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What is the best time frame to apply for a METV before traveling to Thailand?
Aug 9, 2025
9 months ago
Herbert *********
ORIGINAL POSTERSorry, 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
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
TLDR : Answer Summary
The main concern raised by the user is about the optimal timing for applying for a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) at the Vienna Embassy to ensure maximum validity upon entry to Thailand. Discussions in the comments clarify that while one can technically apply up to three months in advance, the visa validity begins on the issue date. Therefore, for a METV, waiting until closer to the travel date (generally recommended to apply about four weeks prior) is advised to avoid wasting any of the six-month validity before entering Thailand.
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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.
Herbert *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Henrik ****
Last time I had a OA-Visa, it took 2 days...😅Henrik *****
Wrong adress, haven’t asked for anything.
Reply to
Henrik *****
Reply
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
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
Bob **********
Wright is not right 😎😎😎
Herbert *********
ORIGINAL POSTERHerbert *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bob *********
so I don't know what is right indeed, different opinions.Max *************
@Herbert ********
Sorry, Herbert. This is not about opinions.Greg ***********
@Max ************
when YOU comment, it is 95% always your opinion, and almost never any knowledge 🤣😀🤣😀Reply to
Greg ***********
Reply
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?
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?
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).
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 dateHerbert *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg **********
And if not?🤔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 isGreg ***********
@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 documentsHerbert *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg **********
Thank you, so I will wait 3 weeks, then it will be okaxGreg ***********
@Herbert ********
make it 4 weeks, to be on the safe sideHerbert *********
ORIGINAL POSTERYes i already have all documents, thank you..
Reply to
Herbert *********
Reply
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.Graham ******
@Klaus *********
you'd better believe it ;)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 🤮
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 pleaGraham ******
@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.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.Max *************
@Klaus *********
You could easily have checked this up earlier. 😏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?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.
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 preventKlaus **********
@John *********
I’m not yet 50 years oldI 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 ?
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 bookedGreg ***********
@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 dateReply to
Greg ***********
Reply
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.
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.
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.
Reply to
Brandon ************
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