Non O-A extention

[HatYai2]

Hi

 

We have been been getting O-A (1 year rolled into 2) permissions to stay for the last seven years. Since we travel back to visit family each year, it has worked out cheaper. Now with medical insurance issue, I need to rethink this strategy. We are 57 and 58 respectively.

 

We live in Hat Yai but are in Bangkok until 22 November before flying out.

Our O-A expires on 3 Feb 2020. We were planning to be back on the 2nd for our 2nd year.

 

I am reading contradictory things about the terms of the O -A

 

Questions

Does the O-A not become invalid after the 3 Feb 2020? (Some on the Forum state that you can get the extension in the second year (inside Thailand) after this date (?)

How long in advance can the extension of stay be done?

Is it only possible in Hat Yai?

Is there some way that the extension date can be postponed?

If everything is in order can we realistically get the extension on the 3rd of Feb? (I read on TV of people in and out in 10 minutes give or take some exaggeration)

 

We rent, have the requisite B800 000 in the bank etc. My wife’s permission is as my spouse.

 

Apologies for asking questions that have probably been answered before.

 

Many Thanks in advance.

[ubonjoe]

You existing OA visa is still valid for entry up to the February 3rd. No changes to that in any way.

The only change is the when you apply for a new OA visa in 2021 you will need meet the requirements for insurance.

[HatYai2]

Thanks for the quick reply.

My questions relate to "converting" to an extension of the current permission to avoid the Medical insurance.

 

[Martyp]

7 minutes ago, HatYai2 said:

Thanks for the quick reply.

My questions relate to "converting" to an extension of the current permission to avoid the Medical insurance.

 

I think you are asking about applying for a 1 year extension of stay instead of purchasing a new O-A in your home country. I came on an O-A and I am on my 2nd 1 year extension of stay. I think we just have to wait until after Oct 31st. Sometime in November someone will be applying for an extension of stay and they can report whether they are asked for insurance. I have no doubt though, that there will be different experiences at different Immigration offices so you will need to hear a report from the Immigration office at Hat Yai. I'm guessing you will have to do this in Hat Yai but I don't know about that for sure.

[ubonjoe]

You can stay on your last 1 year entry from from your OA you will get when you when you enter the country after your trip.

No need to apply for an extension until near the end of it of that one year entry.

If you are living in Hat Yai that is where you will have to apply for the one year extension of stay.

[HatYai2]

2 minutes ago, Martyp said:

I think you are asking about applying for a 1 year extension of stay instead of purchasing a new O-A in your home country. I came on an O-A and I am on my 2nd 1 year extension of stay. I think we just have to wait until after Oct 31st. Sometime in November someone will be applying for an extension of stay and they can report whether they are asked for insurance. I have no doubt though, that there will be different experiences at different Immigration offices so you will need to hear a report from the Immigration office at Hat Yai. I'm guessing you will have to do this in Hat Yai but I don't know about that for sure.

Exactly. If I need to get the extension in Hat Yai I must plan our return accordingly.

[HatYai2]

2 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You can stay on your last 1 year entry from from your OA you will get when you when you enter the country after your trip.

No need to apply for an extension until near the end of it of that one year entry.

If you are living in Hat Yai that is where you will have to apply for the one year extension of stay.

Thanks that is good news.

Just one more question please

Is the maximum of 60 days before expiry of my 2020 permission to apply for the extension a firm date?

 

[Peter Denis]

27 minutes ago, HatYai2 said:

Thanks for the quick reply.

My questions relate to "converting" to an extension of the current permission to avoid the Medical insurance.

 

If there is one source to trust for accurate information it is UbonJoe.
So, if you re-enter Thailand on Feb 3 next year, you will be stamped in till Feb 2, 2021.

By the end of that date you can then re-apply for a Non Imm OA in your home-country (but the new health insurance requirement will then have to be met).  Or you can decide to apply for an extension of stay in Thailand.

At this moment it is not fully clear yet whether the insurance requirement will also apply for extensions of stay from a Non Imm OA.  But for sure that will crystalize out in course of coming weeks, so that you make an informed decision on which route is preferable.  Anyway, you still have almost 1.5 year before it becomes relevant.

 

Edited October 30, 2019 by Peter Denis

[HatYai2]

2 minutes ago, Peter Denis said:

If there is one source to trust for accurate information it is UbonJoe.
So, if you re-enter Thailand on Feb 3 next year, you will be stamped in till Feb 2, 2021.

You can then re-apply for a Non Imm OA in your home-country (but the new health insurance requirement will then have to be met).  Or you can decide to apply for an extension of stay in Thailand.

At this moment it is not fully clear yet whether the insurance requirement will also apply for extensions of stay from a Non Imm OA.  But for sure that will crystalize out in course of coming weeks, so that you make an informed decision on which route is preferable.  Anyway, you still have 1.5 year before it becomes relevant.

 

My apologies to you (even though you would not otherwise know why)

It was your (correct post) on the Medical insurance thread that contradicted my understanding.

Thanks to you and UbonJoe I now understand another 1% of this protean monster.

[Huckenfell]

On 10/30/2019 at 11:37 AM, ubonjoe said:

You existing OA visa is still valid for entry up to the February 3rd. No changes to that in any way.

The only change is the when you apply for a new OA visa in 2021 you will need meet the requirements for insurance.

Hi Joe. I am sure that they will get their 12 mth extension at the end of the 12 months if they do the usual border run. I have just done it with no insurance, stamped back till Oct 2020

[jacko45k]

9 hours ago, Huckenfell said:

Hi Joe. I am sure that they will get their 12 mth extension at the end of the 12 months if they do the usual border run. I have just done it with no insurance, stamped back till Oct 2020

Did you enter before or after the 31st? 

[seeyoujimmy]

My friend is from Canada he went to Pattaya last week to get his one year extension to stay for retirement, he has done this many times, because his original visa  was a OA visa he was told he will have to get insurance, or leave Thailand so he can get an O visa.