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When does a tourist visa for Thailand start: upon acceptance or arrival?

Thailand Tourist Visa Visa Validity Visa Duration Visa Extension SETV Single Entry Visa Immigration Rules

Aug 1, 2022

4 years ago

Karl ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Just a quick one. Does my tourist visa start from when it is accepted or when I arrive. I know it’s only 60 days to start and then I can extend by 30 days when in Thailand. Cheers

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A tourist visa for Thailand starts its validity upon arrival at the Thai airport, where you will be stamped in for 60 days. Although the visa is issued with a validity period (often 3 months), the actual duration of stay begins when you enter the country. You can apply for a 30-day extension from a local Thai immigration office after your initial stay.

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Billy *******

So if you buy a 3 months tourist visa and wait 30 days before you travel to Thailand it starts once you enter as long as the end date has not ran out correct me if I'm wrong.

4 years ago

Michael ********

@Billy ******

It is a 60 day tourist visa, not a 3 month tourist Visa. When the Consulate issues the visa, you must enter the country before the Visa expires, anytime within the 3 month period. You will be stamped in for your 60 day visa on arrival into Thailand. Once in the country, you can apply for a 30 day extension of stay (not a visa).

4 years ago

Billy *******

@Michael *******

Thanks

4 years ago

Reply to

Billy *******

Cole ***********

A 60 day visa starts counting when they stamp you in at the Thai airport. The arrival day is 1, even at 23:30.

4 years ago

Keven ****

"Date of issue" or "Valid from" / "Valid until" or "Enter before" / and "Length of stay" are 3 different things

- Valid from: when visa was issued to you by the embassy/IO

- Valid until: last day you can enter Thailand with the visa

- Length of stay: length of stay allowed with visa (doesn't include possible extensions)

4 years ago

Ellie *******

A bit of (but a bit complicated) information about visa

4 years ago

Karl ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

thank you

4 years ago

Reply to

Karl ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Lovely, thank you James. I’ve muddled my head that much over different visas over the last few months I just couldn’t work out what was going on in my head.

Thanks for clarifying and the info sheet

4 years ago

James ********

4 years ago

James ********

The SETV single entry tourist visa when issued is valid for 3 months ...during which you must enter Thailand.

Upon arrival you will be stamped in for 60 days.

You can get a 30 day extension of stay from your local Thai immigration office for 1,900 Thai baht.

Here is the graphic of common found requirements for the 30 day extension.

4 years ago

Reply to

James ********

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Does a tourist visa extension in Thailand start from the expiration date or the application date?

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