Visa Validity Length

[Magoo57]

I have a flight booked arriving in Bangkok on 12 November (1800 hrs). I applied for an O Non Immigrant single entry visa in London as I have a Thai wife. I applied on 13 August and understand the visa is valid for 3 months. The visa on my passport reads entry before 12 November and I'm now in a quandry. Does this mean I am ok to arrive before midnight on 12 November or have I messed up by applying promptly and will have problems on arrival? Any advice appreciated, Thai embassy in London never seem to reply to e-mails!! Cheers.

[Thongkorn]

You have to use the Visa before 12 Nov , your dates will start when your passport is stamped at the Thai immigration when you arrive, so you are Ok before Midnight

[Lite Beer]

Your Visa will be out of date when you try to use it.

"Enter BEFORE 12th November". You applied much too early.

'

[Mario2008]

Agree with Lite Beer, you have a problem. The airline might even not let you board. Better change your travel plans or get a new visa.

[keeniau96]

Expired means expired. You can fly and get a visa on arrival, good for 30 days. Make a visa run to renew time in TH.

[Lite Beer]

Expired means expired. You can fly and get a visa on arrival, good for 30 days. Make a visa run to renew time in TH.

He may be refused entry to the flight without a valid visa.

[Magoo57]

Thanks for the advise guys, but what I'm finding hard to understand is that if the visa was issued dated 13 August why you're indicating that it effectively expires at 23:59 on 11 November, to me that's a day short of 3 months and my logic tells me that it should expire at 23:59 on 12 November. Any more thoughts?

[lopburi3]

It is written on the visa - there is no guesswork involved - what in there is what is enforced.

If you believe it to be a mistake you need to take that up with the Consulate who issued it before you travel. It is not going to be changed by Immigration.

[TheMysteriousMrTesla]

Shiny new Tourist Visa issued in Delhi. Issue date 9 Sept 2009, Enter Before 8 Dec 2009.

Seems standard practice.

[Magoo57]

So when their website says the visa is valid for 3 months what they really mean is that it's valid for 2 months and 29 or 30 days? Why couldn't the person taking my application tell me I was a day too early before they accepted it, or is it just another way of them making more money?

[hhgz]

"to me that's a day short of 3 months and my logic tells me that it should expire at 23:59 on 12 November. Any more thoughts?"

The first day is the day you entered, not 24 hours after that.

"Why couldn't the person taking my application tell me I was a day too early before they accepted it, or is it just another way of them making more money?"

It's not up to "them" to assist you in making the plans for your trip. You're a big fella, and you should be able to do it yourself.

[Magoo57]

"to me that's a day short of 3 months and my logic tells me that it should expire at 23:59 on 12 November. Any more thoughts?"

The first day is the day you entered, not 24 hours after that.

"Why couldn't the person taking my application tell me I was a day too early before they accepted it, or is it just another way of them making more money?"

It's not up to "them" to assist you in making the plans for your trip. You're a big fella, and you should be able to do it yourself.

Thanks for all your thoughts just thought i'd let you know that two different officials at the embassy which issued the visa have confirmed that it does not expire until 23:59 on 12 November (as I thought) so as long as I arrive before then the visa will be valid. I've learnt two valuable lessons 1. don't start the visa process near the 3 month pre visit point, and 2. To check with the embassy rather than rely on some of the "experts" on here!

Cheers