Please Help With Urgent Visa Information

[SwaziBird]

I have a multiple-entry Retirement (O-A) visa which gives me permission to remain in Thailand until 2nd August 2012.

If I exit/return at Mae Sai before that day would that effectively extend my permission to remain in Thailand for another 90 days (approx. 1st Novenber) ?

I know that this matter has been dealt with many times in the past but the regulations seem to change frequently and I would appreciate some up to date information asap.

Thank you.

Cheers

[JeffreyMcCollum]

Sounds much like mine, O-M (Married) I never have to reort to immigration, have a visa good for 1 year, but have to leave atleast every 90 days even if it is to step out and right back in, Each time given 90 days more stamp. And yes, if the visa is still valid, you get 90 more days when you enter, I always give myself and extra few days, just incase things change at the last minute. But so far have never had any problem and always been given the 90 more days

[hellodolly]

I believe at Maisai you will only get a thirty day.

There is a point in time after your retirement visa relapses where you have to leave the country and get a 60 day visa before you can renew your retirement visa.

This is just my opinion on the subject all though I have seen it happen. There is no guarantee

[Maejo Man]

Yes an exit at Mae Sai will give you another 90 days, unless the life of the visa is up, in which case you will probably only get 30 days.

[hml367]

Are you confused yet?

multiple entry retirement visa?

30 days at Mae Sai?

90 days at Mae Sai?

MSPain

[Schmackos]

I must admit that I am!

Maybe better I read that you guys write then make comment.

[ThaidDown]

If op has a multi O-A ( had to provide financial info + medical + police check overseas) then IF the visa is still valid then I believe he will get an additional 1 year entry but only he enters before the 'use by ' date of the visa. This is not the same date as the permitted to stay date. Look for the 'use by' date on the original visa.

If the use by date has passed the visa is used and only a visa exempt entry will be allowed ( if op entitled). 30 days by air, 15 days by land.30 obtained from Thai consulate or embassy.

Wait for an expert to be 100% sure.

Edit to add... If the op s visa is not an O-A but just a multi non-imm O then the use by date rule still applies. In this case if the visa is still valid then, yes, 90 days will be given.

[mcgriffith]

Moved to visa forum, where this question will be answered in short order by one of our Thai visa guru moderators.

Live link remaining on the CM forum.

[Mario2008]

Thaidown gave the right answer. If it really is a valid multiple O-A visa that you got abroad 1 year ago, you will get a new permission to stay if you leave and re-enter before August 2nd.

[lopburi3]

If you really have a multi entry non immigrant O-A (retirement) visa issued by a Consulate less than one year ago you receive a new one year stay on each entry. So exit today and be stamped until end of July 2013. You would need re-entry permit for any travel after the expiration date of the actual visa however.

If you have a multi entry O which provides only 90 day entry you would receive the normal 90 day entry for any entry prior to expiration of the visa.

[SwaziBird]

Thank you all for stepping in smartly with advice. I was encouraged to book seats for my wife and I on the Green Bus to Mae Sae tomorrow, where we will , it seems, receive either a further 30 or 90 days permission to remain in Thailand - either of which will suit our purpose. I will at some stage in that extended period apply, here in Chiang Mai, for a renewal/extension of our 1 years Non-Immigrant A-O visas. I just needed a Retirement Visa that had an annual renewal/extension date beyond 2nd August of each year.

Thank you all very much.

Will report back and confirm just what they are giving.

Cheers

[lopburi3]

Still do not understand what you have as if you actually have a multi O-A visa that is still valid for use you will receive one year stay. If not valid for use you will only get 15 day stay (visa exempt). What is written on the visa itself (as issued by Consulate)?

If you actually only have an extension of stay from Immigration valid to Aug 2 that is what you will receive on return with a multi re-entry permit.

[hellodolly]

Why did you not just go into immigration here in Chiang Mai Thursday and renew the retirement visa. It would be good until Aug.2 next year.

You must still renew the original one or refile for a new one. If you receive a 30 day visa in Maisie on reentry. You must still renew the original retirement one and you will be fined for each day it was overdo. Up to a certain amount. Not sure what it is.

For instance if you leave the country on Aug 1 and return on Aug.30 on a 30 day visa you must still renew the retirement one dated August 2 and you will receive a fine for 28 days. Even though you have a visa to stay until Sept 1.

[lopburi3]

Total nonsense. You are not overstay if you are not here and you are never required to file for anything. Any return after an extension re-entry permit allows would be the normal visa exempt entry (15 days by land for most people). Any new application for retirement extension of stay would be from new non immigrant 90 day visa entry expiration date.

[SwaziBird]

Thank you all for stepping in smartly with advice. I was encouraged to book seats for my wife and I on the Green Bus to Mae Sae tomorrow, where we will , it seems, receive either a further 30 or 90 days permission to remain in Thailand - either of which will suit our purpose. I will at some stage in that extended period apply, here in Chiang Mai, for a renewal/extension of our 1 years Non-Immigrant A-O visas. I just needed a Retirement Visa that had an annual renewal/extension date beyond 2nd August of each year.

Thank you all very much.

Will report back and confirm just what they are giving.

Cheers

I clearly have much to learn ,,,, and I want to apologise for wasting anyones time.

It seems that I am only in possession of Non-Immigrant "O" (NOT O-A ) visa extensions which I have enjoyed having granted to me here in Chiang Mai from year to year.

The problem was simply that I wanted to change the anniversary from 2nd August to some later date (say, 2 September through to 2nd November) which would be much more convenient for my annual renewals since I might not be in the country of 2nd August in the following years..

I have been advised now, as some have indicated here on the forum, that since I only have an extension of an "O" visa I am only entitled to a 15 day further extension from the date of my re-entry (land-crossing) which I planned to do tomorrow at Mae Sai.

So it looks as though I might have to abandon my trip to Mae Sai as 15 days (from tomorrow) will be of little assistance to me.

Once again I apologise for troubling you and I do want to thank you very much for trying to help.

Cheers.

[lopburi3]

I would just extend normally until you can not do and at that time come back with a normal single entry non immigrant O visa and start the process again 60 days later. You lose nothing and process is the same every time. Even if unable to obtain the required non immigrant visa for return you can now convert at immigration in an extra 2,000 baht step. You are not tied to August 2 and can easily change when actually required.

[Mario2008]

well intended post, but giving wrong information deleted.

[hellodolly]

I would just extend normally until you can not do and at that time come back with a normal single entry non immigrant O visa and start the process again 60 days later. You lose nothing and process is the same every time. Even if unable to obtain the required non immigrant visa for return you can now convert at immigration in an extra 2,000 baht step. You are not tied to August 2 and can easily change when actually required.

Not sure of the whole procedure But I was wondring if doing it that way he would have to have a medical again (which he should do any how) but the police report is that still going to be required. If and I believe you are rite he can only get a 1q5 day visa he waits out the time and pays a hefty fine he would be able to move the date ahead a little.

The only experience I have had with the whole thing was a friend came back and got a 30 day when he entered but the time lapse had been so great he had to go to Lao to get a 60 day and then come back and he was able to get his retirement.

Sorry I don't really understand the different type O visa I just understand the retirement and the normal visitors visa.

[lopburi3]

OP does not have a visa - he has a retirement extension of stay - there is no medical or police check required for that or for the non immigrant O visa entry it is obtained from - so a non factor. Only if he obtained a non immigrant O-A visa from home country would these be required.

Although an immigration office might allow a slight overstay (several days) with payment if late it can not be used to change dates a month or so later and any time overstay would be at risk.

Your friend arrive with visa exempt 30 day entry. A conversion is possible inside Thailand now to obtain non immigrant entry of 90 days and then extend for retirement but must be done with about 11 (used to be 21) days or more remaining so he must have missed that chance. Suspect he obtained 90 day non immigrant O visa in Laos and then extended after 60 days here. He could have just got a tourist 60 day visa and then done the conversion but more paperwork and cost.

[SwaziBird]

Once again thanks for all the information. Some of it applies precisely to my case.

Heres what happened at Immigration, Mae Sai - but first a .quick recap.

I had a Non Immigrant O Visa which I had been extending from year to year in the CM Office. The last extension gave me permission to remain here until 2nd August 2012. I wanted to extend for a further year but the anniversary date of approximately 1st August 2013 would not be particularly convenient for me as I would likely be out of Thailand at that time. I had hoped that by exiting and returning at Mae Sai today I might get an extension of my permission to remain here for another 30 ( which would have been convenient to me ) or 90 days. That would mean that my extension would be valid for me on my return to Thailand towards the end of August 2013. That was the plan (and hope).

Advice came in suggesting that there might even be as little as 15 days given to me - since it was a land crossing.

Here's what actually happened.

The Officer at Mae Sai looked carefully at all the stamps, called her superior and they both advised that I was to wait the 3 or 4 more days until the 2nd August and get the extension done on the 2nd August in Chiang Mai. They stamped be back "Admitted Until 2nd August 2012" effectively giving me no extra days whatever ! Drats !

But my wife and I had a great day out. Bought our DVDs for all of 27baht each, had a nice lunch, I knocked back the persistent Viagra peddlars and we had a very comfortable trip in the Green Buses.

Thanks for all your advice. Just thought I might share this information since it may help someone else trying to pull off the same extension extension (!) Didn't work !

Cheers

[Mario2008]

So you had a non-O visa with a re-entry permit and not a valid multiple O-A visa. That is a big difference.

At least you had a nice day out.

[Sophon]

So you had a non-O visa with a re-entry permit and not a valid multiple O-A visa. That is a big difference.

At least you had a nice day out.

I don't think so, from what he writes he had a retirement extension.

To the OP. If you had given al the information in one of your first posts instead of after your trip, particularly this part:

I had a Non Immigrant O Visa which I had been extending from year to year in the CM Office. The last extension gave me permission to remain here until 2nd August 2012. I wanted to extend for a further year but the anniversary date of approximately 1st August 2013 would not be particularly convenient for me as I would likely be out of Thailand at that time.

And had also mentioned that you had a reentry permit, then you could have saved yourself a trip as you would have been told this would be the result. This is another example of why it's important to use the correct terminology and not call a retirement extension a OA visa.

Sophon

[Mario2008]

You are right, he is on an extension of stay based on retirement.

The OP can apply for a new extension of stay during the last 30 days of his current permission to stay, so next year at the beginning July 2013.