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

without question, it is the Ottawa consulate which is the slower..and word of advice, should you leave on an already booked flight with intent to use visa exempt, do NOT make mention of this in back and forth "request for documents" or your long awaited Multientry will, of course be rejected on the spot..there is no way of telling when their requests for more documentation (sometimes objective , easier to produce stuff, and sometimes totally subjective questions about your reasons for applying for multi entry) ..in any case "processing" can take a long time and one's history in obtaining one (either pre COVID , no e-system or the current e system) is of no help and frustrating repetitions of documents already submitted happens often. There is always a possibility of success in application after you arrive in under visa exempt ..but NOT if you notify them you have arrived, the application will be immediately terminated.

Again, I have no "whys" as to the hold ups there..and really not my place to speculate..but admonish all to perhaps try Vancouver consulate .

Remember as always to have a flight booked for departure within the 30 day allowance period to satisfy airline out of Canada..they are not interested in seeing any applications pending..

In addition, at the airport..have a copy of the previously purchased "going" ticket and supply that and a departure ticket within the 30 day allowance a visa exempt would give you..no need, and perhaps would only complicate things ..to include a return flight already booked for months down the road.

try Vancouver Embassy Office.

reports are all too common with Ottawa office re slow processing..the system was quite responsive prior to evisa system for either 60 day or multi entry, irrespective of history . I cannot speculate on reasons why.

maybe obvious..but ensure you have copy of visa you received by email..to reactivate upon reentry ..think of it as first time..every time..

@Cyrielle *********

makes me wonder if the alternate Vancouver embassy is any more responsive

@Cyrielle *********

the evil system has made the usually multi entry visa very complicated in Canada, at least..I cannot speak to the 60 day award..I had a first time refusal this year after 6 successful ones..my error was , in the end..disclosing I was already here having to keep my very costly air reservation..last years arrived late as well but activated it exactly as described above..utilize visa exempt, extend and then initiate any awarded visa at border. Do not forget to have a copy of the emailed award with you ..it seems almost no cross checking with foreign embassy awards and the Thai Police Immigration authority once here..

.

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thanx..."90 window to use your 60 day visa."..was what I was hoping for..

Raises a question with me..owing to the fact that this year my multi entry visa (after having 7 in years prior and subsequent to..the new e-visa system..(I came anyway) and received extension, and happily close to borders in the North where a border run is relatively easy to do..My question then, in future years I may apply for 60 days instead of a multi entry ..do they have a shelf life as the multi entry does..in other words if awarded a 60 day visa..does one have to use it right away on arrival..or wouldit be better to start with a visa exempt..then initiate the 60 day (actual) Visa after the 30 day exempt award??

@Mart ******

if they did not register the 60 day ..then most likely you didn't initiate the actual visa..but rather gave you the usual visa exempt...does your stamp read 30 or 60 days??

@Mart ******

was this for 60 day..or multi entry?

Reason I inquire, since COVID and the implementation of the e-visa system ..it is very difficult to receive without of probing questions and "requests for more documents" (years prior to that one simply mailed in passport and it was returned with full page visa for the duration) ..currently it is almost as if you were requesting a "type O" or retirement visa..each national Embassy, though seems to have different requirements ..I deal with Canada.

@Andrew **********

yes...usually..just had one out of Canada. It is the airline who control it, andf you are not likely to hear about it again. What happens at entry in BKK is up to you if you should purchase a 2 month visa, dependent on whether or not you use visa as issued on arrival (which can be extended) or enter as visa exempt and initiate it later.

Only an opinion, though..the moderators here have a vast amount of experience..