Answered9 years ago
Can a British tourist still use a valid but unused tourist visa after extending a visa-exempt entry in Thailand?
A british friend of mine bought a single entry tourist visa in London last october (enter before date on visa sticker is 8 january 2018). When she arrived in Thailand, Samui airport Immigration ignored her visa (did not stamp "Used" on it) and give her 30 day visa exempt stamp. My friend not only didn't realize that but, when her 30 days were expiring, she got a 30 day extension at Samui Immigration.
We think that, having on her passport a valid tourist visa, not used and not stamped, valid till 8th january 2018, she could do a border run and re-enter using her tourist visa and getting 60 day stamp.
But Satun officers and Samui Immigration said that - having extended her initial 30 day stamp by other 30 days - she made her visa useless and she cannot use it anymore.
Any experience about similar situations? Thanks
We think that, having on her passport a valid tourist visa, not used and not stamped, valid till 8th january 2018, she could do a border run and re-enter using her tourist visa and getting 60 day stamp.
But Satun officers and Samui Immigration said that - having extended her initial 30 day stamp by other 30 days - she made her visa useless and she cannot use it anymore.
Any experience about similar situations? Thanks
Answer summary
A British traveler encountered issues with her unused tourist visa when entering Thailand, as she received a 30-day visa-exempt stamp instead. After extending the initial stamp by another 30 days, local immigration claimed her unused tourist visa was now invalid. Community responses suggest that since the visa was never stamped as used, it should still be valid if she enters before its expiration date. Others shared similar experiences, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the visa number is correctly entered on arrival cards to avoid confusion.
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Tod *********
They are not the first person to have a single entry tourist visa in their passport yet neglect to write the visa number on their arrival card and then get stamped in for only 30 days.
Usually people catch it and go to the immigration office where they stamp the tourist visa used, and correct the stamp at the same time.
Usually people catch it and go to the immigration office where they stamp the tourist visa used, and correct the stamp at the same time.
Marc **********
That got me once as well ,, Not writing the Visa Number on the Arrival Card , but noticed before I flew out and went to Airport Immigration early and they sorted it No Problem !!
Joe ***********
Thanks for posting Mario - that story is certainly a new one for the books
Tod *********
Samui Immigration's is wrong, IF the visa is not stamped used, she did not use it to enter the country and that means it IS still valid.
As long as she enters the country before the "enter before" date on the visa itself she would get stamped in for 60 days.
What is written on the 30 day entry stamp she got when she came in is there a TR or what looks like a W30 (which is really ผ30).
As long as she enters the country before the "enter before" date on the visa itself she would get stamped in for 60 days.
What is written on the 30 day entry stamp she got when she came in is there a TR or what looks like a W30 (which is really ผ30).
Marco *********
OPThanks
@T**
Tod *********
she was totally stamped in on a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp.
That tourist visa is still good, but she'd probably hafta fly in to use it.
That tourist visa is still good, but she'd probably hafta fly in to use it.
Marco *********
OPIt is not a TR but a W30
Tod *********
She should fly out and back in if she's wanting to use that tourist visa.
Marco *********
OPShe is still here. Her extension expires on december 26th. I would try to let her do a border run before 26th. But probably she will receive just a 30 day visa exempt (that, by the way, in Satun is not free for back-to-back travellers)
Tod *********
@Ma***
, the mistake was asking them BEFORE she stamped out of the country and tried to come in on it :/ She would probably be okay flying out and back in though.
Marco *********
OPThat's what I think too.
But now cannot fix the mistake at Immigration, she must do a border run and when re-enter show her "clean" visa and get 60 days. But in Satun they would not give, I asked already 😏
But now cannot fix the mistake at Immigration, she must do a border run and when re-enter show her "clean" visa and get 60 days. But in Satun they would not give, I asked already 😏
Tod *********
What she should have done was went to the immigration office when she noticed she'd only gotten a 30 day stamp and had them correct it to the 60 day tourist visa stamp she was supposed to get when she entered.
Kenny *******
Tod , just a quick thank you. I often read your replies , you know your stuff for sure.
Thanks for your great help and advice.
Thanks for your great help and advice.
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