I've asked this before, but I'm now seeing conflicting information on the boards.

My question is this: Does your time on a Thai Tourirst Visa start counting down as soon as it's issued from the embassy, or when you actually enter the country?

From the Wikipedia entry on visas:

With some countries, the validity of a visa is not the same as the authorized period of stay. The visa validity then indicates the time period when entry is permitted into the country. For example, if a visa has been issued to begin January 1 and to expire March 30, and the typical authorized period of stay in a country is 90 days, then the 90-day authorized stay starts on the day the passenger enters the country (entrance has to be between January 1 and March 30). Thus, the latest day the traveler could conceivably stay in the issuing country is July 1 (if the traveler entered on March 30). This interpretation of visas is common in Americas.

With other countries, a person may not stay beyond the period of validity of their visa, which is usually set within the period of validity of their passport. The visa may also limit the total number of days the visitor may spend in the covered territory within the period of validity. This interpretation of visas is common in Europe.

Does anyone know the definitive answer to this question? (Is there a definitive answer?)

A Thai visa is valid from the day of issue.

You can test the truth of this by buying a visa then attempting to use it past the "enter before" date clearly marked on the visa.

A Thai visa is valid from the day of issue.

You can test the truth of this by buying a visa then attempting to use it past the "enter before" date clearly marked on the visa.

Oncearugge, thanks for the reply.

What if I got a single entry visa (valid for three months) and entered Thailad 60 days from now. Would I only have 30 days to stay in Thailand, or would I have the full 60 (or 90 with extension) to saty since I entered within the three month validiity window?

A Thai visa is valid from the day of issue.

You can test the truth of this by buying a visa then attempting to use it past the "enter before" date clearly marked on the visa.

Oncearugge, thanks for the reply.

What if I got a single entry visa (valid for three months) and entered Thailad 60 days from now. Would I only have 30 days to stay in Thailand, or would I have the full 60 (or 90 with extension) to saty since I entered within the three month validiity window?

As long as you enter prior to the "enter before" date you will be allowed a 60 day stay which is extendable by 30 days.

Once a visa has been used within its period of validity it is "USED" and of no further use. Visa "validity" and length of stay are not linked.

It is entirely possible to enter the country using a valid visa and be given a permission to stay date which extends beyond the visas "use by "date

• The visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue.

You can enter on any date within the 3 months,

When you enter you are granted a 60 day stay. Even if you entered on the last day of the 3 months.

A Thai visa is valid from the day of issue.

You can test the truth of this by buying a visa then attempting to use it past the "enter before" date clearly marked on the visa.

Oncearugge, thanks for the reply.

What if I got a single entry visa (valid for three months) and entered Thailad 60 days from now. Would I only have 30 days to stay in Thailand, or would I have the full 60 (or 90 with extension) to saty since I entered within the three month validiity window?

Yes, there is a definitive answer, and it can be found in the thousands of posts, discussing the subject. You are actually asking about two different things. A Tourist Visa is valid to be used, from the date of issue, until the "enter before" date. The permission to stay, begins when the visa is used to enter the country. So one would be stamped with a permission to stay of 60 days, even if entering just before the "use by" date. A person is staying in Thailand based on the permission to stay, not the visa. The search function works wonders, and the Pinned Topics Section has great information.

Edited November 3, 201510 yr by beechguy