Hi I obtained a multiple entry O visa from the Thai Embassy in Hull on the 4th July 2007 which expires on the 5th July 2008. My latest stamp in my passport requires my to cross the border and obtain another stamp on the 25th of June (I have to cross on that date because I had to return to the UK at short notice before a 90 day period) I understand I will be able to get another stamp which will give me a further 90 days which would allow me to stay until the end of September. My question is how can you extend a 12 month visa into a 15 month one, is it legal and will there be any problem with immigration when I leave in September if I do this.

Many thanks

Hi I obtained a multiple entry O visa from the Thai Embassy in Hull on the 4th July 2007 which expires on the 5th July 2008. My latest stamp in my passport requires my to cross the border and obtain another stamp on the 25th of June (I have to cross on that date because I had to return to the UK at short notice before a 90 day period) I understand I will be able to get another stamp which will give me a further 90 days which would allow me to stay until the end of September. My question is how can you extend a 12 month visa into a 15 month one, is it legal and will there be any problem with immigration when I leave in September if I do this.

Many thanks

100 % legal . Your final entry must be before 5th July. If you really wanted to you could exit again on 4th July and get stamped into October.

100 % legal . Your final entry must be before 5th July. If you really wanted to you could exit again on 4th July and get stamped into October.

I believe that information is technically correct but slightly misleading;

Sorry to disagree; the reason I said the previous post may be misleading is; the current stamp in his passport requires he leave on or before the 25th of June. Staying until the 5th of July when his Non-O Visa expires would put him on overstay, unless I am mistaken.

As I understand it, what the O/P has is the Non Immigrant Type O multi-entry visa from Hull with an expiration date of the 5th of July 2008

AND

a 90 day 'permitted to stay until' stamp which expires on the 25th of June 2008.

That's a difference of only 10 days. Unless he's really a day miser I wouldn't run for the border twice in a 10 day span of time.

IF he leaves on or before the 25th of June and re-enters thailand he'll get another 90 day 'permitted to stay until' stamp which should be good until about the third week of September 2008. The Non Immigrant Type O Visa he holds is good for 90 days each entry as long as the last re-entry is done before it expires he'd get another 90 days.

It's NOT the visa, but the 90 day 'permitted to stay until' stamp which controls which date he must leave thailand.

Edited June 19, 200818 yr by tod-daniels

He can make as many entries as he likes. Each stay does not have to be for 90 days. He has to leave by 25th June and come back with another 90 day stay.

He can leave again on 4th July and get another 90 days if he wants to.

He probably would not but I was just explaining that he can come and go as many times as he wants up till 5th July still be allowed another 90 days and be perfectly legal.

Edited June 19, 200818 yr by Lite Beer

You do not extend a 12 month visa to 15 months. What you do is what you have outlined - you make a new exit/return prior to expiration and get a new 90 day stay which effectively allows you to stay in country almost 15 months total time. The visa is only required for entry into Thailand - once you have a permitted to stay until stamp that is what you are concerned with. So you will have no problem staying after your visa date is passed as long as you leave by your permitted to stay until date.

Now stamped until the 21st September thanks to all. Is it possible to get a few days extension on this so I can depart for the UK roundabout the 28th or 29th September?

Thanks

With an airline ticket you can likely obtain a 7 day extension of stay but no longer than that. But you could just cross into Laos and return for 30 days visa exempt entry for less money if you are in Nong Khai.

With an airline ticket you can likely obtain a 7 day extension of stay but no longer than that. But you could just cross into Laos and return for 30 days visa exempt entry for less money if you are in Nong Khai.

Thank you for the information. Could you please tell me the procedure for obtaining the visa you refer to?

Thanks

With an airline ticket you can likely obtain a 7 day extension of stay but no longer than that. But you could just cross into Laos and return for 30 days visa exempt entry for less money if you are in Nong Khai.

Thank you for the information. Could you please tell me the procedure for obtaining the visa you refer to?

Thanks

It's not a visa, but a visa exempt entry. Most western countries are entitled to a 30 day stay with no visa on arrival at the border. The only limitation is that you can only stay for 90 days in any 6 month period on visa exempt entries.

There is no procedure per sae, just cross in Laos, turn around and come back. They will require proof of onward travel for this kind of entry, so if you are booking your flights in advance then take proof of this, if not you can buy a bogus bus ticket in Laos. Also take 2 photos and a copy of your passport main page (for re-entry).

As you appear to be from the UK there is no visa required for your entry into Thailand for a 30 day or less stay. So you check out of Thailand, obtain visa on arrival at the Laos side (about $20-30) and stamp into Laos. You can visit Vientiane for the day or just turn around and exit Laos and obtain a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp into Thailand. In theory you should have onward ticket within 30 days but it is not normally checked on the Laos border. And you should have 10k in baht or equivalent to prove you can pay for your stay, but this is often seldom checked.

As you appear to be from the UK there is no visa required for your entry into Thailand for a 30 day or less stay. So you check out of Thailand, obtain visa on arrival at the Laos side (about $20-30) and stamp into Laos. You can visit Vientiane for the day or just turn around and exit Laos and obtain a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp into Thailand. In theory you should have onward ticket within 30 days but it is not normally checked on the Laos border. And you should have 10k in baht or equivalent to prove you can pay for your stay, but this is often seldom checked.

You sure about that Lopburi? Every land border I have crossed in the last year or so they have checked everyone on visa exempt entries for onward travel. Not so at the airport however.

You must have that look/luck as others have not reported routinely being checked anywhere except Cambodia.

But perhaps that is because almost everyone crossing back from Laos lately has just obtained a visa so not subject to that check?

As you appear to be from the UK there is no visa required for your entry into Thailand for a 30 day or less stay. So you check out of Thailand, obtain visa on arrival at the Laos side (about $20-30) and stamp into Laos. You can visit Vientiane for the day or just turn around and exit Laos and obtain a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp into Thailand. In theory you should have onward ticket within 30 days but it is not normally checked on the Laos border. And you should have 10k in baht or equivalent to prove you can pay for your stay, but this is often seldom checked.

More questions please.

Yes I am a UK citizen.

I am not a visitor just arriving in Thailand for a holiday so will that present any problem at the border coming back into Thailand from Laos or when I leave at the end of September? If not I can then return to the UK on the 28th September. My only worry is the requirement if asked for at the border of Thailand for onward travel. In this case if I did not have it and was refused entry do you know what other course of action would I have available to get back into Thailand?

Sure wish I had done the extra visa run now which would have given me the extra few days and saved myself all this hassle!

Thanks

You would be able to buy a ticket in that case.