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Can a Canadian expat switch to a multi-entry tourist visa after entering Thailand on a visa-exempt status?

visa-exempt entry multi-entry tourist visa Thailand immigration Canadian tourist visa visa processing delays

Aug 30, 2023

a year ago

Michael ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I have a Canadian friend who applied for a multi-entry tourist visa. Unfortunately, since Canada is apparently "backed up" he was not granted the visa before his flight arrived in CNX and had to enter with "visa-exempt" status. Is it possible to change to the mutli-entry tourist visa if they receive it after landing here? Thanks!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A Canadian friend who entered Thailand with visa-exempt status is able to switch to a multi-entry tourist visa (METV) once it's issued after arrival. They must exit Thailand and re-enter to activate the METV, presenting the necessary documentation. This can be done via land or air.

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Ellie *******

Just FYI. RTE Ottawa says clearly this.

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Greg *********

Shame the Thai Embassy in Ottawa doesn't handle walk-ins any longer. Used to be a 3 day turnaround. I got stung the year they went online. Email with Visa arrived 5 hours after I cleared Immigration at BKK. 😩.

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Greg *********

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Tod *********

Happens quite a lot that people apply for visas online but don't get it issued before they fly here.

Sadly they can't activate the visa once their in thailand, BUT as people posted, they can exit/re-enter, show the PDF print out when they re-enter and get stamped in on the visa that way. They can do it by air or land, no issues at all

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Wannikea *********

Since they needed to show a need for the METV, ie travel itinerary to another country, they can activate the METV when they return to Thailand.

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Wannikea *********

Btw, when did they apply? Vancouver or Toronto?

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Michael ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Wannikea ********

they applied on July 25 and landed in CNX on Aug 26. Applied in Ottawa online

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Michael ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Also just found out they got their METV today! ... So July 25-Aug. 30 was processing time.

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Michael ***********

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Duncan *******

Exit Thailand then come back - from CNX fly or the Lao border in Chiang Rai.

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Lloyd ********

Yes, they would just have to pop out of Thailand and then enter with the metv

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Lloyd ********

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