Renewing Non Imm O Visa

[jonnyscot]

Hi, my non imm o visa obtained last year in KL based on marriage is due to expire on 17th jan, my immigration stamp allows me to remain until 19th feb, however in another two to three weeks I expect to be called away at short notice to work ( outside Thailand) for a 5 or 6 week duration, which will likely mean my visa expires before i am due to return, my question is. Can I apply for a new non imm o visa in KL before the previous visa expires on the 17th of this month

Thanks in advance

month,

[lopburi3]

As they issued the visa they should be willing to provide the new one and cancel the old if done before the old expires.

[jonnyscot]

Thanks for the speedy reply Lopburi, it would save any hassle with the airline if returning from work on visa exempt status with no onward travel, last year I prebooked my flight to KL before returning from work as my visa had also expired before return date, but on this occasion, if this work is delayed it may possibly mean I'm here over my current stamped in date, therefore I'm thinking of applying for renewal in the next week or so

Thanks

[NancyL]

Could anyone help me to understand one detail about Jonnyscot's question? He says his non-imm O visa will expire on Jan 17 yet his "immigration stamp" allows him to remain until Feb 19.

What is an "immigration stamp" and how could he remain in the Kingdom after the expiration date of his non-imm O visa?

Also, another question -- why couldn't Jonnyscot just do his 12-month marriage extension now while he's still in Thailand? It's well within the timeframe that every immigration office allows for early application of 12-month visa extensions ahead of expiration date.

OK -- that's really two details I don't understand!

[jonnyscot]

Hi Nancy, the marriage extension is not an option in my case as my working timeframe doesn't usually allow this option for me, from what I gather, immigration must hold your passport for a minimum 30 day consideration period,,in answer to, the other question ,, on a non imm you get 90 days entry stamp from imm from the entry date regardless of the expiry date of the visa( providing of course that it's still valid on entry date

quote name='NancyL' timestamp='1325567387'

[wayned]

Could anyone help me to understand one detail about Jonnyscot's question? He says his non-imm O visa will expire on Jan 17 yet his "immigration stamp" allows him to remain until Feb 19. What is an "immigration stamp" and how could he remain in the Kingdom after the expiration date of his non-imm O visa? Also, another question -- why couldn't Jonnyscot just do his 12-month marriage extension now while he's still in Thailand? It's well within the timeframe that every immigration office allows for early application of 12-month visa extensions ahead of expiration date. OK -- that's really two details I don't understand!

Nancy, He does not have an extension to stay based on marriage. I think that he has a 1 year multiple entry Non-O visa that was issued in KL based on being married to a Thai. This type of visa only allows him to stay in Thailand for 90 days and he must exit. His last entry to Thailand was before the visa expired,about November 20th, and he obtained permission to stay of 90 days, which would be until Feb 19th. Even though he might qualify for an extension to stay based on marriage, since he works outside of Thailand, this type of visa is less expensive because he doesn't have to purchase a re-entry permit and is more convenient in some circumstances especially with employment outside of Thailand..

He already answered you above , so disregard my ramblings.

[TerryLH]

OP, leave and return prior to the 17th and you'll get another 90 days.

"...from what I gather, immigration must hold your passport for a minimum 30 day consideration period,..."

They don't physically keep your passport.

[NancyL]

Got it! Thanks everyone!

[lopburi3]

They don't physically keep your passport.

But you have to physically be here in Thailand to get the stamp at the end of the 30 day period.

[jonnyscot]

Thanks Terry, I wasn't aware that imm didn't actually hold the passport for the consideration period, but still not an option for me, although in hindsight I maybe could have applied for an extension when I entered in November, but I was expecting to be away working over Xmas but that work has been delayed,, but just to question further,, if I had applied for the extension in November and thereafter applied for re-entry permit, would this then allow me to enter and exit Thailand for another year???

Thanks,

[lopburi3]

You would have had to apply in November - return in December - obtain a multi re-entry permit after the one year extension of stay was in passport and then you could travel/return and each time get the same permitted to stay date as obtained in the December stamp. As the extension at 1,900 and multi re-entry is 3,800 the price is just about the same as your multi entry visa and the visa is a lot less paperwork (unless you are often out of work for more than 90 days at a time).

[jonnyscot]

Thanks Lopburi, Ive had the same employer for over 5 years, if I was working freelance maybe it would be the better option to go the extension route as I can then decide whether i choose to stay longer or not but I think this is the first time in nearly 3 years that I've been home for more than 5 weeks, but I really appreciate the info as in another year maybe things will be different,,

Thanks again