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How long before traveling to Thailand should I apply for a 6-month multi-entry visa?
Feb 28, 2026
2 months ago
Alison *****************
ORIGINAL POSTERI’m planning on coming to Thailand 22 April and applying for a 6 month multi entry visa can anyone advise me how long before my travel date do I need to apply online thanks in advance
TLDR : Answer Summary
The general consensus among commenters is to apply for the 6-month multiple-entry visa (METV) about 4 to 5 weeks before your travel date. The visa's validity begins from the date of issue, not your arrival, meaning applying closer to your departure helps maximize your time in Thailand. Some suggest applying the first week of April to ensure timely processing and to avoid losing months of visa validity. Additionally, consider factors like the embassy you are applying through, as processing times can vary.
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Ant ***********
3-4 weeks at least
Galenus ******
The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is a 5-year multiple-entry visa designed for digital nomads, remote workers, and participants in "Soft Power" activities (e.g., Muay Thai, cooking classes). Crucially, you must apply for this visa while outside of Thailand.
1. Eligibility Requirements
Age: Minimum 20 years old.
Financial Proof: Evidence of at least 500,000 THB (approx. $14,000–$15,000 USD) in a bank account. Most embassies require this balance to be maintained for the last 3 months.
1. Eligibility Requirements
Age: Minimum 20 years old.
Financial Proof: Evidence of at least 500,000 THB (approx. $14,000–$15,000 USD) in a bank account. Most embassies require this balance to be maintained for the last 3 months.
Atrustwor*********
Galenus Gold they not asking about the DTV they are asking about the 6 month METV
Galenus ******
AtrustworthyJaguar Well, dtv was mentioned
Atrustwor*********
Galenus Gold there is no mention in the post of DTV
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Atrustwor*********
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Phillip ******
Apply when ever you want, the visa only starts from your arrival date with a maximum of 6 months validity, depending on your home country.
Atrustwor*********
Phillip Dick Apply to early and you reduce the 6 months. Ie arrive a week before validity then you just wasted the visa as your only going to get 60 days plus extension from it.
Phillip ******
AtrustworthyJaguar the visa doesn't start until you arrive.
Atrustwor*********
Phillip Dick visa is valid for 6 months from day of issue. Come in 3 months you only have 3 months left valid.
Atrustwor*********
Phillip Dick the 60 days starts when you arrive but the 6 months starts ticking when visa is issued
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Atrustwor*********
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Graeme *******
Why do people come here on a multi entry visa, for 6 months. Obviously not staying 6 months but are we a tourist.
Wannikea *********
Firstly you need to say which Embassy you're going to be applying through for a guesstimate on processing time.
Secondly although the validity of the METV is only 6 months, with a well-timed final entry into Thailand you can get almost 9 months out of it.
Secondly although the validity of the METV is only 6 months, with a well-timed final entry into Thailand you can get almost 9 months out of it.
Atrustwor*********
Wannikea Wanblee well at least you didnt get grrrrr at like I did and told to read the post which does not say what country or embassy.
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Atrustwor*********
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Peter ********
They wait till about 3 days before U leave the U get it,then U get nearly 6 months ,
Greg ***********
I would apply 4-5 weeks before the planned travel date. If the METV gets issued two weeks before the planned travel date, there is no need to be worried. Even if you lose a week or two of the visa validity, you still can do a border bounce shortly before the visa validity expires. You would get stamped in for a last time for a 60-days stay permit. If you had lost 2 weeks of the visa validity, this would mean that you still can enjoy a 7 months and 2 weeks stay in Thailand. And with some luck you can get one 30-days touristic extension on top of that
Alison *****************
ORIGINAL POSTERGreg Alexander thankyou for your sensible answer
Dan *******
Plan accordingly. The METV is issued by the Thai
administration but the immigration officers at the checkpoints have been said to be questioning whether or not it’s going to be acceptable.
Kid you not.
Make sure you have everything you need :
Onward ticket
20,000 baht
Accommodations
I’m looking at getting one too but am concerned by reports that immigration officers aren’t all aware of how the METV works.
Be polite and be prepared to be questioned. Print out your itinerary and remember to dress accordingly. Under no circumstances should you insist you’re right and the immigration officer is wrong.
Good luck .
administration but the immigration officers at the checkpoints have been said to be questioning whether or not it’s going to be acceptable.
Kid you not.
Make sure you have everything you need :
Onward ticket
20,000 baht
Accommodations
I’m looking at getting one too but am concerned by reports that immigration officers aren’t all aware of how the METV works.
Be polite and be prepared to be questioned. Print out your itinerary and remember to dress accordingly. Under no circumstances should you insist you’re right and the immigration officer is wrong.
Good luck .
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Dan *******
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Atrustwor*********
It would help if you advised what embassy your going to apply at as some are extremely slow others are quick.
Everyone can only advise guessing where you will apply from and what they have heard or experienced.
Everyone can only advise guessing where you will apply from and what they have heard or experienced.
Atrustwor*********
Yes so what country ? We not a crystal ball. If you read the post no country mentioned.
I DID read you obviously did not read before you did the post.
I DID read you obviously did not read before you did the post.
Alison *****************
ORIGINAL POSTERAtrustworthyJaguar doesn’t matter what country any country that allows you to apply for a 6 month multi entry visa
Atrustwor*********
Alison Cherry Standen
As you have to use Sydney while in NSW they say 10 business days but I would allow a bit longer incase they request more info.
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As you have to use Sydney while in NSW they say 10 business days but I would allow a bit longer incase they request more info.
Atrustwor*********
Alison Cherry Standen As many said it varies from country to country.
Are you ashamed to admit your a kiwi in NSW.
Are you ashamed to admit your a kiwi in NSW.
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Atrustwor*********
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Alison *****************
ORIGINAL POSTERAtrustworthyJaguar if you read the post it says applying online for it in own country
Wannikea *********
Alison Cherry Standen this sounds like a job for Carnak the Magnificent.
David *******
Alison Cherry Standen so which is your home country 😂😂
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David *******
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Larry *********
the METV is valid for 6 months from the time of approval. So if you apply to early and get approved , that
means less time in thailand. yet you also want the approval a few weeks before you fly at least. I'm considering that visa too.. You can leave after a 60 day stay then hop over to another country . then re-enter thailand and get another 60 days then extend for 30 days more. That way you'll be under the 6 month validity for the METV. I'm trying to figure out the best way to get maximum thailand stay within 6 months.
means less time in thailand. yet you also want the approval a few weeks before you fly at least. I'm considering that visa too.. You can leave after a 60 day stay then hop over to another country . then re-enter thailand and get another 60 days then extend for 30 days more. That way you'll be under the 6 month validity for the METV. I'm trying to figure out the best way to get maximum thailand stay within 6 months.
Alison *****************
ORIGINAL POSTERLarry Wheeler I was thinking of of doing the visa free exempt but that’s changing back to 30 days word is in April when new gov takes over
Larry *********
Alison Cherry Standen i think it will stay 60 days visa exempt till later in 2026.. If your going in April you okay to get 60 days.
Nongnuch ********
Alison Cherry Standen the maximum you can get out of a visa exemption is 157 days, and not even this is guaranteed. The second visa-exempt entry is totally upon the discretion of the Immigration officer. In case you wish to stay in Thailand a combined total of 5 to 7 months, the METV is the better and much safer option
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Nongnuch ********
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Greg ***********
Larry Wheeler I would not worry too much. Even if you lose a week or two of the visa validity, you still can do a border bounce shortly before the visa validity expires. You would get stamped in for a last time for a 60-days stay permit. If you had lost 2 weeks of the visa validity, this would mean that you still can enjoy a 7 months and 2 weeks stay in Thailand. And with some luck you can get one 30-days touristic extension on top of that
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Greg ***********
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Steve *******
As close to your leaving date as possible.The METV starts ticking, for the 6 months it's valid, from the date of issue.
Karl *********
Typically visas have three dates that are important. The first date is the approval date. That is the date the visa is approved and you are notified. The second date is the must use by date. The visas that I have received from Thailand have had a 90-day period from the issue date that you must make your entry into Thailand. The final date is the expiration date. In the instance you describe your Visa will be good for 6-months after your first arrival in Thailand. Hope this helps.
Nongnuch ********
Karl Diekman actually, only TWO dates are important, not three. The date of issue determines the length of the visa validity, and the date of entry detemines the length of the admitted stay. Everything else you wind up with is pure fiction
Karl *********
Nongnuch Kamdee I don’t see any value in arguing about this. I have my experiences and you may have different experiences.
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Karl *********
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Wannikea *********
Karl Diekman all visas are valid from the date they are approved and the validity clock starts ticking from the date of approval/issue.
Karl *********
That is not true for other visas. I have had any number of Non-O visas and others that operate as I described.
Wannikea *********
Karl Diekman a non-0 is valid for 90 days from issue, You need to enter the country before that 90 days expires and then you will be stamped in for 90 days.
Karl *********
Wannikea Wanblee precisely what I described.
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Karl *********
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Larry *********
Karl Diekman i think the METV validity date begins when its approved not when you actually arrive . ??
Nongnuch ********
Larry Wheeler Karl has absolutely no clue how the METV works
Karl *********
Nongnuch Kamdee no need to be rude. Read the words and you will see the author did not mention METV nor did I.
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Karl *********
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Graham ******
Larry Wheeler visas are valid from the date of issue, correct
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Graham ******
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Nongnuch ********
Karl Diekman nicely explained but all wrong. You are wrong. The 6-months visa-validity does not start on the day he arrives in Thailand. The 6-months validity starts on the date the visa gets issued. When he enters Thailand, he will get stamped in for a 60-days stay permit
Karl *********
Nongnuch Kamdee thank you. I wrote a general explanation of the dozen or so visas I have had. Although I said “typically” I should have added that I am unaware of a 6-month visa as it is not of a type I would ever use. Sorry if I confused anyone.
Atrustwor*********
Nongnuch Kamdee correct would not want to arrive a week before validity expires in for a shock if they do.
Simon *******
AtrustworthyJaguar they will still get a 60 day stamp ,the visa allowing 60 days at a time will expire but the 60 day entry won't expire with the visa,yes not the Ideal situation but you could still get 150 days out of it 60 days on entry with metv then leave and return on a 60 exemption the get an extension for another 30 days giving 150 days in total all legal and above board.
Nongnuch ********
AtrustworthyJaguar the 6-months visa validity starts on the day the visa gets issued. Each entry gets you stamped in for 60 days, Theoretically you can buy a 30 days extension for 1900 THB, OR do the border bounce and get stamped in for another 60 days. Even if you lose a week or two of the visa validity because you apply for the visa 5 weeks before the planned travel date, you still can do a border bounce shortly before the visa validity epxires. You would get stamped in for a last timne for a 60-days stay permit. In case you had lost 2 weeks of the visa validity, this would mean that you still can enjoy a 7 months and 2 weeks stay in Thailand. And with some luck you can get one 30-days touristic extension on top of that
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Nongnuch ********
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Randy ********
I would apply the first week of April. That should give you enough time to receive it and to use it to its full extent, if you plan on trying to get as much time as possible from the visa.
Larry *********
@Randy *******
thats a stressful wait on approval. if there are any glitches on getting approved.Randy ********
Larry Wheeler that’s up to them. I’m only giving the advice as if they were trying to maximize the visa to its fullest. At most it would take approximately 2 weeks to have the visa issued.
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Randy ********
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Tony *********
People say you apply as close as possible to your arrival date as the 6 months start when the visa is approved (correct me if im wrong ? )
Larry *********
Tony Cabello Thats true . if you get approved a month before your flight. you just reduced your metv visa to 5 months. then if you apply a few weeks before you fly thats alot of stress hoping you get approved in time.
I would just figure I'd get 5 months on 2 stays.
I would just figure I'd get 5 months on 2 stays.
Nongnuch ********
Larry Wheeler Why you worry? Even if you lose a full month of the visa validity, you can still do a border bounce a day before the validity expires, and get stamped in for a last 60-days stay permit. This means you can stay in Thailand for a combined total of 7 months. Not enough? then bus a 30-days touristic extension on top of that
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Nongnuch ********
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Greg ***********
Tony Cabello Normally, the Thai embassy that processes your e-visa application will not issue the visa too early. They will wait until you are very close to your planned flight date, so you don’t lose too many days of the visa validity. So, after you have applied for this visa-category, you should not be impatient while you wait for the approval.
Steve *******
Tony Cabello You're not wrong. The six month's start ticking from the issue date
Tony *********
Steve Greir Thanks mate .
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Tony *********
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