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Posted

History: I applied for, and received a non-immigrant OA visa with multiple entries in May '13. I entered Thailand in May '13. I left Thailand in Mar '14, and reentered in April '14, and was stamped 16-04-2015,...or one year.

This week I flew over to Luang Prabang for tourism,...and when I returned (CNX),... was given to 16 January 2015,...reducing my current stamp by 3 months.

expected,...and failingly argued for, a stamp that read 17 Dec 2015.

#1. I'm in shock,...as I have a lease, and full intentions of remaining in Thailand,...near to purchasing a condo,...and been stripped of my next 4 months.

#2. An O-A visa is limited? Does on need to go through all the BS (medical exams, financial statements, good standing with home country police, etc) every year?

#3. I've already booked a non-refundable expensive trip to Krabi and PhiPhi from, and return to CNX for 2, in Feb '15,...and I no longer have any reasonable certainity I'll be allow in the Country. I have a second excursion booked from CNX in latter Feb.

#4 Now that I been limited to a less than 30 day permit to be in Thailand,...what are my options? People talk about leaving and returning,...but by Jan 16 2015, I'll have 9 of the last 9 months in Thailand.

#5 One possibility,...leave Jan 16,...and return Jan 27,...in order to (maybe) get a perment going to Feb 26,...to make my CNX flight that day,...and cover my Krabi trip.

Any (serious) ideas will be appreciated.

Posted

Your visa expired in May so any new travel required a re-entry permit allowing entry until the current premitted to stay date in your passport. As you apparently did not have this you obtained a normal 30 day visa exempt entry.

Now if you want to stay for retirement you need to convert now to a 3 month non immigrant visa entry and then extend stay for one year meeting the local financial requirements or return to home country for a new O-A visa - but next time remember it is only valid for travel/use during the one year time on the visa itself.

1. You should have been aware of visa/re-entry requirements - the visa is clearly only valid for one year.

2. You have to extend every year meeting financial requirements and you require a re-entry permit for any travel if you wish to continue the current permitted to stay period.

3. You just need to extend or obtain new visa or visa exempt entry for later trips. But you have no right to be in country beyond your current 30 day entry until you do so.

4. As mentioned above - obtain new extension or visa entry - but you are going to have to prove financials every year for retirement.

5. Yes you could use such visa exempt entry by air - but perhaps better to get going to return to retirement status and extensions.

Posted

Your visa expired in May so any new travel required a re-entry permit allowing entry until the current premitted to stay date in your passport. As you apparently did not have this you obtained a normal 30 day visa exempt entry.

Now if you want to stay for retirement you need to convert now to a 3 month non immigrant visa entry and then extend stay for one year meeting the local financial requirements or return to home country for a new O-A visa - but next time remember it is only valid for travel/use during the one year time on the visa itself.

1. You should have been aware of visa/re-entry requirements - the visa is clearly only valid for one year.

2. You have to extend every year meeting financial requirements and you require a re-entry permit for any travel if you wish to continue the current permitted to stay period.

3. You just need to extend or obtain new visa or visa exempt entry for later trips. But you have no right to be in country beyond your current 30 day entry until you do so.

4. As mentioned above - obtain new extension or visa entry - but you are going to have to prove financials every year for retirement.

5. Yes you could use such visa exempt entry by air - but perhaps better to get going to return to retirement status and extensions.

Yes,...should have been aware of visa/re-entry requirements. Just thought I had a multi-entry visa.

As I have a booked flight to my home country in late Feb from CNX,...is there any current problems with (a US citizen) exiting on Jan 16,...and returning Jan 27,...and receiving a 30 permit to get me to Feb 26.....considering I have been in Thailand near continuously for 20 months. OR....would they consider an ex-O-A, with a 29 day permit (Dec 18-Jan 16) un-eligible for a second entry permit.

I've heard of expats going in and out every 30 days,...but never done it myself.

Is there any possibility that my clearly marked April 16, 2015 immigration stamp can over-ride the new Jan 16, 2015 stamp?

Posted

You did have a multi entry visa - but it was issued in May 2013 from your post so it would expire in May 2014. You made a new entry before it did so if you had stayed here or obtained a re-entry permit prior to travel you would have been good until that permitted to stay date (16-04-2015).

Should not be any issue with air arrival for new 30 day entry.

No way you can use that old permitted to stay date - you would need a re-entry permit to do so and they would notice your trip/return without one.

Posted

You did have a multi entry visa - but it was issued in May 2013 from your post so it would expire in May 2014. You made a new entry before it did so if you had stayed here or obtained a re-entry permit prior to travel you would have been good until that permitted to stay date (16-04-2015).

Should not be any issue with air arrival for new 30 day entry.

No way you can use that old permitted to stay date - you would need a re-entry permit to do so and they would notice your trip/return without one.

Thanks. When it comes to immigration, a 100% comprehensive would prove to be cost effective.

Posted (edited)

Maybe your best course of action would be to exit Thailand early in the New Year and obtain a 60-day tourist visa at a Royal Thai consulate or Embassy in an adjoining country (plenty of advice on here on where would be the best bets). That would then tide you through until your trip back to your home country at the end of February. You could then obtain a fresh non-O or non-OA visa while you were there.

Edited by OJAS
Posted

Now if you want to stay for retirement you need to convert now to a 3 month non immigrant visa entry and then extend stay for one year meeting the local financial requirements or return to home country for a new O-A visa - but next time remember it is only valid for travel/use during the one year time on the visa itself.

So?....with a O-A,...one needs a new one every year,...that is,...update financials, medical, good standing, etc., every time it expires. On the one hand,...such is a lot of hoops,...but on the other,...since the coup in May,...Chiang Mai immigration has gotten difficult,...meaning, 90 day reports have gone from a 10 minute wait, to a 3-4 wait. Some people here say its pay back for Northern Thai supporting Yingluck,...by reducing Immigration employees.

I need to research an easier way to stay. Perhaps an Education Visa,...just sign up with Walen,...and go to school a few hours per week.

Posted

Maybe your best course of action would be to exit Thailand early in the New Year and obtain a 60-day tourist visa at a Royal Thai consulate or Embassy in an adjoining country (plenty of advice on here on where would be the best bets). That would then tide you through until your trip back to your home country at the end of February. You could then obtain a fresh non-O or non-OA visa while you were there.

"60-day tourist visa at a Royal Thai consulate or Embassy"...interesting! I'll look into that immediately.

What you're suggesting is?,...a 60 tourist visa can be acquired without the paperwork requirements of an O-A?

Posted

A non O-A visa multi entry as you had can serve for almost 2 years stay with a new entry just before the visa expires (but during second year you must have re-entry permit for travel (as you did not do).

If you extend within Thailand it is not a visa but a one year permitted to stay each time and you must obtain a re-entry permit for any travel. Financial information is required each year but process is simple.

Posted

A non O-A visa multi entry as you had can serve for almost 2 years stay with a new entry just before the visa expires (but during second year you must have re-entry permit for travel (as you did not do).

If you extend within Thailand it is not a visa but a one year permitted to stay each time and you must obtain a re-entry permit for any travel. Financial information is required each year but process is simple.

Let me see if I understand this....Yes,...my O-A did serve for nearly two years,...stamp wise. If I had obtained a re-entry permit before hand,...they would have stamped 1 year from Dec 18, instead of until Jan 16, 2015?

Posted

A non O-A visa multi entry as you had can serve for almost 2 years stay with a new entry just before the visa expires (but during second year you must have re-entry permit for travel (as you did not do).

If you extend within Thailand it is not a visa but a one year permitted to stay each time and you must obtain a re-entry permit for any travel. Financial information is required each year but process is simple.

Let me see if I understand this....Yes,...my O-A did serve for nearly two years,...stamp wise. If I had obtained a re-entry permit before hand,...they would have stamped 1 year from Dec 18, instead of until Jan 16, 2015?

No, a re-entry permit doesn't preserve your visa, it preserves that current permission to stay period.

Posted

Now if you want to stay for retirement you need to convert now to a 3 month non immigrant visa entry and then extend stay for one year meeting the local financial requirements or return to home country for a new O-A visa - but next time remember it is only valid for travel/use during the one year time on the visa itself.

So?....with a O-A,...one needs a new one every year,...that is,...update financials, medical, good standing, etc., every time it expires. On the one hand,...such is a lot of hoops,...but on the other,...since the coup in May,...Chiang Mai immigration has gotten difficult,...meaning, 90 day reports have gone from a 10 minute wait, to a 3-4 wait. Some people here say its pay back for Northern Thai supporting Yingluck,...by reducing Immigration employees.

I need to research an easier way to stay. Perhaps an Education Visa,...just sign up with Walen,...and go to school a few hours per week.

They have the same amout of employess as they have had for years, even Yingluck didn't increase the number. I did my 90 day report today and it took about 45 min. Please do not post nonsense as some folks will read it and think it is correct. The main reason for the long waits at Chiang Mai Immigration is the sheer numbers of people applying for assistance. Five years ago you gould just walk in fill out the paper work and be gone in about 39 min. the good old days are gone.

Posted

Maybe your best course of action would be to exit Thailand early in the New Year and obtain a 60-day tourist visa at a Royal Thai consulate or Embassy in an adjoining country (plenty of advice on here on where would be the best bets). That would then tide you through until your trip back to your home country at the end of February. You could then obtain a fresh non-O or non-OA visa while you were there.

"60-day tourist visa at a Royal Thai consulate or Embassy"...interesting! I'll look into that immediately.

What you're suggesting is?,...a 60 tourist visa can be acquired without the paperwork requirements of an O-A?

Indeed I am so suggesting. In any event you could probably only obtain an OA visa back in your home country AFAIK.

Posted

They have the same amout of employess as they have had for years, even Yingluck didn't increase the number. I did my 90 day report today and it took about 45 min. Please do not post nonsense as some folks will read it and think it is correct. The main reason for the long waits at Chiang Mai Immigration is the sheer numbers of people applying for assistance. Five years ago you gould just walk in fill out the paper work and be gone in about 39 min. the good old days are gone.

Not interested in a hear-say match,...but from my experience,...which did not include scientific background research,...before May 14, my visits to CM Immigration took less than 20 minutes. The last two, were after May 14, and took 3 1/4 hr and 3 3/4 hr,...for the same 45 second stamp,...and all visits began at the same time, although different days. So,...no nonsense here. You could be fully correct that it's all about some sort of mass migration to Chiang Mai,...and has nothing at all to do with the how the coup is responding to CM's needs.

Maybe I'll ask Gen Prayuth, if he ever visits Thailand's #2 city, or elsewhere in North-Northwest Thailand.

Posted

A non O-A visa multi entry as you had can serve for almost 2 years stay with a new entry just before the visa expires (but during second year you must have re-entry permit for travel (as you did not do).

If you extend within Thailand it is not a visa but a one year permitted to stay each time and you must obtain a re-entry permit for any travel. Financial information is required each year but process is simple.

Let me see if I understand this....Yes,...my O-A did serve for nearly two years,...stamp wise. If I had obtained a re-entry permit before hand,...they would have stamped 1 year from Dec 18, instead of until Jan 16, 2015?

No. Had you obtained a re-entry permit you would have retained your 16 April 2015 permission to stay.

Posted

The extra time required is more due to the crackdown on fraudulent ED visa extensions/visa exempt entry for work and more people changing to other methods of stay and should taper off.

Posted

Now if you want to stay for retirement you need to convert now to a 3 month non immigrant visa entry and then extend stay for one year meeting the local financial requirements or return to home country for a new O-A visa - but next time remember it is only valid for travel/use during the one year time on the visa itself.

So?....with a O-A,...one needs a new one every year,...that is,...update financials, medical, good standing, etc., every time it expires. On the one hand,...such is a lot of hoops,...but on the other,...since the coup in May,...Chiang Mai immigration has gotten difficult,...meaning, 90 day reports have gone from a 10 minute wait, to a 3-4 wait. Some people here say its pay back for Northern Thai supporting Yingluck,...by reducing Immigration employees.

I need to research an easier way to stay. Perhaps an Education Visa,...just sign up with Walen,...and go to school a few hours per week.

Don't confuse getting an O-A Retirement "Visa" like you had/got you in your home country with a Retirement "Extension of Stay." You get an Retirement Extension of Stay "within Thailand...at immigration"; a Visa you normally have to get outside of Thailand.

Of course to get a Retirement Extension of Stay you first need a valid permission to stay from an O or OA visa...that's why they call it an "extension." Getting a retirement extension of stay each is about as easy as it gets if you have your financial house in order...that is, either Bt800K in a Thai bank, or "combination" of bank balance and Bt65K per month income which equates to the Bt800K, or an income affidavit/letter from your embassy. No police or medical check required. Application fee Bt1,900.

About six years ago I came over with my O-A Retirement Visa I got in the U.S., but ever since then I have never left the country, and each year I just go to immigration with the 1.5 page long retirement extension application with photo attached, my passport, and my bank letter confirming I have Bt800K or my embassy income letter, pay the Bt1,900 application fee, and in about 1.5 hours I have my retirement extension of stay good for another year. About 80% of that 1.5 hr time is getting the bank letter from my bank branch in the same building as immigration and waiting in immigration for my queue number to be called....after my queue number is called withing 10 to 15 minutes I'm done, out the immigration doors, another one year retirement extension of stay stamp in my passbook. Pretty easy and fast...repeat each year before the current extension of stay expires. And if you need to leave the country be sure to get a re-entry permit to keep the extension of stay valid...so you don't have to start from square one again.

You won't find anything easier than a retirement extension of stay assuming you have the necessary financial income requirement of Bt800K/year.

Unfortunately, you messed up in not understanding how your Retirement Visa worked, how to keep it valid, how to extend it. Just blame yourself, move on, and remedy the situation

Posted

They have the same amout of employess as they have had for years, even Yingluck didn't increase the number. I did my 90 day report today and it took about 45 min. Please do not post nonsense as some folks will read it and think it is correct. The main reason for the long waits at Chiang Mai Immigration is the sheer numbers of people applying for assistance. Five years ago you gould just walk in fill out the paper work and be gone in about 39 min. the good old days are gone.

Not interested in a hear-say match,...but from my experience,...which did not include scientific background research,...before May 14, my visits to CM Immigration took less than 20 minutes. The last two, were after May 14, and took 3 1/4 hr and 3 3/4 hr,...for the same 45 second stamp,...and all visits began at the same time, although different days. So,...no nonsense here. You could be fully correct that it's all about some sort of mass migration to Chiang Mai,...and has nothing at all to do with the how the coup is responding to CM's needs.

Maybe I'll ask Gen Prayuth, if he ever visits Thailand's #2 city, or elsewhere in North-Northwest Thailand.

Yes sometimes you walk in and walk out depending on the day and time but that is down to how many people have shown up to make a 90 day report nothing to do with the coup. The officer in charge at Chiang Mai Immigration has been requesting more personnel and a new and improved space for more than 2 years as the work load has been increaseing for more than 2 years. Sorry you cannot blame it on the coup as the problems have been there before that date.Unfortunately the work load is not decreasing a few years ago you didn't see chinese at immigration but now you do.

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