Extension of stay renewal date close to trip abroad

[Marvo]

Hi all,

I am living (and working with a work permit) in Thailand on my third annual extension of stay of a Non-B visa.

Renewal of this annual extension (based on marriage) is due last day of April, but 2 weeks later I need to be back in my home country (UK) for 4 weeks, right when the 30 day "under consideration" period would finish and I have to go to immigration and collect my new extension of stay stamp.

To avert any kind of "disaster" could the experts kindly explain to me my visa/extention/re-entry options.

Very much appreciated guys & gals.

[ubonjoe]

My answer depends upon how immigration does the under consideration period starting date. Do they do it from the date you apply or from the date your current extension ends. If from application date would doing the extension early help? You can get a re-entry permit for the under consideration period.

You could ask your immigration office about making the under consideration period longer than 30 days.

You could also apply for a 60 day extension to visit your wife to delay your one year extension application date.

[Marvo]

My answer depends upon how immigration does the under consideration period starting date. Do they do it from the date you apply or from the date your current extension ends. If from application date would doing the extension early help? You can get a re-entry permit for the under consideration period.

You could ask your immigration office about making the under consideration period longer than 30 days.

You could also apply for a 60 day extension to visit your wife to delay your one year extension application date.

Checking back to previous year's stamps, my 2012/2013 "stay permitted up to" date was 30th April 2013. On 26th April 2013 I applied to renew again, was "under consideration" and was told to go back ON the 24th May. My permitted to stay date was then stamped as 30th April (again) 2014.

So. I guess the question I have to ask immigration is how early they will let me apply. If I can apply 30 days before my current extension runs out (i.e. 1st April), then "under consideration should run for 30 days and I should get my new 12 month extension stamp actually on 30th April (17 days before I leave Thailand).

Have I got that right?

[ubonjoe]

The rule is 30 days early. For Bangkok and a few other offices it is 45 days early.

It appears they count from the date you apply. So you should be able to it early and be OK.

If the under consideration period went beyond your permit to stay date then you would need a re-entry permit for those days.

The immigration office up here starts mine at the end of my permit to stay.

[Bpuumike]

I have twice applied more than 30 days early at CW, the reason being that I would be flying in a few days and at work overseas on the expiry date.

Luckily they have given me the extensions on the spot.

This is an O-A visa, not B if that makes any difference?

[55Jay]

My experience in Korat for Non-O (marriage).

Extension ends 24 March. I applied 25 February.

The slip of paper said report back 24 April. I asked why not on or about 24 March (30 days from application date) and she said the dates/stamps run from end of extension + 30 days consideration.

I explained I had planned on a trip outside Thailand in April, which is why I applied roughly 30 days early. She gave me her # and said to call on 24 March to see if it was back from BKK. Without actually winking, she did leave me and my Mrs with the impression it would be back, and the stamps and dates were procedural.

[ubonjoe]

My experience in Korat for Non-O (marriage).

Extension ends 24 March. I applied 25 February.

The slip of paper said report back 24 April. I asked why not on or about 24 March (30 days from application date) and she said the dates/stamps run from end of extension + 30 days consideration.

I explained I had planned on a trip outside Thailand in April, which is why I applied roughly 30 days early. She gave me her # and said to call on 24 March to see if it was back from BKK. Without actually winking, she did leave me and my Mrs with the impression it would be back, and the stamps and dates were procedural.

I think it is the same for all immigration offices up here in the northeast. They start the 30 days on the date your current extension or entry ends..

My last extension (my 6th) was approved by the regional headquarters in Korat 8 days after I applied at immigration here in Ubon.

If yours is the first application it may take longer.

[55Jay]

My experience in Korat for Non-O (marriage).

Extension ends 24 March. I applied 25 February.

The slip of paper said report back 24 April. I asked why not on or about 24 March (30 days from application date) and she said the dates/stamps run from end of extension + 30 days consideration.

I explained I had planned on a trip outside Thailand in April, which is why I applied roughly 30 days early. She gave me her # and said to call on 24 March to see if it was back from BKK. Without actually winking, she did leave me and my Mrs with the impression it would be back, and the stamps and dates were procedural.

I think it is the same for all immigration offices up here in the northeast. They start the 30 days on the date your current extension or entry ends..

My last extension (my 6th) was approved by the regional headquarters in Korat 8 days after I applied at immigration here in Ubon.

If yours is the first application it may take longer.

Thanks for the response and info. Didn't know Korat was a regional HQ able to approve things from outlying stations.

This is my second extension so it may not even go to BKK as it did last year; at least that's what they told me. Thanks again. J

[ubonjoe]

My experience in Korat for Non-O (marriage).

Extension ends 24 March. I applied 25 February.

The slip of paper said report back 24 April. I asked why not on or about 24 March (30 days from application date) and she said the dates/stamps run from end of extension + 30 days consideration.

I explained I had planned on a trip outside Thailand in April, which is why I applied roughly 30 days early. She gave me her # and said to call on 24 March to see if it was back from BKK. Without actually winking, she did leave me and my Mrs with the impression it would be back, and the stamps and dates were procedural.

I think it is the same for all immigration offices up here in the northeast. They start the 30 days on the date your current extension or entry ends..

My last extension (my 6th) was approved by the regional headquarters in Korat 8 days after I applied at immigration here in Ubon.

If yours is the first application it may take longer.

Thanks for the response and info. Didn't know Korat was a regional HQ able to approve things from outlying stations.

This is my second extension so it may not even go to BKK as it did last year; at least that's what they told me. Thanks again. J

If you applied in Korat for your previous extension it a was approved at the region 4 headquarters in Korat. Have a look in your passport and you find a small stamp in Thai under your extension stamp that has info about the approval by the regional HQ.

All 6 of mine have been approved in Korat.