Answereda year ago

Why is it important to check your immigration stamp upon entering Thailand?

Thailand immigration Visa stamps Visa runs Passport control Expats advice Common mistakes at immigration

Anonymous *************

asked Oct 23, 2025

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Friendly reminder, check your stamp when entering Thailand.  I completed my first visa run and they only gave me 60 days. I went to immigration the next morning and was told it would take 2-3 days to fix. They sent me to immigration at the airport for faster service. So, I did that and it was resolved in 20 minutes. So save the trouble, and look at the stamp before walking away from the immigration officer when entering Thailand.  

Full disclosure, I didn't present my printed visa to the officer because I know he can see the visa on the computer when he scans my passport.   He just didn't notice it on the computer. Lesson learned  for me.

Answer summary

The post highlights the importance of checking the immigration stamp received upon entering Thailand. The author shares their experience of receiving only a 60-day stamp instead of a longer visa, due to an oversight when not presenting their printed visa to the immigration officer. They emphasize the need to verify stamps before leaving the immigration counter to avoid difficulties in correcting any errors, which can lead to inconveniences or overstaying penalties. The community comments support this reminder with additional advice and anecdotes.

19 repliesnewest first

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Tod *********

Two rookie mistakes in one entry 😮

BUT

on the up side at least you will check your stamps before you wander away from passport control 🙂

Remember people PRINT out the PDF they emailed you when your visa was approved because that IS your visa (whether they can see it on the screen or not)

AND

Check your stamp before walking away from the counter at passport control.

Keep in mind immigration offices are NOT obligated to correct a bad entry stamp <- they can and many times do send you to the point of entry.

Just had a guy entered at Sa Dao border from Malaysia, didn't pay attention got stamped in for 60 days, then noticed it 3 weeks later in Chiang Mai 😮

He went to the C/M office and they said go back to the Malay border or just bounce out/back when this stamp runs out, he bounced out/back showed his DTV when he flew back in and got a new 180 day..

Live and learn, but good you shared this (y)

a year ago

Anonymous ******************

This is why it’s generally good practice to present your visa at the same time since plenty of people don’t and if someone never checks then they’d be at risk of overstaying by 90+ days leading to a 1 year ban.

a year ago

Mel ************

Thank you for the heads up and good advice

a year ago

Anonymous *************

My post was a friendly reminder to all so they can avoid inconvenience. My flight was delayed by 2.5 hrs, while we sat on the plane not moving. I was just too relieved to arrive, that I forgot to check. I did not post this to catch judgements from you. If you have nothing nice to say, keep it to yourself. Have a nice day.

a year ago

Tod *********

Anonymous participant it is what it is, and even you have to admit those were two rookie mistakes. <- ones you won't make in the future 😛

a year ago

Johnny *******

Very basic stuff. Always check your stamp. Not rocket science 🚀

a year ago

Anonymous *************

@Johnny ******

a year ago

John *********

Did you enter your DTV No.on your tdac form in the box “Visa” The IO officer can see your details on screen, so no idea how this error was made?🤷🏾‍♀️

a year ago

Brandon ************

@John ********

"can" see is not the same as seeing. Why take the risk when handing them your passport, and also checking your stamp, will help both them and yourself.

a year ago

Anonymous *************

@John ********

yes, I entered my visa # on my tdac

a year ago

Anonymous *************

Anonymous participant the immigration officer simply didn't look.

a year ago

Elías ********

I always check before leaving the counter, but in my case, one of the "perks" 😂 from being from a country that cannot enter visa free, is that they'd never stamp a 60-day stamp on my passport.

a year ago