I have a Non-OA visa, with first year permission to stay (based upon retirement) expiring in late January of next year, and it appears that I'll be out of Thailand at this time.

Reason for being outside of Thailand at this time is that I'm in the process of getting a USA visa for my fiancee so that we'll both be able to travel freely between our homes in Thailand and the US.

If all goes according to schedule, it appears that the US visa will be approved, and we'll be travelling to the US around October/November of this year. Due to US visa/immigration requirements, my fiancee must stay in the US until her green card is issued - which will probably be February or March of next year.

I'd really not like to leave my fiancee (wife) alone in the US while I fly back to Thailand in order to extend my retirement permission to stay.

What are the options for getting another 1 year extension on the Non-OA if I'm is not in Thailand any time near the expiration date? Would I have to start all over again by obtaining a new Non-OA (retirement) visa in the US if I can't return to Thailand to extend at the proper time? Are "back-to-back" Non-OA visas even allowed?

I have a Non-OA visa, with first year permission to stay (based upon retirement) expiring in late January of next year, and it appears that I'll be out of Thailand at this time.

Reason for being outside of Thailand at this time is that I'm in the process of getting a USA visa for my fiancee so that we'll both be able to travel freely between our homes in Thailand and the US.

If all goes according to schedule, it appears that the US visa will be approved, and we'll be travelling to the US around October/November of this year. Due to US visa/immigration requirements, my fiancee must stay in the US until her green card is issued - which will probably be February or March of next year.

I'd really not like to leave my fiancee (wife) alone in the US while I fly back to Thailand in order to extend my retirement permission to stay.

What are the options for getting another 1 year extension on the Non-OA if I'm is not in Thailand any time near the expiration date? Would I have to start all over again by obtaining a new Non-OA (retirement) visa in the US if I can't return to Thailand to extend at the proper time? Are "back-to-back" Non-OA visas even allowed?

There's no facility to extend your visa outside of Thailand. You will have to reapply for another O-A. Just explain your circumstances when you apply.

BUT...you can extend your visa early, while you are still inside Thailand. I did it twice - in November of 2005 and 2006 at Soi Suan Pluu, each time about a month early. Be prepared to document your need to extend early. Both times, I brought the airplane tickets that I would be using to leave Thailand and return.

Most likely you can do this as well. It would probably be much easier than getting a new visa, though I have never tried the latter.

Good luck!

I have a Non-OA visa, with first year permission to stay (based upon retirement) expiring in late January of next year, and it appears that I'll be out of Thailand at this time.

Reason for being outside of Thailand at this time is that I'm in the process of getting a USA visa for my fiancee so that we'll both be able to travel freely between our homes in Thailand and the US.

If all goes according to schedule, it appears that the US visa will be approved, and we'll be travelling to the US around October/November of this year. Due to US visa/immigration requirements, my fiancee must stay in the US until her green card is issued - which will probably be February or March of next year.

I'd really not like to leave my fiancee (wife) alone in the US while I fly back to Thailand in order to extend my retirement permission to stay.

What are the options for getting another 1 year extension on the Non-OA if I'm is not in Thailand any time near the expiration date? Would I have to start all over again by obtaining a new Non-OA (retirement) visa in the US if I can't return to Thailand to extend at the proper time? Are "back-to-back" Non-OA visas even allowed?

There's no facility to extend your visa outside of Thailand. You will have to reapply for another O-A. Just explain your circumstances when you apply.

As RickFarang says you can do it earlier. My OA-visa ends in end of july and I have extendet it many years in April. No problem what so ever!

I have a Non-OA visa, with first year permission to stay (based upon retirement) expiring in late January of next year, and it appears that I'll be out of Thailand at this time.

Reason for being outside of Thailand at this time is that I'm in the process of getting a USA visa for my fiancee so that we'll both be able to travel freely between our homes in Thailand and the US.

If all goes according to schedule, it appears that the US visa will be approved, and we'll be travelling to the US around October/November of this year. Due to US visa/immigration requirements, my fiancee must stay in the US until her green card is issued - which will probably be February or March of next year.

I'd really not like to leave my fiancee (wife) alone in the US while I fly back to Thailand in order to extend my retirement permission to stay.

What are the options for getting another 1 year extension on the Non-OA if I'm is not in Thailand any time near the expiration date? Would I have to start all over again by obtaining a new Non-OA (retirement) visa in the US if I can't return to Thailand to extend at the proper time? Are "back-to-back" Non-OA visas even allowed?

I believe that time outside the Kingdom, if you left properly with an exit permit, does not count to your 1-year Non O visa. Ask that question of Immigration. Also, it is not terribly difficult to renew your non-O visa upon your return. I made the mistake of going home last year at Christmas without getting an exit permit. So, I had to start anew with the Non-O visa when I came back to Thailand. as of July 30, I now have a new 1-year Non-O visa. Also, I suspect that you may find that your Fiancee will need to stay in the US for 18 months, not 6 months.

I have given up on ever getting a Visa for my wife from the US Idiots at Homeland Security. We will instead apply for a 10-year visa from Dept of State at the US Embassy in BKK by virtue of being married in Thailand.

Good Luck,

Bob

I have a Non-OA visa, with first year permission to stay (based upon retirement) expiring in late January of next year, and it appears that I'll be out of Thailand at this time.

Reason for being outside of Thailand at this time is that I'm in the process of getting a USA visa for my fiancee so that we'll both be able to travel freely between our homes in Thailand and the US.

If all goes according to schedule, it appears that the US visa will be approved, and we'll be travelling to the US around October/November of this year. Due to US visa/immigration requirements, my fiancee must stay in the US until her green card is issued - which will probably be February or March of next year.

I'd really not like to leave my fiancee (wife) alone in the US while I fly back to Thailand in order to extend my retirement permission to stay.

What are the options for getting another 1 year extension on the Non-OA if I'm is not in Thailand any time near the expiration date? Would I have to start all over again by obtaining a new Non-OA (retirement) visa in the US if I can't return to Thailand to extend at the proper time? Are "back-to-back" Non-OA visas even allowed?

I believe that time outside the Kingdom, if you left properly with an exit permit, does not count to your 1-year Non O visa. Ask that question of Immigration. Also, it is not terribly difficult to renew your non-O visa upon your return. I made the mistake of going home last year at Christmas without getting an exit permit. So, I had to start anew with the Non-O visa when I came back to Thailand. as of July 30, I now have a new 1-year Non-O visa. Also, I suspect that you may find that your Fiancee will need to stay in the US for 18 months, not 6 months.

I have given up on ever getting a Visa for my wife from the US Idiots at Homeland Security. We will instead apply for a 10-year visa from Dept of State at the US Embassy in BKK by virtue of being married in Thailand.

Good Luck,

Bob

Immigration told me that renewing more than 30 days earlier than expiration date is not possible. Consider postponing your trip or, as someone suggested, get a new NonIm from the US and start again.

I doubt very seriously if time outside Thailand does not count. And if you go back without waiting to renew, you don't need a reentry permit.

But all this being said ..

Go to Saan Pru and ASK IMMIGRATION! What is said here doesn't matter at all.

A re-entry permit keeps your current permitted to stay stamp alive - it does not add any time to it.

I have a Non-OA visa, with first year permission to stay (based upon retirement) expiring in late January of next year, and it appears that I'll be out of Thailand at this time.

Reason for being outside of Thailand at this time is that I'm in the process of getting a USA visa for my fiancee so that we'll both be able to travel freely between our homes in Thailand and the US.

If all goes according to schedule, it appears that the US visa will be approved, and we'll be travelling to the US around October/November of this year. Due to US visa/immigration requirements, my fiancee must stay in the US until her green card is issued - which will probably be February or March of next year.

I'd really not like to leave my fiancee (wife) alone in the US while I fly back to Thailand in order to extend my retirement permission to stay.

What are the options for getting another 1 year extension on the Non-OA if I'm is not in Thailand any time near the expiration date? Would I have to start all over again by obtaining a new Non-OA (retirement) visa in the US if I can't return to Thailand to extend at the proper time? Are "back-to-back" Non-OA visas even allowed?

I believe that time outside the Kingdom, if you left properly with an exit permit, does not count to your 1-year Non O visa. Ask that question of Immigration. Also, it is not terribly difficult to renew your non-O visa upon your return. I made the mistake of going home last year at Christmas without getting an exit permit. So, I had to start anew with the Non-O visa when I came back to Thailand. as of July 30, I now have a new 1-year Non-O visa. Also, I suspect that you may find that your Fiancee will need to stay in the US for 18 months, not 6 months.

I have given up on ever getting a Visa for my wife from the US Idiots at Homeland Security. We will instead apply for a 10-year visa from Dept of State at the US Embassy in BKK by virtue of being married in Thailand.

Good Luck,

Bob

Immigration told me that renewing more than 30 days earlier than expiration date is not possible. Consider postponing your trip or, as someone suggested, get a new NonIm from the US and start again.

I doubt very seriously if time outside Thailand does not count. And if you go back without waiting to renew, you don't need a reentry permit.

But all this being said ..

Go to Saan Pru and ASK IMMIGRATION! What is said here doesn't matter at all.

Exactly Correct! Only Immigration can give you the correct answer on the day that you ask them.

But! Why do you believe that you must apply for your visa in the US? I have mine from Immigration in Kop Choeng

Bob

But! Why do you believe that you must apply for your visa in the US?

Because he is talking about an O-A visa.

Thanks to all for all of the good information.

I realize that any answer from Immigration is applicable to that day, at that location, and if that particular officer happens to process your case!

Anyway - the feedback here confirms what I suspected - my only viable options are to either return to Thailand not more than 30 days before my current permission to stay expires and do the extension, or obtain a new Non-OA visa. Both options involve a lot of hassle, but I have a lot of time to decide which way to go. (I already have a multi-entry stamp, so leaving and coming back is no problem from a re-entry standpoint).

Klikster - Although a little off-topic, I'm interested in why you think it might take my fiancee 18 months to get her green card (or advanced parole) so that she can leave the US? My brother-in-law went through this same fiancee USA visa process about 18 months ago, and it only took about 3 months for his wife to get her green card after they had their legal US wedding. We're not planning to apply for US citizenship, as we don't want to commit to spending 6 months of each of the 1st 3 years in the US. Has the process changed recently making it take longer to get a green card?

I was told recently that you can apply for extension about 40 days before you need it. You have to check it as I never used it....

But it was told to me by an immigration officer last week.

(I already have a multi-entry stamp, so leaving and coming back is no problem from a re-entry standpoint).

Too bad your Non Imm O-A was a 'single entry,' not a 'mutiple entry,' as you could have then restarted your one-year clock anytime before visa expiration date. (By the way, where did you get your O-A -- and was the multiple entry option available?)

my only viable options are to either return to Thailand not more than 30 days before my current permission to stay expires and do the extension, or obtain a new Non-OA visa

Unless you still have $24,000 in a US bank account, and the Embassy/Consulate will let you re-use the medical and police reports, getting another Non Imm O-A doesn't seem to be worth the hassle. Besides, it sounds like you have all your requirements met -- except presence -- for getting an in-country retirement extension. So, just get a Non Imm O while you're back in the US (piece of cake, since you're married to a Thai -- and can easily be done by mail). Then, apply for your extension when you finally return to Thailand. The only added step by *not* being in Thailand during the renewal window is in having to get a Non Imm O visa. (And even here, you could come in on an exempt stamp or tourist visa, and get the Non Imm O in Thailand. But, since you'll be in the US anyway, getting the Non Imm O there avoids any potential quirks with Immigration over in-country visas.)

And, if you're unsure of a return date to Thailand, get a Non Imm O mutiple entry, which is good for a year. The single entry is only good for 3 months.

Klikster - Although a little off-topic, I'm interested in why you think it might take my fiancee 18 months to get her green card (or advanced parole) so that she can leave the US? My brother-in-law went through this same fiancee USA visa process about 18 months ago, and it only took about 3 months for his wife to get her green card after they had their legal US wedding. We're not planning to apply for US citizenship, as we don't want to commit to spending 6 months of each of the 1st 3 years in the US. Has the process changed recently making it take longer to get a green card?

Those multiple quotes get confusing, DrDave. I believe that 'summers' was the one who offered that advice.