American wanting to get METV from Seoul

[Vexzy]

I'm currently teaching English in South Korea on an E-2 visa and want to get the METV for Thailand. I will quit my job here in April and was planning on traveling to Thailand for several months but I just noticed that they require you to be employed to qualify for the METV. I had been reading another embassies rules about the METV (I think it was the Thai embassy in Finland) and thought I was good to go. However, I didn't know the requirements were different at every embassy.

 

My original plan was to get into Thailand on May 1st, hang out for two months, do a border run, start my CELTA program on July 1st (it lasts 4 weeks) and then start applying for jobs and move to China or Saudi Arabia at some point in August or September. So I wanted to stay in Thailand for about 4-ish months, however I'm worried that I won't qualify for the METV and will have to adjust my plans. Does anyone have any experience getting the METV at the Thai embassy in Seoul without employment verification?

[ubonjoe]

Proof of employment is a requirement at the majority of Thai embassies and consulates. Are you sure could even qualify with the visa you have? Looking at this page on embassy website you don't. http://www.thaiembassy.org/seoul/en/services/2532/61963-Multiple-Tourist-Visa-(13th-Nov-2015).html

Your best option is to get a single entry tourist visa that will allow a 60 day entry that can be extended for 30 days. The you could go to a nearby embassy or consulate to get another visa.

 

[Vexzy]

Yeah, I think I will have to enter under a single entry tourist visa then sometime in June. I don't want any distractions like doing border runs or taking time to run to the embassy to get an extension while I take my course in July since it's supposed to be really hard. I will probably just go to the Philippines or Vietnam  in May and early June as I wait for my CELTA course to start. Thanks.

[Suradit69]

1 hour ago, Vexzy said:

I don't want any distractions like doing border runs or taking time to run to the embassy to get an extension while I take my course

An extension of stay is done at the immigrations office in Thailand in the area where you are staying during the last week or two of the 60 days you would be given on the tourist visa entry. Depending on the office you use, it would most likely only take an hour or two to get. I doubt that would put a big dent in your studies.

 

The single entry tourist visa would give you 60 days and the extension an additional 30 days, so you'd have nearly 3 months available without much effort.

[Vexzy]

How does the extension  on the single entry work? Do the 30 days start from the date you go to the immigration office? Or do the 30 days get added on to the end of the 60 days you already have?

 

It worries me because I'll be cutting it close and a day or two would actually make a difference in me staying too long.

[JackThompson]

23 minutes ago, Vexzy said:

How does the extension  on the single entry work? Do the 30 days start from the date you go to the immigration office? Or do the 30 days get added on to the end of the 60 days you already have?

 

It worries me because I'll be cutting it close and a day or two would actually make a difference in me staying too long.

 

They are added to the end of the 60 you already have.  There is no loss of days for applying early, though some offices will require you wait until the last week or two of your visa to apply for the extension.

[Vexzy]

Thanks JackThompson. Do you know if I can apply for another SETV in a nearby country, like Laos, after the first one expires?

[BritTim]

21 minutes ago, Vexzy said:

Thanks JackThompson. Do you know if I can apply for another SETV in a nearby country, like Laos, after the first one expires?

Yes, getting at least a couple more (if needed) should be possible.

[Vexzy]

Thanks BritTim. I think I won't actually have to change my plans now.