Returning to BKK on visa renewal date

[JeffAstle]

I work here and my wife has a dependant's visa. She will be away and returning on the day the annual visa has to be renewed. Our company lawyer says that's not a problem, that she has until 1 pm that day to renew and even if she doesn't make it, she can go the next day and renew it on payment of a 500 baht fine. I'm worried she might get hassle at the airport. Does anyone have any experience of this, or suggestions on how to avoid complications? (She can't change her return date). Thanks in advance.

[ubonjoe]

The best way would be for her to apply for her new extension of stay (it is not a visa) before leaving. That of course would also mean you would need to do your extension early.

I don't know where they are getting the 1 pm number from. She would have until about 4:30 when immigration closes. She would have a valid permit to stay until midnight on the day she arrives.

One day of overstay would probably be allowed.

[JeffAstle]

Thanks ubonjoe. For various reasons I can't get my work permit etc renewed in time to do it all before she leaves. Fingers crossed she finds a sympathetic immigration officer at Suvarnibhumi. We have come across one or two who smile at least.

[ubonjoe]

When she enters the country the immigration officer will probably ask her if she really only wants the day the re-entry permit will allow. She should check that they only stamp her in for the day instead of giving her a 30 day exempt entry.

[JeffAstle]

Thanks. Excuse my ignorance, but what happens if she gets the 30 day stamp? That will complicate the renewal process because she's come in as a tourist? Even if unwittingly?

[ubonjoe]

On an exempt entry she would not be able to apply for an extension until she got a new non-o visa.

But since it would be an error it could be corrected at immigration. But in your wife's case it would have to be done on the same day she entered the country.

[JeffAstle]

Thank you, much appreciated. This is a great forum for visa advice and experience.

[OJAS]

Might not the simplest course of action for her peace of mind and yours be for her to obtain a completely fresh dependant's visa from a local Thai embassy or consulate during her travels? Or would the fact that your extension date and hers would then be out of sync be problematical?

[ubonjoe]

There is no dependents visa it would be a non-o visa based upon visiting a family member.

A dependent extension cannot go out of sync with the sponsors. The dependents extension will always end when the sponsors ends.