O Or Tourist Visa

[Gonsalviz]

I am sure I have read these things before but after so many times I need to get it straight in a single answer.

In a few months I plan on applying for a 1 year extension based on marriage.

My questions are:

1. Do I need to start with an O visa or can it be a tourist visa?

2. If it is an O visa, where is the easiest place to obtain one? It will have to be a country near Thailand. Laos, Malaysia etc. I am near Udorn Thani.

3. Is the multi-entry visa obtained at the same time as the extension?

4. Lastly, did I read correctly that the extension begins again for 1 year each time you re-enter the country?

As far as the fees, paperwork and bank deposits required, I am fairly sure I have that understood except for the odd requirements at some immigration offices.

Thanks for your non-boorish answers.

[retiredusn]

item #4 "NO"

[Lite Beer]

It can be done with a Tourist Visa but is simpler with a Non Imm O .

Vientienne Laos would be your nearest bet.

You can apply for the Re Entry Permit at the same time as extension application.

It is valid for the length of your extension.

[lopburi3]

1. Non immigrant visa entry required - extra 2k charge to convert from a tourist entry.

2. Vientiane. Single entry non immigrant O.

3. Apply after one year extension of stay has been approved (there is a 30 day or more wait after application). It is a re-entry permit.

4. Incorrect. You use re-entry permit to return and permitted to stay will remain the same extension of stay date as you had.

[Gonsalviz]

1. Non immigrant visa entry required - extra 2k charge to convert from a tourist entry.

2. Vientiane. Single entry non immigrant O.

3. Apply after one year extension of stay has been approved (there is a 30 day or more wait after application). It is a re-entry permit.

4. Incorrect. You use re-entry permit to return and permitted to stay will remain the same extension of stay date as you had.

I see now that what I had read applied to multi entry Non O visa but that was only going to work for 2 years.

Thanks.

[lopburi3]

The "two year" only applies to multi entry non immigrant O-A (retirement visa/pre approved extension of stay). They provide a one year entry any time during the one year they are valid so a trip just before visa expires gets a new one year stay. But any travel after visa expires requires the normal re-entry permit.