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

As

@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).

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

Date of entry

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.