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When should I apply for the METV for Thailand to ensure I don't lose validity?

METV Thailand Visa US Passport Visa Application Timing Visa Processing Thai Consulates Travel to Thailand Visa Validity Consular Services

Nov 1, 2018

6 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I have been researching the METV for US passports.  Am confused about when to actually apply so that its not to soon or to late.  Is it true once you apply the clock starts ticking on a 90 day time frame.  30 days before you arrive, then once you land the 60 day clock starts ticking?  How do you know when to send in all your papers, not knowing how long it takes to obtain the visa.  Or can I get it well in advance yet the 60 day starts on arrival??   Also my research says there are Large main Thai embassies to apply to.  I am in California, yet doesn't seem to be one in San Franscisco, so can not apply in person. So is it best to then send papers to larger consulates like Los Angeles, yet some blog's say to find smaller branches like in Portland, Oregon for faster service.  I am confused.  Appreciate the guidance.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The holder of a US passport is uncertain about the timing for applying for the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) for Thailand. Key details include that the validity of the visa starts on the date it is issued. It’s recommended to apply for the visa closer to your travel date to avoid wasting its validity. The holder is also seeking guidance on where to apply, noting the absence of a major Thai embassy in San Francisco and contemplating applying via mail to larger consulates like in Los Angeles, even though advice suggests considering smaller branches like in Portland for expedited services.

Tod *********

And on that note I believe the O/P has learned how the validity of a 6 month METV works.

We're done

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Tod *********

One final time:

The validity of a visa starts on the date they ISSUE it at the consulate.

Meaning if you get it way before your trip here you burn the validity of the visa down. It's not that important on single entry tourist visas because yoo can only get into Thailand on it once (and you have 90 days from the date it's issued to get here).

On the 6 month tourist visa it is better to get it just before you come here so you're not burning the validity of the visa down when you're not here.

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Terary **********

I buy bus tickets out of Thailand $15/USD (often point of confusion - usually the requirement is "onward travel" and not "return flight"). I can not think of a good reason to buy tickets 6-9 months out. Please double check requirements with issuing Embassy - but for me -- I only needed to show ticket into Thailand. Sometimes you'll need to show onward travel to airlines or immigration officers (the people who stamp your passport) Those should be 45 days out (with visa) , and less than 30 days without visa.

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Shanti *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Great, this makes total sense now! Curious if they are hard core about your departure flight 6-9months from now. I am on flowing details of where and when I will go next. Maybe then is it best to buy a cheap flight out of Thailand 6 months from now or buy a roundtrip ticket and be out lots of money when I change my return flight which would most likely have to happen since I am floating or do I send in all my visa requirements with just my arrival flight. ???

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Terary **********

you get extension on stamps-- not visa (in a manor of speaking). So if your visa end date is April 19 -- doesn't matter -- that does not get extended.

What does get extended and what you can extend is the 'permitted to stay' stamp, This stamp you get when you come into the kingdom. You can get the stamp (you can enter the kingdom) up to April 19. If you come in April 18. You will get a stamp until June 19 (+/- a couple days for a total of 60 days). You can extend the stamp (permitted to stay) until July 19 (+ 30 days).

I would encourage you to separate the notion of visa and stamp. They are related - but not the same thing. When is like 'pre authorized' (visa).. While the other is the actual permission (stamp). You will not be given permission to be in Thailand until you arrive. The Visa (pre-approved) just means someone offical has seen all the necessary paperwork deem you worthy of visiting the kingdom..

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Terary **********

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Joe ***********

The validity date starts when the passport has the sticker put in it.

Mail to a U.S. Consulate and turn around time should be about 2 weeks (people post this about LA)

The lost time should be about 10 days to two weeks .

The Consulate could confirm on estimated mail time.

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Shanti *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Terary *********

Got it! So many new words I am beginning to understand. This helps a lot! Thank you

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Joe ***********

Shanti Kat - No - the issue date is when the Consulate staff puts the glued in paper visa sticker into your passport. This is when the 6 month life of the METV begins. It is later mailed. IF there is two weeks turn around time from the date you mail the Visa App packet... then as a rough guesstimate the issue date would be about half the turnround time.

In all this please remember that when the 6 month Expiry Date approaches - a couple of days before Expiry you can make a final Exit of and Reentry into Thailand (a Border Bounce) and get stamped back in for another 60 day permission of stay - which can be extended another 30 days at Immigration

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Terary **********

Shanti Kat Start date is the date you receive the visa (sticker gets put in the passport)

I realized my type-o and edited appropriately.. My apologies for the confusion.

Start date -- date visa is issued.

End date is 6 months after the start date.

Stamp date- is the day you arrive in the Kingdom. Stamp-dates (permitted to stay) are 60+30 days.

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Shanti *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

So you are saying the date starts when I arrive into Thailand and it is stamped. Then the 6 month window starts? So it doesn't matter how far in advance of my travels I get the actual visa.

@Terary *********

above says the start date is about 3 months from when you apply. So I am still unclear. My bottomline question is how far in advance should I apply so that I utilize the entire 6 month visa. Or does the time clock start no matter what on date of arrival into Thailand. So how far in advance am I allowed to apply.

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Shanti *****

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Terary **********

If you are in the US you want to apply early enough to allow for mail-time. It's not that big of deal. The 'start date' is about 3 months from when you apply.

The METV has a "valid from" (start) and "valid to" (end) dates. Its a six-month visa. So mine is valid from

******

until

******

. You must enter between these two dates. I think the start date is same date of issue. My ticket into Thailand was

****

- so the start date was date issued.

You must enter Thailand before the end date. If your end date is

****

/2018, and you enter

****

/2018 - you may stay until

*****

/2018 (+/- for

*****

day months- too lazy to figure it out). This 3 months would be the typical 2 months plus an additional 30 day extension.

Each time you enter Thailand your passport is stamped with with a 'permmited to stay until' date. This date changes - but as a US passport holder on METV - it will be 60 days from the time you enter. You must extend the visa/stamp or leave within that 60 days. The day you arrive and the day you leave are each counted.

I hope this helps.

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Shanti *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

This helps alot. So I get that once my visa is created the time clock on the 6 months starts. So best to obtain closest to my flight into Thailand. Thanks much

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Shanti *****

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James ********

I suggest you telephone the Honorary Consul in Portland, Oregon. Many times the honorary consulate can be very helpful.

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Shanti *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Philip ********

Thank you I did just see that on their website yesterday. Good to know that LA is where to go.

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James ********

@Philip ********

thank you.

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Philip *********

Portland cannot issue METV . LA is it for west coast .

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Shanti *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you, good idea

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Shanti *****

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