Answered4 years ago
What should I do if the entry stamp in Thailand is less than the validity of my tourist visa?
Hello! the stamp they placed when crossing the border into Thailand does not correspond to the visa validity they gave me at the embassy, being less than 60 days for tourist visa. Do you guys know what to do there?
Answer summary
The user has encountered a situation where their entry stamp in Thailand grants them less than the expected 60 days allowed by their tourist visa. Responses indicate that the entry stamp reflects the permitted stay duration, not the visa validity date, and suggest checking the stamp immediately before leaving the immigration booth. If the stamp duration is shorter than required, the user can either go to a local immigration office to rectify the error or leave Thailand and re-enter to activate their tourist visa.
25 repliesnewest first
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Tom *********
You didn't make the guy aware that you have a visa, he didn't notice and you got a 45 days exempt. If that is good enough ignore it, if you need the additional 15 days go to immigration and be prepared to loose a lot of time if they correct it at all. Next time make the guy aware that you have a visa.
Paul *******
She could probably still use the visa by leaving the country and coming back on it. Simple.
Tom *********
@Paul ******
Yes, absolutely, if it's still in the time frame given to activate it.Roberto *********
Always pays to check your stamp before moving away from the immigration booth. Easier to rectify there and then.
Paul *******
@Andrea *******
any responsible transport operator would wait for you if you had found out just after leaving immigration, there was a mistake with the stamp.Paul *******
@Andrea *******
it's not a theory. I'm telling you a fact. There are NO cross border bus or van services between Thailand and Cambodia that use the Trat border crossing. You have to change transportation at the border. Hence why your statement "the bus wouldn't wait" (it wasn't even a bus because this route uses a minibus or minivan) makes no sense.
Andrea ********
OP@Paul ******
ok, I made it all upRoberto *********
@Andrea *******
It was a good story. I enjoyed it! Is there a sequel?Paul *******
@Roberto ********
there's no cross border bus service at this border checkpoint, so unless she purchased a bus ticket before finishing up with immigration or bought a dodgy "thru ticket", which involves a change of transportation at the border from some travel agency in Koh Kong, then it's a strange comment to make.That's because you have to change transportation on the Thai side. What this means is you only catch your minivan once you're done with immigration formalities and are ready to hail one. I'm sure there are hourly minivans or songthaews heading for Trat from that border. Isn't exactly a long wait and there are coffee shops, exchange booths and shops selling Vietnamese and Cambodian merchandise to keep you busy in the meantime.
Andrea ********
OP@Paul ******
oh wow what a long thread with these theories, big mistake, dilute responsibility 🥴. I'm not an expert on these matters as you may be guys, it's the first visa I got in Asia with all the embassy process, the others have been quite easier to get. Mistakes, yeah sure thousands of them, you name it. Anyway, thanks for all the help, it seems the solution was indeed found. Best!Roberto *********
@Paul ******
That confused me too. If she's come on a minibus "border run" the bus will not leave without her. I think she's made a big mistake and is trying to dilute her responsibility!Paul *******
@Roberto ********
Exactly. Besides, I'm assuming said minibus is Thai registered and while it could theoretically have picked her up in Cambodia, these services don't operate this way in order to save costs. They simply switch transportation at the border and if you arrange a "thru ticket" the transportation waits for you. The other, more sensible option would be to just book transportation once you've crossed the border.
These "thru services" are a scam, as it's usually cheaper to do it on your own.
The only cross-border thru service I would be willing to use is a bus or van that actually crosses the border, meaning there is no change of vehicle. As soon as there is a change of vehicle, I say no.
Paul *******
@Andrea *******
It says you entered at Khlong Yai, which is in Trat. There are no cross border buses using that crossing, so I don't understand the part about the "bus not waiting for you ". You arrange your bus or minivan (most services between the border and Trat are by minivan; I haven't actually seen a bus ply this route before) once you're stamped into the country.Andrea ********
OP@Roberto ********
I tried, but the bus couldn't wait for me to do thatAndrea ********
OPLol great contribution, it is very worthwhile to continue discussing it 😏
Roberto *********
@Andrea *******
I don't think the bus would leave until you've finished at the immigration booth.
David **********
Several years ago, I came into Thailand and the immigration officer stamped me in without acknowledging my visa. It was late at night. I went to my local immigration office and they corrected the error.
Andrea ********
OP@David *********
thanks David I'll try that, in the hotel they told me it has happened to other people there and that's what they do
Graham ******
The date on the visa is the last date that you can enter Thailand, your entry stamp date is the number of days that the Visa you have permits you to stay. Sounds like you were stamped in for 60 days which is correct for a Tourist Visa.
Phil ********
@Andrea *******
Did you show the immigration officer a print out copy of your visa? Was it an Evisa? Please post a photo of your stamp. Reckon also you didn't look at the stamp while still there unfortunately; as that was the time to clear it up and correct this.
Seems like you were stamped in for a 45 day visa exempt if me maths is correct. 🙃
Until the visa validity date, you can leave and re-enter using the visa by showing the print out.
You might possibly be able to correct this at Chaengwattana office if you get a sympathetic officer...
YMMV
TIT
Andrea ********
OP@Phil *******
no, I didn't get an evisa, I went to the embassy to get it, visa was in the passport. I'll just go to a local immigration officeAndrea ********
OP@Graham *****
Thanks Graham, that's the issue, it's less than 60 days, the stamp is 17 Feb - 2 Apr
Brandon ************
@Andrea *******
can you look at your entry stamp? You're looking for the part I have circled in red. If you have this then they did not use your visa and they stamped you in with visa exempt.
Jared **********
@Andrea *******
that’s 45 days, are you sure you came on a TR visa and not visa exempt? Visa exempt is 45 daysActivity
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