Answered9 years ago

Will my uncle face issues changing his itinerary in Thailand despite an invitation letter for a tourist visa?

Thailand Visa Tourist Visa Immigration Issues Invitation Letter Travel Plans

Jaydeep *******

asked Dec 12, 2017

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Hello, can anybody please suggest in the following issue? My uncle got tourist visa based on my invitation letter, which says he will stay with us in Chiang Mai for his entire trip. His flight is from Calcutta, India to Chiang Mai via Bangkok. However, now he has changed his mind and would like to spend some time in Bangkok before coming to Chaing Mai.  Will that be a problem, as his plan for Bangkok trip has not been mentioned in the invitation letter. Any suggestion will be much appreciated.

Answer summary

The question concerns whether a change in travel plans to spend time in Bangkok, despite an invitation letter indicating a stay in Chiang Mai, will affect the validity of a tourist visa. Responses indicate that once the visa is issued, the specified itinerary in the invitation letter is not strictly enforced, suggesting that he should not face issues entering or traveling within Thailand.

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Jeremy ********

Of course he wants to stay in Bangkok alone....I would too

9 years ago

Paul *******

If an invitation letter was required to get a tourist visa and he had to state where he was going to be staying.. but now he has the visa he wants to stay somewhere else.. then he has lied to get the visa and if he is questioned by immigration at the airport then they could refuse him entry into the country.

9 years ago

Paul *******

I reacon so.. except I would take the things that I say in a visa application, a bit more seriously that what I write on an arrival card. .. also some nationalities they might be a bit firmer with that other nationalities...

9 years ago

Thomas ********************

@Paul ******

you've heard of some now :) But isn't this a bit like tourist submitting the address of a hotel where they're only going to stay a couple a days before island/mountain hopping?

Seems like it's mainly just to show the embassy that you have some sort of plan.

9 years ago

Jaydeep *******

@Thomas *******************

Very true for someone visiting Thailand, it is so easy to move around in attractive places for cheaper price.

9 years ago

Paul *******

yes I agree.. but then I've never heard of anyone needing an invitation letter to get a tourist visa.. and they could refuse him entry if they don't believe his story.. my guess is that he'll probably be ok..

9 years ago

Thomas ********************

I think it's also expected that a tourist is travelling around. The invitation provides a base or something like that(?)

9 years ago

Jaydeep *******

@Tod ********

Indeed, VFS already issued him the visa, and there is no where written that the visa is issued for Chiang Mai only. Thank you for your suggestion. feeling relieved.

9 years ago

Tod *********

I think you're really reaching there. I would imagine that it is highly unlikely the passport control people have any idea what was put on the invitation letter submitted to VFS Global in india to get a tourist visa from a thai consulate there. (they are the company that issues visas for thailand in india).

It's a formality, a piece of documentation, like onward travel, a hotel booking etc.

9 years ago

Tod *********

nope, doesn't matter at all. the documentation he submitted to get the tourist visa has no bearing on what he really does here once he gets the visa and comes here.

9 years ago

Thomas ********************

I highly doubt it. I went all over the country during a 6 week trip with a tourist visa based on an invitation letter. I'm pretty sure it's just a pile of red tape to be stored in some warehouse somewhere.

9 years ago

Jaydeep *******

Thank you so much!

9 years ago