Hello all. This is my first post. I'm new to this forum, so please forgive me if an answer to my question has already been posted. I did spend some time reading the posts, but nothing seemed to fit my situation.

I am currently in Thailand on an O-A category visa but will be returning to the U.S. for 6-8 months on 20 April 2015. My O-A category visa already has multiple entry (re-entry) until 26 August 2015. My wife and I have traveled to Cambodia and Vietnam once and returned to Thailand on 20 FEB 2015. Unfortunately we will not be returning from the U.S. to Thailand until at least 01 NOV 2015, after my current O-A visa has expired.

This was my first long term stay in Thailand. We are both retired and maintain a residence in California and another in Kuchinarai, Kalasin, Thailand. My wife has dual-citizenship of the U.S. and Thailand. We plan to spend six months in Thailand and six months in the U.S. each year. The process of obtaining all the required documents (medical report, police report, financial report, etc.) to apply for a new O-A visa from the start each time I return to the U.S. at the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles is about $300-$500 and very time consuming. But, from reading some of the post might actually be cheaper than obtaining extensions or re-entry permits at some of the Thai immigration offices in country.

My question is: - Is there a more effective or efficient way of renewing or extending my current O-A visa in Thailand or at the consulate in Los Angeles that will allow re-entry to Thailand this November 2015 without obtaining an entirely new O-A visa? If so, I would be requesting an extension (1 year) for re-entry several months before my current visa has expired. Is it possible to extend/renew my current O-A visa within the four months prior to it's expiration so that I may return to Thailand this November?

Again, I'm looking for the best way to accomplish our goal of spending half a year in Thailand and half a year in the U.S.. Since Thailand only allows up to a one year visa, what is the best way to handle my Thai visa situation? The consular's office in Washington DC has advised obtaining a re-entry permit prior to returning to the U.S., but some of the posts indicate that the multiple re-entry status of my visa would then be limited. We do not plan to remain in Thailand more than 6 months each year and will be maintaining both homes until we are no longer able to travel between countries. I do have a Thai house record and Thai bank accounts, but do not maintain 800K ฿ in country. Financial proof was provided from pension income and bank statements in the U.S. at the time I applied for my current category O-A visa.

How do I best accomplish my goal of spending 6 months in the U.S. and 6 months in Thailand each year when it comes to immigration and visa requirements?

Any advice would be appreciated.

'KhonBahnNok'

The process of obtaining all the required documents (medical report, police report, financial report, etc.) to apply for a new O-A visa from the start each time I return to the U.S. at the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles is about $300-$500 and very time consuming. But, from reading some of the post might actually be cheaper than obtaining extensions or re-entry permits at some of the Thai immigration offices in country.

I would doubt this.

What you need is the income letter from your Embassy and if that does not sum up to 800k per year you need the difference on a Thai bank account,

This money can be used up after you got your extension.

No medical, no police report.

Easier in my view.

With your wife (legal marriage registered in Thailand) holding Thai citizenship the financials can be reduced for the price of some more burocratic effort.

If you get the "timing right" and optaining the re-entry before leaving you would be OK.

Edited April 9, 201511 yr by KhunBENQ

Every time you entered Thailand on your O-A visa you were given a 1 year Permission To Stay.

- When does your current stay expire?

- Do you plan to make any more regional trips before you go back to the States?

The O/A visa is perhaps not best suited to your needs at the present time.

By obtaining a double entry tourist visa almost six months can be enjoyed in Thailand with just one border run needed to activate the second entry.

You should have a permitted to stay date of February 19th 2016 you got when you entered the country the last time.

You can get a re-entry permit that will be valid for entry up to that date.

You could then apply for a one year extension of stay prior to that date. You would need 800k baht in a Thai bank for 60 days or proof on an income of 65k baht or a combination of the 2 totaling 800k baht.

Then you could apply for an extension of stay in February every year after that and get a re-entry permit for you trips back to the US.

Hello Mahjongguy,

Thank you for your advice.

You wrote "Every time you entered Thailand on your O-A visa you were given a 1 year Permission To Stay."

If this is truly the case, my last re-entry into Thailand was 24 FEB 2015. Your statement would indicate that my current visa is now good for an additional 12 month stay in Thailand. That would allow a stay until 23 FEB 2016.

From some other posts I've read this 'automatic' 12-month extension may not allow for exit and re-entry on my current O-A visa. Do you know if I now am able to return to the U.S. and then re-enter Thailand in November/December 2015 without any additional paperwork, extensions or re-entry permits?

If the automatic 12-month extension is correct, then why did the representative at the Thai consulars' office in Washington not suggest this option? Can you please confirm or provide your experiences in this type of situation. If the 12-month automatic extension is valid, the that would solve the issue, since I do plan to travel outside Thailand regionally during each of our visits to Thailand. On our return to Thailand at the end of this year we plan to travel to Mayanmar to visit family members who are working there.

Thank you for quick response. It's very much appreciated.

The double-entry tourist visa on the next trip suggested might also be a good option for the next visit.

You got a permuted to stay date of 23 February, 2016 when you last entered the country. That does not extend your visa in anyway.

You have to get a re-entry permit to keep that date valid when you enter the country in November because your visa will expire in August. If you don't get a re-entry permit you will only get a 30 day stamp.

I'm afraid you will need to understand the difference between a Visa, the Permission To Stay granted on entry, and an extension.

Your O-A visa, which will expire a year after issuance, is used to enter the country. It entitles you to a 1 year stay each time you enter. Therefore, your stay may extend well beyond the expiration of your visa.

Check your passport. As UbonJoe said, it should say February 19th 2016.

If you make a regional trip in early August, while your visa is still valid, you will get a Permission to stay until early August 2016. Then you purchase a Re-Entry Permit so that you can go to the States for 6 months. You will still have the August 2016 expiration. In the 30 days before it's gone, get a 1 year extension from your local Immigration office.

Your plan to spend half a year every year will be eezy-peezy. The only limitation will be the need to be in Thailand every year at approximately the same time in order to renew your extension and to buy a single or multiple Re-Entry Permit.

Hello ubonjoe,

I just checked the stamps in my U.S. Passport on my Thai visa page and this is a new stamp there indicating that I am admitted to stay in country until 23 FEB 2016. So, same clarification... Can I exit to the U.S. for 6-8 months and return on this same O-A visa before 23 FEB 2016? Also, if we travel to Myanmar prior to that date, will this extend my stay an additional 12 months from my re-entry date to Thailand again? These are not regional visa runs... We on legitimate travel to tour and visit family.

Thank you for your time and advice.

'KhonBahnNok'

Your O/A visa has an expiry(use by) date!

Whist the visa is valid every time you enter Thailand you will receive a one year " permission to stay" stamp.

Entering Thailand just prior to the visa expiring will also result in a one year permission to stay even though the visa would expire. It is this period of stay which can be protected by securing a re-entry permit which allows travel/return up to the "permission to stay " date.

There are no "automatic" extensions of stay !

Follow ubonjoes advice about applying at a local immigration office for an extension of stay.

Sounds like I still need to purchase the re-entry permit prior to leaving Thailand this month. Is that the case? Are we running up against the 'financial' requirements for proof of 'in-country' funds to apply for the re-entry permit or is that not a requirement since I already have the O-A visa?

If you are leaving this month and not coming back until after August, then Yes you really should buy a Re-Entry Permit before you go. There are no requirements other than the money and the form, some copies and a photo.

Hello ubonjoe,

I just checked the stamps in my U.S. Passport on my Thai visa page and this is a new stamp there indicating that I am admitted to stay in country until 23 FEB 2016. So, same clarification... Can I exit to the U.S. for 6-8 months and return on this same O-A visa before 23 FEB 2016? Also, if we travel to Myanmar prior to that date, will this extend my stay an additional 12 months from my re-entry date to Thailand again? These are not regional visa runs... We on legitimate travel to tour and visit family.

Thank you for your time and advice.

'KhonBahnNok'

Unless you leave and return before August you will get no more one year entries from your visa. Your visa sticker has a enter before date on it. That is the last day you can enter the country and get a new one year entry.

You can get a multiple re-entry permit now and leave and re-enter the country as many time as want and you will be stamped into the country to the 23rd of February 2016.

In an earlier post I suggested you get an extension of stay in February. I think that is your best option rather than getting another OA visa while you are in the states.

Closest larger cities to me prior to returning to Bangkok for three days before flight back to U.S. are Loi-Et, Kalasin, or Korat. Not sure if there's an immigration office in Kuchinarai or not. Can local police stations do any of the immigration stuff? I know if you're not in Bangkok or near a 'real' immigration office the 90-day reporting requirements are suppose to be processed by a local police station.

We are in exactly the same situation as you, and each year I obtain a new non imm o-a multi entry visa for the purpose of retirement from the LA Thai Consulate. In that I am located in the northwest of the US, I complete the process by mail.

I find the entire process fairly painless and straight forward. I also like the idea of arriving with a visa in hand and the only interaction I have with local immigration is one or two (depending on whether we stay a bit beyond the six months or not) 90 day check ins.

In that we are only here for six months or so, I do not want to monkey around with visa runs, extensions of stay etc.

Like you, my wife enters and exits Thailand with her Thai passport, so visa issues only involve me.

If we timed things better we could get the almost two years for the price of one, but at this point in our lives, we prefer to not be driven by that when planning our stay in either location.

Edited April 9, 201511 yr by SpokaneAl

ubonjoe,

I need one more point of clarification from you last post.

Can I re-enter Thailand with my passport and visa as it is stamped now?

Yes, I can apply for an extension of stay in February 2016, but I need to return to Thailand in NOV/DEC 2015.

My current O-A visa expires 26 AUG 2015. Immigration stamp states "Admitted until 23 FEB 2016"

Sorry, still confused.

I don't want to have to go to the trouble of trying to obtain the re-entry permit prior to departing Thailand this month if it's not needed to re-enter in December this year.

Thank you for you time and efforts to make this clear to me. Later I'll be as seasoned as all the members here and know exactly how to handle this. Right now I'm still getting use to the Thai buracracy.

'KhonBahnNok'

ubonjoe,

I need one more point of clarification from you last post.

Can I re-enter Thailand with my passport and visa as it is stamped now?

Yes, I can apply for an extension of stay in February 2016, but I need to return to Thailand in NOV/DEC 2015.

My current O-A visa expires 26 AUG 2015. Immigration stamp states "Admitted until 23 FEB 2016"

Sorry, still confused.

I don't want to have to go to the trouble of trying to obtain the re-entry permit prior to departing Thailand this month if it's not needed to re-enter in December this year.

Thank you for you time and efforts to make this clear to me. Later I'll be as seasoned as all the members here and know exactly how to handle this. Right now I'm still getting use to the Thai buracracy.

'KhonBahnNok'

assuming you are currently back in the US, your current non imm o-a visa will get you into into Thailand up to the expiration date of August 2015.

Edited April 9, 201511 yr by SpokaneAl

The visa expires in August 2015. If you leave and return after that date WITHOUT a re-entry permit you will be given a 30 day visa exempt stamp on return !

Get the re- entry permit it does not need any great effort.

Edited April 9, 201511 yr by nzexpat

ubonjoe,

I need one more point of clarification from you last post.

Can I re-enter Thailand with my passport and visa as it is stamped now?

Yes, I can apply for an extension of stay in February 2016, but I need to return to Thailand in NOV/DEC 2015.

My current O-A visa expires 26 AUG 2015. Immigration stamp states "Admitted until 23 FEB 2016"

Sorry, still confused.

I don't want to have to go to the trouble of trying to obtain the re-entry permit prior to departing Thailand this month if it's not needed to re-enter in December this year.

Thank you for you time and efforts to make this clear to me. Later I'll be as seasoned as all the members here and know exactly how to handle this. Right now I'm still getting use to the Thai buracracy.

'KhonBahnNok'

You have to get a re-entry permit before you leave because you will be returning after your visas enter before date. If you are in Roi Et you can get it at the immigration office in Amnat Charon. Where are you at now?

You can also get a re-entry permit at the airport in Bangkok on departure form the country 24 hours a day.

The re-entry permit will allow to stay in the country when return until February 23rd.

Ubonjoe,

Thanks! Great info. Also from all the other members here too. So fast.

I am currently in Kuchinarai, Thailand. It is located about 1 and a half hours from Loi-Et and/or Kalasin. When we return to Bangkok the van driver can take either route before traveling on to Korat and Bangkok. But, your information that I can obtain the re-entry permit at Suvarnabhumi airport 24 hours a day is the best advice of all. That I can do, which will save me a lot of valuable time in Bangkok waiting in an immigration office. Originally we were going to try to go out to Chang Watana to get the re-entry permit. I try to avoid going there if at all possible. That's why I thought a more local regional immigration office might be better, but the airport sounds like the best option at this point. If that doesn't work out for some reason, I guess I'll go with SpokaneAl's suggestion and get a new visa in LA. I do have the advantage of being fairly close to the consulate there.

Thank you for the suggestions and clarifications.

'KhonBahnNok'

The nearest immigration office to you is in Mukdahan that is located near the entrance to the friendship bridge there.

The airport is the best choice to get the re-entry permit.. The re-entry permit desk at Suv is located just before the normal departure immigration desk (not at fast track) when you get off the escalator. They will be a 200 baht service charge above the 1000 baht fee for a single re-entry permit or 3800 baht for a multiple re-entry permit. They will do the photo, form and copies for you

Case solved!

Re-entry permit at Suvarnabhumi airport is my best option. Return to Thailand before years end, then apply for extension before February 2016 in Thailand at one of the border or regional immigration offices.

Thank you ubonjoe and everyone else here for your valuable advice. It is greatly appreciated. You saved me a lot of time and effort. I hope this thread helps some other new immigrant to Thailand in the near future. Navigating the Thai bureaucracy can be a challenge, mostly due to the vague and inconsistent information from various officials and agencies. Even the procedures, required documentation, and processes varies between foreign Thai consulates and from website to website. Just look at the visa information at the Thai Embassy Washington DC site compared to the Thai Consulate Los Angeles website. You'll find all shorts of differences in policies and procedures for the same application. Ran into much of the same here in Thailand. Something it is taking me some time to get use to.

Anyway, take care now.

"KhonBahnNok'

Case solved!

Re-entry permit at Suvarnabhumi airport is my best option. Return to Thailand before years end, then apply for extension before February 2016 in Thailand at one of the border or regional immigration offices.

Thank you ubonjoe and everyone else here for your valuable advice. It is greatly appreciated. You saved me a lot of time and effort. I hope this thread helps some other new immigrant to Thailand in the near future. Navigating the Thai bureaucracy can be a challenge, mostly due to the vague and inconsistent information from various officials and agencies. Even the procedures, required documentation, and processes varies between foreign Thai consulates and from website to website. Just look at the visa information at the Thai Embassy Washington DC site compared to the Thai Consulate Los Angeles website. You'll find all shorts of differences in policies and procedures for the same application. Ran into much of the same here in Thailand. Something it is taking me some time to get use to.

Anyway, take care now.

"KhonBahnNok'

Just a couple of questions for Ubon Joe or one of the other wise ones.

The OP states, in part, ". . . then apply for extension before February 2016 in Thailand at one of the border or regional immigration offices."

Is this not something best done at the immigration office that services the area where the OP lives?

Does where the OP obtains his extension of stay affect where he performs his 90 day reporting?

Thanks.

Edited April 9, 201511 yr by SpokaneAl

I noticed what he wrote but deiced to wait until he asks about doing his extension later.

He will have to do the extension at the assigned office for where he is living. Which would be Mukdahan if he is going to be living where he is now.

The 90 day reports also have be done at the office where you got the extension or at the office where he has registered his address.

I noticed what he wrote but deiced to wait until he asks about doing his extension later.

He will have to do the extension at the assigned office for where he is living. Which would be Mukdahan if he is going to be living where he is now.

The 90 day reports also have be done at the office where you got the extension or at the office where he has registered his address.

And in that he is planning on arriving in November, he will need to deal with a 90 day report prior to or possibly at the same time that he applies for an extension of stay, depending on his exact arrival date.

Edited April 9, 201511 yr by SpokaneAl

I noticed what he wrote but deiced to wait until he asks about doing his extension later.

He will have to do the extension at the assigned office for where he is living. Which would be Mukdahan if he is going to be living where he is now.

The 90 day reports also have be done at the office where you got the extension or at the office where he has registered his address.

And in that he is planning on arriving in November, he will need to deal with a 90 day report prior to or possibly at the same time that he applies for an extension of stay, depending on his exact arrival date.

If my understanding is correct, he would only need to deal specifically with a 90-day report if this was due prior to his application for an extension of stay. Otherwise, his first extension would automatically count as a 90-day report, would it not (although subsequent extensions would not)?

I was poking around the Thai Immigration website today (11 April 2015) and came across a few statements and notices scattered about that might be useful to this discussion. I suppose, even though it's on the official immigration website, some of the information could still be inaccurate or applied differently depending on the location or official you are dealing with.

Member OJAS' statement about the 90-day reporting after extension-of-stay is granted seems to be confirmed here as well.

________________________

Thailand Immigration Website:

http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/base.php

With cooperation between Immigration Bureau and Government Contact Center, you can now call 1111 for immigration inquiries 24 hours a day.

You could apply for an extention stay at every checkpoint except at the Suvarnabhumi Airport Checkpoint.

The first application for extension of stay by the foreigner is equivalent to the notification of staying in the Kingdom [of Thailand] over 90 days.

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/base.php?page=90days

From 2nd January, 2014, all foreigners residing in Bangkok will be able to provide their 90 days notification of residence at 2 additional offices, which are Immigration Service Center for 3 national Legalized Labors, Major Hollywood Suksawat and Imperial World Ladprao.

According to the New Regulation from August 13, 2013, when submitting application for Visa Extension if the validity of passport of the applicant is not longer than one year left before expiry, the extension of stay will be permitted not exceeding the expired date of passport. After the renewal of your passport of obtaining a new passport, you have to re-apply for Visa Extension by submitting required documents and paying extension fee (1,900 Baht). In case of overstay, the fine is 500 Baht per day.

You could apply for a re-entry permit at every checkpoint. However at Suvarnabhumi Airport Checkpoint would provide this service if necessary depending on officer's approval. Fee for re-entry permit is 1000 ฿ for a single entry and 3800 ฿ for multiple re-entry permit.

What does the Visa Expiration Date Mean?

The visa expiration date is shown on the visa. Depending on the alien’s nationality, visas can be issued for any number of entries, from as little as one entry to as many as multiple (unlimited) entries, for the same purpose of travel.

This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel for the same purpose, when the visa is issued for multiple entry.

This time period from the visa issuance date to visa expiration date as shown on the visa, is called visa validity. If you travel frequently as a tourist for example, with a multiple entry visa, you do not have to apply for a new visa each time you want to travel to Thailand.

The visa validity is the length of time you are permitted to travel to a port-of-entry in Thailand to request permission of the immigration officer to permit you to enter Thailand. The visa does not guarantee entry to Thailand.

The Expiration Date for the visa should not be confused with the authorized length of your stay in Thailand, given to you by the immigration officer at port-of-entry. The visa expiration date has nothing to do with the authorized length of your stay in Thailand for any given visit.

Each time you arrive at the port-of-entry, an immigration officer decides whether to allow you to enter and how long you can stay. Only the immigration officer has the authority to permit you to enter Thailand.

____________________________________________

The alien, who is holding a certificate of residence, and who wishes to obtain a new certificate of residence for reasons of either having no space left for endorsements or it is damaged, (and the certificate of residence is issued in Bangkok), can submit the application form via the internet as follows:

A. Procedure

First Step: Fill up the application form and attach with required documents (as per clause B.) then e-mail to: [email protected]

Second Step : The officer shall notify the result of the request within 3 days by email or telephone

Third Step: The alien has to bring the evidence of receiving the answer (as per clause no. 2) and the original document to show up as following.

1. Certificate of residence.

2. Certificate of alien registration.

3. Passport or traveling document of the alien.

4. House registration.

5. Four 2x2.5” Photographs.

Then pay the fee in the amount of Baht 1,900.- for receiving the certificate of TM 17 at Sub-Division 1, Bangkok immigration Division (Room no. 202 Section : Certificate of residence) address no. 507 Soi Suanplu South Sathorn Road, Khet Sathorn Bangkok. Tel 0-2287-3118 0-2287-3101-10 ext 2250, 2251

B. Required documents.

1. Fill up and affix the photograph on the application for substitute of the certificate of residence (TM.20)

2. Certificate of residence page 1-5, marked of last endorsement seal and marked of last traveling in-out seal.

3. Passport or traveling document of the alien on the page which is showing the name, Surname, detail of extension, marked of last non-quota immigrant visa seal and marked of last traveling in-out seal.

4. Certificate of alien registration page 1-5 detail of present address and last extension.

5. Copy of house registration on the page of address no. and name of the alien.

_______________________________________

Most of the info you posted you does apply to you.

You sould be doing 90 day reporting now if you stay longer than 90 days. in the country.

The info about an extension anywhere is wrong unless you are a tourist. You will need apply at the designated office for where your are living.

All the stuff you found about residency does not apply since you don't have it.

Thank you for the clarifications ubonjoe. They are very helpful.

I did my first 90-day reporting the first week in January this year at Chaengwattana. It was very busy and took almost three hours. Since we were staying in the Bang Pakok, Suksawat area at the time we were hoping to do the 90-day reporting at the Major Hollywood office on Suksawat road, but could not confirm if that was possible or not. I was given conflicting information (as usual), so I just opted to take a taxi all the way out to Chaengwattana to for the first in-person report. When I was in front of the immigration officer, she noticed my address in Bangpakok and said why didn't you just go to the Major Hollywood office as it was only about a kilometer away from our rented condo. She pointed to a paper notice posted on the immigration office wall. If the notice about going to Major Hollywood was on the immigration website at the time, I could not find it. After the long queue, which included a lunch break where everyone must exit the large waiting area and they shut off the lights and lock the doors for one hour, I was finally able to accomplish the report in a about 5 minutes. I could have saved a lot of waiting time and a 450 ฿ taxi cab fare if I'd gone to Major Hollywood instead. At the time the website indicated that this location was only for the three nationalities of Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. I was also told by an official working in another office of immigration (friend of a friend) that I had to go to Chaengwattana only. There were no answers at any of the immigration phone numbers listed on their website for either location to get confirmation.

Since we traveled to Cambodia & Vietnam and returned to Thailand on 24 February that reset the start of the second 90-day reporting period, so I will not need to report again before we leave for the states. Otherwise 7 April would have been my 2nd 90-day report date deadline.

Since I did my first 90-day report, I have obtained a yellow house record at the district office in Bangplad, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok (sister-in-law's house) where we stay when we first come to Thailand. We recorded there because my wife and I were not allowed to update her house record in the Kuchinarai office. Her house record was (by mistake - or foul play?) in my wife's nephew's name. He was looking after my wife's house in Kuchinarai for her before we came to Thailand. My wife hadn't been back to Thailand in such a long time that her ID and passport were not listed in the local government computer system. The officials here were the ones that suggested we 'Record' our house location Bangkok first and then when everything was in the system, 'Move' the house record back to Kuchinarai. The land office has record the ownership of the house and property into her name again, but we'll try to do the house record move on the next trip. In the meantime, my 'Yellow - Tabien Bahn' is in Bangplad, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok. If we have not accomplished the paperwork move to Kuchinarai by the time I need to request the extension of stay next year, then from what you've mentioned, I will have to do the extension request at Chaengwattan. I will try to call the immigration offices prior to making the trip back to Bangkok just for the extension or request the extension before returning upcountry. I presume I may request the extension of stay anytime prior to 23 February 2016 after re-entry. Is that correct? Unfortunately, I'd prefer to request the extension of stay in Mukdahan, or another regional location. If we travel to Myanmar before 23 February 2016 (presuming I purchase a multiple re-entry permit) is there any chance that they will allow me to request the extension of stay at the border immigration office between Myanmar and Thailand? Sorry, I'm not trying to complicate things here, just find out what options I have.

I do appreciate you vast knowledge in this area.

'KhonBahnNok'