tourist visa questions

[Kingsknight 0]

It looks like my best option will be a three entry tourist visa, so here are my questions. Are you suppose to have a return ticket when entering LOS? What is the "use by" date? If I return home before the "use by" date is up, can I go ahead and get a fresh one before I return to LOS? thanks guys, I apperciate the help.

[joekicker 53]

Immigration is supposed to ask if you have a return/onward ticket, but usually don't bother. Don't COUNT on it not happening, but probably it won't.

 

Most visas have a "use by" date of six months from issue. Again, this is not written in stone (nothing in Thailand is) but it is usual. If you have a three-entry multiple, it might be longer. Almost certainly, it would not be shorter.

 

The answer to your third question is "it's up to the embassy/consulate where you go."

 

But if the visa is still valid, why get another one?

 

NOTE: The answer to the above question is probably what you would have to say to the embassy/consulate. Just what they would do is pretty much unpredictable. My own personal prediction is they would cancel the previous visa and give you another one, all other things being equal, but please bear in mind my balls are not made of crystal.

 

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[Kingsknight 0]

Thanks for the reply, the reason I would get another visa, if I come back to the USA after 3 or 4 months for a visit, there might only be a month or so left on the original life of the visa, so I would like to get another I could extend for 6 months.

[jacko 8,822]

A multiple entry tourist visa has a validity of 6 months from the date of issue. It is clear on the visa under 'Entry Before' You would be permitted to stay for 60 days if you entered just 1 day before this.

 

I believe an onward flight ticket is not required if you have this visa, but Joe may say what I believe has no validity, and anything is possible in LOS!

[joekicker 53]

jacko You may be right -- but I think you need an onward ticket for anything but (non-) residency.

 

Still, it's basically moot since these days it seems it's rare to ask, and having a visa probably means no hassle.

 

What you say about separating the "use by" and "permitted to stay for" is important to grasp, though. No matter when you use a tourist visa -- the day of issue or six months later -- you will get permission to stay 60 days. A lot of travellers mix these up.