Non Imm O Extension To Support Wife

[RusT]

I'm on a non-immigrant o visa which will be coming up for my second renewal on Monday. I've just found out I will have to go abroad for 6 weeks in July. I did this a few years back and from memory you pay around 1500baht for a stamp and its all sweet. Does anyone know if this is still the case and is there any time limit you can be away for? All input much appreciated as it's a bit like talking to a rubix cube getting info from the people at immigration at times....

[Crossy]

Get a re-entry permit, either at the airport or immigration in town. IIRC it's 1000 Baht for a single, 3600 for a multiple re-entry.

The permit protects your 'permitted to stay' stamp and so you can remain out of the country as long as you like so long as you return before the 'permitted to stay' stamp expires

When you get your next extension you need to get a new re-entry permit as it's not transferable.

EDIT Agree 100% with the Rubic Cube analogy :D

[RusT]

Right. Thanks Crossy. Next question. Normally they take a few months to process the extension so they just stamp "under consideration" and to return in one month. If the extension is still under consideration and I'm just getting extension stamps expiring each month will I still be able to go out of the country? And will I have to return before the extension stamp expiry date? If that's the case it would appear that I would only have one month that I would be able to stay out of the country for during the extension processing period. Does that sound right? Hope not!

[Crossy]

Right. Thanks Crossy. Next question. Normally they take a few months to process the extension so they just stamp "under consideration" and to return in one month. If the extension is still under consideration and I'm just getting extension stamps expiring each month will I still be able to go out of the country? And will I have to return before the extension stamp expiry date? If that's the case it would appear that I would only have one month that I would be able to stay out of the country for during the extension processing period. Does that sound right? Hope not!

I've no experience of this, best bet is to go to immigration armed with your dates and wife, and ask for an extra long 'under consideration' stamp you may score

Still need a re-entry permit to protect it.

[Mahout Angrit]

Normally they take a few months to process the extension so they just stamp "under consideration" and to return in one month. If the extension is still under consideration and I'm just getting extension stamps expiring each month will I still be able to go out of the country?

I have read on here that you cannot leave the country while the extension is under consideration and if you do you have to start the whole proceedure over again starting with getting a visa to return to Thailand. This is what I've read so I'm sure someone with experience or more knowledge will respond soon.

[RusT]

Normally they take a few months to process the extension so they just stamp "under consideration" and to return in one month. If the extension is still under consideration and I'm just getting extension stamps expiring each month will I still be able to go out of the country?

I have read on here that you cannot leave the country while the extension is under consideration and if you do you have to start the whole proceedure over again starting with getting a visa to return to Thailand. This is what I've read so I'm sure someone with experience or more knowledge will respond soon.

Ahhh jeez that's not good news. Would appreciate then if anyone can confirm what Mahout suspects ie. you cannot leave the country while your non-imm o is under consideration for renewal without starting the process again.

[astral]

That is not correct.

You can get a re-entry permit while you are "under consideration until....."

but must be back on or before the stated date.

[lopburi3]

I don't recall anyone posting that you could not leave during the under review period. But you have to be back on the date specified. The current procedure is one 30 day extension for marriage extensions of stay so hopefully the two and three returns will be a thing of the past.

[tubber]

I am in the same situation as RusT. I am " under consideration" but have to go over seas for 10 weeks, can I get a re-entry permit and come back in, or will immigration be understanding and give me 

 long "under consideration" stamp, or as I suspect tell me to start all over again and reapply. They also asked to see 400,000 in the bank AND an income.  

[lopburi3]

1. You can not obtain a re-entry permit dated beyond your current permitted to stay stamp.

2. Immigration is extending 30 days everywhere now from my understanding and do not believe they have leeway but you can always ask and explain your situation - they may be able to find a way but I suspect it may be apply when you return.

3. They do not require 400k in the bank unless you are asking to continue from previous extension on that basis. If this is a new application I suspect you were converting to a non immigrant visa when that was required? To convert from visa exempt or tourist the 400k is still used.

[tubber]

1. You can not obtain a re-entry permit dated beyond your current permitted to stay stamp.

2. Immigration is extending 30 days everywhere now from my understanding and do not believe they have leeway but you can always ask and explain your situation - they may be able to find a way but I suspect it may be apply when you return.

3. They do not require 400k in the bank unless you are asking to continue from previous extension on that basis. If this is a new application I suspect you were converting to a non immigrant visa when that was required? To convert from visa exempt or tourist the 400k is still used.

1&2  I thought that was how it worked.

3. This is my 5th or 6th non-immigrant "O" extension (Thai wife and 2 kids), they were adamant that I had to show 400k in the bank AND an income, I queried this but did not argue, no point rocking the boat. He also said that head office in Bangkok might have changed the amount needed in the bank account to 700k. He also said I had to get a non-imm visa outside the country and come back and reapply for an extension if I could not come back on the date they stamped in passport.

[dereklev]

I had the same problem a couple of years back.

When I made the application for the extension of my Non Imm 'O' I explained that I was leaving the country in 3 weeks.

They dated my under consideration stamp for the day I was flying out and asked me to come to Immigration that day for a further extension to cover the time I would be out of Thailand.

When I went back my application had been approved so I got the 12 month extension.

However they had been very helpful and were quite happy to cover the dates I would be out of Thailand.

[meadish_sweetball]

1. You can not obtain a re-entry permit dated beyond your current permitted to stay stamp.

2. Immigration is extending 30 days everywhere now from my understanding and do not believe they have leeway but you can always ask and explain your situation - they may be able to find a way but I suspect it may be apply when you return.

3. They do not require 400k in the bank unless you are asking to continue from previous extension on that basis. If this is a new application I suspect you were converting to a non immigrant visa when that was required? To convert from visa exempt or tourist the 400k is still used.

1&2 I thought that was how it worked.

3. This is my 5th or 6th non-immigrant "O" extension (Thai wife and 2 kids), they were adamant that I had to show 400k in the bank AND an income, I queried this but did not argue, no point rocking the boat. He also said that head office in Bangkok might have changed the amount needed in the bank account to 700k. He also said I had to get a non-imm visa outside the country and come back and reapply for an extension if I could not come back on the date they stamped in passport.

Which Immigration office is this, tubber?

[tubber]

Which Immigration office is this, tubber?

Nakhom Phanom. I am hoping the same as you, Dereklev, that it will be done by the time I am due to go, she told my wife 2 to 3 weeks. Believe it when I see it, last time took 5 weeks.