What should I do if my Thai visa has a misspelling of my surname?

Nov 7, 2017
7 years ago
Aaron ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
My passport just come back from London with a fresh tourist visa inside (a new design, maybe the reason they are low on supply in the UK). I took a moment to read it, and noticed my surname is written as PURSR (missing the E), also at the bottom, where they have the long code which contains your name, it is written as PURSR. Oddly, even on the receipt I got with it, it says Pursr, again, no E.

Should I just fly to Thailand as if I never noticed? I don't really fancy sending it back to London again.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user recently received a tourist visa for Thailand with their surname misspelled. Many commenters shared their experiences regarding similar issues, suggesting they either contact the issuing office for clarification or proceed with caution on arrival in Thailand. Opinions varied on whether such a mistake would cause any problems at immigration, with some suggesting it may not be a significant issue if the passport and ticket are in order. Overall, the advice leaned towards contacting the embassy to resolve the issue before travel.
Amornrat **********
I close comment, we covered all possible possibilities, legal and practical.
Walter *********
I would assume nothing and contact the issuing office. All these "answers" here are speculations based upon assumptions. My two cents.
Sam *****
If you are using the business class desk, LAX is an understatement. I am not sure they even look at your passport before stamping. Human error happens. I hope that mistake doesn't affect you in Thailand.
Aaron ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok, thanks for the advice guys. I just checked my schedule and I'll be in the country for less than 60 days anyway, so worst ways my visa will be void and I'll only get a 30 day visa waiver (this is a bit annoying for me because I'll have to get an extension, but worse still get my tm30 stamped when I arrive, ready for the extension)

I should be (but not šŸ’Æ%) using the business class immigration desks at Suvanabhumi (yes, this exists), and I always assume they are more lax there, although that's purely assumption, as I've never had ant real issues in over 30 entries to Thailand, touch wood, so I couldn't really differentiate between a strict and lax immigration experience.

Anyway, I'm just going to chance it, and incase anyone is interested I'll post a comment on this thread when I've passed immigration in a few weeks.

Thanks guys,
Amornrat **********
we have strayed away from OP question. Legaly the visa is void as it is issued under a wrong name.
Terry **********
good
Amornrat **********
@Terry *********
, I understand, there are always two sides of the coin. It is no problem to arrive here and in case the IO spot the problem at airport, they will still stamp him in under the 30 days visa waiver. It is no problem, he will not be detained or send back.
Terry **********
the op was asking for advice to which he got encouraging replys not the legality of said visa as in your understanding is void
Amornrat **********
@Terry *********
I not argue, I could not care less, but we talk a legal issue. In 99.99% no one will notice and it should not be an issue, but in legal term the visa is void.
Terry **********
so what your saying really he will not be allowed entry because you say it is void,,,
Terry **********
this was issued in UK with new British Passport not Thailand
Ron *******
The visa doesn't match your passport name. It's invalid until you have it corrected.
Amornrat **********
@Terry *********
Legally it is void.
Terry **********
wrong the visa is in the passport and its all barcoded so its maybe an error misspelt do not mean its invalid at all
Phil *******
If it was me and there was enough time to get a new visa I would contact the embassy and check with them. If the time was shirt I would just go and sort it out on arrival if any questions were asked
Kenneth ******
Hopefully this example is not applicable arriving in Thailand but my sure name was spelled as 'BACK' on my Visa to Azerbaijan instead of what they thought should have been the correct spelling (BAECK) and they refused to let me in. They contained me at the airport in Baku until I could board a flight to Georgia eight hours later (where I didnĀ“t need a Visa). It might be worthwhile to ask the embassy who issued your misspelled Visa.
Declan *****************
Makes no difference . The passport is active

Enjoy the trips
Martin *********
Thatā€™s fucking shocking to be honest .. the most valuable part of information a traveler needs and itā€™s spelt wrong .

I live here in Thailand and will be going to an agent soon to get a new passport as Iā€™ve only 7 months left on my current one , they tell me it takes 3-4 weeks so Iā€™ll go just after I do my next 90 days .. now Iā€™ll be concerned about that too as well as getting my old one back with Iā€™ll need for my O-A extension stamp .
Martin *********
@Phil ******
šŸ‘šŸ». Iā€™ll use an agent thereā€™s plenty down here , canā€™t be asked to go to Bkk twice , I think they charge around 5000 ( plus passport costs ) .
Martin *********
@Steve ******
ok cheers , I did go into an agent just to find out cost and time , ( easyvisa ) Pattaya Tai , and I got the impression she wanted to take my passport , as she remarked to bring it in just after my last 90 day , that way if there are any delays we have plenty of time . ..
Phil *******
Just did my UK passport application today. Very straight forward.

*************************************


gives you the details. Of what is required . If you are happy with 2 visits to Bangkok then easy to do.
Steve *******
@Mar***
. No, you keep your passport through the whole process, just the copies of each page are sent to the uk with your application.
Martin *********
@Steve ******
really ? I thought they ( agent ) sent your actual passport off ..
Steve *******
@Mar***
. It's just the way it works. Copies are sent to the uk with your application and you keep your existing passport throughout the whole process
Martin *********
@Steve ******
yeah good thinking šŸ˜‰šŸ‘šŸ»
Steve *******
If its a british passport you just make a copy of every page an keep the existing one throughout the application process.
Robert *******
Using an agent to get new passport, nice. I have to do myself because they need finger prints.
Aaron ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
It is abit rubbish. I've had countless single, double and triple (when they were around) tourist visas over the years and never had this problem I even just checked my application form (I'd taken a photo of it) to double check it wasn't my mistake.
Andrew *******
I'd also check with the embassy, personally, if any visa I received had my name spelt wrong. Might be a problem, might not be, but it's probably better to know that now rather than when you land in Thailand.
Pete *******
The London Embassy mis-spelled my middle name on my most recent visa. They just crossed it out and re-wrote it correctly. No problems, and I've entered the country twice since then.
Aaron ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks, that's good to hear. It's an easy mistake to make I suppose.
Terry **********
dont think it will make much diffrence as you will have your passport with you and ticket,,,myself personlly would not worry,,,but you must do what you think for your peace of mind i suppose
Terry **********
yep as Mario Bronx says keep reciepts so they know its a valid mistake not on your part thats if questioned but my feeling is you wont
Aaron ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yer I'm figuring (hoping) at the most it might just cause some confusion at the airport.
Robert *******
I would contact London and ask. The information on the Visa must be correct.
Aaron ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
It won't hurt to ask them I suppose, just to be sure,
Robert ********
Of greater concern might be that your FB profile states that you live in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Aaron ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Nope, that's of no concern.
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