Answered3 years ago

When does the METV countdown begin, from the embassy issuing date or the first entry date?

METV Visa Issuance Thailand Visa Rules Entry Stamp Duration Tourist Visa Expat Immigration

Klaus ***********

asked Jun 18, 2023

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METV question- does it start to count down from the date of embassy visa issuing or from the date of first entry?

Answer summary

The METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa) validity countdown starts from the date it is issued by the embassy, lasting for 6 months. Each entry during this period is allowed a stay of 60 days, marked by entry stamps in the passport.

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

@Bra****

already pointed out: All visa behave the same. The visa itself has a certain period of validity. This period (that can be different in duration between different visa categories) always starts the day the visa is issued by the respective consulate. And this validity is written on the visa (paper visa and eVisa alike). A different thing from the validity of the visa itself, is the validity of the permitted stay, then, once entered the country. This is separate from the visa and stamped into the passport by an entry stamp. As long as a visa period is still valid, a corresponding entry stamp length will be applied. With the two tourist visa is is a such:

SETV (single entry): Visa valid for 3 month from the day it is issued. One entry permitted on this visa. Entry stamp length = 60 days.

METV (multiple entry): Visa valid for 6 month from the day it is issued. Multiple entries permitted with this visa. Entry stamp equally 60 days (for every entry within the validity of the METV).

3 years ago

Jeremy ********

The METV goes live the moment the glue dries on the passport page….

3 years ago

Todd *********

Date of entry

3 years ago

Duncan *******

@Todd ********

no, it's from the day it's issued.

3 years ago

Todd *********

right! Gotcha - thx

3 years ago

Klaus ***********

@Duncan ******

Yeahh I thought so - remembered it was a different count with METV just needed your confirmation on that issue.

Duncan *******

No probs.

Todd *********

you have 3 months from the date of issuance of the visa to enter Thailand. The countdown of validity starts from the day you enter

3 years ago

Duncan *******

@Todd ********

That's a single-entry tourist visa. A multi-entry tourist visa is valid for six months from when it's issued. Op can enter and exit as often as they please in those six months, getting 60 days per entry, extendedable by 30 at immigration.

I can probably find some other sources, but here's the first one I found in Google.

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3 years ago

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

All visas start from the day they are issued by the embassy. A METV will be valid from the day it is issued for 6 months, and each entry during those 6 months will be stamped in for 60 days.

3 years ago