Missed My Second Entry (Tr) Due To Visa Extension

[onflipflops]

Just to prevent you from making the same mistake, I decided to post my experience.

In November I applied for a Tourist Visa (TR) for Thailand at the embassy (or is it a consulate) in Vientiane, Laos.

My plan was/ is to stay 6 months in Thailand, but in Vientiane they only seem to give double-entry visas. Which means 2 entries of both 60 days.

I found a solution, because it turns out to be possible to extend both periods with another 30 days. Just walk into an immigration office within Thailand, though it costs 1900 baht for such an extension (expensive, but anyway). For me that would be perfect, because in total that would be 6 months, 180 days.

So when the first period of 60 days almost came to an end, I went to an immigration office somewhere in Nakhon Ratchasima province and they gave me the 30 day extension. On the 9th of February my extension came to an end so it was time to cross a border. I went to the Aranya – Poipet border crossing (Thailand – Cambodia). I read lots of stories about all kinds of scams though I did not have much troubles except for the 100 baht fee that came on top of my 20 USD visa for Cambodia. I'm sorry to say, but I was not in the mood for hassle and decided to pay the extra 100 baht. Excuse me for supporting corruption. By the way, I did not even had to be rude to the people that come to you with their 'helpful' advice.

I was not planning to stay in Cambodia, so I decided to return to Thailand the same day.

Then I arrived at the border of Thailand and I thought I would have no problems to get in, because I still had my second entry left of my Tourist visa. But even though my extension allowed me to stay in Thailand till the 9th of February, it turned out I had to enter before the 8th of February. I totally overlooked this because my extension-stamp told the 9th. But the initial tourist visa sticker stated I had to enter before the 8th.

And even though I remained calm, polite and kept smiling, they were by no means going to help me. I only had looked at the date that I had to leave the country. Not the date before which I had to enter. (And even if I had done so, I might not had known both entries had to take place before this date).

I asked the man politely to help me. But he would not. I asked if I could talk to a woman behind him which had three stripes on her uniform. But they would only give me the 15 days you get for an on-arrival visa on an overland-border.

So I screwed myself with staying my full extension period. Not to mention that I actually arrived in Aranya on the 8th, though a bit late in the afternoon, and decided to take my time instead of rushing to the border that same afternoon/ evening. I stayed overnight in the Market hotel (pleasant place by the way), but therefore missed my 2nd entry.

So in two weeks I'll be crossing a border again, somewhere and apply for a new tourist visa. The good thing is that this will never happen to me again, but that's the only good thing I can think of, haha.

Anyway, take your lesson out of my stupid mistake. Always keep an eye on the 'enter before' date of your visa. All your entries need to take place before this date. No matter what.

[Crossy]

Yup ^^^, this is THE single most common error involving visas and permit to stay, sorry you had to learn the hard way

If you go to Vientiane in Laos they are giving 2 entry TVs for free (up to March 31st IIRC)

[zakk9]

Sounds strange to me. On my last double entry visa, it says enter before 7 September 2010. I entered at Swampy on the 8th and got 60 days, no problem. I've always assumed that the "enter before" date was for the first entry. As far as I remember, it is for most other countries.

[Crossy]

Sounds strange to me. On my last double entry visa, it says enter before 7 September 2010. I entered at Swampy on the 8th and got 60 days, no problem. I've always assumed that the "enter before" date was for the first entry. As far as I remember, it is for most other countries.

No, YOU were lucky. ALL Thai visa entries must be made before the 'enter before' date.

[lopburi3]

You should not have. You must enter on the specificed date or before to use that visa for entry. Current policy seems to be to allow using on the 7th although the language would indicate it expires at the start of that day.

[onflipflops]

I was also thinking about that. It says: Enter before 8th.

My English is not perfect as it is not my first language, but I would think that actually means you should enter on the 7th or before.

However, I think entering on the 8th is OK.

@ Zakk9 I also think you were lucky. In fact I was almost lucky too. The officer already did most of his job and was about to put the stamp for a stay of 60 days in my passport, but just before he did he noticed the enter date was expired. If I had known and would have interrupted him with some stupid question he might have put the stamp there without looking and I would have had my 60 days, haha.

Well, too late now.

I'm going to Vientiane to get a new tourist visa in the last week of February. We will see.