Answereda year ago

Why was my friend able to get a DTV visa before her METV expired, but I must wait until mine runs out?

DTV visa METV visa visa application process Thai visa regulations embassy procedures

Agata ************

asked Nov 26, 2025

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Hi everyone, I have a question regarding the DTV visa process and I hope someone can clarify this for me.

My situation is the following: I currently have an METV visa valid until December 2. My friend also had an METV, valid until November 26. She applied for the DTV visa at the embassy in Hanoi and got it approved on November 25 — even though her METV was still valid until the next day.

I just received an email from the embassy saying that I can only apply for the DTV visa after my current METV expires, and that I have to submit all my documents again once it’s no longer valid.

So my question is: why was my friend able to receive her DTV visa before her METV expired, while I’m being told that I need to wait until mine runs out? Did the embassy possibly make a mistake when issuing her visa? Or is there some rule I’m missing?

Answer summary

The user is confused about the differing outcomes of visa applications for themselves and a friend. They state that their friend received a DTV visa while her METV was still valid, but the user was advised to wait until their METV expires before applying for the DTV visa. Comments suggest that typically, holding two valid visas simultaneously is not allowed, and there may be inconsistencies in how embassies apply visa regulations.

12 repliesnewest first

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Ramzes *******************

Musisz poczekać aż stara visa wygaśnie. Przerabiałem ten temat!!

a year ago

Wannikea *********

Check your facts, your friend didn't get their DTV approved on December 25th Santa.

Maybe you are mistaking a permission to stay stamp validity with a visa validity.

a year ago

DTV_Be*******

Normally you can’t have two valid visas at the same time, so if your friend has a valid METV, they shouldn’t have approved her DTV. You sure she has a METV and not a single entry tourist visa?

a year ago

Agata ************

DTV_BegPecker yes i’m sure

a year ago

Greg ********

It can dependon who is reviewing the application. The Embassy can change the internal guidelines. There is no real black and white standard.

a year ago

Agata ************

@Greg *******

I understand, but we submitted our documents on the same day at the same embassy, so it’s a bit strange.

a year ago

Greg ********

@Agata ***********

Different reviewers. The first pass is normally done by a "Local Hire" who is not a Thai Diplomat - they often interpret things differently.

a year ago

John **********

Are you applying at the same consulate? Normally you can't have 2 active visas but it sounds like in your friends case they took the view that 24 hours is ok

Agata ************

same consulate

John **********

but 12 months apart? Otherwise your post doesn't make sense

a year ago

John **********

@Agata ***********

the dates still don't make sense, this is November not December

a year ago

Agata ************

@John *********

Sorry, I thought you were asking if we both submitted our documents at the same embassy. We applied for the METV visa in Warsaw, and the DTV visa in Hanoi.

a year ago