Non-imm O-a: Immigration Says Unlimited Border Runs Ok

[jbeck]

I have a non-immigrant O-A visa

I am an American

it was issued in America based on my age and proof of income

says good for multiple journeys

says issued on NOV 18 2008, must be used by NOV 17 2009

I entered thailand on DEC 25 2008 and that is stamped in the passport

I just did my third 90-day check, in chiang mai.

The man at the window said "now to do a border run before NOV 17 2009", and I would get another year upon re-entry.

I asked how many years I could do this, and he said as many as I want. Really. Jing jing.

This is contrary to everything I've read.

I went to another window to ask for the form to extend my visa for another year based on having the proper bank balance (which I have).

I no longer have income.

This man also said "why? Just do a border run". I asked why? No answer.

Do a border run before NOV 17 2009 or the bank balance method before DEC 24 2009, he said.

Do I trust them?

If I leave and return at Mae Sai WILL they really stamp me for another year?

And next year and the subsequent years as well? Or, is he just plain wrong?

Do I need a reentry permit before doing this? - I've never done a visa run.

Has anyone done this (not show a balance, but leave and re-enter)?

What does the MULTIPLE really mean on my visa?

Also - after I extend for another year, I want to go to America for 4 months- all I need is to do is file a re-entry permit?

I hope that was specific enough, I'm not asking about seasoning, income, work, other countries, other provinces, other types of visas, etc..

Thanks in advance,

jbeck

[thaiphoon]

Yes, they are correct. Do a border run just before your O-A visa expires and you will be stamped in for a further 12 months. You are now on extension of stay as your visa has finished. If you plan to leave the country during your extension of stay you will need to obtain a re-entry permit (1,000 baht single entry/3,800 baht multiple entry) from immigration to keep your permission to stay alive.

Towards the end of Oct 2010 you will need to apply for extension of stay based on retirement at immigration if you meet the requirements: 800k in bank for 3 months OR 65k/month income OR combination of the two to arrive at 800k.

[Jingthing]

I just did my third 90-day check, in chiang mai.

The man at the window said "now to do a border run before NOV 17 2009", and I would get another year upon re-entry.

I asked how many years I could do this, and he said as many as I want. Really. Jing jing.

This is contrary to everything I've read.

No! Just the one time for the extra year. Most leave and reenter just before the original O-A expiry. While on an extension of stay, yes you can leave with a reentry permit and retain whatever current extension of stay that you have.

Note to others, the OP has asked if he can do border runs year after year and continue to get new annual extensions that way. The answer is no. Yes, you can get extensions by applying for extensions at the immigration offices.

[lopburi3]

One time only - you can only enter while the visa is valid. Once visa becomes invalid you need a re-entry permit for any travel and your new stamp will be the current permitted to stay until date.

The second officer was right - enter before 17th and get a new one year permitted to stay stamp. But you will have to get re-entry permits for any further travel. Or you can just extend your stay before your current permitted to stay until date of Dec 25. But if doing that it is best to do at least a week early to allow for any missing document.

You do not need or want a re-entry permit for travel/return before the 17th - just cross a border and return before that date and check that they stamp you for one year.

[jbeck]

One time only - you can only enter while the visa is valid. Once visa becomes invalid you need a re-entry permit for any travel and your new stamp will be the current permitted to stay until date.

The second officer was right - enter before 17th and get a new one year permitted to stay stamp. But you will have to get re-entry permits for any further travel. Or you can just extend your stay before your current permitted to stay until date of Dec 25. But if doing that it is best to do at least a week early to allow for any missing document.

You do not need or want a re-entry permit for travel/return before the 17th - just cross a border and return before that date and check that they stamp you for one year.

IS THERE ANY BENEFIT TO DOING A BORDER RUN IF I HAVE THE MONEY IN A THAI BANK AND IT IS SEASONED?

I don't understand why the immigration dudes think it is better to do a border run and clearly suggested it.

The bank is 2 minutes away. The border is a lot farther!

[Mario2008]

The benefit is that you don't have to apply for an extension of stay yet, which costs 1,900 baht.

[Jingthing]

Most people with the multi entry O-A know about this special perk (the "free" extra year) and do not bother to prepare for an in country extension based on retirement. I can see the OP's point, now that he is prepared, it would be easier/cheaper to do it in country rather than take a trip. Immigration probably isn't used to seeing this; I am assuming they will honor his application though, yes? It is a little bizarre that they told you that you could do border runs indefinitely for new annual extensions, again, they are wrong.

[JetsetBkk]

Interesting topic.

1. "free" extra year - not really as the original visa costs more (1900 baht more?).

2. "one time only" - not if it's multiple entry: he can come and go more than once (as many times as he likes?) and get the extra year reset each time while the visa is valid. But this isn't what the OP wants to do anyway.

3. "do a border run rather than pay 1900 baht" - I personally wouldn't waste the time and money on a border run as I'm 20 minutes from the immigration office.

[thaiphoon]

Interesting topic.

2. "one time only" - not if it's multiple entry: he can come and go more than once (as many times as he likes?) and get the extra year reset each time while the visa is valid. But this isn't what the OP wants to do anyway.

Suspect Lopburi was referring to the fact that doing border run before visa expires gets another 12 months permission to stay, but you cannot do that again at the end of year 2, rather than the way you have read it.

[JetsetBkk]

Interesting topic.

2. "one time only" - not if it's multiple entry: he can come and go more than once (as many times as he likes?) and get the extra year reset each time while the visa is valid. But this isn't what the OP wants to do anyway.

Suspect Lopburi was referring to the fact that doing border run before visa expires gets another 12 months permission to stay, but you cannot do that again at the end of year 2, rather than the way you have read it.

I wasn't actually commenting on what Lopburi3 posted, as the "one time only" was originally brought up by another poster and then Lopburi3 commented on it by stating that "you can only enter while the visa is valid", implying that the OP can do it as many times as he likes until the visa expires, which will happen fairly soon - Nov 17th.

[Jingthing]

2. "one time only" - not if it's multiple entry: he can come and go more than once (as many times as he likes?) and get the extra year reset each time while the visa is valid. But this isn't what the OP wants to do anyway.

Yes, WHILE THE VISA IS VALID. The immigration gave him the impression he could stay for life with that one O-A visa and border runs every year, indefinitely. Again, not true.

If it is true, that with one O-A and lifetime border runs you NEVER have to qualify at Thai immigration for annual extensions, I would like to hear about that. I might get one of those O-A's myself! Seriously, that's a great deal.

[lopburi3]

There are some who go back to home country and obtain a new OA visa so immigration could have been thinking of that route - that way they never have to transfer funds into Thailand and could continue to do this - every year or two depending on if single or multi entry each time.

[jbeck]

1. I live about 2KM from immigration and 1KM from SIAM bank branch where I would get the letter.

2. 1900B is a completely insignificant amount of money to pay one time a year (for me).

3. I have a tour guide friend who will personally drive me to Mae Sai in her car for an insignificant fee and do the whole thing if I think it would be fun.

4. I have never done either a border run or an extension based on the bank balance.

5. If I screw up the bank thing, I would have been better off with the visa run!

6. I have a balance exceeding the required amount since AUG 28 2009, so I don't know what could go wrong.

I think I'll do the bank method...

thanks for all the help!

[Tafia]

Do I trust them?

1.If I leave and return at Mae Sai WILL they really stamp me for another year?

2.And next year and the subsequent years as well? Or, is he just plain wrong?

3.Do I need a reentry permit before doing this? - I've never done a visa run.

1.Yes This is true, I have recently done the same on my OA, and got a further 12 mths on my return from Laos.

2. NO - subsequent years you have to apply for extensions.

3. Not for the first border run but after you get the further 12mths a re-entry permit is required if you leave LOS to keep the visa alive.