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What happens to my METV application if I use the 60-day visa exemption upon entering Thailand?

METVThailand visavisa exemptionvisa application60 day exemptionimmigration adviceThai visa types
Jul 20, 2024
5 months ago
Eric ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
You there Brandon??

I might have cut it too close after finally figuring out and applying for the METV. It’s still pending on the ThaiEVisa website (through the Washington DC location). I arrive the July 26th, next Thursday. If I don’t receive it in time and use the 60 day exemption upon arrival, does the pending METV automatically expire upon getting the exemption or can I use it to extend when the 60 day expires or when coming back after visiting some surrounding countries once the METV hits my email? And thanks to Brandon and others for all the advice given on here!

The below pic is the website. Is there anything else I need to do?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is concerned about their pending METV application and potential entry into Thailand using a 60-day visa exemption. They seek clarity on the status of the METV if they enter Thailand on the exemption. Responses indicate that if the METV arrives after entry on the exemption, it would require exiting and re-entering Thailand to activate. The visa remains valid for three months post-issuance, allowing for flexibility in travel and activation.
Jean-Maurice ********
randomly curious what happened haha
@Eric *****
5 months ago
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Eric ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jean-Maurice *******
 it actually came in 2 days before departure, so it worked out perfectly. Not sure if it was luck or as someone on here said, they plan distributing it as close to your departure as possible to give you more time. Either way…👍👍👍
5 months ago
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Eric ******
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Chris *********************
I had the same situation earlier this year my non o visa didn't come before I flew , I entered on a 30day visa exempt, extended for 30 days in the mean time visa email came ,not forgetting it's valid 3 months from issue, I went to Vietnam, came back to Thailand and activate my visa, then extended for 60 days ,with the options of extending for 1 year based on marriage.
5 months ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
Some consulates actually issue the METV as close to your departure as possible - to do you a favor / maximize the time you can use it. Happened to me once.
5 months ago
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Eric ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank-Steven **********
 Right on, It came in 2 days before I left! Not too bad at all.
5 months ago
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Greg ***********
@Eric *****
 the visa validity starts on the date when the visa is issued. So they issue it as close as possible to your intended departure date, in order to grant you the theoretically possible 180 days validity
5 months ago
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Eric ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg **********
 I would have been more confident if I hadn’t applied with only a 2 week cushion, lol. And it’s good for 90 days with a 30 day extension possible? Even if you go out of Thailand (after being there initially for let’s say 30 days), for a month then come back the clock keeps on ticking, so only 30 days left or it freezes while you’re gone? Do you know what additional procedures I would have to do to get a retirement visa, other than the bank account? Thanks.
5 months ago
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Greg ***********
@Eric *****
 the requirements are described here, you need to click on number 9 . . . .
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5 months ago
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Greg ***********
@Eric *****
 as a British citizen, you will need a Thai bank account, if you apply for the "change of visa type" after you entered Thailand with tourist visa or a visa-exempt entry, to the 90-days Non imm- O retirement visa" and from there to the "1-year extended stay permit"
5 months ago
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Greg ***********
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Frank-Steven ***********
@Eric *****
 Glad it worked out. Some years ago I had it come while I was literally entering the plane already. That close call had me a bit worried. 😃
5 months ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
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Eric ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank-Steven **********
 That would be nice, just wish they could let you know. I read that people were getting theirs in 4 days and one person even said next day. I wasn’t sure if the clock started when they issued it or when you got the stamp at immigration, so I did 2 weeks prior. 🤞
5 months ago
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Eric ******
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Lisa ********************
Presume you've submitted all your documents and not had an email requesting more ?
5 months ago
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Eric ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lisa *******************
 Just checked my email and nothing since the confirmation email receipt from them. Yes, All documents submitted. Is the ‘pending document check’ in the pic for them, or does that mean they are waiting on me to check for something? I didn’t see anything that would require my attention.
5 months ago
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Eric ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes on spam folder. 🤞Thanks.
5 months ago
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Lisa ********************
@Eric *****
 pending document check , is where they are up to. You've checked spam box in your email too? If nothing there, then you just have to wait.
5 months ago
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Lisa ********************
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Stuart *********
Perhaps he’s out for his afternoon walk.

But to answer your question, if the visa arrives after you have entered using the 60 day exempt stamp then you’d have to leave the country and re-enter to activate it.

As the clock ticks down as soon as it’s issued there isn’t really any benefit in waiting around until the full first 60 days is over (as would be for a SETV), you can activate it whenever it is convenient for you.
5 months ago
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Eric ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
 You’ve always had good advice as well Stuart. Can you expand on the ‘clock ticking down’ part? Does that mean it lasts 60 days from issue or once I start using it? And I can activate it if I’m on a 60 day exemption. And basically the difference between them is with the Visa, I can try to get a bank account, most likely using an agent? Thanks.

I guess I have to retract what I said about Brandon…all I got out of him was ‘just woke up”. 🤷🏻‍♂️😄
5 months ago
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Eric ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok. That’s what I thought, that’s why I applied 2 weeks prior, reading that people were getting theirs pretty quickly. So theirs really no downside to it possibly coming in after I’m on the exemption? Would it supersede, or I would still have to go to immigration within 60 days of original arrival date? Thanks. And I retract the retraction.😅
5 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Eric *****
 the METV is active as soon as the embassy issues it. So you're already using the 6 months whether you've used the visa to enter Thailand or not. That's what he means by "ticking down"
5 months ago
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Brandon ************
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Brandon ************
@Stuart ********
 just woke up actually 😬
5 months ago
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Stuart *********
@Brandon ***********
 it’s 5pm here. Why you sleep so late 😀
5 months ago
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Stuart *********
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