Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa

Thailand’s Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa (METV) is designed for foreign nationals who wish to visit the Kingdom repeatedly over an extended period without the need to apply for a new visa before each trip. The METV facilitates flexibility for frequent travelers, such as those with family ties in Thailand, those managing property, or those with regional business or leisure needs. However, it comes with defined conditions and requires careful adherence to immigration rules.

This article provides an in-depth examination of the METV’s legal framework, application requirements, permitted activities, conditions of stay, limitations, and practical considerations.

Legal Framework

The METV is governed by:

• The Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979) — principal legislation regulating the entry, stay, and departure of foreigners.

• Ministerial regulations and announcements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Royal Thai Embassies/Consulates, which define eligibility, documentation, and conditions.

• Immigration Bureau guidelines for enforcement at ports of entry.

The METV falls under the broader category of Tourist Visa (TR) but allows for multiple entries during its validity.

Purpose of the METV

The METV is intended to:

• Facilitate frequent short-term visits for tourism purposes.

• Support long-term planning for visitors who regularly travel in and out of Thailand for leisure, family visits, or to manage personal affairs (e.g., property maintenance).

🚫 The METV does not permit employment or business activities requiring a work permit.

Validity and Conditions

• Validity period: The METV is valid for 6 months from the date of issuance.

• Entries: Unlimited entries during the validity period.

• Length of stay per entry: Up to 60 days.

• Each entry allows a 60-day stay, which can be extended once by 30 days at a local Immigration Office, subject to approval and payment of the extension fee (THB 1,900).

Eligibility

The METV is available to nationals of most countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Thailand, provided they meet application requirements. Embassies and consulates retain discretion to grant or refuse issuance based on:

• Immigration history.

• Purpose of visit.

• Compliance with prior visa or stay conditions.

Application Process

Where to Apply

• The METV must be applied for at a Thai embassy or consulate outside of Thailand.

• It cannot be obtained or converted from another visa within Thailand.

Required Documentation (illustrative; may vary by mission)

✅ Valid passport (with at least 6 months’ validity beyond intended stay)
✅ Completed visa application form
✅ Recent passport-size photograph
✅ Evidence of sufficient funds (e.g., bank statements showing consistent minimum balance — commonly THB 200,000 or equivalent over the last 6 months)
✅ Proof of employment or business in home country (e.g., letter from employer, company registration)
✅ Confirmed flight bookings for first entry
✅ Accommodation details for initial stay
✅ Visa fee (varies by consulate; generally the equivalent of THB 5,000)

Additional documents may be requested at the discretion of the consular officer.

Conditions of Entry

At each entry:

• The holder must satisfy the immigration officer that they are entering for genuine tourism purposes.

• Proof of onward travel and sufficient funds may be requested.

• Immigration officers retain discretion to deny entry if misuse of the visa is suspected.

Extension of Stay

• The initial 60-day permission to stay per entry may be extended by 30 days at a Thai Immigration Office.

• Application should be made before expiry of the permitted stay.

• Approval is at the discretion of the Immigration Bureau.

Re-entry and Border Runs

METV holders can:

• Leave Thailand and re-enter as many times as desired during the 6-month validity.

• Enter via airports or authorized land/sea checkpoints.

👉 Border runs using the METV are legal, but excessive or suspicious travel patterns may invite closer scrutiny by immigration officers.

Prohibited Activities

The METV does not authorize:
🚫 Employment, paid work, or business activities requiring a work permit.
🚫 Volunteering without appropriate visa/work authorization.
🚫 Long-term residence beyond the permitted duration of stay.

Misuse of the METV may result in cancellation of the visa, deportation, and future bans.

Tax and Legal Implications

• A person who spends 180 or more days in a tax year in Thailand may be regarded as a Thai tax resident, regardless of visa type.

• Tax residents must file personal income tax returns and may be liable for tax on income sourced in Thailand or remitted from abroad.

METV holders should consider the tax consequences of frequent or prolonged stays.

Practical Challenges

⚠ Evidence of ties to home country

• Embassies and consulates often require applicants to demonstrate employment, business, or family ties that indicate an intention to return home.

⚠ Immigration discretion at entry

• Even with a valid METV, entry is not guaranteed. Officers may deny entry if the traveler appears to be using the METV to reside semi-permanently.

⚠ Documentation at entry

• Onward travel evidence and proof of sufficient funds may be requested at ports of entry.

⚠ Expiration of visa

• Once the 6-month visa validity expires, the holder must apply anew at a consulate or embassy abroad; it cannot be renewed within Thailand.

Comparison with Other Visa Options

Example Scenario

👉 A Canadian national applies for an METV at the Thai consulate in Vancouver. They provide bank statements showing consistent balances of CAD 10,000+, a letter from their employer confirming employment status, and flight/accommodation details. Upon issuance, they enter Thailand for 60 days, extend for 30 more days, exit to Singapore, and re-enter Thailand for another 60 days within the visa validity. They leave again before the visa’s expiration.

Conclusion

The Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa offers flexibility for genuine tourists who wish to visit Thailand multiple times over a six-month period. However, it demands strict compliance with entry and stay conditions, proper documentation, and an understanding of its limitations. Failure to respect these conditions may lead to denial of entry or revocation of the visa. Proper planning and adherence to immigration rules are key to making the most of the METV.