What should I do if my J1 visa is expiring before I travel to Thailand and I received an email about the 6-month passport validity rule?

Nov 21, 2023
a year ago
Angie ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello. I want to know if somebody else had the same issue: I'm in the USA with a J1 visa which expires in January, when I pretend to go to Thailand.

I already made the e-visa process, but they sent me an email saying that a U.S. permit must be valid for at least 6 months, but my permit goes until January. I won't come back to the U.S. after my trip to Thailand.

Somebody else had the same problem? What was the solution? I have tried to communicate with the embassy but don't have an answer.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses a concern from an individual on a J1 visa in the USA, whose visa expires soon and wishes to travel to Thailand. They encountered an issue with their e-visa application due to a requirement that their U.S. permit must be valid for at least six months. Community responses include advice on passport validity, recommendations to expedite a passport application, suggestions about applying for a visa in their home country, and queries regarding the type of visa being applied for. Overall, users are encouraging the poster to check the necessary requirements and plan accordingly.
Bob *********
You may have to go back to your own country apply for the visa then go to Thailand from there.
Angie ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes, I think I'm going to do that. It's a shame bc I bought the tickets but I should read better the requirements next time. Thank you
John **********
What visa were you applying for? Was it a multiple entry tourist visa by chance?
Angie ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
Single entry visa, my passport (Colombia) required a visa to Thailand
John **********
@Angie ***********
I realise you need a visa but I thought the residency requirement only applied to the multiple entry visa. Looking at the Washington embassy it appears you need a residence in the US with at least 6 months remaining to apply through them
Ruth *******
That’s odd. Where was your onward ticket to when leaving Thailand? Was it back to Columbia? I have no experience in this area. Does someone else know why Thailand would care about her ability to return to the States?
Edna *******
You must have at least six months time balance on your passport. Apply for a new one and pay extra fee to expedite it sooner around 4 weeks.
Angie ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Edna ******
My passport is valid (9 years), it's about my US permit, I have not more time than 1 month
Brandon ************
What passport do you have? Are you able to enter Thailand without a visa?
Edna *******
@Brandon ***********
with or without visa one must have six months balance on passports.
Brandon ************
@Edna ******
first of all you do not need a passport valid for 6 months to enter Thailand, but you do need a passport valid for 6 months to apply for a visa.

But the op doesn't have a passport expiring in less than 6 months, their permission to stay in the US is valid for less than 6 months.
Angie ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
My passport is from Colombia. I need a visa to enter Thailand.
Brandon ************
@Angie ***********
I'm not sure what options you have unfortunately. The best way to contact them is sometimes through Facebook messenger to the consulate you're applying through. But each consulate can make their own rules.
Angie ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Thank you, I'll contact the embassy here. And hopefully, someone else in this group had experience with something similar
John ********
@Angie ***********
seems like they already replied via email you aren’t eligible.
Angie ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
Yeah, it seems like that :(
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