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What does my METV validity mean for my arrival and stay in Thailand?

Mar 24, 2025
10 days ago
Donna ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi, I applied last week for an METV from UK which has been approved and issued today ( only took 3 days) I am not arriving until 8 June (which my documents showed that were submitted) however my Visa states valid from 24 March until 19 September 25.

Does the Visa mean I have between the dates to arrive in Thailand and my Visa will be ‘active’ from the arrival stamp date and I can travel in and out of Thailand as a tourist for 6 months from that arrival date (8 June) or does it mean it’s ‘active’ from today until September?

Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The METV visa issued is valid from the date it was issued until September 19, 2025. However, the actual stay period starts from the arrival date (June 8), allowing for a stay of 60 days upon entry, with the possibility of a 30-day local extension. The commenter clarifies that the visa does not become actively usable until the holder arrives in Thailand, where they can freely re-enter before the visa expiration for additional stays.
Klaus ******
You wrong 😭 when you arrive in Thailand It will have Almost expired
Jan ******************
Sorry but you applied a bit to early to get the full advantage of a METV. You’ll get 60 days upon arrival the 8 of June and can do a 30 days local extension or do another re-entry. If you re-enter short time before the September 25 you’ll still get another 60 days stay and can apply for a 30 days extension.
Donna ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jan *****************
thank you. So if I travel out of Thailand and re-enter before the expiry date on the visa of 19 September, I would get another 60 day stamp? Or do I need to have left Thailand by the 19th of September regardless of any extensions?

With hindsight ( had I known this) I should have waited until perhaps a week before to apply.
Jan ******************
@Donna ***********
Yes if you enter Thailand before the visa itself expires you’re still able to get another 60 days stamp or permission to stay and can also apply for a 30 days extension. (Time of your visa and the stamp or stay it gives you upon entry is two different things).
Donna ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jan *****************
thank you 🙏 so it is not a disaster after all 😂
Jan ******************
@Donna ***********
No it’s not, a METV could normally give you up to nine months in Thailand. But they’re getting stricter now anyway if you stay for more than six months in total in Thailand. This will be no issues for you anyway.
Donna ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jan *****************
thank you. I appreciate your comments and advice 🙏
Stuart *********
It’s active from the issue date - today. The 6 month clock starts ticking as soon as issued.
Donna ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
thank you for responding. So the 19th September date is when I would need to leave Thailand, even though I don’t arrive until the 8th June ?

I applied in advance as I wanted to be prepared as I don’t really have time to apply in the run up to leaving the UK in June. Had I known it was going to start now, I would have waited.

I had a Tourist Visa a couple of years ago which I applied online for, it was a 60 day visa and it was activated at the point of entry into Thailand and not from the date of issue.
Stuart *********
@Donna ***********
All visas start from the day of issue. For a single entry tourist visa it doesn’t make a difference as long as you enter before the valid date.

With the METV you lose “time value” as it starts ticking from issue.

With planning you can squeeze almost 9 months from that visa with extensions or bounces.
Donna ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
can you extend by 30 days per entry or only 30 days in total over the period of 6 months?
Stuart *********
@Donna ***********
you can extend each entry for 30 days on a METV.
Donna ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
thank you again. 👍
Jack *****
@Stuart ********
"all visas" ... the Non O visa to visit Thai family.. is 90 days... so .. you are saying that the clock starts on this visa on the day that they grant the visa... I would be wrong in thinking that I had 90 days to enter.. then the 90 days started??
Jack *****
@Stuart ********
thank you for the help in understanding...
Donna ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Tore *********
@Donna ***********
no. 19th September is the last you can ENTER Thailand. You then get a fresh 60 days stamp.

If you would enter on last validity day, you can technically stay another 90 days. 60 says plus 1 extension. But after that need to leave Thailand.

So in your case almost until Christmas if you plan your last entry close to visa validity expiry. You essentially can get close to 9 months IF you enter Thailand shortly after the visa is issued.

For the future: 4 weeks in advance is plenty time to apply visa,

Visa validity: the timeframe you can enter Thailand borders.

Entry stamp: the last day you have to exit OR get a 30 day extension.
Donna ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tore ********
thank you
Jan ******************
@Donna ***********
A single entry tourist visa is valid 90 days after its issued and gives you a 60 days stay one time upon arrival within these 90 days. A METV is valid for 180 days and give a 60 days stay each time you enter within these 180 days.
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