Family One Year Non Immigrant Visa

[pokr122]

Hi guys,

Yesterday, I was talking with a Brit in my Thai language class who said he had to make a Visa run tomorrow. I asked him why, because I thought he had a one year visa like me> He said he did but he still had to go out of the country every 90 days. That did not make any sense to me and I told him it was one or the other.

When I got home, I looked in my passport and the stamp from immigration was for only 90 days, (expired 41 days ago). I was told by the thai consulate in Houston, Im from USA, that my visa was a family joining visa and was good for one year. I had to show i was married for seven years and other assorted info but, was told Im good for a year. Noone ever said to me I would have to leave the country every 90 days to do Visa runs, or I would have for sure;

1. Is it possible I am ok with this visa and do not have to do visa runs?

2. Why would the Thai government ok me for one year to support/be with my thai family but immigration says i have to leave?

3.If I did screw this up, what are my options now?

Thanks for reading,

Larry

Edited October 10, 2007 by pokr122

[lopburi3]

1. Sorry but No. You are overstay at the max 20,000 baht fine level.

2. The visa you hold permits you to visit for one year but you can only stay for 90 days at a time without extending your stay at an immigration office (40k monthly income currently required).

3. You need an air ticket out of Thailand and money for the fine. Am not sure but airport may not be able to process you when over 40 days which would mean you must visit Immigration Hqs first. I would contact Sunbelt or other qualified law firm as there small fees may be worthwhile.

[Mahout Angrit]

1) No. You probably have a Multi Entry Non Imm 'O' type visa which allows you to enter Thailand as frequently as you like for a 1 year period. Each stay cannot, however, exceed 90days. So before the expiry date on the entry stamp you must leave and re-enter Thailand to recharge another 90days.

2) You should have applied for a 1 year extension once you arrived in the country if you didn't want to leave on visa runs.

3) Yes, Own up at an immigration office or maybe better just leave from the airport, pay the fine (B500/day overstay) and come in once again for 90 days then apply for a 1 year extension or leave again before the next 90days is up.

[Lite Beer]

As said , you are limited to 90 days at a time. Befor the 90 days are up you have to leave Thailand, turn around and come back again. Even if you only stay outside for 1 minute.

Follow the good advise given and you will be ok. Just remember the 90 day rule next time.

[oxymoron]

As said , you are limited to 90 days at a time. Befor the 90 days are up you have to leave Thailand, turn around and come back again. Even if you only stay outside for 1 minute.

Follow the good advise given and you will be ok. Just remember the 90 day rule next time.

You should check your Visa to see if it is an "O" as everybody is assuming or an "O-A"

My friend from the great USof A had an O-A and we argued long and loud about if he was subject to the 90 day border run as I had to do on my "O" from the Land of Oz. He was right and I was wrong.

If you do have an "O-A" ask Lopburi wot 2 do

[pokr122]

As said , you are limited to 90 days at a time. Befor the 90 days are up you have to leave Thailand, turn around and come back again. Even if you only stay outside for 1 minute.

Follow the good advise given and you will be ok. Just remember the 90 day rule next time.

You should check your Visa to see if it is an "O" as everybody is assuming or an "O-A"

My friend from the great USof A had an O-A and we argued long and loud about if he was subject to the 90 day border run as I had to do on my "O" from the Land of Oz. He was right and I was wrong.

If you do have an "O-A" ask Lopburi wot 2 do

Its an O and Im an idiot. Just never crossed my mind. Ok I will go by bus tomorrow from eckami and be back by evening. It turns out its only 32 days.

Lesson learned.

Thanks guys

[lopburi3]

I would highly advise using air travel with any overstay - the border country may not let you enter and you may well be checked on the way. You are safe to go and pay at airport and that is what I would recommend. At any rate good luck.

[Crossy]

Its an O and Im an idiot. Just never crossed my mind. Ok I will go by bus tomorrow from eckami and be back by evening. It turns out its only 32 days.

DO NOT attempt a land border run. If the bus is pulled (and the often are) you will be arrested, banged up in the IDC for a few days and then deported at your own expense to your home country. You MAY get a permanent ban.

Go to immigration with your tail between your legs, 22,000 Baht (20,000 fine plus 1,900 for the short extension they'll give you so you can fly out) and an air ticket to somewhere, eat a large portion of humble pie and you should be ok. You'll be able to come straight back and your visa will not be cancelled.

EDIT Just noticed it's only 32 days, 16,000 fine, probably OK at the airport

Edited October 10, 2007 by Crossy

[pokr122]

Its an O and Im an idiot. Just never crossed my mind. Ok I will go by bus tomorrow from eckami and be back by evening. It turns out its only 32 days.

DO NOT attempt a land border run. If the bus is pulled (and the often are) you will be arrested, banged up in the IDC for a few days and then deported at your own expense to your home country. You MAY get a permanent ban.

Go to immigration with your tail between your legs, 22,000 Baht (20,000 fine plus 1,900 for the short extension they'll give you so you can fly out) and an air ticket to somewhere, eat a large portion of humble pie and you should be ok. You'll be able to come straight back and your visa will not be cancelled.

EDIT Just noticed it's only 32 days, 16,000 fine, probably OK at the airport

I respect your advice and experience but, to go through the airport will cost me an wxtra 12,000-14000b and an extra day. Cant find anything cheaper than air asia to KL and overnight stay. Expats I know say that bus is safe, just pay fine at the border and come back. Anyone else think this is an real bad idea?

[sjaak327]

Yeah I do believe it is a bad idea, why not try and go to Phnom Penh, you should be able to get a return for about 3000 baht, and no need to overnight. Just enter the contry and take the return flight in the afternoon.

Of course with these flight prices, it's not that much more expensive, the only thing is that you will have to pay 25 USD departure tax at PP airport. The visa is 20 USD, the same as at the border.

[Lite Beer]

Its an O and Im an idiot. Just never crossed my mind. Ok I will go by bus tomorrow from eckami and be back by evening. It turns out its only 32 days.

DO NOT attempt a land border run. If the bus is pulled (and the often are) you will be arrested, banged up in the IDC for a few days and then deported at your own expense to your home country. You MAY get a permanent ban.

Go to immigration with your tail between your legs, 22,000 Baht (20,000 fine plus 1,900 for the short extension they'll give you so you can fly out) and an air ticket to somewhere, eat a large portion of humble pie and you should be ok. You'll be able to come straight back and your visa will not be cancelled.

EDIT Just noticed it's only 32 days, 16,000 fine, probably OK at the airport

I respect your advice and experience but, to go through the airport will cost me an wxtra 12,000-14000b and an extra day. Cant find anything cheaper than air asia to KL and overnight stay. Expats I know say that bus is safe, just pay fine at the border and come back. Anyone else think this is an real bad idea?

Air Asia . Bangkok - Penang . Out sunday back monday 6,000 Baht return. Better than being arrested.

Just looked at Tiger Air. Bangkok - Singapore. Out Monday. Back Tuesday. 4,400 Baht return.

Edited October 11, 2007 by Lite Beer

[DavidARoss]

Hi guys,

Yesterday, I was talking with a Brit in my Thai language class who said he had to make a Visa run tomorrow. I asked him why, because I thought he had a one year visa like me> He said he did but he still had to go out of the country every 90 days. That did not make any sense to me and I told him it was one or the other.

When I got home, I looked in my passport and the stamp from immigration was for only 90 days, (expired 41 days ago). I was told by the thai consulate in Houston, Im from USA, that my visa was a family joining visa and was good for one year. I had to show i was married for seven years and other assorted info but, was told Im good for a year. Noone ever said to me I would have to leave the country every 90 days to do Visa runs, or I would have for sure;

1. Is it possible I am ok with this visa and do not have to do visa runs?

2. Why would the Thai government ok me for one year to support/be with my thai family but immigration says i have to leave?

3.If I did screw this up, what are my options now?

Thanks for reading,

Larry

I have a friend who also is American with a 1 year Visa and he has to leave the country every 90 days . You'll have a hefty fine to pay for your 41 days. David

[Lite Beer]

Hi guys,

Thanks for reading,

Larry

I have a friend who also is American with a 1 year Visa and he has to leave the country every 90 days . You'll have a hefty fine to pay for your 41 days. David

Yes 20,000 Baht.

[Manchester]

DO NOT go to a land border. Listen to the advice you are being given.

[pokr122]

DO NOT go to a land border. Listen to the advice you are being given.

Just got back from immigration office (decided to go and confess my mistake) First lady at the info counter handed me off to another more important looking officer who listened to my story and then said I either have to have 40,000b income a month or show some kind of pension from USA. I was calm and kept referring her back to the one year non imm O page already issued. Finally she realized what I was saying and explained to me that all I had to do was fly out and pay the fine at the airport. I asked her about a land run and she said that I should call ahead?? to thai immigration and ask if that was ok where I was crossing?

I asked her if I could pay the fine now and go tomorrow out of the country. She said it is better for me to do it at the border. I had my money in hand but, she didnt want me to pay there.

I will decide tonite whether by land or air. Money and time are both a factor and I feel better that the imm officer told me to do it as well.

[scalper]

you can do a round trip to singapore same day i did it last week for important shopping