How far in advance should we apply for an e-visa to Thailand and what are the requirements?

Question

Married couple from USA coming to Thailand Nov 15. Plan to get ￼an e-visa (single entry tourist visa) to stay 60 days and then extend the 30 days. Plan to then visit some friends in Vietnam and also get another single entry tourist visa there to stay until we leave end of April back to US. (5 months 5 days from entry to return flight back to US.)

How far in advance should we apply for the e-visa? It is only 2 months now, so should I hop on it this week or do I have a few more weeks I can wait?

Will I need to have proof of a flight out like to Vietnam when I apply or will by round trip ticket back to US be enough?

(It’s been 2 & 1/2 years since we were last in Thailand and had done this same thing but went to Malaysia for tourist visa just before the pandemic)

(Ideally I would of liked to have the multi-entry but I’m not completely sure on the financial requirements and if we would even meet it for the 6months before. Or would just rather spend that fee money ($200?) on a trip to our friends and take a few day for the tourist visa at Thai consulate there.  I know we would have to leave Thailand with a multi-entry at 60days as well but we could make a shorter trip just south a few hours to Malaysia again. )

Also Any tips or suggestions on traveling and visa run to Vietnam would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance for all the help!

Ask Thailand · Answer

A married couple from the USA plans to travel to Thailand on November 15 and obtain an e-visa for a 60-day stay. They want to know how early they should apply for the e-visa, the necessity of proof of onward travel, and the possibility of a multi-entry visa versus single entries. They've previously visited Thailand and are considering a trip to Vietnam afterward. Conversations highlight the need for early visa applications (at least a few days before travel), the advantages of a multi-entry visa, and the option for border runs to extend their stay in Thailand.

Ellie ******* · Answer

The Single Entry Tourist Visa is Valid for three months after issued at consulate. You can apply for SETV anytime as long as your arrival date to Thailand is within that three months

Abby ****** · Answer

You will need to apply online to get your e visa to vietnam.  Do it at least a few days in advance before you plan to enter vietnam.  May want to consult a vietnam visa advice group for that one as well.

James ******** · Answer

Get a 6 month METV <- multi-entry tourist visa from the thai consulate in your country BEFORE you wing your way here.

That visa is good for 6 months from the date it's issued, it's unlimited entry during its validity, each entry is good for 60 days, when the 60 days runs out, go to the border, stamp out of thailand, stamp in&out of another country and right back into thailand to get a new 60 day entry stamp.

IF you time the bouncing correctly you can get almost 9 months of stay out of a visa good for 6 months.

And IF you want you can get one 30 day extension of stay from your local Thai immigration office for 1900 Thai baht if your planned flight to Vietnam needs the added time from your first arrival into Thailand.

James ******** · Answer

Suggest that you look at getting a METV multiple entry tourist visa for each of you..  before you fly to Thailand.

With planning it can get you up to 9 months stay in Thailand with a border run... which you already are planning to Vietnam

How far in advance should we apply for an e-visa to Thailand and what are the requirements?

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