Non-o Extension Vs New Visa

[heflwi]

I dropped the ball: I came back into the country yesterday and only then realised my Non-O expires tomorrow (11July). I have the usual 90 days' permission to stay, but I need to decide whether to apply for a visa extension or go for a new visa when I'm next out of the country in ~6wks.

Q: Do extension applications have to be submitted before the visa expires or is there some leeway?

I won't make it down to immigration with all the extension application doc's by tomorrow, so I guess I'm heading for a new visa unless the answer's not what I expect.

thanks.

[lopburi3]

No problem. Only your permitted to stay matters for extensions - you should do with between 4-3 weeks remaining but you also mention leaving again. You can leave and return and keep your current permitted to stay until date (assuming it will still be in the future) by getting a re-entry permit prior to leaving at 1,000 baht and using that information for your next entry.

If you are doing a retirement one year extension they may accept you doing it early but you would have to ask and explain you will be out of the country at the normal time.

[heflwi]

Thanks, lopburi3 - that's a seriously speedy reply!

So it sounds like I can take a few days sorting out the paperwork and then apply for an extension (plus multi-reentry permit), and the fact that the visa will already have expired by a week (or 2) won't matter as long as I sort it out before I next leave the country or my permission-to-stay expires.

That's very useful.