Answered4 years ago

What should I do if my METV visa application is pending and my flight to Thailand is approaching?

METV Visa Visa Application Process Thailand Visa Waiver US Citizens Visa Visa Timing Issues Visa Extensions

Kolby ***********

asked Sep 24, 2022

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METV Visa Application, Running Out Of Time Before Flight

I applied for a METV on August 30th, on Sept 9th they asked for additional paperwork, which I had already submitted originally, but whatever, I resubmitted it the same down.  My application now says, "Pending Issuance."

My flight leaves September 28th (Tuesday of next week) and I'm starting to get worried I won't get my METV in time.

I email the LA Consulate (I'm American) and they just said, "It take 15 business days, please be patient."

Would calling the consulate help speed things up? Could I got on a 45 day visa waiver, get my METV visa when I'm in the country, and do a border run to activate it?  Just looking for options as I'm starting to worry.

Answer summary

The user is concerned about their pending METV visa application, which they submitted on August 30th. With a flight scheduled for September 28th, they worry about not receiving the visa in time. They reached out to the LA Consulate and were informed that the process takes 15 business days. Comments suggest that calling the consulate may not expedite the process but is worth a try. They cannot apply for a 45-day visa waiver and can only enter under the visa exempt entry, which would allow them to run out and back to activate their METV once approved.

6 repliesnewest first

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Stephen ********

Just a heads up, Wednesday is the 28th 😜

4 years ago

Tod *********

Doubt calling with do anything but what is the harm of it? Call them, email them, tell them your travel date and see what they say

No you won't get a 45 day visa waiver <- first off the 45 days doesn't start until Oct 1st so if you stamp in BEFORE that date without a visa in your passport you will only get 30 days

AND

you as a US person get in on what's called a visa exempt entry.

It's still 30 days until Oct 1st BUT can be extended for 30 days at the immigration office where as the term you used "visa waiver" is for people from 6 countries and they can't get it extended 🙂

You could indeed come in visa exempt (with no visa) and if/when you get the METV approved print the PDF bounce out and back in at the border to get off the visa exempt entry and start using the METV. <- So IF you're approved you're not going to lose it, you just won't get in on it if they don't approve it before you fly out.

4 years ago

Peter ****************

Aha

@Tod ********

. Oh, that's sometimes a pity then. So it only should work when you ask for the visa in y'r home country 'on the edge' with timing, so you only get it when already in Thailand. (And hopefully approved). Thanks !!

4 years ago

Peter ****************

So your last remark

@T**

, can be a little less stressful way to stay a bit longer in Thailand. Ask E-visa (tourist visa) a week or so before you fly. Should you already get it just keep the printed pdf in y'r pocket and from 1st of october come in visa exempt (if from exempt country) 45 days, extend 30 days, border bounce (tourist visa still valid within 90 days) and then come in on the tourist visa, which can be extended again for 30 days. Also as above, when you get the visa (.pdf) when you are already in Thailand. So then no visa run (buy visa in other country) needed.

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Peter ***************

actually unless I am mistaken the officers at passport control can SEE on the screen you have an approved E-Visa and they'll tell you to show it and get stamped in

Someone already tried to fly in visa exempt by not showing their single entry tourist visa and they were asked for it at passport control

There's no harm in trying it if they're approved before the fly, but I think it won't fly stamping in v/exempt with an approved eVisa..

4 years ago