Possible to get a Non O visa Using 30Day Exempt Stamp ?

[beatlebones]

Ive seen it posted in various places that it is possible to get a Non O Visa within Thailand using the 30 Day Exempt Stamp.

 

I'm hoping to do that to get a NON O visa (multi Entry) based on Retirement.

 

Is that possible at Koh Samui Immigration?

[dddave]

Yes, but you must initiate the process with no less than 15 days permission of stay remaining on that visa exempt entry.  You will apply for a change in visa status to a 90 day Non-Immigrant "O".  They will give you a specific date to return for the approved "O".  Once you have the 90 day "O", you can apply for the retirement extension.  Sometimes you can do that the same day but more often, you have to return a 3rd time.

BTW, unless there is no line, don't worry about getting the Multiple Entry stamp at that time.  You can get a multiple entry re-entry permit at the airport any time you depart at Passport Control.  Usually much faster than doing it at an Immigration office. same price: B3900.  Only worth it if you plan to leave the country more than 3 times in the year.

Edited August 20, 2023 by dddave

[khunPer]

If you mean the multiple entry non-O visa with one year duration and 90-days permitted stay at each entry, I've never heard about having such one issued domestically. It's normally a visa that you shall apply for in your home country or abroad. For retirement you might be asked to apply for the non O-A visa instead, which also is a multiple entry visa valid for one year, but it gives you one year permitted stay at each entry.

 

The non-O you can apply for domestically gives you 90 days permitted stay from your original entry date. When applying you need to fulfill the financial requirements, for example having 800,000 baht in deposit in a Thai bank account, if you reason is retirement. Later you can apply for extension of stay for a one year period, two weeks before your permitted 90-days stay expires. By that time your bank deposit needs to have matured by two months, which thereby mean, that you shall apply for change of visa from visa-exempt to a non-O two weeks before your initial 30-days entry expires.

 

You can at the same time as applying for extension of stay also apply for multiple re-entry permission. At Samui Immigration, the lady that hands you application documents normally includes a re-entry application. If not, just ask for it, it will be handled together with you extension of stay.