I am beginning the 2nd year of my Non-Immigrant OA "Retirement" Multiple Entry Visa (latest re-entry 6 Sept and valid to 5 Sept 2016) and have two questions please :-

1. Do I now need a re-entry permit each and every time I leave Thailand? (last year I was told by immigration office I would never need one but this forum indicates elsewhere this is necessary after the end of year 1).

2. Do I need to import B800,000.00 into my Thai bank account? If so by when?

My next 90-day reporting date is 6 December 2015.

Thank you.

Yes you do need a re-entry permit,without one you would lose your permission to stay.

The 800,000 needs to be in the bank for 60 days prior to you making application for an extension of stay. The application can be made 30 days prior to the expiry of your current permission to stay.

After the enter before date on your visa you will need a re-entry permit to keep your last one year entry valid.

You can get multiple re-entry permit for a fee of 3800 baht or a single for 1000 baht.

If you have already done the last entry possible you will not meed to do an extension until September 5th of 2016. You can apply for the extension up to 30 days before the 5th.

You need to have the money in the bank 60 days before the date you expect to apply for the extension.

OK thanks, since I want to regularly visit neighbouring countries it seems best that I bring the money in asap and then apply for a multiple re-entry permit 60 days later.

OK thanks, since I want to regularly visit neighbouring countries it seems best that I bring the money in asap and then apply for a multiple re-entry permit 60 days later.

You don't need the 800,000 thb in the bank prior to getting the re-entry permit. It's only required when extending an annual permission to stay....two separate issues.

Edited October 27, 201510 yr by TheAppletons

OK thanks, since I want to regularly visit neighbouring countries it seems best that I bring the money in asap and then apply for a multiple re-entry permit 60 days later.

You need the money in the bank a couple of months before you need to apply for an extension of stay next September. Nothing to do with the re-entry permit.

You can get a re-entry permit now. If you plan to leave and return to Thailand 4 or more times in the next year, a multi-entry re-entry permit for Baht 3800 would be best. It will expire on the same date as you current permission to stay and can be used as often as you like before it and the permission expire.

Fewer than 4 times in and out, you could get single re-entry permits at Baht 1000 each time, although the multi-entry would be less hassle since you wouldn't need to get a new one each time you travel.

When you return to Thailand using the re-entry permit, put the re-entry permit number on your arrival card, NOT the visa number. Make sure that the immigrations officer sees the re-entry permit and gives you a new permission to stay stamp that is good to Sept 2016. Since your O-A visa will have expired, it is the re-entry permit that you will be using to enter the country and maintain your permission to stay until Sept 2016

Edited October 27, 201510 yr by Suradit69

Thanks everyone for the advice; I think I understand now - I definitely need a re-entry permit before I travel/leave Thailand because I'm in year 2 of my O-A ME visa, and then have the money in my bank account at least 60 days before applying for extension of stay. If I depart and re-enter (with a re-entry permit) and again at immigration I receive a new one year stamp in my passport I won't then have to apply for an extension nor need to have the money here. Is it a condition of a ME O-A visa that the B800k is imported? And if so by when?

The re-entry permit will keep you last one year entry valid it will give you any extra days.

You will be applying for an extension of stay not a OA visa. It will not be multiple entry unless you get another multiple re-entry permit.

You will need to have the 800k baht in the bank at least 60 days before the date your last one year entry ends. You can apply for the extension 30 day before that entry ends.

The is no requirement for the funds to come from abroad.

OP , good advice above. On side note , you can obtain the reentry permit at the airport. Painless process.

If I depart and re-enter (with a re-entry permit) and again at immigration I receive a new one year stamp in my passport I won't then have to apply for an extension nor need to have the money here. Is it a condition of a ME O-A visa that the B800k is imported? And if so by when?

Now that your visa has expired, each time you re-enter you will get a permission to stay up to Sept 2016. You only get a new one year permission during the first year of the visa. Now that the visa has expired, you will only get the same expiration date in Sept each time you re-enter,

So plan on getting the money in the bank at least two months before applying for the extension and you could make the application for the extension in August. Most offices allow 30 days before the permission to stay expires. Some offices allow up to 45 days. In subsequent years, if you are using the money in the bank method, you should have the Baht 800,000 in the bank at least 3 months before you apply for a renewal.

Once the extension is granted you will need a NEW re-entry permit if you plan to travel. A multi=entry permit will be valid until the permission/extension of stay expires. A single re-entry will be valid until the extension expires or once it has been used.

Edited October 31, 201510 yr by Suradit69

Great, thanks for the advice everyone, appreciated!

One last Q - typically how long does it take for the extension application to be approved? I'm due to attend a wedding overseas end August next year so need the extension approved before I depart. Thanks.

One last Q - typically how long does it take for the extension application to be approved? I'm due to attend a wedding overseas end August next year so need the extension approved before I depart. Thanks.

An extension based on retirement can usually be achieved with a single visit to immigration. ie. The extension is approved and issued on the day of application.

The extension will be approved and stamped in your passport on the same day you apply for it.

The extension of stay is done basically on the spot. That's for say bkk. Some locations give you an "under consideration" ......

Be aware that you need to apply for the extension where you live in Thailand . Read up on each locations particular requirements. Simple example bkk requires update of handbook on the day you apply. Some other locations do not.