Non-Imm O Visa (Education) - out of Thailand until 1 day past validity date

[KayCee]

I'd love some advice. My school aged son holds a Non-Immigrant O Visa, and has an extension of stay that is valid until Aug. 7 (a Sunday). We typically would leave Thailand for a summer holiday and be back in time to do an extension of stay before the previous one is up. But, this year, he's invited to go to a special sports camp in Europe with a buddy, that will only end on the day before his extension expires, and he would be back only on the night of the 6th, or morning of the 7th, when immigration is closed.

I'm assuming this is an enormous problem, and that there isn't any 1 week grace period or anything that would allow him to enter on the 6th late or 7th, and only turn up to Immigration on Monday, the 8th?

Since he was to fly with a friend from the US to Europe, he would be out of Thailand more than the 30 days before the end of his extension date that I think is allowable? Are there any other workable options short of bringing him back from camp early (only a problem in terms of his traveling alone from places where he doesn't speak the language, etc). Even if we did that, would immigration balk at him arriving on, say, the 5th, when his extension is only valid until the 7th?

[Maestro]

What is the planned departure date from Thailand for the summer holiday?

[TerryLH]

Immigration might allow an earlier extension if you go talk to them about this.

Normally they will extend one day after the visa expires, but only if it's closed on the expiration date.

Since they will be closed on the 7th, he will probably be ok on the 8th. Make sure all the paperwork is in order.

Again, get confirmation of that from immigration beforehand.

Good luck.

[KayCee]

We plan to leave for the summer holiday before June 30, because that's when our daughter's extension ends, since she graduates high school in June. Given how hectic the summer will be with settling her in university, perhaps an earlier extension for the son would be easiest. It's good to know they would allow a one day delay since they're closed on the 7th, but I'd be sort of scared he'd be coming through immigration alone on the 6th and might hit a snag, even if we'd asked earlier. Do they ever refuse entry with a multiple entry visa if the validity period ends so soon?

Thanks so much for the advise!

[ubonjoe]

I suggest you his extension of stay (it is not a visa) and a new re-entry permit before leaving. Bangkok immigration and a few others now allow doing extensions 45 days early.

If you go in with all the paperwork and have his tickets that show he will be out of the country when he would normally do the extension they will do it even earlier than normal.