How far in advance should I apply for the METV and when is it valid?

Question

Ok next visa question as I am still undecided what is best for us: How long before you leave should you apply for the METV before your trip from Australia? Also is the METV valid from the date of grant or the date you first enter Thailand?

Ask Thailand · Answer

To apply for a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) from Australia, it's generally advised to submit your application approximately 6 weeks to 3 months before your trip. However, many users suggested 30 days to 2 months as a suitable range, depending on the specific consulate's processing times. It’s important to note that the METV becomes valid from the date it is issued, not the date of entry into Thailand. Thus, timing your application is crucial to maximize the visa's validity period of 6 months.

Proficient********** · Answer

3 months

Guy ********** · Answer

My experience. I applied around 2 months beforehand. Had a document pending check on my Australian visa even though I’m an Australian with Australian passport 😅 2 hours and half a dozen attempts to speak to someone to sort that out.. Visa granted 3 days before flight. They seem to be well aware that METV activates when it’s granted and not on your first flight in. Yeah, made me nervous but you have to trust the system.

Wayne ********* · Answer

Why not just get the single 60 day visa then come back visa exempt for the 29 days ?

Wangi ****** · Answer

Our trip was planned well before Thailand reduced the visa-free entry period from 60 days to 30 days in September, and the new rules have made what was originally a straightforward itinerary much more complicated.

Our current travel plans are:

Arrive in Phuket on 8 March 2027.

Hire a car and travel throughout Thailand for 40 days.

Fly from Phuket to Bangkok on 17 April 2027.

Fly from Bangkok to Penang, Malaysia on 5 May 2027, which is just one day before our original 60-day visa-free stay would have expired.

After spending time in Malaysia, we plan to:

Return to Thailand on 15 May 2027.

Depart Thailand and return home on 12 June 2027.

By my calculations, that second stay in Thailand would be 29 days, which would have comfortably fit within both the old and new visa-free entry limits.

The frustrating part is that this itinerary was carefully planned around the previous 60-day visa-free entry rules. What was once a simple holiday now feels unnecessarily complicated due to the rule changes.

We're reaching the point where we're wondering whether it's worth proceeding at all, because the planning is rapidly heading into the "too hard" basket.

The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is not a realistic option for us, and neither are the various wealthy investor or privileged-entry programs. We've also looked at the Retirement O and Retirement OA visas, but obtaining a retirement visa for what is essentially a holiday seems excessive.

Bradley ******* · Answer

5 weeks

John ********** · Answer

I wouldn't apply too early but you don't want to cut it too tight either. About 30 days would seem right to me but it also can depend on what consulate you apply through.

The visa is valid for 6 months from the day it's issued and every entry during that valid period gets you stamped in for 60 days

Greg *********** · Answer

the 6-months visa validity of a METV starts on the day is gets issued. You could apply up from 6 weeks ahead of your planned flight, but send an email to the embassy and kindly ask them to issue the visa as close as possible to the date of your planned flight, so you don't lose too many days of the visa validity

Jan ****************** · Answer

If you want to maximise the full potential of an METV, timing is important, as the six-month validity starts from the date of issue, not your first entry into Thailand.

I would check the current processing time at the Thai embassy or consulate handling your application in Australia and apply reasonably close to that timeframe, but with some extra margin for delays. Make sure your application is complete, including a travel itinerary showing two entries and two departures if required by the embassy. Otherwise, you risk being asked for additional documentation, which could delay approval.

The aim is to have your visa approved shortly before departure, without taking unnecessary risks by applying too late.

How far in advance should I apply for the METV and when is it valid?

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