Can I Qualify For A Visa Extension?

[JMRhoa123]

I am a US citizen currently in country on a Non Immigrant O visa based on my marriage to a Thai national. My current one year multi entry visa expires in August and I would like to get an extension of stay but I am not sure if I will qualify. I have read that I need to apply in the last 30 days of my permission to stay period. My problem is that I work out of the country, so I am never in the country for more that 20 days at one time. I never come close to staying within 30 days the end of my allowed 90 day period. Is there any hope for getting an extension or will I just need to get a new visa every year from now on?

[ubonjoe]

You qualify for the extension but with your schedule it would be difficult for you to apply and get the extension because you would have a 30 day under consideration period after making the application before getting the extension.

If you never stay more than 30 days you could use visa exempt entries each time you arrive as long as you have a ticket out within 30 days of arrival. There is no limit on the number of entries you can make so this might be the best opition for you. Also if for some reason you needed more than 30 days you could go to immigration and get a 60 day extension to visit your wife.

Otherwise you can get the multiple entry visa unless you can schedule a longer trip into the country so that you can apply for the extension.

[merijn]

In special cases the renewal can be done before the last 30 days and in your case this should be possible.

Only normal they will use a 30 day under consideration stamp until the visa is aproved.

But the actual time for approval is normally only +/- 10 days.

Apply for the new visa a soon a possible when you in the country and ask for the result just before you leave again and normally they will have the result back and give you the visa.

In my case it took only 12 days before i received the new one year visa. ( i had to leave to country for work same like you and no problem )