Non-Imm O-A Visa Issued In US

[Duke007]

Can someone please help me understand the rules for a non immigrant O-A visa issued in the US. Last year upon entry, my valid length of stay was stamped for 1 year (not 90 days like many other visas). Is this usual?

Is a multiple entry visa required in order to obtain a re-entry permit from Thai immigration? Do I always need a re-entry permit issued by Thai immigration for trips out of Thailand, regardless whether I have a multiple or single entry visa?

Last year I went in and out of Thailand several times and it was never clear to me what "length of stay until" date should be stamped in my passport. Should I have received a new 1 year stay each time I re-entered?

My visa expires on 10 Feb 2011. If I enter before this date, I should be able to get another 1 year stay?

[Lite Beer]

A Non Imm O-A Visa gives a stay of 12 months. If you need to travel within those 12 months you need a Re Entry Permit.

A Multi Entry Non Imm O-A Visa gives unlimited stays of 12 months as long as the Visa is still vald.

Once the Visa has expired (12 months after date of issue) you need the Re Entry Permit if travelling outside Thailand.

Re Entry Permit costs 3,800 Baht for a multi and 1,00 Baht for a single.

Yes enter before 10th Feb to be given another 12 months.

[lopburi3]

As said above - you need to know if you have single entry or multi entry O-A visa.

[NanLaew]

A Non Imm O-A Visa gives a stay of 12 months. If you need to travel within those 12 months you need a Re Entry Permit.

A Multi Entry Non Imm O-A Visa gives unlimited stays of 12 months as long as the Visa is still vald.

Once the Visa has expired (12 months after date of issue) you need the Re Entry Permit if travelling outside Thailand.

Re Entry Permit costs 3,800 Baht for a multi and 1,00 Baht for a single.

Yes enter before 10th Feb to be given another 12 months.

But the OP wouldn't be eligible for subsequent re-entry as the original visa is past it's sell-by date no? So should be "Yes, enter before 10th Feb to be given UP TO another 12 months" ?

Otherwise this 1-year visa could be used in perpetuity; no need to renew ever. Is that possible?

[Lite Beer]

The Visa is valid for one year. If he has a multi entry he can enter just before the year is up and get another 12 months.

[lopburi3]

If he has a multi entry visa that expires on 11th and entry on the 10th would get a new 12 month stay but any exit after that time will require a re-entry permit to keep that stay alive. He did not say he had a multi entry visa however so it can not be a yes or no answer until that was determined.

[NanLaew]

The Visa is valid for one year. If he has a multi entry he can enter just before the year is up and get another 12 months.

And then just like last year, get a re-entry permit any time he skips out during the coming 12 months?

Edit: OK I understand now. Maybe the O-A multi is what I need in my 'twilight years' ie. age qualified for retirement, married and living in Thailand but still popping overseas on the odd financially rewarding consultancy junket.

[thaihome]

The Visa is valid for one year. If he has a multi entry he can enter just before the year is up and get another 12 months.

And then just like last year, get a re-entry permit any time he skips out during the coming 12 months?

Edit: OK I understand now. Maybe the O-A multi is what I need in my 'twilight years' ie. age qualified for retirement, married and living in Thailand but still popping overseas on the odd financially rewarding consultancy junket.

No, you just need a yearly extension of stay and get a re-entry permit that would allow the extension of stay date to remain valid.

Do not confuse a visa and a permission to stay stamp. They are not the same thing.

TH

[NanLaew]

No worries TH, I know the difference. Currently I get either a 1-year multiple Non-O or a Non-B and scoot in and out well within the 90-days granted on each entry. I did do one visa-less entry end of last year after the Non-O had expired and before getting the new one in KL. However, I may revise my work-to-play ratio before the visa expires and then may explore the O-A and re-entry permit option instead.

Not hijacking the thread but what do I need to show Immigration to get a re-entry permit?

[Mario2008]

Money and a picture is normally all that is required, 1,000 for a single 3,800 for a multiple.

[NanLaew]

Thanks Mario. Just had a look at the hoops to jump through to get the initial O-A, banking, medical, police check, plus 90-day reporting, etc.. Seems a lot of hard work at the moment. Plus note that an O-A holder cannot apply for work. Murphy's Law would dictate that as soon as I enter on an O-A, one of my clients will ask if I can help them look for gold in Krabi and I would be buggered!

Also note from the MFA website that the O-A can be applied for inside the Kingdom. If I enter just before my current 1-year multi O expires, can I then apply for the O-A without leaving the Kingdom?

Also note that Hull Hon Consulate does not list O-A visas. I assume as Brit, I would have to apply at the Thai Embassy in London then?

After this, I will shut up and let the OP have his thread back!

[Lite Beer]

Am O A Visa cannot be obtained in Thailand.

London would be your option.

[Langsuan Man]

How many times do we have to say it:

NO THAILAND VISA CAN BE OBTAINED IN THE KINGDOM

[Mario2008]

Thanks Mario. Just had a look at the hoops to jump through to get the initial O-A, banking, medical, police check, plus 90-day reporting, etc.. Seems a lot of hard work at the moment. Plus note that an O-A holder cannot apply for work. Murphy's Law would dictate that as soon as I enter on an O-A, one of my clients will ask if I can help them look for gold in Krabi and I would be buggered!

Also note from the MFA website that the O-A can be applied for inside the Kingdom. If I enter just before my current 1-year multi O expires, can I then apply for the O-A without leaving the Kingdom?

Also note that Hull Hon Consulate does not list O-A visas. I assume as Brit, I would have to apply at the Thai Embassy in London then?

After this, I will shut up and let the OP have his thread back!

Since you are on a valid non-O entry, you can just apply for an extension of stay based on retirement without the need for getting a new visa of any kind or a police or health check.

Simply show:

- an income of 65,000 baht (if from abroad with a letter from your embassy)

OR

800,000 in a bank account in Thailand for at least 2 months

OR

a combination of yearly income and money in the bank in Thailand totaling 800,000

- proof of your address in Thailand, such a rental contract or utility bill

[NanLaew]

How many times do we have to say it:

NO THAILAND VISA CAN BE OBTAINED IN THE KINGDOM

No need to shout old man!!!

If you look at the MFA website here and scroll down to the bit where it says where to apply.

3. Channels to submit application

Applicant may submit their application at the Royal Thai embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General in their home/residence country or at the Office of the Immigration Bureau in Thailand located on Government Center B, Chaengwattana Soi 7, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Tel 0-2141-9889.

I KNOW you can't get a <deleted>' visa in Thailand but in the context of this post, you CAN get a whole lotta existing visa jiggery pokery done LOCALLY. If you weren't speed reading and shouting so much, you would have caught that.

Thanks to Mario for POLITELY explaining what is needed and what can be done.

Where's the "Sheesh" emoticon when you really need it???!!!

[lopburi3]

Actually you can receive a visa inside Thailand using "TM.87 Application for Visa" (official name) if you otherwise qualify for extension of stay. What it actually does is convert a non-visa entry into a non immigrant visa entry.

The above MFA website information is not correct in relation to Immigration as you would apply for an extension of stay rather than an O-A visa.

[Duke007]

I appreciate all the assistance and understand the difference between visa expiration and length of stay. For clarification, I have a multiple entry O-A visa. But I'm not sure my original question has been answered. I found the following statement on the www.thaiembdc.org web page ---- Recommendations for foreigners with Non-Immigrant Visa “O-A” (Long Stay) while staying in the Kingdom

· Upon arrival, holder of this type of visa will be permitted to stay in Thailand for 1 year from the date of first entry. During the one-year period, if he or she wishes to leave and re-enter the country, he or she is required to apply at the Immigration office for re-entry permit (single or multiple) before departure. In the case of leaving the country without a re-entry permit, the permit to stay for 1 year shall be considered void.

1. If one has a multiple entry visa, do you still need a re-entry permit for every trip out of country?

2. If one has a single entry visa, can you depart with a re-entry permit and renter Thailand? (would passport be stamped with original departure date)

3. If both of these are "yes", then what is the benefit of a multiple entry visa?

Thanks again for all the input.

[Lite Beer]

1. No. Not during the first year. You would get 12 months every time you re entered.

2. Yes.

2. A single will only get you a stay of one year. You would then have to apply for an extension and satisfy the financial requirements.

A double will get you up to two years before you would have to apply for extensions and start worrying about financial requirements.

[lopburi3]

1. No. You do not want a re-entry permit.

2. Yes. Keeps the current permitted to stay date alive.

3. NA

For any entry after expiration of original visa a re-entry permit would be required (IE on last day of visa you enter for a new one year stay - any travel after that would require a re-entry permit).