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What is the best time frame to apply for a METV before traveling to Thailand?

METV Multiple Entry Visa Visa Application Timing Thailand Visa Rules Thai Embassy Visa Validity E-Visa System

Aug 9, 2025

20 hours ago

Herbert *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Sorry, once again. I just apply for a METV in the Vienna Embassy.

On different intertnetsides you can read that you can apply 3 month in advance before entering Thailand.

In this forum it was said, you have to apply very shortly before departure, because the 6 month start with getting the approval,  so in this case you will have much less then the six months for staying in the country.....

What is wright?

Thank you!

Herbert Steurer

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TLDR : Answer Summary

There are differing opinions on when to apply for a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) to Thailand. Some advise applying 3 months in advance, while others warn that the visa is effective from the date of issue, meaning you might lose validity time if you apply too early. It's generally recommended to apply about 4 weeks before your planned flight to ensure the visa is issued closer to your travel date. This helps avoid losing any days of your visa's validity.

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Henrik *****

Look at the Embassy website, and read there how long time, they need for processing the visa at that Embassy.

15 hours ago

Herbert *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Henrik ****

Last time I had a OA-Visa, it took 2 days...😅

15 hours ago

Henrik *****

Wrong adress, haven’t asked for anything.

15 hours ago

Reply to

Henrik *****

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

When applying for the 6-months multi entry Tourist Visa by the E-Visa system, you normally wait until 4 weeks before your planned flight to Thailand, to submit the online application

Many people reported, that they were waiting for their application to get approved, while their flight date approached closer and closer

They actually worried too much

The Thai embassy or consulate in the recent years generally took special care to issue your METV as close as possible to your flight date, in order so you don’t lose too many days of the visa validity.

You can communicate this issue with the Vienna Embassy by Email and kindly ask them to issue the METV as close as possible to the flight date you filled into the online E-Visa application

19 hours ago

Bob **********

Wright is not right 😎😎😎

19 hours ago

Herbert *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Bob *********

😂

18 hours ago

Herbert *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Bob *********

so I don't know what is right indeed, different opinions.

19 hours ago

Reply to

Herbert *********

Klaus **********

Huh ????? I go to Thailand 09 December.

So that means if my visa is approved at 2 November the 6 months allready begin to count ?

I can’t believe that.

If I want to go to Thailand I want to start from the first day I put a step on Thai ground.

Not 1-2 months before.

I really can’tbelieve that.

You called to your ambassade to check this Herbert?

20 hours ago

Stuart *********

@Klaus *********

There’s nothing to check. A visa is valid from the date of issue. If you apply for a 6 month visa 3 months ahead of time then you’ll just waste 3 months of its validity.

Depending of the consulate or embassy you use then check their normal turn around times.

For example London is about 3-5 days. LA is about 10 days. France or Germany is about 3 years. (Well ok that last one is a bit of an exaggeration but it feels like that for those that use them).

20 hours ago

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

@Stuart ********

The Thai embassy and consulates in Germany in the recent years actually took special care to issue a METV as close as possible to the flight date. They do so in order you don’t lose too many days of the visa validity. In Germany, you can apply 5 weeks ahead of your flight, and still get the METV issued only one or two days before your flight date

19 hours ago

Herbert *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Greg **********

And if not?🤔

19 hours ago

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

@Herbert ********

and keep in mind, the Vienna Thai embassy wants THREE recent months of bank account documents showing you have at least the equivalent of 20,000 THB (ca 600.- Euro) on your home bank account. While I regard this as being a silly requirement, it is what it is

19 hours ago

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

@Herbert ********

okay, if you apply 3 or 4 weeks ahead of your flight date, and they issue the METV seven days later, you only lose 2 - 3 weeks of visa validity. Just don't apply 3 months ahead of your planned flight. Why I say 3-4 weeks? Because it leaves time in case they ask for more supporting documents

19 hours ago

Herbert *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Greg **********

Thank you, so I will wait 3 weeks, then it will be okax

18 hours ago

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

@Herbert ********

make it 4 weeks, to be on the safe side

18 hours ago

Herbert *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yes i already have all documents, thank you..

18 hours ago

Reply to

Herbert *********

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

@Klaus *********

most people are getting single entry visas. This doesn't matter to them. They get the full days of their visa even if they enter the last day of validity. But a multiple entry visa is very different and you can use it until it expires but that validity starts the day it's issued.

20 hours ago

Graham ******

@Klaus *********

you'd better believe it ;)

20 hours ago

Klaus **********

@Graham *****

I want to go to my girlfriend for 6 months.

So i can forget about this …problem it can be only 4 months also if I have bad luck ?

What a bullshit 🤮

20 hours ago

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

@Klaus *********

you can apply for the METV in the E-Visa online system 4 weeks ahead of your planned flight to Thailand. After submitting your application, send an Email to the processing Thai embassy and kindly ask them to issue the visa as close as possible to the flight date you filled into the application, so you don't lose too many days of visa validity. If the embassy staff is attentive and good-hearted, they will make sure to comply with your plea

19 hours ago

Graham ******

@Klaus *********

You can stay 6 months (with border bounces and extensions) if your METV is issued 2-Nov and 9-Dec you arrive in Thailand. Easy. No BS.

19 hours ago

Graham ******

@Klaus *********

You can get almost 9 months in Thailand from a METV with two well planned border bounces and three extensions. Planning is key.

20 hours ago

Max *************

@Klaus *********

You could easily have checked this up earlier. 😏

20 hours ago

John **********

@Klaus *********

if you come to Thailand regularly the multiple entry tourist visa may not be best for you anyway. Depending on your history you can still be denied entry, how much time have you spent in Thailand in the last year or so?

20 hours ago

Klaus **********

@John *********

first time Thailand was 2023 for 3 weeks.

Last year my plan was to go on a a trip to 6 country’s in Asia.

I went from 4 november 2024 until 4 June this year.

But after two months I met a girl in Thailand.

So after the first two months …I went to Laos for two weeks.

After that I came back to Thailand for another two months.

And after that I did a border run to Cambodia so I had another two months in Thailand + a extra 30 days extension with immigration office.

So in total I stayed 6,5 months.

19 hours ago

John **********

@Klaus *********

I would say if you are eligible for another visa type such as being 50 or older you should get it rather than a tourist visa. You were here until June and now its just the beginning of August, it rather looks like you try and live inside Thailand on tourist visas which is what they are trying to prevent

18 hours ago

Klaus **********

@John *********

I’m not yet 50 years old

I didn’t apply yet for the visa.

I will go back at 9 December.

So will apply around begin November.

So it will be six months between.

You think this could /would also be a problem ?

18 hours ago

John **********

@Klaus *********

if you aren't eligible for a long stay visa then I don't see you have much of a choice. It will be up to the immigration officer you will stand in front of, but at least November gives a gap. Just make sure you have 20k baht or equivalent in cash, a ticket out and accommodation booked

17 hours ago

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

@Klaus *********

you will be fine on a Multi Entry Tourist Visa, after having stayed abroad for a little longer than six months. But it is questionable if you can stay for another 6 months on visa-exempt entries. Immigration will check your TOTAL stamp history of the recent 365 days! Better get a multi entry TR Visa. Apply for it ahead of 4 weeks before December 9th, and send an email kindly ask them to issue the visa as close as possible to this flight date

18 hours ago

Reply to

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

Graham ******

You can apply 3vmonths early but as a visa is valid from the date of issue you will lose 3 months of it's validity. Timing is key to get the best outcome.

20 hours ago

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

All Thai visas are effective the date they are issued. For a single entry visa this is not a big deal, because you have the entire 90 days or more to enter Thailand before the visa expires and then once you enter Thailand it's used and done.

But with a multiple entry visa, it's effective the day it is issued, and the clock starts ticking immediately. The longer you can wait before applying, the longer you'll have to actually use the visa.

20 hours ago

Reply to

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

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How should I complete my METV application form for multiple trips to Thailand?

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