

Thank you for your replies. Would it be easier to apply for the SETV and re-entry visas as elviajero stated, or for both visits to be under the tourist exempt visa as darrendsd stated?

in my view a SETV is not required and is more hassle and expense

 

You are only in Thailand for a total of 4 weeks, you don't need one

 

You will have no problems entering twice on a Visa Exempt

It is better to travel from the UK with a SETV rather than no visa. If you don't have a visa the airline might not let you board unless you have an onward flight out of Thailand dated within 30 days.

 

Also, visa exempt entry is on immigration radar, and you will avoid potential undue scrutiny, on entry, if you have a visa.

 

SETV's are easy to get in person or by post from the London Embassy, and can be applied for anytime within 3 months of travelling to Thailand.

2 minutes ago, darrendsd said:

in my view a SETV is not required and is more hassle and expense

 

You are only in Thailand for a total of 4 weeks, you don't need one

 

You will have no problems entering twice on a Visa Exempt

Excellent, thank you for putting my mind at ease.

4 hours ago, thaiUK123 said:

Thank you for your replies. Would it be easier to apply for the SETV and re-entry visas as elviajero stated, or for both visits to be under the tourist exempt visa as darrendsd stated?

Honestly, the visa exempt entries ought to work out. The only short term issue (and this would likely be resolved by a talk with the airline supervisor) is as @elvajero warned with airline check in.

There is one other (probably unlikely) consideration. If you turn out to have a special liking for Thailand, and want to visit often in the future, you potentially have greater flexibility if you do not have previous visa exempt entries.

If it is easy, I would say get the SETV for the initial entry, but I would not be too concerned about using visa exempt entries.

5 hours ago, elviajero said:

It is better to travel from the UK with a SETV rather than no visa. If you don't have a visa the airline might not let you board unless you have an onward flight out of Thailand dated within 30 days.

 

Also, visa exempt entry is on immigration radar, and you will avoid potential undue scrutiny, on entry, if you have a visa.

 

SETV's are easy to get in person or by post from the London Embassy, and can be applied for anytime within 3 months of travelling to Thailand.

 

That is what I would do because it reduces the chances of potential problems. I'd also go for the re-entry option because you would be re entering the Kingdom on the basis of a re-entry permit rather than the visa per se and thus avoid the potential of being called up for not having 20k in cash. More expensive option but safely first in my mind. If the OP rocks up at Swampy can he/she get a re-entry permit there?

 

 

If Op has no previous long term history staying in Thailand then visa exempt will be fine, it not a issue unless have history of abusing thai visa system.

Easy enough sort onward travel requirements, of flying to Cambodia that sorts first one and when enter thailand second time you have a returnto uk one would assume.

If want be cautious a setv for first entry could be okay bit messing with reentry etc is waste of time and money .

I wuould be more concerned on avoiding poipet land border than visa situation . If do intend use poipet land boarder then review visa use further.

Yoir on holiday so don't get caught up playing with visas when no need .

10 hours ago, BritTim said:

Honestly, the visa exempt entries ought to work out. The only short term issue (and this would likely be resolved by a talk with the airline supervisor) is as @elvajero warned with airline check in.

There is one other (probably unlikely) consideration. If you turn out to have a special liking for Thailand, and want to visit often in the future, you potentially have greater flexibility if you do not have previous visa exempt entries.

If it is easy, I would say get the SETV for the initial entry, but I would not be too concerned about using visa exempt entries.

Yes, further to your latter point;  I dont know if Thaiuk123 is planning to fly back  into Thailand from Cambodia or enter overland. If overland he might need to know that land border visa exempt entries now are limited to 2 in a calendar year but such entries by flight are unlimited.

15 hours ago, thaiUK123 said:

Thank you for your replies. Would it be easier to apply for the SETV and re-entry visas as elviajero stated, or for both visits to be under the tourist exempt visa as darrendsd stated?

The easiest option is 2 x visa exempt entries, but as I explained it's not necessarily the best in your situation.

 

I would travel with a SETV. Easy to get by post and not at all expensive at £25. That satisfies the airline and keeps immigration happy.

 

A re-entry permit isn't necessary, but a good idea if you want to keep your 2 land entries per year in the bank for later in the year.

 

You should have no problem re-entering from Cambodia using visa exemption.

where does the £5000 come into it ?? curious ??

29 minutes ago, mercman24 said:

where does the £5000 come into it ?? curious ??

Originally, the OP was under the impression that a multiple entry tourist visa might be an appropriate approach for his visits to Thailand. One of the requirements for the METV from the UK is £5000 in the bank. However, the OP has no need for an METV, and the requirement becomes irrelevant.