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

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…👍👍👍

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Eric ******

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.

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.

Eric ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Frank-Steven **********

Right on, It came in 2 days before I left! Not too bad at all.

Greg ***********

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

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.

Greg ***********

the requirements are described here, you need to click on number 9 . . . .

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Greg ***********

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"

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Greg ***********

Frank-Steven ***********

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. 😃

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Frank-Steven ***********

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. 🤞

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Eric ******

Lisa ********************

Presume you've submitted all your documents and not had an email requesting more ?

@Lisa *******************

Eric ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

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.

Eric ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yes on spam folder. 🤞Thanks.

Lisa ********************

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.

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Lisa ********************

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.

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”. 🤷🏻‍♂️😄

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.😅

Brandon ************

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"

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Brandon ************

@Stuart ********

just woke up actually 😬

Stuart *********

@Brandon ***********

it’s 5pm here. Why you sleep so late 😀