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What does the 'valid from' date on a Thailand visa mean regarding entry and stay?
Visa validityThai visa typesMULTIENTRY TOURIST VISAImmigration stampsEntry regulationsDestination Thailand Visa
Jan 2, 2026
4 months ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERVisa valid from until dates means i can enter thailand in that timeframe but the visa itself starts only when it get stamped in on arrival?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The visa validity dates indicate when you can enter Thailand, but the visa itself becomes effective upon issuance, not upon entry stamping. After entering, you will receive an immigration stamp that denotes how long you can stay in the country, which may extend beyond your visa's expiration date. For instance, the Destination Thailand Visa is valid for 5 years, allowing multiple entries, and granting a maximum stay of 180 days, which can be extended.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Robert *******
I guess you ask about the Destination Thailand Visa.
It is valid for 5 years and it starts on day of issue.
Each entry into Thailand you show passport and this visa and as long as this visa is valid you get a maximum of 180 days stay in Thailand.
Each maximum of 180 days stay can be extended ONCE at a local Immigration Office with another 180 days.
IF you stay longer than 90 days consecutive inside Thailand, you need to make a report at the local Immigration Office.
It is valid for 5 years and it starts on day of issue.
Each entry into Thailand you show passport and this visa and as long as this visa is valid you get a maximum of 180 days stay in Thailand.
Each maximum of 180 days stay can be extended ONCE at a local Immigration Office with another 180 days.
IF you stay longer than 90 days consecutive inside Thailand, you need to make a report at the local Immigration Office.
Justin ********
It is not a single entry visa but a MULTIENTRY TOURIST VISA
I♥️MyPri********
What happened with the average IQ here ?
Jari **********
I♥️MyPrivateLife DTV visa should have an IQ limit.
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Jari **********
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John *******
Visa is valid until the date on the visa. When you enter Thailand, you get an entry stamp that can go past the visa expiration date. Think of like the visa states the dates that you can enter Thailand while the immigration stamp you get will tell you how long you can stay.
Jef ********
John , my understanding the same as other visas like Elite, is that if you entered with only 2 months remaining on the visa ( 4 years 10 months) you will get a 2 month stamp.
Meaning if you entered on the last day of the visa you won’t get a 180 day stamp…
Meaning if you entered on the last day of the visa you won’t get a 180 day stamp…
John *******
@Jef *******
disagree - like many visas, they will stamp you in for the amount of time allowed under that visaJef ********
Yeah meaning if you fly in on the 2nd last day you will get a 2 day stamp.
It also came up in the elite group a few days ago, a guy thought he unlocked a cheat code only to find out he had a 2 week stamp when he entered
It also came up in the elite group a few days ago, a guy thought he unlocked a cheat code only to find out he had a 2 week stamp when he entered
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Jef ********
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@John ******
best explanation so farReply to
Anonymous *************
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Ryan ********
No, your visa "starts" the day it is approved/issued.
Humble******
No, visa is valid from issue date. Not first stamp
John **********
Visa starts the moment it gets issued
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John **********
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