What should I do if my multiple entry visa validity starts from the application date instead of my intended entry date?

@David **********

that’s true, the visa exempt could be changed back at anytime. What do you mean you can enter twice a year? I read that visa exempt has not specific limit unless the immigration officer thinks that someone is living in Thailand long term

@David ***

twice a year by land borders. Unlimited by air but at the discretion of the immigration officer

@David **********

Thanks for the information. I appreciate your time

@David **********

it seems this has changed but as always up to the immi officer

@Kim ********

im not sure id trust it. It was always 2 by land and all the visa pages i know are saying 2. As always, the only time you truly know is when you attempt it

@David **********

it’s clearly documented boy

@John *******

boy ?

@John *****

your permission to stay in Thailand starts when you enter Thailand and it will be for 60 days.

Your visa started the day it was issued by the embassy and can be used to enter Thailand unlimited times for 6 months from the day it was issued and you'll receive 60 days permission to stay each time.

@Bob *********

yes I know all this but the 6 month validity starts as soon as it’s issued so let’s say you get a 6 month METV and then enter Thailand juts under 3 months later you only now have a 3 month METV in effect. Yes you can go in and out of Thailand as it’s multi entry but the validity is reducing daily from when it is issued whereas let’s say you get a 60 day single entry and arrive 30 days later you don’t lose anything. It’s hard for me to explain what I mean 😂😂. What they should do is start the 6 month validity when you arrive in Thailand so then you have 6 months of multi entry

@Jim *******

that has nothing to do with the op's question. And it still doesn't change the fact that ALL Thai visas are active the day they are issued by the embassy.

A multiple-entry visa just means you can use it more than once as it's not invalidated by using it like a single entry visa is.

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

active yes but the days don’t start on a single entry until you enter Thailand but on a multi entry your 6 months has already started from the day it was issued therefore losing days if you applied too far in advance which is exactly what the OP is saying ( well I thought that’s what the OP was saying 🤷‍♂️)

@Jim *******

you are talking about two different things and trying to make them sound the same when they aren't.

The "days" you're talking about are the exact same regardless of if the tourist visa is single or multiple entry. You get 60 days when you enter Thailand. Those days don't start until you actually enter Thailand. On a single entry they start when you enter Thailand. On a multiple entry they start when you enter Thailand.

The visa validity is active from the day the visa is issued for every visa. These two things are not the same. Visa validity and permission to stay in Thailand are different things completely.

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

No I’m not talking about two different things as I’ve had SETV and METV for years. My point was when you are issued an SETV you get your 60 days when you arrive to Thailand and that visa is finished. On an METV it is a 6 month multi entry visa but the 6 months starts when it is issued and the obviously you get 60 days when you enter Thailand so they work differently. I thought the OP was saying that they thought the 6 month visa started the day you arrive in Thailand which of course on an METV isn’t true. Maybe I misread what they are asking 🤷‍♂️

@Jim *******

putting aside the multi entry aspect the only difference between the two is that one is valid for 90 days and the other is valid for 6 months. That's it. Both get you stamped in for 60 days on arrival

@Jim *******

he's saying both the validity and stamp duration work exactly the same which is true. Validity starts on both on the day it's issued and you get a full 60 day stamp on both when you enter.

You just have the option of entering again on the multi entry, which is the difference.

There isn't a difference in how these work in terms of when they start, the difference comes down to the multi entry.