A friend of mine needs advice when is the right time to apply for an e-visa METV. He told me he will arrive to thailand on 10th may

Apply in which country. 

That depends on his embassy's processing time, which your friend should check. Applying too long in advance would reduce the visa's usable time, but he also shouldn't risk leaving it too late. 

1 minute ago, Caldera said:

That depends on his embassy's processing time, which your friend should check. Applying too long in advance would reduce the visa's usable time, but he also shouldn't risk leaving it too late. 

he told me that his embassy will take up to 14 days for the visa approval. So, when do you think it should be a good time to apply? Maybe around 22th april?

23 minutes ago, Jack1988 said:

he told me that his embassy will take up to 14 days for the visa approval

My first post.. ="where is he applying" 

9 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

My first post.. ="where is he applying" 

He is from italy. He is afraid that on May the free 60 days exemption will be already cancelled and dropped to 30 days again, so he is thinking to just apply for METV, to be safe. I don't know if this makes sense honestly

5 minutes ago, Jack1988 said:

italy

If his research indicates up to 15 days process time then plan accordingly.

 

The METV will have a validity of 6 months from date of issue.

Worst case scenario would be 15 day short of 9 month stay.

 

If for some reason METV issued after flight to Thailand then the fall back plan B would be to enter Thailand visa exempt and use e-Visa at later stage. 

And thai embassy in italy wants to see 2 inbound and 2 outbound flights for the METV application. My friend isn't really happy with this requirement, because the METV fee is a bit expensive

6 minutes ago, Jack1988 said:

And thai embassy in italy wants to see 2 inbound and 2 outbound flights for the METV application. My friend isn't really happy with this requirement, because the METV fee is a bit expensive

 

Your friend can book refundable flights and cancel them once their visa is approved.

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

If for some reason METV issued after flight to Thailand then the fall back plan B would be to enter Thailand visa exempt and use e-Visa at later stage. 

Are you meaning that in case my friend might arrive to thailand and he might get the visa approved later, he can just exit thailand and come back showing the e-visa METV at the airport?

3 minutes ago, MART said:

 

Your friend can book refundable flights and cancel them once their visa is approved.

are you sure the airline company will give refund 100%? I have heard some airline don't give refund fast, you must wait a long time

Just now, Jack1988 said:

are you sure the airline company will give refund 100%? I have heard some airline don't give refund fast, you must wait a long time

You can usually find such information on their website. Last time I applied for a refund, it took a week or so.

3 minutes ago, Jack1988 said:

are you sure the airline company will give refund 100%? I have heard some airline don't give refund fast, you must wait a long time

And yes, if you buy a refundable ticket, they will refund 100% of the price. They're expensive, but that's why people buy them.

 

But again, some research is needed to find the right ticket/airline.

Ok thanks for the information. What about to rent tickets flights for the visa application? Does it work or not? Because I think they aren't 100% legitimate

5 minutes ago, Jack1988 said:

Ok thanks for the information. What about to rent tickets flights for the visa application? Does it work or not? Because I think they aren't 100% legitimate

You have various similar threads running...

https://aseannow.com/topic/1353468-more-info-border-runs/ 

 

This time for "a friend" 

 

 

 

 

Ok thank you very much for all the information. I am going to talk with my friend and tell him all the options he has

45 minutes ago, Jack1988 said:

Ok thanks for the information. What about to rent tickets flights for the visa application? Does it work or not? Because I think they aren't 100% legitimate

Shouldn't be any issue in using them for a visa application.

4 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

Shouldn't be any issue in using them for a visa application.

Ok but they are valid up to 48 hours and it takes up to 15 days for the e-visa approval

12 hours ago, Jack1988 said:

he told me that his embassy will take up to 14 days for the visa approval. So, when do you think it should be a good time to apply? Maybe around 22th april?

 

I'd allow an extra week for any unforeseen delays, requests for additional documents, holidays etc.

10 hours ago, Caldera said:

 

I'd allow an extra week for any unforeseen delays, requests for additional documents, holidays etc.

Ok thanks for letting me know