Where Is My Visa Expiration Date?

[attrayant]

I've read the page "What does the visa expiration date mean?", but I am looking at my visa (just obtained a few days ago in Washington DC), and don't see any obvious expiration date. Here's a picture:

I see "date of issue" and "enter before" dates, but no expiration date. I asked for a 60 day visa, so I assume that's what I got. But I'd like not to operate on assumptions.

Secondly, I plan to enter Thailand on October 30th and do the 30 day extension, which will give me legal stay until the end of January. On January 20th (or thereabouts) I will hop on a flight to Saigon for the Tet Holiday and stay there for a couple of weeks. I assume I can use this trip as an opportunity to apply for a brand-new 60 day tourist visa (to get back into Thailand). Then I fly back to the US some time in March (or April if I decide to do another 30 day extension on this new visa).

The question I have is, I've heard that you aren't supposed to be allowed to stay in Thailand more than 90 total days within any six month span if time. I glean this information from police edict # 778/2551. If I am reading this order correctly, shouldn't the consular office in Saigon refuse to issue me a new 60 day tourist visa on the grounds that I will have already (nearly) exhausted my maximum semi-annual visitation allotment of 90 days? Or am I misunderstanding the order?

Thanks!

[Jingthing]

Enter 30 October your visa will still be good to use.

At that time, the allowed stay stamped in your passport will be for 60 days after entering.

This day counting rule you dragged up (90 total days within any six month span, etc.) is completely NOT in effect now, and has not been for years.

So why didn't you apply for a DOUBLE ENTRY tourist visa in the first place?

[attrayant]

So why didn't you apply for a DOUBLE ENTRY tourist visa in the first place?

If I had done that, I'd be coming back into Thailand on an expired visa, would I not? The trip to Vietnam was not contrived for the purpose of visa extension, it just happened to work out that way. So I figured why not take advantage of it?

[attrayant]

Enter 30 October your visa will still be good to use.

Yes, I get that. I guess my puzzlement is: why is there a page called "What does the Visa Expiration Date Mean" when there is no such date on my visa?

[beechguy]

Enter 30 October your visa will still be good to use.

Yes, I get that. I guess my puzzlement is: why is there a page called "What does the Visa Expiration Date Mean" when there is no such date on my visa?

"Enter Before" is the same thing, you can enter anytime before that date(25 DEC 2011) and receive a permission to stay of 60 days. A double entry would allow you to exit and make another entry without obtaining another visa.

Also, as stated above, disregard that Police Order, it has been superceded and did not apply to entries made with a Tourist Visa, it applied to visa exempt entries.

[NanLaew]

The visa expiration date is the "Enter Before" date or 25 December 2011.

If you try and enter after that date, you will be told it has expired.

Dohh!

[lopburi3]

1. As said 25 Dec 2011 is the expiration date.

2. You have a single entry tourist visa which will allow 60 day stay from date of entry and can be extended 30 days for 1,900 baht.

3. Most places in western countries would have issued a two entry visa with a six month expiration date so it would have been an option (but Embassy in DC might not - you would have had to ask).

4. Getting a new tourist visa in Vietnam may be a problem as you do not appear to have onward tickets or firm travel reservation and they could be required. Be prepared to buy ticket(s) or make hotel reservations if asked.

5. As said the 90 day only applied to visa exempt entry and is no longer enforced.

[Jingthing]

Yeah I agree the Washington D.C. embassy doesn't have a reputation of being the most accommodating. That said, given the OP's possible issue now in Vietnam, would it make sense for him to approach the D.C. embassy AGAIN and this time ask about getting a double entry with the needed expiration date for the second entry? I reckon if they say yes, the initial visa fee would be wasted, but still a better deal than having a problem in Vietnam.