Non Imm 'O' Multi Entry "Long Stay". Just Got it FYI and Question ..

[JDGRUEN]

Yesterday (12/16/2013) I got my Visa Stamp in my passport. Non Immigrant 'O' Long Stay Multi Entry.

I got it in 10 minutes at the Dallas Texas Honorary Counsel's office. Had all my paperwork done ahead of time ... actually pretty simple. Application and a kinda of duplicate application - one pagers each, bank statements, current passport and a photo. I as not asked for any other type of ID. II was not ask to submit my SSN or Driver's license numbers.

This is not a Retirement Visa ... so I just had to show 'adequate' funds in the bank to live each month while in Thailand - including my monthly pension. Actually it was not really discussed. The neat thing about this Visa --- I have one year to use it and after entering during anytime in this one year period ... the one year Long Stay then begins of entry. This sure simplifies things - no syncing of flight times with start date of the Visa.

Odd thing - which I have not read anywhere before... On the receipt I was and the Honorary Counsel General stated this orally.... I must make border runs every 90 days after entry. He said that he had reports back from previous clients that they were fined by Immigration $500.00 for not making border runs during the year. I thought the requirement was to just report to the local Immigration office every 90 days. However, I am not real concerned about doing border runs as I planned to visit the neighboring countries anyway and will likely spend a fair bit of time in Nong Khai - so I can just walk across the bridge and back.... But this info is not in concert with what I have heard and read before ... ???

Question: Does anyone have the real answer as to Border Runs versus Visits to the local Immigration office every 90 days.

[Issanman]

If you had gotten the O-A visa, then you would not have to do the border runs. Only the 90 day reports.

[JDGRUEN]

The problem is you, and the people that got fined $500, haven't a clue about what you have. You have a one year, multi-entry Non-Immigrant "O" Visa. It is not a long stay(O-A), or any other description you try to add to it. Upon entry, you will be stamped permitted to stay 90 days, then you need to exit the country and re-enter for another 90 day period, continue to use until the visa is expired. If you want to stay in Thailand for longer than 90 days, you would need to apply for a one year extension of stay, based on retirement, marriage, etc. then the 90 day address reports would be required.

When I called the Honorary Consul-General on Friday December 13th., I told him I wanted to apply for a Triple Entry Tourist Visa. He immediately replied that it would be better if I allowed him to process a Non Immigrant "O" Long Stay Visa (those were his exact words). He told me to download the Application forms from the Thai Embassy web site. I did - filled them out and he accepted them. During the short conversation he again referred to the Visa as "Long Stay"... So Mr. Beechguy please pardon my misconception.. .

While I do understand the distinction between the Retirement based 'O-A' Visa and the one I have, since I am allowed to renter every 90 days without any unusual or special application for a total of approximately 360 days, In the generic sense the 'Long Stay' description fits pretty well. Compared to a Double Entry or even a Triple Entry Tourist Visa -- the Visa I have received it a much better situation. Also, since the likelihood that I would be denied reentry is remote, it seems that the net effect of my Non Immigrant 'O' Multi-Entry Visa is for a 'Long Stay' with only the minor inconvenience of a Border Run.

The primary conception I had was thinking that a Non Immigrant "O" Multi-Entry Visa had the same reporting provisions as the 'O-A" Retirement Visa.

Thank you Mr. Beechguy for your kind and diplomatic words helping me to correct my error in understanding.

[wayned]

As said above you have a Multiple entry Non-"O", not an "O/A". The Honorary Consulate can not issue an O/A visa. A Non-"O", long stay visa, is a pre-approved visa that gives you 1 year permission to stay on entry and you do 90 day address reports without leaving Thailand. In order to obtain an "O/A", you would have had to apply in Washington, LA or Chicago and you would have had to have a medical certification and a police background check.

With the visa that you have you have to leave the country every 90 days and the maximum that you can extend in country is 7 days, unless you have a Thai family and then you can extend for 60 days. The one year validity of the visa starts on the day that it is issue, not the first time that you enter Thailand. If you make you last entry on the "must enter by" date on the visa you will get an additional 90 days making the visa good for up to 15 months if used correctly. You must make all entries on or before the "must enter by" date on the visa as that's the date that it expires. It's like a bus pass, it only allows you to get on the bus (enterThailand) until that date. The immigration officer (bus driver) detertimes how long you are allowed to stay and stamps your visa accordingly, in your case 90 days. If you overstay your permission to stay, the fine is 500 baht/day with a maximum of 20,000 baht. Make sure that you check the permission to stay stamp before you leave immigration, they do make mistakes.

Good luck and Welcome!

[JDGRUEN]

As said above you have a Multiple entry Non-"O", not an "O/A". The Honorary Consulate can not issue an O/A visa. A Non-"O", long stay visa, is a pre-approved visa that gives you 1 year permission to stay on entry and you do 90 day address reports without leaving Thailand. In order to obtain an "O/A", you would have had to apply in Washington, LA or Chicago and you would have had to have a medical certification and a police background check.

With the visa that you have you have to leave the country every 90 days and the maximum that you can extend in country is 7 days, unless you have a Thai family and then you can extend for 60 days. The one year validity of the visa starts on the day that it is issue, not the first time that you enter Thailand. If you make you last entry on the "must enter by" date on the visa you will get an additional 90 days making the visa good for up to 15 months if used correctly. You must make all entries on or before the "must enter by" date on the visa as that's the date that it expires. It's like a bus pass, it only allows you to get on the bus (enter Thailand) until that date. The immigration officer (bus driver) detertimes how long you are allowed to stay and stamps your visa accordingly, in your case 90 days. If you overstay your permission to stay, the fine is 500 baht/day with a maximum of 20,000 baht. Make sure that you check the permission to stay stamp before you leave immigration, they do make mistakes.

Good luck and Welcome!

Thank you wayned ... I am getting a clearer picture now. I do have to say that the Honorary Consul-General (who seems to have been doing this work for many years) told me three times - once on the phone and twice in our short face to face meeting... that the Non Immigrant 'O' Multi-Entry Visa I received was good for up to one year before the first entry was required. And that the time of the one year for multiple entries started with the first entry. And it says on the Visa Stamp "Enter Before 15 Dec. 14". I discussed this aspect with him relating that it allowed me much more flexibility in scheduling my flight - and he agreed. ... So ???

I have read hundreds of Visa related posts here on Thaivisa.com and have noticed the extreme complicated nature of the terms and conditions of the various types of Visas . And I have made note of the varied interpretations that Thai Immigration personnel make of the rules ... So ... all I can say is --- I'll see what comes - when it happens.

Also - if the Honorary Consul-General is wrong on this 'Entry By' issue I will only lose about one month on the front end. So it would not be a catastrophe.

[Maestro]

The consul in Dallas used wrong terminology. See this page on the website of the Thai consulate in Washington DC for details of the Non-Immigrant Visa Category “O-A” (Long Stay).

The multiple-entry non-O visa you have is described on this web page.

[Maestro]

Removed an off-topic post.

[Maestro]

Thank you wayned ... I am getting a clearer picture now. I do have to say that the Honorary Consul-General (who seems to have been doing this work for many years) told me three times - once on the phone and twice in our short face to face meeting... that the Non Immigrant 'O' Multi-Entry Visa I received was good for up to one year before the first entry was required. And that the time of the one year for multiple entries started with the first entry. And it says on the Visa Stamp "Enter Before 15 Dec. 14". I discussed this aspect with him relating that it allowed me much more flexibility in scheduling my flight - and he agreed. ... So ???

...

The multiple-entry non-O visa you have allows you to enter Thailand an unlimited number of times until 15 DEC 2014 and on each entry you will receive permission to stay for 90 days. The information you received from the consul is correct:

1. You can wait for one year to make your first entry on 15 DEC 2014 and if you do so, it will also be your last entry with this visa.
2. The visa gives you the greatest possible flexibility in scheduling your flight. Other types of visas would be valid for travel to Thailand only for three or six months.

[JDGRUEN]

Thank you wayned ... I am getting a clearer picture now. I do have to say that the Honorary Consul-General (who seems to have been doing this work for many years) told me three times - once on the phone and twice in our short face to face meeting... that the Non Immigrant 'O' Multi-Entry Visa I received was good for up to one year before the first entry was required. And that the time of the one year for multiple entries started with the first entry. And it says on the Visa Stamp "Enter Before 15 Dec. 14". I discussed this aspect with him relating that it allowed me much more flexibility in scheduling my flight - and he agreed. ... So ???

...

The multiple-entry non-O visa you have allows you to enter Thailand an unlimited number of times until 15 DEC 2014 and on each entry you will receive permission to stay for 90 days. The information you received from the consul is correct:

1. You can wait for one year to make your first entry on 15 DEC 2014 and if you do so, it will also be your last entry with this visa.
2. The visa gives you the greatest possible flexibility in scheduling your flight. Other types of visas would be valid for travel to Thailand only for three or six months.

When the Consul was speaking of this to me, he indicated that if I waited to enter just before 15 DEC 2014 that it would be considered the first entry - not the last ... However - it is of little consequence if he was wrong or somehow misstated as I plan of arriving in Thailand on or about 21 JAN 2014 and would lose only about a month or so of time ... so no big deal. Thanks for the clarifications Maestro.

[Diplomatico]

Thank you wayned ... I am getting a clearer picture now. I do have to say that the Honorary Consul-General (who seems to have been doing this work for many years) told me three times - once on the phone and twice in our short face to face meeting... that the Non Immigrant 'O' Multi-Entry Visa I received was good for up to one year before the first entry was required. And that the time of the one year for multiple entries started with the first entry. And it says on the Visa Stamp "Enter Before 15 Dec. 14". I discussed this aspect with him relating that it allowed me much more flexibility in scheduling my flight - and he agreed. ... So ???

...

The multiple-entry non-O visa you have allows you to enter Thailand an unlimited number of times until 15 DEC 2014 and on each entry you will receive permission to stay for 90 days. The information you received from the consul is correct:

1. You can wait for one year to make your first entry on 15 DEC 2014 and if you do so, it will also be your last entry with this visa.
2. The visa gives you the greatest possible flexibility in scheduling your flight. Other types of visas would be valid for travel to Thailand only for three or six months.

When the Consul was speaking of this to me, he indicated that if I waited to enter just before 15 DEC 2014 that it would be considered the first entry - not the last ... However - it is of little consequence if he was wrong or somehow misstated as I plan of arriving in Thailand on or about 21 JAN 2014 and would lose only about a month or so of time ... so no big deal. Thanks for the clarifications Maestro.

I think what Maestro says and what the Consul told you are both correct - if you waited to enter just before 15 DEC 2014 it would be your first entry....and also your last as you would only receive one 90 day period of stay.

A moot point given that you are entering in January 2014. Enjoy your time in Thailand!

[JDGRUEN]

Thank you wayned ... I am getting a clearer picture now. I do have to say that the Honorary Consul-General (who seems to have been doing this work for many years) told me three times - once on the phone and twice in our short face to face meeting... that the Non Immigrant 'O' Multi-Entry Visa I received was good for up to one year before the first entry was required. And that the time of the one year for multiple entries started with the first entry. And it says on the Visa Stamp "Enter Before 15 Dec. 14". I discussed this aspect with him relating that it allowed me much more flexibility in scheduling my flight - and he agreed. ... So ???

...

The multiple-entry non-O visa you have allows you to enter Thailand an unlimited number of times until 15 DEC 2014 and on each entry you will receive permission to stay for 90 days. The information you received from the consul is correct:

1. You can wait for one year to make your first entry on 15 DEC 2014 and if you do so, it will also be your last entry with this visa.
2. The visa gives you the greatest possible flexibility in scheduling your flight. Other types of visas would be valid for travel to Thailand only for three or six months.

When the Consul was speaking of this to me, he indicated that if I waited to enter just before 15 DEC 2014 that it would be considered the first entry - not the last ... However - it is of little consequence if he was wrong or somehow misstated as I plan of arriving in Thailand on or about 21 JAN 2014 and would lose only about a month or so of time ... so no big deal. Thanks for the clarifications Maestro.

I think what Maestro says and what the Consul told you are both correct - if you waited to enter just before 15 DEC 2014 it would be your first entry....and also your last as you would only receive one 90 day period of stay.

A moot point given that you are entering in January 2014. Enjoy your time in Thailand!

Yes it has become a moot point -- BUT it is NOT what the Consul said .... He said any entry before 15 DEC 2014 was the FIRST Entry -- beginning the full year in which I would be allowed multiple entries .... But ... water over the dam ... I am an educated man -- with a very good memory and I KNOW what I was told - even discussed it ... Never the less ... I will arrive in mid January and begin my stay ...

[JDGRUEN]

JDGRUEN

As an "over educated " hill billy you will now realise that the Consul gave bad advice.

Why not raise this issue with the Consul in the hope that they may learn ?

Why don't you raise these issues with the Consul since you and others claim to be the experts - while this man - the Consul is being given a contract by the Thai Government and is paid for his services to know the rules and definitions... and given the authority to grant Visas...?

[phuketrichard]

if you do not believe u have to do border runs everyday all u need do is show up for your 90 day report the day before the 90 days is due to expire an immigration will tell you , you have to leave by the next day.

Also on your first entry you will see you are stamped in for 90 DAYS ONlY not 1 year

Simple.

People are trying to help you.

[Lite Beer]

Quite clearly the Consul does not understand the rules or you misunderstood him.

[ubonjoe]

Even the embassy and official Thai consulates give out wrong info. At least the consul gave you correct info about the 90 day entries. There was recent report of the New York consulate telling a person that a multiple entry visa allowed them to stay for 1 year without leaving.

[JDGRUEN]

Quite clearly the Consul does not understand the rules or you misunderstood him.

I did not misunderstand him ... plain and simple ...

[JDGRUEN]

if you do not believe u have to do border runs everyday all u need do is show up for your 90 day report the day before the 90 days is due to expire an immigration will tell you , you have to leave by the next day.

Also on your first entry you will see you are stamped in for 90 DAYS ONlY not 1 year

Simple.

People are trying to help you.

I do now believe I have to do the border runs... I have said nothing differently ... I just asked questions about conflicting information ... And I do understand about the first entry stamp being labeled 90 days ... I only HAD questions about the starting date of the First Year of allowable entries ... and initially as to the proper place to report ... i.e. at a local immigration office or by performing a border runs ...

[JDGRUEN]

Even the embassy and official Thai consulates give out wrong info. At least the consul gave you correct info about the 90 day entries. There was recent report of the New York consulate telling a person that a multiple entry visa allowed them to stay for 1 year without leaving.

Yes - it seems that this kind of 'misinformation' happens - even at Consulate Offices

[ubonjoe]

Come on people lets end the argument.

[ubonjoe]

Removed a few posts.

[JDGRUEN]

Mods - please remove this thread as the TV member posters and the mods seem incapable of allowing posts that reflect the truth of the matter that was originally intended...

Edit: ubonjoe

[ubonjoe]

I will not remove topic. Because it does contain useful info.

I only removed posts that were not useful to the discussion.

[Lite Beer]

A post discussing moderation has been removed as per forum rules.