Conflicting Consulate Policies

[sunLvr]

We are planning to visit Thailand for about 5 months and the plan is to get a double entry tourist visa. We planned on applying for the visa around August 10th in our home country (USA) and not entering Thailand for the first time until November 25th (over 90 days). We would then exit on January 9th (45 days from entry), return on February 1st, and then leave at the end of April (we would extend the visa a immigration for 30 days on this entry).

My initial understanding is that a double entry tourist visa is valid for 180 days so entering Thailand for the first time about 100 days after issuance is completely fine. Our second entry would have to be made before 180 days after issuance or the visa wont be valid.

So here is my issue; I contacted the Boston consulate (where we want to apply for the visas) and they were extremely firm on saying that we must enter Thailand 90 days after the visa is issued no matter how many entries we got. I then spoke with someone at the LA consulate and they said we would be fine. I even told the consulate in Boston what the LA one had told me and still they were firm on saying the one in LA was wrong and that the visa will not be acknowledged at immigration.

Can someone please tell me what is correct? It seems that we simply cant apply for the visa in Boston because we will not get the 180 day validity, and would have to go to a consulate that can provide this. But still it seems strange that there would be such a disconnect between consulates, and I don't want to show up to Thailand (or my flight) and get turned away.

[Jingthing]

Here is my own response strictly based on personal experience. I think you are confused. I think with tourist visas, single entry or more entries you must ALWAYS enter Thailand within 90 days of the ISSUANCE of the visa. I think -- NO EXCEPTIONS.

Thus, I think you need to most definitely NOT get your visa so early.

Also, you need to ask them what the expiry date will be to start the USE of the SECOND entry. Believe it or not, that policy varies between embassies/consulates, again based on my OWN experience. Don't ask why. It is what it is.

To clarify, a tourist visa must first be used within 90 days of issuance. Each entry is good for a 60 day stay in Thailand. Each entry can usually be extended in Thailand for an additional 30 days, but make sure your second entry in Thailand is BEFORE your visa expires completely (they will write the end date in your passport).

[moe666]

There is usually a use by date that if not used by then the visa expires. For starters why are you applying so early before travel the turn around time is usually days not weeks. Check out Portland Oregon for you tourist visa she provides fast and efficient service, I had my non-o visa back in 2 days. Call her she may want a copy of travel sch. to issue double entry visa. good luck.

As an after thought if one of these consulates seems less than user friendly there are to many in the US to be hung up on using someone less than friendly

[Maestro]

It is true that different consulates often use different interpretations. With the exception of the Thai consulates in the Southeast Asian region, a tourist visa valid for more than one entry is generally given a validity of six months or 180 days. Boston, an honorary consulate, apparently misunderstands the instructions it was given. Since you can obtain the visa by mail, get it from Los Angeles or any other Thai consulate in the USA. To make doubly sure that no mistake is made in the validity I suggest that you accompany your application with a covering letter indicating your travel plan showing the two dates of arrival in Thailand, and requesting a double-entry tourist visa valid for six months.

[Jingthing]

If it's the policy of a particular consulate NOT to grant validity that long, I think they usually won't grant an exception no matter your travel plans (happened to me), but it can't hurt to ask.

[sunLvr]

We are leaving the US on August 25th and visiting some other countries (which don't have consulates) before entering Thailand. Ideally, we could apply before we left the US. If we have to we can shuffle around our plans and try to stop in Australia for a few days before entering Thailand and get the visa then.

From your replies it seems that we should simply go to LA and get the visa. We would go in person as we have a connection through there and staying a few days is cheaper than anything else. If we do this and make our travel plans clear to the consulate and the visa is stamped with a validity after November 25th will we be OK? Is the validity date all that the airlines and immigration look at? I've never had a visa before so this is all new to me.

[Jingthing]

I am quite sure LA will NOT issue you a tourist visa that can use over 90 days from issuance (or any other embassy or consulate). Other than that, I'm losing the thread of your problem. LA isn't your answer if you plan to enter Thailand OVER 90 days from the issuance date of the visa, no matter the number of entries. If you think they told you differently, I doubt it. Keep in mind the 60 day period allowed on each entry (if you don't extend 30 days in Thailand which would one entry good for 90 days total) begins on the date of ENTRY in Thailand. The days you wait to enter the first time (90 maximum) have nothing to do with the stay allowed on an entry.

I hope this helps. Keep asking questions here if you need to. It may take some time (and other posters) but I am confident you can get and understand the info you need here so you can make a good decision that will work for your situation.

[sunLvr]

So I thought I understood validity vs. amount of time allowed per entry, please correct me if I'm wrong. When we get the visa there will be two things on it; a validity date (use by) and the number of entries. Regardless of how many entries we get we must enter Thailand before the "use by" date" for all entries. On each entry we will be granted 60 days which can be extended 30 days for 1,900 baht at an immigration office.

So when you say we must enter Thailand within 90 days from date of issuance is that the same as saying the visa is valid for 90 days? If this is the case then the ONLY way to get a full 180 days allowed by a double entry would be to get the visa and enter Thailand on the same day, correct?

I guess the question is even if we are given a visa valid for 180 days will we still need to activate the first entry within 90?

Thanks again for all the advice!

[Mario2008]

The validity of the visa is the period in which you can use it to travel to Thailand. The validity always starts on the date the visa is issued. Any entry not made before that date you lose.

No, you don't need to activate the first entry within 90 days (unless the validity is 90 days). Just have to use the entries before the validity expires.

[lopburi3]

A visa is issued with a specific validity period - there is no requirement to enter within 90 days; that I am aware of, if validity is longer than that. The visa allows for entry at any time during the period it is valid. But many/most Consulates now consider 3 month validity as the normal period for tourist visa issue per MFA criteria below. A two entry is not automatically 6 month validity.

7. Please note that the period of visa validity is different from the period of stay. Visa validity is the period during which a visa can be used to enter Thailand. In general, the validity of a visa is 3 months, but in some cases, visas may be issued to be valid for 6 months, 1 year or 3 years. The validity of a visa is granted with discretion by the Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General and is displayed on the visa sticker.

[Jingthing]

Sorry I gave bad advise here, it happens, I will withdraw this thread and stick with retirement visas for now ...

[sunLvr]

OK, I think things make sense now. So the answer to my original question would be that different embassies/consulates have different rules and if the one in Boston says they will only issue a visa valid for 90 days and the one in LA says they will issue one that is valid for 180 days, I simply should go to LA. I just found it somewhat confusing that all consulates wouldn't adhere to the same rules. Anyhow, thanks again for all the replies, you guys are great!

[JimGant]

I can't seem to find any mention, on the La, DC, and Portland websites, of a 6-month validity for a tourist visa. They all do mention you can buy extra 60-day entries -- but nothing about this extending the validity of the visa from 3 months to 6 months. And I do seem to remember Portland's website, at one time, stating the 6 month validity...

I wonder if the Boston response is signalling something afoot...? I know I read here where, at some of the Aussie consulates, they were tightening-up on tourist visas, requiring airline tickets for each entry (and possibly a validity of 3 months for the visa -- can't recall). The impression I got was, they were trying to put the kabosh on 'tourists' that were staying for 9 months on tourist visas, using tennis shoe border runs.

Anyway, I'd sure double-check about visa validity duration with the Thai consulates you're considering. Portland, as has been mentioned, would be a good choice (assuming the 6 month validity). Their website has contact info, and they do respond (doubtful LA would). Application by mail from anywhere in the US.

Interestingly -- and completely unrelated -- is this from the Portland consulate website re Non Imm O visa:

O (Other) - Marriage certificate and proof of spouse's Thai citizenship, Letter of invitation from volunteer organization in Thailand, proof of condo or home ownership.

Much discussion on this forum recently about Hull giving Non Imm O visas based on condo or home ownership. Then, suddenly, they apparently were told to cease and desist -- and the option evaporated.

Now Portland advertising the condo/home option? Hmmmm.

[sunLvr]

Here is the link to the info on the LA consulates website http://www.thaiconsulatela.org/service_visa_detail.aspx?link_id=25

It states that double entries have to be used 180 days from issuance. I also called and talk with a visa agent who verified this. But in the end it will really come down to me applying and seeing if I actually get the 180 days. Once I go I will be sure to update the thread with what happens.

[JimGant]

Here is the link to the info on the LA consulates website http://www.thaiconsulatela.org/service_visa_detail.aspx?link_id=25

It states that double entries have to be used 180 days from issuance. I also called and talk with a visa agent who verified this. But in the end it will really come down to me applying and seeing if I actually get the 180 days. Once I go I will be sure to update the thread with what happens.

The link I found with LA is the following, which only mentions 3 months:

LINK

But, rumbling around in that site finally arrived to the 180 days you found. Would think, then -- especially as you had it verbally confirmed -- that 180 days it is.

[Sateev]

Here is the link to the info on the LA consulates website http://www.thaiconsu...aspx?link_id=25

It states that double entries have to be used 180 days from issuance. I also called and talk with a visa agent who verified this. But in the end it will really come down to me applying and seeing if I actually get the 180 days. Once I go I will be sure to update the thread with what happens.

The link I found with LA is the following, which only mentions 3 months:

LINK

But, rumbling around in that site finally arrived to the 180 days you found. Would think, then -- especially as you had it verbally confirmed -- that 180 days it is.

The LA Consulate website is SLOWLY being updated/corrected, but like most Thai government websites, it contains errors and inconsistencies. I have, at various times, pointed several of them out to them, and they have made the corrections promptly. The definitive answer is HERE.

As belt-and-suspenders, I think Maestro's comment is a good one: attach a brief explanation of your travel plans and itinerary to your application to clarify your need.

Bombastic Bushkin claimed that it's IMPOSSIBLE to obtain "a tourist visa that can use over 90 days from issuance". I, for one, HAVE a cancelled one in my passport...

Go figure...

[sunLvr]

So I went to the Thai consulate in LA yesterday at 9am, submitted the paperwork they require on the website, and picked up the visa today. The issue date is Aug 15th and the expiration date is Feb 14th 2012! It was really simple. Double entry cost $70 each, however the stopover in LA ended up costing much more . All in all I am very pleased with the service at the consulate in LA.

[moe666]

Glad to hear you got what you wanted and it worked out. Good luck on your trip

[slackbaba]

In years past I the embassy was giving three months. I had even requested six as I wanted to do some traveling as you. No such luck. In the last year or so I have been getting the six month duration stamped back in the visa again. This only leaves me in a quandary. Glad it worked out for you LA is usually a hassle. My hunch is your lack of prior Thai visas.