Extending a Visa with less than 6 Months on Passport?

[kward]

Greetings All,

Hi, I'm new here. Advice any of you could offer on the following dilemma would be greatly appreciated. To cut an incredibly long and VERY tiresome story short, I'll stick to the basic facts:

1. I'm currently on a non-immigrant O visa (caring for dependents) that expires next Monday, 11 November.
   
2. The passport I'm currently on expires on April 23, 2014, which as of now gives me less than six months of remaining validity on it.
   
3. I'm currently awaiting the arrival of a new passport from my embassy (USA). However, it may not arrive for up to two weeks.
   

So, in a nutshell my problem is this: if I leave Thailand for a visa run now on my current passport, I cannot get a visa to re-enter the country on that same passport. This is due to the fact that Thailand *should* not issue visas to persons having less than six months of validity on their passports. My only other option is to wait for my new passport to arrive and do my visa run with that…which is not cool if it means overstaying. However, since my current visa expires next Monday and it may also take my embassy weeks to process my new passport, I'm in quite a pickle.

My question is: would it be possible to get an extension of my current visa at Thai immigration even though my passport is past the six-month mark? Or, is it worth attempting to pop out of the country, swing a U-turn, and try to get back in with a 15 or 30 day visa exemption? I realize the second option still carries the risk of being denied entry, and for that reason I don't particularly dig it.

This situation is probably unique to my personal proneness to bad luck and strange mishaps, but any advice from a person with a similar problem would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks All,

J

[Maestro]

I'm currently on a non-immigrant O visa (caring for dependents) that expires next Monday, 11 November

I am a bit puzzled. Is it the visa, ie the stamp or sticker that a Thai consulate put in your passport, that expires next Monday? Or is it your permission to stay, ie the stamp that immigration put in your passport?

If it is your visa, was it valid for one entry or is it valid for multiple entries?

[thaiexpat21]

"O" visa for caring for dependents ?

Where did you obtain this visa ?

You can leave and get 30 days at a border and there will be no problem .

Agree you will be unlikely to obtain a visa based on "caring for dependents"

You need to be more specific to secure the best advice.

[Maestro]

Depending on the type of relationship with the dependent persons for whom you care (spouse? child?) you may qualify for a 60-day extension of stay.

[Maestro]

kward, you are pressed for time. The quickest way for you get answers that specifically address your situation will be to photograph or scan all stamps in your passport that have the mentioned date of 11 November and post them here. If it is a child of yours for whom you care, its nationality and age will also be important.

[kward]

I've lived in Thailand for more than 10 years caring for my daughter, who is Thai, through a continuous series of visa runs and non-immigrant O visas. Her mother and I are not married. My visa and stamp both expire on November 11, 2013. Virtually every visa I've ever had for Thailand has been issued from the Thai consulate in Vientiane, Laos.

A bit of added information would be that if I do attempt to extend my visa, I probably be doing it in Bangkok since I'm here for the weekend and Monday. However, my daughter, her mother and I actually live in Khon Kaen. Advisable? Possible?

Thanks in advance.

[kward]

kward, you are pressed for time. The quickest way for you get answers that specifically address your situation will be to photograph or scan all stamps in your passport that have the mentioned date of 11 November and post them here. If it is a child of yours for whom you care, its nationality and age will also be important.

Thanks Maestro,

I've applied for and received a 60–day extension on a non-immigrant visa before. I understand my situation well enough to know what type of extension I could apply for and how to do so. To be honest, I really just need to know whether or not it's possible to apply for an extension of ANY visa with fewer than six months remaining on a passport.

I realize it's a pretty stupid and rare situation, and if it weren't my embassy dragging its feet I wouldn't really have to deal with any of this. Thanks again to you, Maestro, and to anyone who can offer me a bit of advice.

[thaiexpat21]

Embassies rarely "drag their feet " when renewing passports.

Problems arise because of the tardiness of applicants.

[Maestro]

...I really just need to know whether or not it's possible to apply for an extension of ANY visa with fewer than six months remaining on a passport.

Yet, it is possible, but recently immigration made the rule that the extension cannot be beyond the expiration date of the passport and a new extension must be applied and paid for once the new passport is available.

[thaiexpat21]

...I really just need to know whether or not it's possible to apply for an extension of ANY visa with fewer than six months remaining on a passport.

Yet, it is possible, but recently immigration made the rule that the extension cannot be beyond the expiration date of the passport and a new extension must be applied and paid for once the new passport is available.

The problem is rooted here

" through a continuous series of visa runs and non-immigrant O visas."

It would seem the OP has never applied for an extension of stay .

The OP may indeed have a real problem now as there is limited time available.

NB It is now the W/E the 11th arrives on Monday

Believe the OP can only hope for a 60 day extension (if he qualifies) or a border run for a 30 day visa exempt entry which would at least give some time for thought.

[kward]

So far, this is looking worlds better than I thought it would. On Monday it looks like I have a few options:

1. Head to immigration and attempt to apply for a 60–day visa extension. Actually, even a one-month extension would be okay. I only need about two weeks until my new passport arrives.

2. Flop across the border, swing a U-turn, head back home and get a 30-day visa exemption. This is a great possibility. Up until now I was terrified of attempting this and getting caught in that no-man's-land between two borders because I couldn't enter any SE Asian country with fewer than six months on my passport.

3. There is even the slim chance that my embassy might sort out my passport by Monday. I've been talking with them since early October and they seem to understand the gravity of my situation and have even confidently told me that everything would be taken care of by Monday, so, we'll see.

Anyway, just in the past two hours I've been on the site since joining, a lot of my worries seem to have dissipated. I'll probably be able to sleep easier tonight and I have any other time this week. Thanks again for all your help guys.

[wayned]

!. Will work, most likely the best option.

2.You must have at least 6 months left on your passport to enter Laos so it won't work there. I;m not sure about other neighboring country's requirements regarding passport validity.

3. US passports take 7-10 days from application because they come from the US. Mine took 7. I wouldn't believe what they tell you until you actually see the passport.

[ubonjoe]

So far, this is looking worlds better than I thought it would.  On Monday it looks like I have a few options:

 

1.  Head to immigration and attempt to apply for a 60–day visa extension. Actually, even a one-month extension would be okay. I only need about two weeks until my new passport arrives.

 

2.  Flop across the border, swing a U-turn, head back home and get a 30-day visa exemption. This is a great possibility. Up until now I was terrified of attempting this and getting caught in that no-man's-land between two borders because I couldn't enter any SE Asian country with fewer than six months on my passport.

 

3.  There is even the slim chance that my embassy might sort out my passport by Monday. I've been talking with them since early October and they seem to understand the gravity of my situation and have even confidently told me that everything would be taken care of by Monday, so, we'll see.

 

Anyway, just in the past two hours I've been on the site since joining, a lot of my worries seem to have dissipated. I'll probably be able to sleep easier tonight and I have any other time this week. Thanks again for all your help guys.

Lets get back to your current visa. Are you aware that if it is a multiple entry visa you can do an entry just before it expires and get another 90 day entry.

You can enter Cambodia with 4 months left on your passport. Laos is 6 months.

You will have no problem getting the 60 day extension at immigration.. I advise you to take the entire family with you. You will need your daughters birth certificates and house book plus copies to get it.

[AYJAYDEE]

last year, i left thailand on a visa run with less than 6 months left on my passport and they wouldnt let me back in! be careful

[AYJAYDEE]

So far, this is looking worlds better than I thought it would. On Monday it looks like I have a few options:

1. Head to immigration and attempt to apply for a 60–day visa extension. Actually, even a one-month extension would be okay. I only need about two weeks until my new passport arrives.

2. Flop across the border, swing a U-turn, head back home and get a 30-day visa exemption. This is a great possibility. Up until now I was terrified of attempting this and getting caught in that no-man's-land between two borders because I couldn't enter any SE Asian country with fewer than six months on my passport.

3. There is even the slim chance that my embassy might sort out my passport by Monday. I've been talking with them since early October and they seem to understand the gravity of my situation and have even confidently told me that everything would be taken care of by Monday, so, we'll see.

Anyway, just in the past two hours I've been on the site since joining, a lot of my worries seem to have dissipated. I'll probably be able to sleep easier tonight and I have any other time this week. Thanks again for all your help guys.

Lets get back to your current visa. Are you aware that if it is a multiple entry visa you can do an entry just before it expires and get another 90 day entry.

You can enter Cambodia with 4 months left on your passport. Laos is 6 months.

You will have no problem getting the 60 day extension at immigration.. I advise you to take the entire family with you. You will need your daughters birth certificates and house book plus copies to get it.

i went to cambodia with 5 1/2 months left and was refused entry when i tried to come back!

[ubonjoe]

 

So far, this is looking worlds better than I thought it would.  On Monday it looks like I have a few options:

 

1.  Head to immigration and attempt to apply for a 60–day visa extension. Actually, even a one-month extension would be okay. I only need about two weeks until my new passport arrives.

 

2.  Flop across the border, swing a U-turn, head back home and get a 30-day visa exemption. This is a great possibility. Up until now I was terrified of attempting this and getting caught in that no-man's-land between two borders because I couldn't enter any SE Asian country with fewer than six months on my passport.

 

3.  There is even the slim chance that my embassy might sort out my passport by Monday. I've been talking with them since early October and they seem to understand the gravity of my situation and have even confidently told me that everything would be taken care of by Monday, so, we'll see.

 

Anyway, just in the past two hours I've been on the site since joining, a lot of my worries seem to have dissipated. I'll probably be able to sleep easier tonight and I have any other time this week. Thanks again for all your help guys.

Lets get back to your current visa. Are you aware that if it is a multiple entry visa you can do an entry just before it expires and get another 90 day entry.

You can enter Cambodia with 4 months left on your passport. Laos is 6 months.

You will have no problem getting the 60 day extension at immigration.. I advise you to take the entire family with you. You will need your daughters birth certificates and house book plus copies to get it.

 

i went to cambodia with 5 1/2 months left and was refused entry when i tried to come back!

I remember your post about it before. Yours was a one off occurrence. The rules clearly state you only need a passport valid equal to your allowed length of stay.

There are a very few nationalities that when entering without a visa that do have to have 6 months validity.

[AYJAYDEE]

So far, this is looking worlds better than I thought it would. On Monday it looks like I have a few options:

1. Head to immigration and attempt to apply for a 60–day visa extension. Actually, even a one-month extension would be okay. I only need about two weeks until my new passport arrives.

2. Flop across the border, swing a U-turn, head back home and get a 30-day visa exemption. This is a great possibility. Up until now I was terrified of attempting this and getting caught in that no-man's-land between two borders because I couldn't enter any SE Asian country with fewer than six months on my passport.

3. There is even the slim chance that my embassy might sort out my passport by Monday. I've been talking with them since early October and they seem to understand the gravity of my situation and have even confidently told me that everything would be taken care of by Monday, so, we'll see.

Anyway, just in the past two hours I've been on the site since joining, a lot of my worries seem to have dissipated. I'll probably be able to sleep easier tonight and I have any other time this week. Thanks again for all your help guys.

Lets get back to your current visa. Are you aware that if it is a multiple entry visa you can do an entry just before it expires and get another 90 day entry.

You can enter Cambodia with 4 months left on your passport. Laos is 6 months.

You will have no problem getting the 60 day extension at immigration.. I advise you to take the entire family with you. You will need your daughters birth certificates and house book plus copies to get it.

i went to cambodia with 5 1/2 months left and was refused entry when i tried to come back!

I remember your post about it before. Yours was a one off occurrence. The rules clearly state you only need a passport valid equal to your allowed length of stay.

There are a very few nationalities that when entering without a visa that do have to have 6 months validity.

rathr than take your word for it, I contacted the thai embassy who advised me that it is entirely up to the immigration official at the pont of entry and that I would be risking entry denial with less than 6 months on my visa. I am telling this guy what happened to me.

[realenglish1]

From the sound of this the worst case scenario is overstay. So If you show up at a boarder crossing or by air since it is such a short time the worst case is you just pay That's it

I have had a few days overstay before and its big deal They only want the money Not you

[ubonjoe]

From the sound of this the worst case scenario is overstay. So If you show up at a boarder crossing or by air since it is such a short time  the worst case is you just pay That's it

 

I have had a few days overstay before and its  big deal They only want the money Not you

Assume you meant no big deal.

[hullupullo]

You can enter Cambodia with 4 months left on your passport. Laos is 6 months.

I think Cambodia is now 6 months too?

[ubonjoe]

 You can enter Cambodia with 4 months left on your passport. Laos is 6 months.

 

 

I think Cambodia is now 6 months too?

 

Just checked it has changed. Thanks.

OP should get a 60 day extension it is best option anyway.

[kward]

Overall, it seems like attempting to exit and reenter Thailand with less than six months on a passport is generally risky business. What's more, it seems as if some segments of the Thai immigration bureau ITSELF aren't really clear the protocol to be followed:

http://www.ryankononoff.com/2013/passport-requirements-for-canadians-entering-thailand-and-why-everyone-is-wrong-about-6-month-requirements/

In these situations, I reckon the general rule of thumb is this: The letter of the law is never as important as the interpretation of the law by an authority figure.

My best bet for now is to hope for an extension of stay on Monday, or through some divine miracle, that my embassy sorts my passport by then. Hell, even overstaying until I get an new book is probably preferable to exiting and not being able to re-enter.

Also, just out of curiosity, if a person were to exit a country (TH) with less than 6 months on their passport and be denied BOTH entry into a neighboring country (LAO) AND re-entry into the country they departed (TH), what would happen? It's like being stuck in a bubble, but I imagine eventually somewhere would have to permit you entrance, even if only to kick you out again five minutes later with a plane ticket and departure stamp. Has anyone had any experience with this? Thanks all.

[ubonjoe]

The IATA info mentioned in the linked article is correct. I post the Star Alliance link often because it requires less info and it is from the IATA also.

Information mentioned on embassy websites is probably for getting visas not entry.

The best thing to do is to get a new passport when you have 9 months left. This suggestion can be found on many countries passport info websites. The US does and the UK will add up to 9 months from old passport to new one.

[thaiexpat21]

As an experienced traveler I have always ensured my passport remained valid.

This is not rocket science !

More a case of personal responsibility.

I have zero sympathy with those who "suddenly" discover their passport is no longer valid for travel.

[lopburi3]

Overall, it seems like attempting to exit and reenter Thailand with less than six months on a passport is generally risky business. What's more, it seems as if some segments of the Thai immigration bureau ITSELF aren't really clear the protocol to be followed:

http://www.ryankononoff.com/2013/passport-requirements-for-canadians-entering-thailand-and-why-everyone-is-wrong-about-6-month-requirements/

In these situations, I reckon the general rule of thumb is this: The letter of the law is never as important as the interpretation of the law by an authority figure.

My best bet for now is to hope for an extension of stay on Monday, or through some divine miracle, that my embassy sorts my passport by then. Hell, even overstaying until I get an new book is probably preferable to exiting and not being able to re-enter.

Also, just out of curiosity, if a person were to exit a country (TH) with less than 6 months on their passport and be denied BOTH entry into a neighboring country (LAO) AND re-entry into the country they departed (TH), what would happen? It's like being stuck in a bubble, but I imagine eventually somewhere would have to permit you entrance, even if only to kick you out again five minutes later with a plane ticket and departure stamp. Has anyone had any experience with this? Thanks all.

Actually ARUN used to have the procedure listed on there website as you would be allowed illegal entry back to Thailand and placed under arrest for that and deported from Thailand. You would not have to live on the bridge or in no-mans land.

[Wimbledon]

Everyone goofs up once ina while thats part of what makes us a vulnerable human ! zero sympathy probably reflects in ones life quite measureably ! ..... Back to the present ... If it were me i think i would not move anywhere and pay an overstay ( no big deal.. Wont be much .. And all will work out ... Being in a customs interpretation situation could be too problematical Potentially so commonsense to says stay where u are and see what solutions present u like extension as what Ubonjoe above suggests Is your best shot! Stay the course ... All will be solved shortly !

[AYJAYDEE]

Overall, it seems like attempting to exit and reenter Thailand with less than six months on a passport is generally risky business. What's more, it seems as if some segments of the Thai immigration bureau ITSELF aren't really clear the protocol to be followed:

http://www.ryankononoff.com/2013/passport-requirements-for-canadians-entering-thailand-and-why-everyone-is-wrong-about-6-month-requirements/

In these situations, I reckon the general rule of thumb is this: The letter of the law is never as important as the interpretation of the law by an authority figure.

My best bet for now is to hope for an extension of stay on Monday, or through some divine miracle, that my embassy sorts my passport by then. Hell, even overstaying until I get an new book is probably preferable to exiting and not being able to re-enter.

Also, just out of curiosity, if a person were to exit a country (TH) with less than 6 months on their passport and be denied BOTH entry into a neighboring country (LAO) AND re-entry into the country they departed (TH), what would happen? It's like being stuck in a bubble, but I imagine eventually somewhere would have to permit you entrance, even if only to kick you out again five minutes later with a plane ticket and departure stamp. Has anyone had any experience with this? Thanks all.

Youre correct on the interpretation thing. It happened to me and this is the response I got after the fact when asking my local Thai consulate for an interpretaion of the 6 month rule:

For the first entry if your passport has 6 months remain then it would be ok. For other entry it depends on the circumstance and up to the discretion of the Thai Immigration. For example, if your passport only have one or two months left of validity and try to enter Thailand, this is up to the consideration of the Immigration Officer. I can only assure that your first entry will be acceptable.