Non Imm O-A Multi Entry Visa Question

[SpokaneAl]

We travel back and forth each year between the US and Thailand, spending six months in each country. In order to make it easier on myself for logistics and dealing with immigration, each year I obtain a Non Imm O-A Multi Entry Visa, which has not been a particularly difficult process. I obtain a new one each year because we leave Thailand in April and return in late October, which is always well after the enter before date, depending on airplane ticket prices and other personal issues.

This year we just returned to Thailand with my Non Imm O-A Multi Entry Visa. It has an enter before date of August 24, 2016. In that we have no plans to re-enter Thailand prior to the enter before date, could we purchase a single entry before departing Thailand in April and use it to re-enter Thailand six months later, on our normal, to be determined, end of October date?

If so, when would my current Non Imm O-A multi entry visa then expire?

I really have no interest in doing border runs or the like while in Thailand.

[oncearugge]

What is the "permission to stay" date which is stamped in the passport?

When do you intend returning?

[ubonjoe]

A re-entry permit would only be valid to your current admitted until date on your entry stamp. It seems you would be entering after that date or shortly before it.

You may not want to do it but you may need to do a border hop to get a new one year entry prior to when you leave in April.

[SpokaneAl]

What is the "permission to stay" date which is stamped in the passport?

When do you intend returning?

Admitted to October 20, 2016.

We like to come back towards the end of October, but if the admitted date is an issue, we could return prior to that date.

[KhunBENQ]

1) You don't intend to return before the visa expires (ENTER BEFORE)

2) You now have an admission of almost one year and intend to return about this time (not significantly earlier).

3) You don't want to do a border run before you leave Thailand.

In this case I don't see much sense in saving the admission by a re-entry.

4) Get a new visa.

A border run (not visa run) before you finally leave and within the ENTER BEFORE would give you another year which would be worth saving with a re-entry.

But you don't want. So see 4).

[oncearugge]

What is the "permission to stay" date which is stamped in the passport?

When do you intend returning?

Admitted to October 20, 2016.

We like to come back towards the end of October, but if the admitted date is an issue, we could return prior to that date.

By obtaining a re-entry permit and returning prior to Oct 20 2016 will only allow entry up to Oct 20 !

As suggested you need to do a border hop toward the end of your current stay and then obtain a re entry permit

[KhunBENQ]

By obtaining a re-entry permit and returning prior to Oct 20 2016 will only allow entry up to Oct 20 !

And only give admission to stay until Oct 20, 2016 which is somewhat useless.

[SpokaneAl]

A re-entry permit would only be valid to your current admitted until date on your entry stamp. It seems you would be entering after that date or shortly before it.

You may not want to do it but you may need to do a border hop to get a new one year entry prior to when you leave in April.

If I understand you correctly, I could do a border run before departing at the end of April, which would give me an additional year, which would make purchasing a re-entry stamp worthwhile.

If I did that it seems that the result would be an additional year from my border run date. Before making a decision I would need to determine if the ending date of that additional year fit my anticipated departure schedule plans for the following year.

[elviajero]

A border hop in April 2016 would give you another 1 year stay until April 2017. Then you could buy a re-entry permit on exit from Thailand and when you come back in Oct 2016 you'll be given a stay until April 2017.

If you don't do that then as suggested you should get a new non 'O-A' before returning in Oct 2016.

[SpokaneAl]

Thank you everyone for your wise comments.

My problem is that I don't want my life and schedule driven by visa issues, so it sounds like another non imm o-a multi entry visa is the best solution.

[steve187]

I think in your case get a new O 'A' every year, it saves any stress on your part, as its difficult planning to get 2 entries a 360 days apart

[Langsuan Man]

I spend 8 months a year in Thailand and get an O-A every two years

It is not that difficult to time your O-A application to get it to last for two years of permission to stay, just make sure that you apply as closely as possible to your first departure date, and then just plan on coming back the second year a week or so earlier so that you can enter before the visa expires. You just have to remember that if you want to take a side trip out of Thailand during the second year you must obtain a re-entry permit from Immigration to keep your permission to stay alive, not necessary for the first year because the visa is multiple entry

A $200 a pop I am not about to spend twice as much because I can't manage the calendar

[SpokaneAl]

I spend 8 months a year in Thailand and get an O-A every two years

It is not that difficult to time your O-A application to get it to last for two years of permission to stay, just make sure that you apply as closely as possible to your first departure date, and then just plan on coming back the second year a week or so earlier so that you can enter before the visa expires. You just have to remember that if you want to take a side trip out of Thailand during the second year you must obtain a re-entry permit from Immigration to keep your permission to stay alive, not necessary for the first year because the visa is multiple entry

A $200 a pop I am not about to spend twice as much because I can't manage the calendar

Thank you for your insight. Actually, in my case it is not about being unable to manage a calendar. It is a conscious decision not to let the cost of a visa drive my travel and life decisions.