shotover Posted May 22, 2005 Share Posted May 22, 2005 Thought I would update my experience on reentry dates on my O-A Non-Immigrant (Retirement) Visa. This has been my experience since being issued a Retirement visa in April 2004: April 8 2004 - O-A retirement visa issued via the Thai consulate in Houston Texas. “Good for multiple journeys to Thailand. This visa must be utilized before April 7 2005.” April 26 2004 - Arrived in Thailand; visa stamped admitted until 25 Apr 2005. Since this time, I have left and reentered Thailand 7 times. Each time, Thai Immigration stamped my passport with an 'Admitted To Date' one year after my reentry date. For example, when I reentered the country on April 1 2005, the 'Admitted To Date' stamped in my passport was March 31 2006. I was surprised that when I reentered Thailand May 16 2005 (after a trip to the USA) that Thai Immigration stamped my passport with an 'Admitted To Date' of May 15 2006. At this rate, it would seem that I would never need to renew my O-A visa as long as I leave and reenter the country at least once a year, even though I know this is not logical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaiflyer1 Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 Be careful...............it sounds like Immigration havn't looked at your passport too closely when you entered last. If your utilise date was April 7th 2005 and you came back in on the 16th May 2005 you were not entitled to another years stay. I would suggest a trip to your local immigration office to rectify the mistake..........my guess is that you will have to reapply for the years extension, as to whether you/l be asked to obtain another visa (of some description) is another matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harpman88 Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 Thought I would update my experience on reentry dates on my O-A Non-Immigrant (Retirement) Visa. This has been my experience since being issued a Retirement visa in April 2004:April 8 2004 - O-A retirement visa issued via the Thai consulate in Houston Texas. “Good for multiple journeys to Thailand. This visa must be utilized before April 7 2005.” April 26 2004 - Arrived in Thailand; visa stamped admitted until 25 Apr 2005. Since this time, I have left and reentered Thailand 7 times. Each time, Thai Immigration stamped my passport with an 'Admitted To Date' one year after my reentry date. For example, when I reentered the country on April 1 2005, the 'Admitted To Date' stamped in my passport was March 31 2006. I was surprised that when I reentered Thailand May 16 2005 (after a trip to the USA) that Thai Immigration stamped my passport with an 'Admitted To Date' of May 15 2006. At this rate, it would seem that I would never need to renew my O-A visa as long as I leave and reenter the country at least once a year, even though I know this is not logical. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Shot,It seems to me that you should have gotten another "admitted until " date of March 31,2006, since this is the last rentry you did before the visa expiration date.(april 6,2005) I agree with Thai Flyer in that the Imm. officer failed to see that your visa had already expired when you rentered on May16,but since you had gotten your last "legit" year's rentry on April 1,I dont see why you would have to apply for your extension of stay until just before the March 31 ,2006 date rolls around.... Please let us know how this plays out,(ill be doing my 1st multi OA recon to the U.S. in August,visa expires Feb.15,2006) All the best,the Harpman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaiflyer1 Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 Shot,It seems to me that you should have gotten another "admitted until " date of March 31,2006, Only if he had a re-entry permit of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimGant Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 Another case of Immigration getting befuddled by O-A visas. At least now they're erring in our favor, to some degree at least. My take is that Shot should have received a 30-day stamp upon his last entry to Thailand since he had no valid reentry permit (to include the expired multiple entry feature of his O-A visa). But, being safely -- and by all appearances, legally -- back in Thailand, why not just saunter down to local Immigration and apply for a 're entry permit.' This will at least clear the air -- and if somehow the sh1t hits the fan, like, things are queered and you won't be able to long extend come the time, then at least you'll be forwarned to work on plan B. In any event, if Shot does plan to leave again before his last 'admitted until' date, he should have a "re entry permit," as being lucky twice probably won't happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shotover Posted May 24, 2005 Author Share Posted May 24, 2005 Thanks for the feedback. I agree it's logical that I should not have been given another year 'Admitted until' date after reentering Thailand the last time. I'll take the advice of knowledgable posters and soon visit Thai Immigration for clarification (I know, everyone's laughing ). Keep in mind that I posted earlier that I went to Suan Phlu Immigration in March 2005 to ask about renewing my retirement visa. 2 different individuals there looked at my passport and both told me that I would not need to reapply for renewal until a few weeks before Jan 2006, which then was the latest 'admitted until' date stamped in my passport. We'll see what wisdom they impart on me this next visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaiflyer1 Posted May 24, 2005 Share Posted May 24, 2005 My take is that Shot should have received a 30-day stamp upon his last entry to Thailand since he had no valid reentry permit Agreed.................i/d be a little concerned in that even if the mistake has been missed by immigration i think come the crunch the onus would be on the passport holder to ensure all stamps/visa's are in order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harpman88 Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 Shot,It seems to me that you should have gotten another "admitted until " date of March 31,2006, Only if he had a re-entry permit of course. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I totally agree,TF, in Shot's OP he did'nt say one way or the other whether or not he'd purchased a reentry permit to cover the time between the visa expiration date and his last(at that time) admitted until date of March 31,06....He certainly should have, as once the visa expires ,so does the multi entry feature that comes along with it. Anyway,it looks like he did'nt do so and Jim Gant is right in that case , it looks like Shot really should've gotten a 30 day entry stamp when rentering in May.I guess we shall see where the brunt of the onus will fall..as you say ,TF ,I think odds are it will fall on the passport holder,Best of luck ,anyway,Shot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamIV Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 (edited) Shotover, Your Visa expired on 7th April 2005. So when you came to Thailand on 16th May 2005 you did not have a Visa (nor a re-entry permit?) So on what basis did you intend to enter Thailand? Without a re-entry Permit or an extension you lost your O-A. You should have been entitled to just a 30 day on arrival. When the Immigration told you that you were OK until Jan 2006 (at that time) that was on the assumption you will not leave the Kingdom without a Re-entry Permit. If you had obtained a Re-entry Permit it would have been valid to 31st March 2006 and your admitted to stamp on 16th May 2005 would then have said 31st March 2006 also. Strictly speaking you should need to start your retirement Visa process again - what actually happens will be of great interest. Do keep us posted. Bill Edited May 26, 2005 by WilliamIV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamIV Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 Please let us know how this plays out,(ill be doing my 1st multi OA recon to the U.S. in August,visa expires Feb.15,2006) All the best,the Harpman. Hi Harpman, Would you like to clarify what you wrote? What do you mean by "1st multi OA recon to the US"? Reminder for all - if your multi OA VISA will expire before your next entry to the Kingdom - you must obtain a Re-entry Permit which will expire on your current "Admitted to Date". And if your return will be after that then you need to process an annual extension AND then get a Re-entry permit. However annual extensions are not normally processed more than one month prior to the current admitted to date and it is normal to have to be in the Kingdom at that time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamIV Posted May 27, 2005 Share Posted May 27, 2005 (edited) Hi Shotover Curiouser & Curiouser ... I have seen on another thread that you asked the Forum Members if they thought you should get a re-entry permit ... Several advised you to do so ... So was there a reason for not doing so? I think we need to clear up what new members are regarding as confusion. I see that you realised it was wrong to regard an "Admitted until ..." stamp as "Re-entry Stamp" As already stated it is of course a "Leave by" stamp which is cancelled with your next departure stamp. However its date can be kept "alive" with a Re-entry Permit. Another point I would raise - in Terminolgy - not playing with words - I consider it misleading to refer to "Renewal" of the Retirement visa - which to me implies a self contained one year stay. Correct terminolgy is Extension. The basis for my stay in the Kingdom is the visa I obtained 7 years ago and which has been extended annually for the past 7 years. If at any time you leave the Kingdom without an extension or re-entry permit - the basis of your stay is cancelled - and you have to go back to square one and apply for a new visa. After continually extending for 3 years one is eligible to APPLY for Permanent Residence. Could I suggest that someone posts a Picture of a Re-entry Permit here - sorry I don't know how to do it. Bill Edited May 27, 2005 by WilliamIV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harpman88 Posted May 28, 2005 Share Posted May 28, 2005 Please let us know how this plays out,(ill be doing my 1st multi OA recon to the U.S. in August,visa expires Feb.15,2006) All the best,the Harpman. Hi Harpman, Would you like to clarify what you wrote? What do you mean by "1st multi OA recon to the US"? Reminder for all - if your multi OA VISA will expire before your next entry to the Kingdom - you must obtain a Re-entry Permit which will expire on your current "Admitted to Date". And if your return will be after that then you need to process an annual extension AND then get a Re-entry permit. However annual extensions are not normally processed more than one month prior to the current admitted to date and it is normal to have to be in the Kingdom at that time. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi Bill,1st of all I agree with your assessment of Shot's situation as lucidly explained in your previous post... Anyway,what I meant by my "recon" was just that I need to return to the U.S. to tend to some unfinished business,visit relatives,etc. Will then return to LOS around the end of October,05.. Visa still valid until Feb. 06, Will probably leave/return again in early Feb. to get my last 365 day entry before visa expiration(Feb 15) ,and purchase a rentry permit ASAP after that date to protect by last 365 days. Will be time to extend (in C.Mai) middle of Jan. 07.Anyway,that's the plan for now,the Harpman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamIV Posted May 29, 2005 Share Posted May 29, 2005 Hi Harpman, OK - I see - sounds good plan. Sorry the "recon" Threw me! To me it sounded as if you were returning to the Consulate for some "recon(firmation)" !!! Wonder what happened to Shotover ... Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harpman88 Posted May 29, 2005 Share Posted May 29, 2005 Hi Harpman,OK - I see - sounds good plan. Sorry the "recon" Threw me! To me it sounded as if you were returning to the Consulate for some "recon(firmation)" !!! Wonder what happened to Shotover ... Bill <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Me too,Bill.His situation is unprecedented AFAIK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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