New Non-immigrant O from UK

[YaesuBottyLove]

I have been out of Thailand for 5 months, and my last extension of stay (marriage) has expired.

 

I assume I need to get a new Non-Imm O (I am in the UK at the moment, so probably easier for me to get here) and then re-enter for 90 days then EOS again.

 

However, I don't want to activate the new Non-Imm O the next time I enter Thailand - I want to enter on a visa exempt (for a few days), leave Thailand (for a further month), then enter on my Non-Imm O and trigger the 90 days.

 

Presumably so long as I enter using the Non-Imm O within the 3 month validity of the visa that's OK? From memory, I hand over a letter granting the Non-Imm O - I don't send my passport to the embassy hence no sticker. Or would my passport be "in the system" and they would just stamp in my Non-Imm O by default?

 

Appreciate any advice.

 

Thanks

 

 

[BrandonJT]

This question comes up from time to time, and the answer, like basically every answer in Thailand, is that it depends on who you are standing in front of at passport control.

You can ask the officer to not use your visa, but they generally will want to use it. Yes, they will see that you have a visa in the system.

There have been reports of people who wanted to do similar to you and didn't even mention that they had a visa, and the officer asked them and then stamped them in on the visa regardless of what they wanted.

 

The only thing you can do is ask them not to use it.  If they require you to use it, you just need to get a re-entry permit (1000 baht) before you leave so that it is still valid when you return.

[NanLaew]

5 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

This question comes up from time to time, and the answer, like basically every answer in Thailand, is that it depends on who you are standing in front of at passport control.

You can ask the officer to not use your visa, but they generally will want to use it. Yes, they will see that you have a visa in the system.

There have been reports of people who wanted to do similar to you and didn't even mention that they had a visa, and the officer asked them and then stamped them in on the visa regardless of what they wanted.

 

The only thing you can do is ask them not to use it.  If they require you to use it, you just need to get a re-entry permit (1000 baht) before you leave so that it is still valid when you return.

 

The evisa is single-entry. A old fashioned single entry visa would be stamped "Used". If there's an electronic version of the "Used" stamp on the immigration database, is the exit with a Re-entry permit even an option? That would be using a single-entry visa like a multi-entry and I'm not sure if that's permitted.

[DrJack54]

OP, first up the issue of obtaining a reentry permit for the 90 day stamp.

@scoutman360 asked this in a thread may 2024. His report ....

 

"For those interested, today I got my re-entry permit at CW in Bangkok under a 90 day Non-O for retirement. No questions, no issues. I had a booked appointment and was in and out in 15 minutes. Thanks for all your help!" 

 

However note in same thread a guy asked same question at CM and was told clearly...NO..cannot obtain a Reentry Permit to protect the 90 days. 

My understanding is that you can.

 

OP, in the month you are out of Thailand where will you be? 

Ask as you could obtain a Non O eVisa during the month outside of Thailand.

 

OP, exact same question asked in this thread....

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1324898-i-got-a-non-o-single-visa-but-i-would-like-to-enter-into-visa-exempt-use-the-visa-later/

 

[DrJack54]

Searched around various countries eVisa Non O. 

Here is one on Vienna eVisa site....

 

"2.1 O Visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. Travellers must enter Thailand within the said 90-day period. They will be allowed to stay in Thailand for a period of up to 90 days, counting from the date of entry. During the 90-day period of stay, if they wish to leave and re-enter Thailand, they are required to apply for a re-entry permit (single or multiple) before departure. If they leave Thailand without a re-entry permit, the current stay permit shall be considered void."

[BrandonJT]

4 hours ago, NanLaew said:

 

The evisa is single-entry. A old fashioned single entry visa would be stamped "Used". If there's an electronic version of the "Used" stamp on the immigration database, is the exit with a Re-entry permit even an option? That would be using a single-entry visa like a multi-entry and I'm not sure if that's permitted.

That's literally the entire point of a re-entry permit.  A multiple-entry visa does not require re-entry permits because it's multiple entry.  And a re-entry permit does not make it function like a multiple entry visa, because the time on your stamp continues ticking down while you are outside of Thailand.  A re-entry permit does not give you any extra time, whereas with a multiple-entry visa you get a brand new stamp with full days each time you enter.

[DrJack54]

OP, since you can obtain a reentry permit to protect your 90 days.....

Best option is to enter Thailand with the eVisa and obtain a single reentry permit.

Go on the one month trip and upon return to Thailand organize date for the 12 month extension.

Keep in mind the extension can be applied for up till expiry of the 90 day stamp.

 

[OJAS]

16 hours ago, YaesuBottyLove said:

However, I don't want to activate the new Non-Imm O the next time I enter Thailand - I want to enter on a visa exempt (for a few days), leave Thailand (for a further month), then enter on my Non-Imm O and trigger the 90 days.

 

IMHO the safest option in your case would be NOT to obtain a new non-O visa in the UK but instead enter on a visa exemption for a few days and then exit Thailand for a month as you say; but then re-enter on another visa exemption which you then convert to a 90-day non-O visa at your local immigration office before resuming annual extensions of stay.

 

The procedures for obtaining a non-O conversion for marriage are set out in the following link:

 

https://www.immigration.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/6.FOR-PROVIDING-SUPPORT-TO-OR-BEING-A-DEPENDANT-OF-A-THAI-CITIZEN-SPOUSE-VISA-NON-O.pdf

 

That all said, this is, however, conditional on your having maintained a minimum 400k balance in your Thai bank account during the past 5 months in order to satisfy the financial requirement set out at 7.2, as the British Embassy no longer issue letters confirming that you would meet the alternative 40k minimum monthly income requirement set out at 7.1.

 

 

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, OJAS said:

That all said, this is, however, conditional on your having maintained a minimum 400k balance in your Thai bank account during the past 5 months in order to satisfy the financial requirement set out at 7.2

Don't follow. 

If OP has a Non O he only requires 400k in bank for 2 months prior to obtaining extension.

From the OP ......

"I want to enter on a visa exempt (for a few days), leave Thailand (for a further month), then enter on my Non-Imm O and trigger the 90 days." 

 

Fact is when he reenters Thailand he would still have almost 2 months left on permission of stay.

He can transfer the 400k even prior to first entry.

With your suggestion he will also need onward flight for his second visa exempt entry via air.

In addition requires multiple visits to immigration. 

 

Not best option. Lot of mucking around with zero benefit.