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What should I do if my Thai visa's date of validity is incorrect?
Thai VisaVisa ValidityVisa TypesNON-O VisaVisa Application ProcessImmigrationExpat AdviceEmbassy Contact Issues
Jun 23, 2025
10 months ago
Matthew *********
ORIGINAL POSTERMY Visa has been confirmed and sent. Unfortunately, the date is not correct - my visa runs from the day of approval... Nobody answers the phone at the embassy in Frankfurt. Has anyone had similar experiences and knows how to contact the colleagues?
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user expressed concern over the start date of their Thai visa, stating it begins from the approval date rather than the planned travel date. They mentioned difficulty in contacting the embassy in Frankfurt for clarification. Comments clarified that visas typically are valid for 90 days starting from the date of issue and emphasized that contacting the embassy may not yield immediate answers. Several users shared experiences and tips about visa validity and entry regulations, confirming that confusion often arises from the distinction between visa validity and the allowable length of stay upon entering Thailand.
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Martyn *******
Most visas for countries have a validity starting with the date they are issued and expire either at the end of that period or when you enter the issuing country. The period of stay is a different thing depending again on the issuing country and the type of visa you have
Elías ********
Visas always start at the approval date.
Mark ********
My Non-O from Los Angeles was 90 days from date of issue. Took exactly 2 weeks to process. They said it could take up to 3 weeks to process. But the date they issue it is the date your visa starts regardless of your actual date of entry. Just the way it is. Make sure they stamp you correctly on arrival! I had to get my stamp changed to open my bank account. IO at airport was looking at my Visa but stamped me in as 60 day exempt. I did not check, but luckily the bank told me how to have it changed and that worked. Live and learn, and just keep smiling to the Officers, it really does help!
Rok ********
90 days to enter and once entered Thailand 90 days validity of the visa.
Steve *******
All visas run from the date of issue
Greg ***********
Matthew Wheeler . . . . The website of the Royal Thai General Consulate Frankfurt says clearly:
“Don’t apply for a visa earlier than 3 months before your planned trip”
Usually, many people, including you, are confusing the visa validity with the duration of the stay permit you will receive upon entering Thailand based on a visa
You visa is VALID for use for an entry, for 90 days, beginning on the date of its issue
If you enter Thailand within this validity period, you will be stamped in for a 90-days stay permit. Or for a 60-days stay permit if you have a tourist visa. The visa itself will EXPIRE and become invalid when you enter, if it is a single entry visa. Only multi entry visa will remain valid for the full length of their validity
“Don’t apply for a visa earlier than 3 months before your planned trip”
Usually, many people, including you, are confusing the visa validity with the duration of the stay permit you will receive upon entering Thailand based on a visa
You visa is VALID for use for an entry, for 90 days, beginning on the date of its issue
If you enter Thailand within this validity period, you will be stamped in for a 90-days stay permit. Or for a 60-days stay permit if you have a tourist visa. The visa itself will EXPIRE and become invalid when you enter, if it is a single entry visa. Only multi entry visa will remain valid for the full length of their validity
Matthew *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg **********
I didn’t apply 3 months prior. And yes, I confused the validity dates. Funnily the embassy replied to my email within 10 minutes.Greg ***********
@Matthew ********
Frankfurt is known for not picking up the phone. The reason is that way too many people will ask stupid questions, wasting their precious time, a staff member once told meReply to
Greg ***********
Reply
Bernard ************
Il ne faut pas de visa pour voyager en tant que touriste vous avez 60 jours d'office avec moyen de rallonger de 30 jours sur place.
Matthew *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bernard ***********
I do. I’ve been to Thailand too often last year. The immigration officer told me that I need a visa.Phil ******
@Matthew ********
you have 90 days to enter from date of approval good luckReply to
Phil ******
Reply
Lynnette *******
The approval of the visa gives you 90 days to enter the country within that 90 day period.
Stuart *********
Your visa is correct. It runs from the date of issue. Depending on the visa you applied for that would normally be 90 days from issue.
If you’ve applied too early then that’s on you. You’ll rarely have any luck contacting an embassy but even if you could it wouldn’t change the fact that your visa is correct.
If you’ve applied too early then that’s on you. You’ll rarely have any luck contacting an embassy but even if you could it wouldn’t change the fact that your visa is correct.
Matthew *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
that’s nuts. how can you plan a trip like that???John **********
@Matthew ********
visas are issued with a 90 days validity but when you stamp into Thailand within that period you get stamped in for the period of the visa. Its simple to planStuart *********
@Matthew ********
How can’t you plan a trip like that? You apply for a visa say 30 days prior depending on the embassy you use. They confirm it 5 days or 30 days after applying (depending on the embassy - some are quick. Some not so).
You then have 85-60 days to wing your way to Thailand to use said visa.
Craig *******
@Matthew ********
because you should apply for your visa 2-3 weeks before you fly and it has a valid date to use by but you still get the visa length you applied for when you arrive.Wayne *********
@Matthew ********
you simply plan date your going to arrive and apply a month before travel. Done a few was not hard to plan. You then get 60 days on arrival if it's a tourist Visa you applied for.Matthew *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Wayne ********
wait wait wait, so if I enter, say end of august (as originally planned) I get still get my 60 days? does the validity date of the visa have nothing to do with the dates i planned on staying?Graeme ******
@Matthew ********
you get 90 days to use your visa, so as long as you enter thailand within those 90 days yiu will get stamped in for 60 days on a tourist visa or 90 days on a type O retirement visa. It sounds like your good to go !!Stuart *********
@Matthew ********
The validity date of the visa and the number of days you get are independent of each other. If your visa is valid until say September 22nd (a made up date) and you enter on the 22nd or anytime before you’d be given a stamp for whatever amount of days you’d be allowed. You mention 60 days so I’m assuming you may have applied for a tourist visa (which for most people is not needed these days - but that’s by the by).
Matthew *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
ah okay now I get it. ThanksMaksym ***********
@Matthew ********
Thai visas don't work as Schengen or U.S. visas. Visa date is when you allowed to enter, not stay.Greg ***********
@Maksym **********
that's wrong. Usually, many people, including you, are confusing the visa validity with the duration of the stay permit you will receive upon entering Thailand based on a visaa Thai visa is VALID for use for an entry, for 90 days, beginning on the date of its issue
If you enter Thailand within this validity period, you will be stamped in for a 90-days stay permit. A single-entry visa will EXPIRE / become INVALID when you enter
Wayne *********
@Greg **********
stamped in for 60 not 90. You must apply for extension of 30 days to get the 90Maksym ***********
@Greg **********
Funny that you wrote that I am wrong but said mostly same that I said, but also wrote wrong. Show me stamp for 90 days stay on TR visa... Or on DTV. Once again - Thai visa has validity date, and this is date when you can enter. And based on visa type you get stay permit stamp. It works not as Schengen visa where date is allowed stay period also. What wrong you see here?
Reply to
Maksym ***********
Reply
Joe **********
I would think you have 90 days to enter Thailand from date of approval, that's normally the case. I think you are fine...
Reply to
Joe **********
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