Got My O-A - Please Advise On Extensions Etc.

[TerraplaneGuy]

Hi All,

I'm Canadian and just got my O-A visa. It's multi-entry. Plan to move to Bangkok in July. I've had a bit of info from some of you in past but now that I'm on my way, I'd really appreciate it if those who know could please confirm the procedure for extensions, etc.:

1. When I first arrive, should I expect immigration to give me entry permission for the full 365 days (or what's left on the visa when I enter) or something less?

2. Am I right that I have to do the 90 day reports, unless I leave and re-enter, which counts as a report?

3. Am I right that I do not have to do a visa run every 90 days?

4. I believe that in order to get my first extension for another year, I can do a visa run before it expires and get an additional year with no further documents. Correct?

Thanks in advance for your help!

TG

[Lite Beer]

1. You will get 12 months. write the Visa number on the arrival card.

2. Yes you report to Immigration every 90 days you are in the country.

3. No border runs needed.

4. Yes a border run just before the Visa expires will get another 12 months.

During the second year you will need a Re Entry Permit if you want to leave the country for a holiday etc.

[bangkokburning]

I was just looking at the WDC site yesterday on this. If someone might humor me...

It appears that these O-As are given out as singles, the nature of this visa expires in 90 days. The O-A is unique in that it allows an option to stay in country and simply report OR do a runner and not report?

I doubt this but is there any way you could get a (M) multiple O-A so during the second year, if you wish to leave the country no need to go to immigration office every time, forking over 2000+B for privilege of departure? My biggest concern is the hassle because I think you need to report again when you return - ACK!! (Why I would prefer the run/holiday)

On your return to Thailand, (2nd year) how is the time left on the visa calculated and stamped in on the passport? Do they just look at the second one year date forward and go with that?

The OP states that he has yet to move to Thailand so OP, how did you deal with the address/es on the app?

Was the medical certificate necessary (appears to be in US) and if so was the medical done in Thailand or Canada?

What sort of police clearance? Would the state police in the US be sufficient? Anybody?

How did you handle the 800k in the bank? Did your bank follow up with a letter? I think my bank is low/no service and this will be a hassle.

Thanks

[moe666]

For the O-A visa you have to do everything in your country health certificate, police report ( a friend had the chief of police do it where he lived) the money is what you have in your home country in bank accounts or in pension income Copies of bank statement are sufficient.

As stated in a previous post the second year you need the re-entry stamp to leave and return but the stamp at immigration at border crossing counts as your 90 day report

[TerraplaneGuy]

The OP states that he has yet to move to Thailand so OP, how did you deal with the address/es on the app?

Was the medical certificate necessary (appears to be in US) and if so was the medical done in Thailand or Canada?

What sort of police clearance? Would the state police in the US be sufficient? Anybody?

How did you handle the 800k in the bank? Did your bank follow up with a letter? I think my bank is low/no service and this will be a hassle.

Thanks

I suggest you contact somebody at a Thai embassy/consulate in the U.S. for how to deal with the details. Since I'm Canadian, I contacted a worker at the Thai embassy in Ottawa who was very helpful in advising how to do the forms, etc. For my Thai address I just put a Bangkok hotel and that worked. For the 800K I got my Toronto bank to print a statement showing more than enough (CAD$ equivalent) and also a letter from them confirming that the statement was accurate. Then I had to get it notarized, like the medical and police certificates.

[lopburi3]

The visa can be single entry (as any other such one entry only) for one year on date of entry. The other alternative at most places is multi entry in which any entry made for one year from date of issue gets a new one year from date of entry stamp.

[NancyL]

Hubby got an O-A visa issued in Chicago in November, 2008 shortly before we retired to Thailand. He hasn't left Thailand since then. He does 90 days reports at CM Immigration (very handy since his computer club meets weekly at a restaurant across the road from Immigration). He handles his 12-month retirement extensions at CM Immigration with an income letter from the U.S. Consulate. He pays for a single re-entry permit each time he does an extension just in case he has to leave the country in a hurry and wouldn't have time to get a re-entry permit before he goes.

I don't know why so many people make this process sound much more complicated than it really is.

[bangkokburning]

Because the manner in which I would like to stay in Thailand appears to be wholly different than your husbands perhaps??

I return annually to states every ten months, extending this to 15 months might be nice.

I have no desire to go to immigration office, to do anything with them, to give them any money, to have anything to do with that racket.

My second year would be a mess. On a single O, I would need to report I am leaving (pay) and report I have returned. Unlike your husband who has not seen much of Asia apparently, I spend a minimum of four months outside Thailand; within Asia each year. Unlike your husband, I would rather not keep a residence as I send a minimum of 2-3 months camping in the Andaman plus another 2-3 weeks of side trips in Thailand to areas non-coastal.

Odd, the medical certificate is written in Thai as well as English. A trip to the doctor for this paper will most likely cost me a hundred bucks...

All my attempts to contact the embassy via email/web have not rec'd response.

Thanks to all. I think I'll just wait and if/when I marry, apply for a double non-o in USA and get another in KUL before coming home. Until then, I will continue rockin' on TRs.

Funny how expensive the Non-O can be when incidentals are all added up.

[TerryLH]

"My second year would be a mess. On a single O, I would need to report I am leaving (pay) and report I have returned."

Can you explain that?

By (pay), do you mean purchasing a re-entry permit?

No 'reporting' needed going or coming, unless you are talking about clearing imm/customs.

As NancyL posted, the procedure is straightforward and uncomplicated for the majority of people.

I think a lack of understanding is the source for many who find it complicated.

[NancyL]

The OP's situation didn't really sound very complex in his intial post. Unlike my poor, narrow, un-traveled husband, if the OP wants to leave Thailand, all he has to do is purchase a multiple re-entry permit when he does his annual retirment visa extension at his local Immigration office. It's good to always have a valid re-entry permit in one's passport in case someone has to leave in a hurry without time to arrange one in advance. Oh, and I really don't see much difference in paying money to the local Immigration office here in Chiang Mai vs, the consulate in Chicago. We've never felt an pressure for "tea money" and it appears that the staff recognizes us. Might come in handy if we get to the point where they have to come to our home to handle visa extensions as I know they do for sometimes for long-term, house-bound expats.

Bangkokburning might be best served with some sort of tourist visa or even the visa-exempt permission to stay granted at the airport.

[moe666]

Bangkokburning, since immigration is a pain, why go thru the hassel of a O-A visa, get a double tourist. Why do you need to report you have returned the arrival stamp is your 90 day report, the clock starts clicking for another report on that day. The only catch is Hua Hin will fine you if you donot report your arrival in there location within 24 hours. They are the only location I have seen reports in Thaivisa for this. This could also be because the people fined own their home and where not reported by a hotel, condo, or apartment owner.

Speculation on my part, you need a better understanding of the immigration process by your post of reporting when you leave and when you return says you donot know the process that well. If you have a single entry Non-o or a extension of stay you would need a re-entry permit to come and go. With a multiply non-o or the first year of a Non O-A you can come and go as you please as each entry counts as a new entry extending your visa for a new 90 day period.

Start your own thread instead of pigging backing onto someone elses may get you more info about your particular issues. Other than the time involved immigration really isn't that big of a deal I have found then very helpful and professional on all of my visits.

Good luck

[TerraplaneGuy]

1. You will get 12 months. write the Visa number on the arrival card.

2. Yes you report to Immigration every 90 days you are in the country.

3. No border runs needed.

4. Yes a border run just before the Visa expires will get another 12 months.

During the second year you will need a Re Entry Permit if you want to leave the country for a holiday etc.

Thanks! Re point 4, when getting the second year re-entry permit, can I buy a multi-entry at that time so no need to get any more re-entry permits in the following 12 months if I do a lot of travel?

[lopburi3]

Yes. But do not obtain before you make your final entry on the first year (valid) visa (or new entry would only be stamped for your last entry time).

[TerraplaneGuy]

Yes. But do not obtain before you make your final entry on the first year (valid) visa (or new entry would only be stamped for your last entry time).

Thanks. Just to be clear, can you please walk me through this? Let's say I'm close to the end of my first year on my O-A. So I do a border run and, on re-entry, get a 12 month extension. My question is, at what point do I do something - and what exactly is that thing - so that, in the second year (i. e. during the 12 month extension), I can come and go as often as I like?

[Mario2008]

After your border run, and when your O-A visa itself has expired, you have to apply for a re-entry permit to keep your permission to stay. This keeps your permission to stay active. Of course you need to return to Thailand before your permission to stay ends, in order to apply for a new extension of stay.

A re-entry permit costs 1,000 baht single or 3,800 for a multiple. You need to fill in a form at immirgaiton and provide a passport photo.

[bangkokburning]

Nancy - There is a huge difference where that money goes. Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Thai Royal Police. I am very happy to support diplomatic missions. Corrupt and arbitrary police, not so much. You stated that your husband purchases single re-entry. I stated (unlike him) I would require to constantly pay (report) each time or do as you have illuminated and restated - use a multiple (which would not require me to report/purchase a re-entry, BUT...I would still need to report every 90 days regardless.

Moe - I would be happy on double tourists and currently stay on them. They are handed out every time I return to states and that is good, BUT I run into problems here in Asia obtaining the last one or two and the older the passport, the more hassles. I have never worked in Thailand. Not a day.

Maybe you find Immigration to your liking, but all I read is not stop problems from these people. In fact, it could be argued that the sum of TV's existence is dealing with all the BS emanating out of this one issue. The only people that seem to have it sussed are the old hands who are going to the same offices with the same paperwork for years and the people paying to get the job done. Most everyone else - its just a hassle and those hassles grows by the day and the whim.

Anyway - it was not my intention of hijacking the thread. I will leave it at that.

[elektrified]

If I could just use this thread to ask...

I'm going to Chiang Mai Immigration for my annual extension of my O-A Non Immigrant Visa tomorrow. I just want to confirm if I have everything I need.

1. Copies of passport, visa, last extension, entry stamps, arrival card,

2. Letter from U.S. Consulate confirming income,

3. Rental contract,

4. 1900 Baht + 1000 for re-entry permit.

Am I forgetting anything? I can't remember from last year. Also is there an application form or something that can be downloaded?

Thanks for your help.

[lopburi3]

TM.7 and photos. TM.7 can be downloaded and printed on both sides of one A4 paper. They may require several but not sure about that. You should have supporting papers for income letter if asked.

[elektrified]

TM.7 and photos. TM.7 can be downloaded and printed on both sides of one A4 paper. They may require several but not sure about that. You should have supporting papers for income letter if asked.

Thanks I forgot about the photos. I am in the process of printing out the income papers....