"enter Before" Date - What Does It Mean?

[NomadJoe]

Ok, just spent an inordinate amount of time scouring the forum, and PM'ed some members about this and am getting conflicting responses. I know what "enter before" means in English, but there appear to be several reports of people entering Thailand on the date shown in the "enter before" field on a Thailand visa. I would like to hear what the latest experiences are on this, as it would be much more convenient for me to enter on the "enter before" date than the day or two before it. Thanks in advance.

(example, ignore dates)

[Mario2008]

"enter before" seems to be currently interpretated as "enter on **** at the latest". But it is always advisable to do it a day or two early. Besides interpetation difficulties with immigration, cars can break down, you can get sick, etc.

[lopburi3]

Enter before the end of said date is the common meaning now. It used to be some officials would point out the English normal meaning of doing before the actual date (although usually allowed). Have not seen many reports of any recent issues but I would always do the day before to be sure and only do the last day if in emergency (and fully expect it would be allowed).

[happynthailand]

don't forget that the date is " thailand" date,not the date of say usa

as the date in thailand is ahead of most places

[seabear]

On my Visa, Non-Imm O, it says ,enter before 6.Oct.2012.

On the 6th, I drove to Ranong and took a longtail over to Kaw Thaung (Ko Song)

Came back to Ranong at 14:30 and got (almost) 3 month. Till 3rd Jan. 2013.

[NomadJoe]

Thanks all. Looks like I am going to have to go on the "before" date so this makes me feel better. Will report the result.

[rakman]

In legalese, it would say "On or before <date>" to be valid on <date>. If the Immigration agent accepts "on" <date>, you're a bit lucky.

Don't risk it and get in before "use by <date>" Or it might be spoiled..

[wayned]

If asked, I always tell them to enter before the date stamped on the visa. That is before "0001" on the date, not any time on the date. You never know you might actually run into someone who not only speaks the English language but actually UNDERSTANDS it! - preceding in time : earlier than <just before noon>

[lopburi3]

Yes but most travelers do not understand English language that well and believe the date means the end of that date. Immigration seems to see the logic and I have not seen any case being reported of late where entry has not been allowed. And I am very sure this is happening many, many times every day so would be major concern if they were. Although I will still always travel the day early to be sure myself - but am sure if I was delayed it would be allowed on last day.

[JimGant]

Interesting to see the various iterations of Thai visa dates.

A previous thread hashed this around

http://www.thaivisa....ant-to-be-sure/

Interesting to see that sticker visas of a decade ago had "date of expiry" instead of "enter before." Still subject to confusion, but with "date of expiry" seemingly more open to favorable interpretation, as "before" seems fairly definitive.

And this Hull stamp visa (from Maestro's collection) actually is the best example of what the Thais are trying to convey;

https://picasaweb.go...feat=directlink

When you use the same day and month for the "must be utilized before" as the issue day and month -- well then, things become somewhat clearer. In this example, 31 Dec 2008 is the issue date *and* the first day of validity. "Must be utilized before 31 Dec 2009" is also very clear: last day of validity is 30 Dec 2009. Thus, one's visa is valid for 365 days -- or 366 days if there's a Feb 29th in there. And this is what is intended.

Now when MFA decides to provide the last day of validity (in this case 30 Dec 2009) -- but not change the "utilize before" terminology -- well, you get a potential mess on your hands. These people have apparently now been transferred to running rice programs.

[NomadJoe]

Turns out I will not be using my 3rd entry tomorrow as I will be getting a new visa end of the month when my current permission to stay expires, so I won't be updating with any new info. Thanks all for the info.

[screwit]

Before a date,it mean while....

So if before 3rd, mean enter the 3rd until midnight before 4th.

Tit:-)

[KhunBENQ]

After doing some math, my guess is:

the wording on the visa is correct, you have to enter BEFORE the second date.

Assuming that a typical Non O is a 90 day (!) visa (not a 3 month visa !).

90 days meaning: valid for usage on 90 subsequent days (day 1 to day 90).

Typical example from the internet:

Date of issue: 27 Sep 2006

Enter before: 26 Dec 2006

So 27 Sep is day 1 of the possible visa usage.

This means that day 90 is on 25 Dec.

26 Dec is day 91 (!), so one day late!

[KhunBENQ]

Have to question my own assumption.

I browsed through the internet looking a misc pictures of Thai visa (looking for Non O specially).

They in fact issue "3 month visa" starting on day x of month m.

They add 3 months and the "enter before" is x-1.

I have seen examples where the difference in date is 88 to 91.

Unlucky example: 23 Feb 2009 to 22 May 2009 -> difference is only 88 days.

So I am kind of clueless.

[Mario2008]

3 months is 3 months, 90 days is 90 days. There is a difference.

A visa has a validity of 3 months in which you can use it to enter Thailand, but when you use it you can stay for 90 days (not 3 months)