Re-entry Permit (multiple)

[ChouDoufu]

I have a single-entry non-immigrant ED visa, my red entry stamp expires in about three weeks.

I have just started a one-year language course. The uni tells me that with the letter they provide, along with a photo and 1900 baht,

I will get a full one-year extension, enough to cover the entire course.

I'm planning on taking 'heaps' of free time for cycle tours here and in the neighboring countries, so I will be needing a multiple re-entry

permit. I've learned the single is 1000 baht, whereas the multiple is 3800 baht.

But I still have questions:

1. Is there a limit to the number of re-entrees (other than how many stamps will fit in my passport)?

2. Is there a time limit on the re-entry permit?

From what I've read here, the re-entry permit is valid for 90 days, but all the posts I've found are based on 90-day extensions. If what

the college tells me is true (and they claim their students have done this), that immigration will give up to one-year extensions, then will

the re-entry permit be valid for that same period? **uni claims will still have to report at 90-day intervals**

[thaiphoon]

It is possible to get 12 month extension of stay from immigration if studying at Government University and with appropriate paperwork. 90 day extension of stay relates to people studying at language schools. With a multiple re-entry permit you can come and go as many times as you like. It will expire when your permission to stay expires, ie, at the end of the 12 month period. It does not extend your stay. You will still have to do 90 day address reporting to immigration, as is the case for everyone on extension of stay.

[ChouDoufu]

Thank you for that. I am pleased.

Yes, I am at a government sponsored/supported uni, not a private language school.

I understand that the re-entry will not extend my stay - it will still expire October 2010.

The multiple re-entry will allow me to make monthly trips to the surrounding countries

without worrying about a new re-entry permit each time.

The Thai authorities are making this too easy.

Next time I'll ask what to do when my 90-day reporting appointment occurs while

I'm out of country.

[PoorSucker]

No need to do 90-day reporting when you are out of the kingdom.

When you enter the kingdom the day calculation is reset.

Next 90-day report will be after you have spent 90 days in the kingdom.

If you leave before, no need for 90 day report.

[intosamadhi]

I am trying to apply for a non-immigrant ED visa in South Africa. The woman at the Thai consulate told me they will only issue single entry ED visa's but that ... 'You extend it at the Immigration Bureau in Thailand - with documentation from school to prove you are continuing your studies.'

I have both the schools business registrations papers and a letter from the school indicating that I will be studying there for a full year.

Does anyone know how I can go about extending this visa and if it is actually possible to do it within Thailand or if I will have to take my chances applying at one of the neighboring consulates ?

[Lite Beer]

Does anyone know how I can go about extending this visa and if it is actually possible to do it within Thailand or if I will have to take my chances applying at one of the neighboring consulates ?

You can apply for a 12 month extension at Immigration in Thailand. This the police order dealing with extensions. Have a look at 2.7 and 2.8

[ChouDoufu]

and here's the update:

arrived at chiang mai immigration at 1:00. the take-a-number machine was hiccuping- the english menu didn't work. the paper

menu taped on the wall above the machine was a nice try, but didn't match the machine menu. fortunately, the line was moving

fairly quickly., so only lost about 10 minutes waiting for my wrong number to come up. got my extension number, and the wait

began, took about 90 minutes before i was called.

once in, went almost too fast. the letter from the government college got me a one-year extension to my non-imm ed visa.

in less than ten minutes was sent to the principle's office to wait, then in ten minutes a nice uniformed dude brings my passport

in to be signed for, sees i have a one-year extension, and asks me if i'd like to get a re-entry permit.

no number required, just come around the counter to apply. turned in my paperwork which he began processing while i went to

make a copy of my new visa extension. turn in the copy, and only five minutes required for processing.

the multiple extry is valid until expiration of my one-year extension. and if i take monthly vacations to laos/buryanmar i'll never

have to do 90-day reporting. so sad, i'll miss my new friends at immigration.

one-year extension cost 1900 baht

multi-entry permit cost 3800 baht (single entry 1000 baht)

[intosamadhi]

Does anyone know how I can go about extending this visa and if it is actually possible to do it within Thailand or if I will have to take my chances applying at one of the neighboring consulates ?

You can apply for a 12 month extension at Immigration in Thailand. This the police order dealing with extensions. Have a look at 2.7 and 2.8

Am bit confused......how does it work if you have a single entry ED ? If I get a 12 month extension do I still need to make visa runs or do I just have to report in to the immigration office every 90 days ?

Also since my ED visa is for a training course and not a government run institution would this hinder my chances of getting an extension ?