I have just re-entered Thailand on my 1-year multi Non-O visa that I got last year in KL before it expired (it's 'use by'date is 9 Nov 2011). The duration of my permitted stay as stamped is through 1 February 2012.

What should be the steps and chronology involved to obtain extensions on this visa. Is that a 1-year extension with 90-day reporting? I am married (Thai spouse) and reside in Udon.

Thanks,

NL

Early January visit immigration with wife and paperwork for one year extension of stay for Thai wife. Normal 40k income or 400k in bank account two months proof will be required. Remember any exit will require a re-entry permit to keep stay alive.

Or go down the road to Savannakhet and get a new 12 month multi-entry, no proof of funds required at all, if it's an easier option for you.

Or go down the road to Savannakhet and get a new 12 month multi-entry, no proof of funds required at all, if it's an easier option for you.

Oh great, but don't forget the added costs of border runs every 90 days.

Udon Immigration will like other offices try to get you to take the retirement route (if applicable).

They are however (in my experience) very efficient, polite and extremely helpful and easy to deal with.

Or go down the road to Savannakhet and get a new 12 month multi-entry, no proof of funds required at all, if it's an easier option for you.

Oh great, but don't forget the added costs of border runs every 90 days.

Pays for itself when you stock up on 90 days worth of duty free.

You actually make a profit.

Early January visit immigration with wife and paperwork for one year extension of stay for Thai wife. Normal 40k income or 400k in bank account two months proof will be required. Remember any exit will require a re-entry permit to keep stay alive.

Following up on this. I think I am correct in that the Udon Immigration needs to send my early January application for Bangkok approval. Can I avail myself of a re-entry permit while this review and approval is in progress in January? Or do I need top wait until it's ratified and defer any overseas travel until February?

You can obtain for the 30 day period but for normal one year re-entry period you must wait until that stamp is received.

On another point regarding proof of income; I believe that the Immigration people will only accept a letter from (in my case) the UK Embassy. What proof does the UK Embassy need from me to provide this letter, how much does it cost and is it a same-day application/issue procedure? I am not planning on having 400k baht sitting in my local account.

Thanks,

NL

You can obtain for the 30 day period but for normal one year re-entry period you must wait until that stamp is received.

"30 day period"?

Does that mean that I can get a re-entry permit on the expired visa and current permission to stay?

OR

Since the original visa is now expired so no re-entry is allowed and any exit from Thailand finally cancels that visa.

I have a client to meet in Singapore next week, just a day trip so would be nice to be able to go out and come back same day on a re-entry permit and then proceed with the proper extension in January during which I must stay in Thailand until it is approved or otherwise.

It means a re-entry permit is valid for the current permitted to stay period only.

It means a re-entry permit is valid for the current permitted to stay period only.

In a nutshell?

I can apply for and get a re-entry permit as long as I come back in before the current 1 Feb 2012 stamp expires?

This despite the enabling visa having expired on 9 Nov 2011 ?

Yes - just as you can get an extension of stay long after a visa allowed your entry - it is based on your permitted to stay time.

OK, I managed that OK with a day-trip to Singapore last week and the Immigration chap at Suvarnabhumi revalidated my pernission to stay with a stamp that says 2 February versus the original 1 February so a wee bonus there. Maybe he turned the date stamp one day too far.

Now lets say I proceed with the extension application next month and I am successful and get the 1-year approved, am I correct in saying that from that point onwards I only need to do 90-day reports?

The next question is if I get a multiple re-entry permit during the coming year so I can take care of my late fathers estate in Scotland, am I locked into fixed 90-day reporting dates and need to make sure I am back in the country for each report? Or is the exit/re-entry at Suvarnabhumi used as the validation of who and where I am in lieu of the 90-day report and resets the subsequent 90-day report date to 90-days from my re-entry into Thailand?

Finally, is there any cap or maximum exit/re-entries I can do during the year on my approved extension?

Now lets say I proceed with the extension application next month and I am successful and get the 1-year approved, am I correct in saying that from that point onwards I only need to do 90-day reports?

Yes.

The next question is if I get a multiple re-entry permit during the coming year so I can take care of my late fathers estate in Scotland, am I locked into fixed 90-day reporting dates and need to make sure I am back in the country for each report? Or is the exit/re-entry at Suvarnabhumi used as the validation of who and where I am in lieu of the 90-day report and resets the subsequent 90-day report date to 90-days from my re-entry into Thailand?

The 90 day clock re-starts every time you enter the country.

Finally, is there any cap or maximum exit/re-entries I can do during the year on my approved extension?

Yes, none!

Unless of course you have that re-entry permit in which case it's one for a single permit or as many as you like for a multiple.

You need to get a new re-entry permit every time you get an extension of stay even if the last one was not used.

As said 90 day reports are only due if you are here for 90 days or more. If you leave next report will be 90 days after return.