Just How Serious A Screw-up Is This?

[thailen]

You'd think after 8 years living in Thailand with my O visa I'd remember to get a re-entry visa every time I leave the country, but you'd be wrong. I left April 1st, returned on May 29th and given a 30-day tourist visa, good until June 29th. Aside from any fines I 'm prepared to pay, I worry about other penalties, such as being blocked from leaving Thailand on a month-long trip beginning June 27th. Worse, how will this likely affect the renewal of my O visa on August 29th? Is this fixable? What is Immigration required/likely to do?

[tonray]

Why would you have any penalties at all ? When you left you invalidated you permission to stay and now simply have a 30 day Visa exempt entry. I do not think you can renew....I think you need to start the process all over again.

[johnatong]

Your "O" visa expired long ago so it cannot be fixed.

It sounds as though what you actually had was an extension of stay.

You will now have to obtain new "O" visa and start the process of applying for an "extension of stay" (It is NOT a visa) from the beginning.

[DogNo1]

Simple Solution. Just leave Thailand on June 27th and then receive a new visa-exempt 30 day when you return. Go to immigration about 10 days in and apply to convert to a ninety-day Non-O for the purpose of retirement. Be sure to have your money in the bank and the necessary paperwork. Check the stickies on the forum to see what you will need and be sure to get the money in early on, perhaps before you leave the country. During the last 30 days of your Non-O, apply for a year-long extension of stay, again getting your paperwork and money in the bank well prepared in advance. When you receive your extension of stay, apply immediately for a re-entry permit to avoid doing this all over again.

[jacksam]

OP your confused. You "lost" your permission of stay when you left Thailand without reentry permit. Seems you now have a visa exempt stamp. You can extend that for 30 days. At some point you need to start process again. Go somewhere like Vientiane....obtain a non o. Enter then in last 30 ,days of your 90. (45 some places) apply for your 12 month extension.

[poohy]

You would think that after 8 years you would know some of the correct terminology and procedures, (fines/blocked/renew visa), yet you seem totally clueless.

<deleted> give the guy a break ive been here 16 years admittedly for a great proportion of that time on WP so accountants did everything, i just signed photocopies of S***t

NOW quite shamelessly i just get someone/ company to renew my visa or extension of stay each year i pay them i have really no idea what happens but i get my yearly visa along with multiple re entry permits and that's it.

no fuss no paperwork needed ,,, and i suspect i am not alone

[steve187]

You would think that after 8 years you would know some of the correct terminology and procedures, (fines/blocked/renew visa), yet you seem totally clueless.

<deleted> give the guy a break ive been here 16 years admittedly for a great proportion of that time on WP so accountants did everything, i just signed photocopies of S***t

NOW quite shamelessly i just get someone/ company to renew my visa or extension of stay each year i pay them i have really no idea what happens but i get my yearly visa along with multiple re entry permits and that's it.

no fuss no paperwork needed ,,, and i suspect i am not alone

you may get someone to do it for you, but you should understand the basic terminology, a visa is only issued outside of Thailand by a consulate or embassy ( other than a conversion), an extension of stay in issued inside Thailand for various reasons, it is an extension of permission to stay stamp, not an extension of a visa.

[johnatong]

You would think that after 8 years you would know some of the correct terminology and procedures, (fines/blocked/renew visa), yet you seem totally clueless.

<deleted> give the guy a break ive been here 16 years admittedly for a great proportion of that time on WP so accountants did everything, i just signed photocopies of S***t

NOW quite shamelessly i just get someone/ company to renew my visa or extension of stay each year i pay them i have really no idea what happens but i get my yearly visa along with multiple re entry permits and that's it.

no fuss no paperwork needed ,,, and i suspect i am not alone

Are you not aware that it is you that is responsible for knowing and understanding exactly what is in your passport ?

It is really no surprise that some end in trouble and then wonder why ..................

[metisdead]

An inflammatory post has been removed.

[LukKrueng]

You would think that after 8 years you would know some of the correct terminology and procedures, (fines/blocked/renew visa), yet you seem totally clueless.

<deleted> give the guy a break ive been here 16 years admittedly for a great proportion of that time on WP so accountants did everything, i just signed photocopies of S***t

NOW quite shamelessly i just get someone/ company to renew my visa or extension of stay each year i pay them i have really no idea what happens but i get my yearly visa along with multiple re entry permits and that's it.

no fuss no paperwork needed ,,, and i suspect i am not alone

you may get someone to do it for you, but you should understand the basic terminology, a visa is only issued outside of Thailand by a consulate or embassy ( other than a conversion), an extension of stay in issued inside Thailand for various reasons, it is an extension of permission to stay stamp, not an extension of a visa.

the funny thing is that some members, while perfectly understand the op's question and might be able to give good advice, insist teaching him and all other about the "correct terminology".

Face it: most people will always refer to their extension of stay as a visa and although it is "technically" wrong, it makes no difference. When they go to immigration and tell the officers there that they need to "extend the visa for another year" the officer will still do the correct extension.

[Eclipse]

You would think that after 8 years you would know some of the correct terminology and procedures, (fines/blocked/renew visa), yet you seem totally clueless.

<deleted> give the guy a break ive been here 16 years admittedly for a great proportion of that time on WP so accountants did everything, i just signed photocopies of S***t

NOW quite shamelessly i just get someone/ company to renew my visa or extension of stay each year i pay them i have really no idea what happens but i get my yearly visa along with multiple re entry permits and that's it.

no fuss no paperwork needed ,,, and i suspect i am not alone

you may get someone to do it for you, but you should understand the basic terminology, a visa is only issued outside of Thailand by a consulate or embassy ( other than a conversion), an extension of stay in issued inside Thailand for various reasons, it is an extension of permission to stay stamp, not an extension of a visa.

the funny thing is that some members, while perfectly understand the op's question and might be able to give good advice, insist teaching him and all other about the "correct terminology".

Face it: most people will always refer to their extension of stay as a visa and although it is "technically" wrong, it makes no difference. When they go to immigration and tell the officers there that they need to "extend the visa for another year" the officer will still do the correct extension.

That may be so but it makes every difference on a forum like this when members are trying to help someone.

Many times it takes a whole page before we actually know what the op has in his passport.

[ggt]

You would think that after 8 years you would know some of the correct terminology and procedures, (fines/blocked/renew visa), yet you seem totally clueless.

<deleted> give the guy a break ive been here 16 years admittedly for a great proportion of that time on WP so accountants did everything, i just signed photocopies of S***t

NOW quite shamelessly i just get someone/ company to renew my visa or extension of stay each year i pay them i have really no idea what happens but i get my yearly visa along with multiple re entry permits and that's it.

no fuss no paperwork needed ,,, and i suspect i am not alone

You...my friend...have figured out how to make the system work for you...less hassles, less aggravation...keeping your sanity and blood pressure in tact...good job...

[smotherb]

You would think that after 8 years you would know some of the correct terminology and procedures, (fines/blocked/renew visa), yet you seem totally clueless.

<deleted> give the guy a break ive been here 16 years admittedly for a great proportion of that time on WP so accountants did everything, i just signed photocopies of S***t

NOW quite shamelessly i just get someone/ company to renew my visa or extension of stay each year i pay them i have really no idea what happens but i get my yearly visa along with multiple re entry permits and that's it.

no fuss no paperwork needed ,,, and i suspect i am not alone

you may get someone to do it for you, but you should understand the basic terminology, a visa is only issued outside of Thailand by a consulate or embassy ( other than a conversion), an extension of stay in issued inside Thailand for various reasons, it is an extension of permission to stay stamp, not an extension of a visa.

the funny thing is that some members, while perfectly understand the op's question and might be able to give good advice, insist teaching him and all other about the "correct terminology".

Face it: most people will always refer to their extension of stay as a visa and although it is "technically" wrong, it makes no difference. When they go to immigration and tell the officers there that they need to "extend the visa for another year" the officer will still do the correct extension.

Yeah, that's what some people say to try and cover for their lack of specificity. Terminology is similar to capitalization and punctuation; "why should anyone learn" is often said by those who do not learn. I had to help my uncle jack off his horse so he could renew his retirement visa.

[LukKrueng]

the funny thing is that some members, while perfectly understand the op's question and might be able to give good advice, insist teaching him and all other about the "correct terminology".

Face it: most people will always refer to their extension of stay as a visa and although it is "technically" wrong, it makes no difference. When they go to immigration and tell the officers there that they need to "extend the visa for another year" the officer will still do the correct extension.

That may be so but it makes every difference on a forum like this when members are trying to help someone.

Many times it takes a whole page before we actually know what the op has in his passport.

the funny thing is that some members, while perfectly understand the op's question and might be able to give good advice, insist teaching him and all other about the "correct terminology".

Face it: most people will always refer to their extension of stay as a visa and although it is "technically" wrong, it makes no difference. When they go to immigration and tell the officers there that they need to "extend the visa for another year" the officer will still do the correct extension.

Yeah, that's what some people say to try and cover for their lack of specificity. Terminology is similar to capitalization and punctuation; "why should anyone learn" is often said by those who do not learn. I had to help my uncle jack off his horse so he could renew his retirement visa.

Well, it might be right in some cases (like the case of the retirement visa through jack off a horse), but in this particular OP it seems very clear that the OP has left Thailand without a re-entry permit and is now staying in Thailand on a 30 days visa exempt. His question is - can he somehow undo his mistake and and re-validate his extension of stay and extend it on the original expiration date.

The simple answer would be: no, you cannot. you have to go out of Thailand and get the appropriate visa for your needed extension of stay (O or B as far as I know) and start the procedure anew.

[thailen]

Please explain what the different tourist stamps look like. Does one say tourist exempt, while the other says tourist visa?

[ubonjoe]

Simple Solution. Just leave Thailand on June 27th and then receive a new visa-exempt 30 day when you return. Go to immigration about 10 days in and apply to convert to a ninety-day Non-O for the purpose of retirement. Be sure to have your money in the bank and the necessary paperwork. Check the stickies on the forum to see what you will need and be sure to get the money in early on, perhaps before you leave the country. During the last 30 days of your Non-O, apply for a year-long extension of stay, again getting your paperwork and money in the bank well prepared in advance. When you receive your extension of stay, apply immediately for a re-entry permit to avoid doing this all over again.

Not all immigration offices can do the conversion to a non immigrant visa.

Only Bangkok immigration and few offices within the central region can accept the application. It can also be done in Chiang Mai.

[Eclipse]

Please explain what the different tourist stamps look like. Does one say tourist exempt, while the other says tourist visa?

A Tourist Visa is a full page sticker in you passport.

A Visa Exempt entry is the small permited to stay stamp you get at the airport/border.

[NancyL]

Please give the OP a break. We have a dear 84 year old friend, with a retirement extension, who has done this twice, i.e. left the country without a re-entry permit and then asked around about how she can "re-instate" her retirement visa when she returned and realized her mistake. Now the process of doing a visa conversion/application has become so onerous/expensive here in Chiang Mai that perhaps it has finally hit home that it's just "good insurance" to purchase a "re-entry visa" each time she "renews her retirement visa".

Sigh -- some people will NEVER learn the proper terminology.

[Suradit69]

You would think that after 8 years you would know some of the correct terminology and procedures, (fines/blocked/renew visa), yet you seem totally clueless.

<deleted> give the guy a break ive been here 16 years admittedly for a great proportion of that time on WP so accountants did everything, i just signed photocopies of S***t

NOW quite shamelessly i just get someone/ company to renew my visa or extension of stay each year i pay them i have really no idea what happens but i get my yearly visa along with multiple re entry permits and that's it.

no fuss no paperwork needed ,,, and i suspect i am not alone

Are you not aware that it is you that is responsible for knowing and understanding exactly what is in your passport ?

It is really no surprise that some end in trouble and then wonder why ..................

... and some people insist "everyone knows what I mean" when they use the incorrect term or else they label those who do use the correct terms as being pedantic or quibbling over semantics.

In many cases it may not really matter if you want to call everything in your passport a "visa," but there is a difference between a visa, an extension, a re-entry permit, a visa exempt entry, a visa on arrival, a tourist visa, a non-imm O etc and not understanding the difference does sometimes result in problems, quite often with the confused person blaming immigrations for making a "mistake."

If you're a (genuine) tourist visiting for a month or two it's understandable that you'd be confused and it is probably not that important one way or the other, but if you've been here for 5, 10 or 15 years and still haven't a clue, that's just being careless.

[Suradit69]

Please give the OP a break. We have a dear 84 year old friend, with a retirement extension, who has done this twice, i.e. left the country without a re-entry permit and then asked around about how she can "re-instate" her retirement visa when she returned and realized her mistake. Now the process of doing a visa conversion/application has become so onerous/expensive here in Chiang Mai that perhaps it has finally hit home that it's just "good insurance" to purchase a "re-entry visa" each time she "renews her retirement visa".

Sigh -- some people will NEVER learn the proper terminology.

"We have a dear 84 year old friend ..."

Yes, it's understandable in some cases. It would be nice if, after you were here for umpteen years or over a certain age, you might be allowed a fumble or two.

I think the people at immigrations are probably more compassionate than we give them credit for. They undoubtedly bend the rules (without seeking compensation) from time to time. Pretty sure there are some "ancient" farang who are in a muddle who aren't penalized. If we live long enough, any of us could find ourselves a bit lost with it all.

[sanukjim]

About 12 years ago I had an emergency leave the next day after arriving back in Thailand with an exit visa without getting an exit visa when leaving.I got a one year O in The US and had to wait until about 80 days after entering to apply for the retirement extension with no problem.

[IMA_FARANG]

Why would you have any penalties at all ? When you left you invalidated you permission to stay and now simply have a 30 day Visa exempt entry. I do not think you can renew....I think you need to start the process all over again.

------------------------------

You lost your extension when you forgot to get an exit re-entry permit.

If this is your first 30 day visa exempt entry you Can get a 2hnd visa exempt re-entry for a fee of 1900 Baht.

I did.

If you have the funds, you can start the process all over again....either by retirement extensions or marriage extensions depending on your particular circumstance

it is a big boo-boo.....it will take time to rebuild by restarting the process.

You can use tourist visas also to gain you time to rebuild.

Also....if you have the funds....look into the Thai Elite Card program as another possibility.

Either way it will take you time and money to undo your mistake., if you ave a pension to live on , it helps you to keep your head above water while rebuilding.

Like they say, if you get bucked off the horse, just stand up and get back on to tide again.

In case you are wondering, in my case I spent 20 days in hospital, cost me 250,000 Baht....so I did not have the funds required for my next retirement extension.

[Time Traveller]

You would think that after 8 years you would know some of the correct terminology and procedures, (fines/blocked/renew visa), yet you seem totally clueless.

<deleted> give the guy a break ive been here 16 years admittedly for a great proportion of that time on WP so accountants did everything, i just signed photocopies of S***t

NOW quite shamelessly i just get someone/ company to renew my visa or extension of stay each year i pay them i have really no idea what happens but i get my yearly visa along with multiple re entry permits and that's it.

no fuss no paperwork needed ,,, and i suspect i am not alone

Are you not aware that it is you that is responsible for knowing and understanding exactly what is in your passport ?

It is really no surprise that some end in trouble and then wonder why ..................

Exactly, but people on expat contracts have their employer take over all of that. If an employer gives wrong advice to the expat employee (mine did), why should they be left to suffer the consequences? Its ridiculous that immigration expect such foriegn workers to be experts on Thai immigration law who most likely don't have the time to learn but also are not Thai experts like the keyboard warriors on this forum