Getting A Tourist Visa In Beijing Or Tokyo

[leosmith]

I'm as US citizen about to go on a multi-country trip. I filled out an application for a Thai tourist visa recently. It was turned down because it was more than 60 days before entry. So now I'm investigating getting the visa from either Beijing or Tokyo. It's a 60 day tourist visa I'm talking about.

1) Has anyone done this?

2) Do I have to mention that I was turned down before?

[Mario2008]

many people apply in another country, in whcih case I advise you to have a copy of the schedule of your travels or if you have the tickets already the tickets.

Tokyo is not the most friendly, I would try in China.

You do not have to mention that you were turned down.

[JimGant]

It was turned down because it was more than 60 days before entry.

That's quaint. I would think as long as your itinerary has you getting to Thailand within 90 days (the validity of a single-entry tourist visa), all would be kosher. Which consulate did you apply to?

If you've some time before leaving the US, you could apply by mail to another consulate, without prejudice of having been turned down by the first one you tried. Some, like Portland, don't want to see your airline tickets -- just a 'best guess' of your travel schedule, if not yet firm. And I doubt they care this 'best guess' has you arriving 61 days after application. (Portland, however, is closed until 12 Sep, when they'll probably have a pile of mailed-in applications to work on.)

[lopburi3]

A visa is valid for use up to 3 months from date of issue so there was no reason not to provide unless longer than 90 days. As there is no requirement to enter Thailand on any set date what you put down on visa application is subject to change at any time.

[leosmith]

Actually, I was just barely outside of the 90 day mark too. They (the visa service) could have easily held it for a few days; there was plenty of time. Now there isn't. I leave the country in a week. I'll be hunting them down tomorrow, thinking of a way they can compensate me.

[leosmith]

Ok, she's sticking to her guns about the 60 days. I told her my friend said it was actually 90 days, and here was her response

"We spoke over the phone and I handle Thailand visa and spoke to the Embassy directly.According to the Embassy, the type of visa you’re requesting; a single entry visa, will only be valid for 2 months and will have expired before you arrive at the Country.

I just confirmed this again with the Embassy."

[lopburi3]

Not true. You are not dealing with a Consulate but a commercial visa service it seems. As you were advised do direct with a Consulate but time is getting short now. There are several Consulates in Texas that might be able to provide service this week if Portland is closed.

If you want to prove it just cite the MFA (mfa.go.th) website (which is down as often the case overnight here but should be up during the day in Thailand). The validity of any single entry visa is three months from date of issue.

[leosmith]

Yes, there is no time. But I do want to prove it to them, because it's looking more and more like a border run is the best solution at this point (I'm going to stay 90 days), and I want them to feel my pain. So on the site you directed me to, under tourist visas it states "the validity of a visa is 3 months or 6 months". Is there something else that tells me whether it's 3 or 6?

[Mario2008]

The validity of the visa is set by the embassy, that is why it differs depending on which embassy or consulate you apply. It is statted on the visa itself, in wordings like "must be utilized before **-**-****.

You have to make your entry/emtries before the date the visa itself expires.

[leosmith]

many people apply in another country, in whcih case I advise you to have a copy of the schedule of your travels or if you have the tickets already the tickets.

Tokyo is not the most friendly, I would try in China.

You do not have to mention that you were turned down.

Ok, plan B. I've been reading elsewhere on the internet, and just talked to a friend in China, that getting a tourist visa in China or Japan is not easy. There's talk about having additional requirements, that sound like requirements of other types of visas to me. Shouldn't I be able to get a tourist visa merely by following the requirements of mfa.go.th?

[lopburi3]

It is up to the Consulate involved on what they require - both Japan and China have less than user friendly procedures for third country applicants from most reports.