The Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) is the practical choice for travelers who plan several short-to-medium visits to Thailand within a single period — for example, digital nomads who move regionally, frequent tourists who make repeat trips, or people combining Thailand with nearby countries. Unlike visa-exempt entries or single-entry tourist visas, the METV bundles multiple border crossings into one consular application. Below is a focused, practical guide — what the METV actually gives you, who can get it, how to apply and use it, common compliance traps, and a final checklist.
Validity: The standard METV is typically valid for six months from date of issue. Each visa’s validity is printed on the sticker/letter you receive from the issuing mission.
Entries: During that validity window you may enter Thailand multiple times; there is no fixed limit on the number of entries as long as the visa is valid.
Length of stay per entry: Each entry normally permits a 60-day stay, and that stay can usually be extended once for an additional 30 days at an Immigration Office in Thailand (extension fee and discretion apply). Put plainly: each arrival can normally be 60 days (extendable to 90).
Fee: The MFA has published a METV application fee (historically set at 5,000 THB at the time of policy launch), but actual consular fees can vary by mission and payment method — always confirm with the issuing embassy/consulate before applying.
(These are the program’s core rules; individual embassies may add procedural details, forms, or documentary checklists.)
Consular posts screen for genuine tourism purpose and basic solvency. Typical documentary requirements you will be asked to provide include:
Valid passport (usually with at least six months’ validity and blank pages).
Completed visa application form and two passport-style photos.
Confirmed onward/return air ticket(s) (showing exit within the permitted stay).
Proof of accommodation (hotel bookings or address in Thailand).
Proof of sufficient funds — many missions require bank statements or financial proof (the threshold and format vary by post; some lists specify the equivalent of THB 200,000 or a sufficient monthly balance). Note: Thailand reinstated proof-of-funds requirements for tourist visas in May 2025, so consulates now examine financial evidence more closely than in the 2022–2024 relaxation period. ThaiEmbassy.com+1
Because consular practice differs, applicants should consult the specific Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate website that covers their place of residence for the exact documentary checklist and any online/appointment requirements.
Pre-check: Confirm the issuing mission for your country (embassy, consulate or e-visa portal) and read its METV guidance. Note visa fee, accepted payment method and whether the mission accepts mail-in applications or requires an appointment.
Gather documents: Passport, photos, completed form, flight bookings, accommodation, bank statements and any supporting letters (employer letter, if requested).
Submit: Apply at the embassy/consulate (or through the mission’s e-visa system where available). Some missions require in-person submission; others accept couriered dossiers.
Processing & issuance: Processing time varies (typically days to a few weeks). If approved you will receive a stamped visa or a visa sticker allowing multiple entries within the validity window.
Extension of each entry: You may apply at a local Immigration Office to extend a 60-day stay by 30 days (fee commonly THB 1,900). Extensions are discretionary and you should apply before your current stamp expires. Overstaying is expensive and carries potential bans.
Work is not permitted: A tourist visa — including METV entries — does not authorize employment. If you plan to work you must obtain the appropriate non-immigrant visa and a work permit under Thai labour law. Immigration officers routinely ask about intended activity and can refuse entry if they suspect undeclared work.
Immigration discretion on re-entry: Although the METV allows repeat entries, border officials always have discretion to admit or refuse a traveler; frequent short back-to-back entries (so-called “border runs”) may attract additional scrutiny. Keep documentation of plans, funds and accommodation handy at every arrival.
Assume mission-specific rules: A document accepted by one Royal Thai Embassy may be insufficient at another. Confirm the precise checklist with your issuing mission before applying.
Financial proof is back on the table: Since May 2025 visa applicants are once again commonly required to prove funds; prepare bank statements that show consistent balances and an explanation for any large recent deposits.
Don’t work on a tourist visa: Using a METV for business activity or employment without a work permit risks fines, deportation and bans. If you plan to work, secure the correct non-immigrant visa and work permit first.
Extension timing: Apply for the 30-day extension early — Immigration Offices can be busy and some posts require appointment bookings or additional supporting documents.
A traveler obtains an METV at her home-country Thai consulate in January (visa validity: six months). She enters Thailand in February for 60 days to work remotely on holiday, applies to extend while in Chiang Mai (pays 1,900 THB), then leaves for Vietnam. In April she returns to Thailand on the same METV and receives another 60-day stamp. Both times she presents return/onward tickets, hotel bookings and recent bank statements to immigration; she keeps her itinerary and accommodation receipts available in case of questioning. (This illustrates how the METV supports repeat tourism but also why documentation and compliance are necessary.)
Confirm issuing embassy/consulate and exact documentary checklist.
Prepare passport (≥6 months), photos, visa form and fees.
Book and print onward/return flight itineraries.
Gather bank statements and proof of accommodation (recent statements, hotel bookings or letter of invitation).
Plan for THB 1,900 if you intend to extend any 60-day entry to 90 days.
The METV is a flexible and efficient solution when you genuinely intend repeat tourist visits within a defined window. Because rules, financial-proof standards and consular procedures change, always confirm current requirements with the Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate that will issue your visa, and keep copies of all supporting documents when you travel. If your plans involve work or long-term residence, consult an immigration specialist — the tourist visa is not a substitute for employment authorization.