Help Me Understand My Gf'S Thai Visa

[vagabond48]

I only have experience with getting my retirement visa not with a tourist visa so I am a bit confused.

My Chinese GF got a Thai tourist visa in Kunming China. She requested a 60 day even though the sign said only 30 days were given. When she got the visa, she asked how days did she get. She was told 30 days. When told me this, I was a bit disappointed since I would have to cough up 1900b for the additional 30 days. She arrived yesterday so I check her passport to see what date I would have to go to extend her visa and instead of 30 days she got 60. I was pleased to see this. The mystery is, I didn't see anywhere on her visa an notation of the number of days the visa was for. Is this normal? Can anyone shade some light?

[InterestedObserver]

The standard Tourist Visa is good for 60 days upon arrival plus an additional 30 day extension from immigration for a total of 90 days stay. A Visa on Arrival is good for 15 days for those countries citizens, including China, that qualify and cannot be extended. You are perhaps confusing the two.The Thai immigration officer at the airport sees a Tourist Visa and automatically admits the holder for 60 days.

[lopburi3]

The tourist visa allowed stay depends on passport country. For most it is 60 days but for some, and believe most VOA allowed countries, it is only 30 days. Both can be extended 30 days. But there is nothing on visa itself so up to the immigration officer making the stamp to pick up the right one. Mistakes do happen and it is the traveler who is responsible to make it right. I would visit Immigration now or at least before the 30 days are up and be prepared to make a 30 day extension of stay if the 60 day stamp was in error.

[Crossy]

Agree with L3, certainly visit immigration as if you don't and she was actually only supposed to get 30 days you (or she) is looking at a 15,000 Baht overstay fine when she tries to exit.

[Mario2008]

Not sure it is a mistake, I have heard more that Chinese nationals do indeed get 60 days instead of 30 days.

Simply call 1178 (immigration) or 1111 (governement info) and chech if she indeed get 60 days. Both are 24 hours hotline and have English speaking operators to help you with questions like this.

[Langsuan Man]

Would one of these experts please explain how the OP's girlfriend can be charged with an overstay if the valid dates stamped in the passport is for 60 days (permitted to stay) ?

[Crossy]

Would one of these experts please explain how the OP's girlfriend can be charged with an overstay if the valid dates stamped in the passport is for 60 days (permitted to stay) ?

Very easily if she was not entitled to the stamped period, it is the travellers responsibility to ensure that the correct stamp has been given.

[Langsuan Man]

Would one of these experts please explain how the OP's girlfriend can be charged with an overstay if the valid dates stamped in the passport is for 60 days (permitted to stay) ?

Very easily if she was not entitled to the stamped period, it is the travellers responsibility to ensure that the correct stamp has been given.

Thanks

[vagabond48]

Would one of these experts please explain how the OP's girlfriend can be charged with an overstay if the valid dates stamped in the passport is for 60 days (permitted to stay) ?

Very easily if she was not entitled to the stamped period, it is the travellers responsibility to ensure that the correct stamp has been given.

Thanks for the information and not to be argumentative, I just want to be cleared about our responsibility based of these facts.

(1) I could not see anywhere on the Thai tourist visa that it was either 30 or 60 days stay.

(2) The arrival stamp as of 21 Dec says admitted until 18 Feb 2011.

She requested on her application that she wanted 60 days because I had given her a signed written letter asking them to "kindly" give her 60 days?

If she had not asked the Kunming office how long the visa was good for, how would she know that the visa was only good for 30 days, if they had stamped it with the Feb 18 date?

I am still confused why I would have thought of going to the immigration office to confirm?

[Crossy]

1. The visa itself does not determine the stay allowed, the nationality of the passport holder does (it matters not what has been requested, kindly or otherwise).

2. Maybe it does, but if it was an error she will be liable for the fine.

I have personally witnessed the result of an incorrect stamp, on one of my (rare) visa runs an Australian lady was arguing the toss as she had an erroneous 60 day stamp from a visa exemption arrival and was doing a run on the 59th day, she tried the "I've been stamped for 60 days" tack, no joy, ended up paying the fine.

It would be sensible to check, if it's ok then no cost, if it is an error consider the cost of a 30 day extension (1,900 Baht) versus the 30 day overstay fine (15,000 Baht).

[vagabond48]

1. The visa itself does not determine the stay allowed, the nationality of the passport holder does (it matters not what has been requested, kindly or otherwise).

2. Maybe it does, but if it was an error she will be liable for the fine.

I have personally witnessed the result of an incorrect stamp, on one of my (rare) visa runs an Australian lady was arguing the toss as she had an erroneous 60 day stamp from a visa exemption arrival and was doing a run on the 59th day, she tried the "I've been stamped for 60 days" tack, no joy, ended up paying the fine.

It would be sensible to check, if it's ok then no cost, if it is an error consider the cost of a 30 day extension (1,900 Baht) versus the 30 day overstay fine (15,000 Baht).

Of course, we will go down to immigration to confirm her actual number of days for this visa. Thanks for that. I don't need to have 15,000b hanging over my head.

As I said I wasn't looking to be argumentative but all I can say is WOW.

What is a bit troubling is if she was traveling alone and stayed based on her stamp date, she would have been royally scr$wed if the number of days should have been 30. This is her 1st time in Thailand and she would not have known about a possible 30 day visa restriction for Chinese.

[vagabond48]

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

Once again TV rules!!!

[Maestro]

I believe that when a consular official talks about the validity period of a visa he means the period for which the visa is valid for travel to Thailand. Look at the visa. There should be two dates stamped on it, one the date of issue of the visa, the other preceded by a text something like "this visa must be utilized before" or if it is a sticker "enter before". Normally, a single-entry tourist visa is valid for three months or 90 days. Is it possible that those issued in Kunming are valid for only 30 days?

[vagabond48]

I believe that when a consular official talks about the validity period of a visa he means the period for which the visa is valid for travel to Thailand. Look at the visa. There should be two dates stamped on it, one the date of issue of the visa, the other preceded by a text something like "this visa must be utilized before" or if it is a sticker "enter before". Normally, a single-entry tourist visa is valid for three months or 90 days. Is it possible that those issued in Kunming are valid for only 30 days?

Yes, that is what I thought he meant, so I expected the stamp to say good until 19 Jan and was happily surprised when I saw 18 Feb. Also yes, there is the 2nd date good until March something which I ignored since my GF already used the visa.

I am still troubled that an inexperienced traveler could get monetarily scr$wed because of "their" mistake. I know ignorance is no excuse.

I would go one step further with a "what if" scenario. We go to the immigration in CM and they verbally say, that the stamp is valid and the visa is good until Feb 18. We then leave Thailand by land at the Chiang Khong border, the immigration officer there says the visa stamp was wrong and only good until Jan 19. I don't know if they would believe that we had previously confirmed the validity of the stamp with CM Immig. I know it may be a bit paranoid. Of course, one solution would be to get the visa extended. This way she gets to stay either up 60 (30+30) or 90 (60+30) days which is what we wanted before returning to China.

[Mario2008]

As said, simply call the immirgaiton hotline. 1178 or government hotline 1111.

[vagabond48]

As said, simply call the immirgaiton hotline. 1178 or government hotline 1111.

Thanks for reminding me.

[InterestedObserver]

Would one of these experts please explain how the OP's girlfriend can be charged with an overstay if the valid dates stamped in the passport is for 60 days (permitted to stay) ?

Very easily if she was not entitled to the stamped period, it is the travellers responsibility to ensure that the correct stamp has been given.

Posters on ThaiVisa like to explain that it is the Thai immigration officer at the airport that dictates who gets admitted and for how long, visa notwithstanding. The immigration officer's authority can't be acknowledged on the one hand, then hold travelers responsible for the stamp issued.

[Mario2008]

It is the way Thai immigration handles it. If you refuse to pay immigration, you will have to wait in the immigration jail till you are brought before a judge. Not many people seem to be willing to try their luck with the court.

[PoorSucker]

Chinese visa requirements for citizens to visit Thailand

A tourist visa: visa costs 200 rmb

Who went to Thailand tourism, visiting relatives and friends and to do such a visa is required.

Specific procedures are as follows:

Tourist visa application form filled out一式一份, must I sign the application form, 2-inch photograph, the applicants themselves or street office unit in English the original letter of guarantee (including: the name of the applicant; the purpose of going to Thailand; period of stay in Thailand ; the letter the applicant must be secured on schedule to return to China, the use of printed stationery of the rise of the printing units, together with the unit's address and telephone, this letter must also be stamped seal units, the responsible person and the signatory to sign the names and positions of ), has confirmed that the round-trip air fare to produce and submit a copy of the ticket, passport and a copy of a passport. This visa can stay in Thailand for 60 days.

Source: Asean-China free trade area

[Rama]

It is my understanding that there are "unwritten" rules for Chinese nationals - rules are almost always strictly enforced. Make sure that you check everything out beforehand. An overstay for a Chinese national is different that an overstay for a farang. Rule enforcement at a border crossing can be different than what the immigration officer says in bkk or cm. If the visa says 30 days, the immigration officer at the border won't care what you were told in bkk or CM immigration............

[neverdie]

It is the way Thai immigration handles it. If you refuse to pay immigration, you will have to wait in the immigration jail till you are brought before a judge. Not many people seem to be willing to try their luck with the court.

Apparently the accomodation isnt that good Mario. That might have something to do with it.

[vagabond48]

It is my understanding that there are "unwritten" rules for Chinese nationals - rules are almost always strictly enforced. Make sure that you check everything out beforehand. An overstay for a Chinese national is different that an overstay for a farang. Rule enforcement at a border crossing can be different than what the immigration officer says in bkk or cm. If the visa says 30 days, the immigration officer at the border won't care what you were told in bkk or CM immigration............

No offense, but I have written several times that the visa did not indicate the number of days unless it was written in invisible ink.

[vagabond48]

Chinese visa requirements for citizens to visit Thailand

A tourist visa: visa costs 200 rmb

Who went to Thailand tourism, visiting relatives and friends and to do such a visa is required.

Specific procedures are as follows:

Tourist visa application form filled out一式一份, must I sign the application form, 2-inch photograph, the applicants themselves or street office unit in English the original letter of guarantee (including: the name of the applicant; the purpose of going to Thailand; period of stay in Thailand ; the letter the applicant must be secured on schedule to return to China, the use of printed stationery of the rise of the printing units, together with the unit's address and telephone, this letter must also be stamped seal units, the responsible person and the signatory to sign the names and positions of ), has confirmed that the round-trip air fare to produce and submit a copy of the ticket, passport and a copy of a passport. This visa can stay in Thailand for 60 days.

Source: Asean-China free trade area

We actually checked the Kunming Thai Consulate website which was posted at the consulate for visa rules and the information conflicted with the information that was written at the Kunming office, one being the website showed

I quote "Visitors on tour to Thailand are permitted to stay no longer than 60 days." while at the office it stated 30 days. Of course, conflicts of what is written and what is practiced is not new to Thai immigration.

[Maestro]

...If the visa says 30 days...

The visa never indicates the length of the permission to stay you will receive when you arrive in Thailand.

[Maestro]

Unless there has been a recent change that has not yet been communicated, Chinese nationals with a tourist visa receive permission to stay for only 30 days, according to this leaflet of the immigration police: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/post-a29954-.html/

The website of the of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the same:

Tourist Visa. Period of Stay.

Upon arrival, travellers with this type of visa will be permitted to stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 30 days or 60 days.

Nationals of countries which are on Thailand’s Tourist Visa Exemption list or have bilateral agreements on visa exemption with Thailand will be permitted to stay for a period of not exceeding 60 days. Nationals from other countries who hold a tourist visa will be permitted to stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 30 days.

The countries which are on Thailand’s Tourist Visa Exemption list are shown here and China is not included, which means that Chinese nationals with a tourist visa receive only 30 days' permission to stay.

When receiving an erroneous arrival stamp, the standard procedure is to go to the nearest immigration office and have it corrected. It is also possible not to get the stamp corrected but leave Thailand within the correct date, in the case of your friend within 30 days from arrival, ie arrival 21 DEC 2010, departure not later than 19 JAN 2011, or get a 30-day extension of stay before that date. If desired, it should be possible to get two consecutive extensions, for a total stay of 90 days.

[lopburi3]

I believe only one extension of stay for 30 days is available so total time, with extension, is 60 days for a VOA country. But there have been some changes in the last year or two and have not seen any recent listing of entry stay posted.

[phuketrichard]

Cambodians are also told they ONLY receive 30 days with a tourist visa. YET every time my Cambodian GF gets a new visa in Phnom Penh she is told by the agent it is good for 30 days BUT ev erytimes she comes they give her 60 days at immigration and every time she stays that amount of time. One time she even got the 30 day extension, ( so she stayed 87 days)

whatever they stamp in the passport as valid dates, thats what it is good for.

[vagabond48]

Last week, my GF and I went down to the CM immigration office which is very close to where I eat my lunch. I, 1st, went to the young guy who is stationed by the entrance door who handles general questions. After looking at the stamp date of Feb 18 he said she had a 60 day stay. I got the feeling he did not pay attention to my Chinese GF's nationality but just the stamp date, so I asked to speak to an Immigration officer. The officer too said that she had up to 60 days on her visa but being a bit of a pessimist, we decided to head down to the airport to also ask one of the Immigration officers there as well. We again were told that my GF did receive 60 days. I am convinced now.