Multiple Non Immigrant O Visa Question

[Northpoint]

Hi all,

I intend to go back to Australia this month after nearly 5 months in Thailand. I used a Single entry Non Immigrant O Visa and I did 2 border runs to Cambodia for my stay.

For my next visit to Thailand I plan to apply for a Multiple Entry Non Immigrant O Visa. I hope to return to Thailand at the beginning of next June. Here are my two questions.

1) Will the 12 months of the Multiple Non Immigrant O Visa start when the visa is issued in Australia or do the 12 months start when I arrive in Thailand?

2) I will have to periodically return to Australia during the life of the Multiple Entry Non Immigrant O Visa. Are there any time limits for the periods when I will have to be back in Australia. For instance, can I return to Australia for longer periods (2, 3 or 4 month) and then return to Thailand and still use the Multiple entry Non Immigrant O Visa as long as it is still within the originally stipulated 12 months issue dates?

Thanks for any advice.

[lopburi3]

A visa becomes valid on the date of issue. So it will be valid for a one year period from date of issue on Oz.

You can come and go as you please. Last entry must be made before the visa one year validity expires but you would still be able to stay until the 90 days permitted were up/or you departed without a re-entry permit.

[Northpoint]

A visa becomes valid on the date of issue. So it will be valid for a one year period from date of issue on Oz.

You can come and go as you please. Last entry must be made before the visa one year validity expires but you would still be able to stay until the 90 days permitted were up/or you departed without a re-entry permit.

Thank you for the fast reply. It will then be in my best interest to delay the visa application with the Thai consulate in Oz as long as possible, about two weeks prior to my departure.

I am a bit confused about the re-entry permit you mentioned. Will I need to apply for a re-entry permit for Thailand before going back to Oz before the expiry of any given 30-day period in Thailand using the Multiple Entry Non Immigrant O visa? I had been under the impression that re-entry permits were only required for people with one year retirement extensions.

Thanks again for any additional advice.

[lopburi3]

A re-entry permit would only be required after your visa expires - IE for the final 90 day stay if you enter just before the visa ends. While your visa is valid you do not need to keep any entry alive because you receive a new 90 day stay on any return (which would be more than what remains on a current 90 day entry).

In general re-entry is only used by those on extension of stay but there are a few times when it can be handy for those wanting to keep a visa entry alive for a quick trip out of the country early in the entry.

[Northpoint]

A re-entry permit would only be required after your visa expires - IE for the final 90 day stay if you enter just before the visa ends. While your visa is valid you do not need to keep any entry alive because you receive a new 90 day stay on any return (which would be more than what remains on a current 90 day entry).

In general re-entry is only used by those on extension of stay but there are a few times when it can be handy for those wanting to keep a visa entry alive for a quick trip out of the country early in the entry.

Thanks again for the very useful information. You have answered my questions like only some of you very experienced people from Thaivisa can.

Cheers