Can I do a border hop to extend my Non Imm ME OA Visa in Thailand?

Question

My wife and I, both 71 are in Koh Samui on individual Non Imm ME OA VISAs from South Africa. Expiry date is 28 Feb. I have already extended our Med Insurance for another year. My question is whether We can do a border hop by air ,first buy a re-entry at airport and then get stamped back in until Med insurance expiry date. This is to circumvent the tedious bank statements/letter etc. plus all  the hoops to jump before extension? Obviously one may only be allowed to do this once but may give up to a year reprieve.
Your wise input is much appreciated.

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user inquires whether it's possible to do a border hop to extend their Non Imm ME OA visas, which expire soon, by purchasing medical insurance and showing it upon re-entry. Responses confirm that this method is viable: as long as the visa is still valid, you can leave and return, receiving a new entry stamp potentially valid for up to a year if you present updated insurance. It's emphasized that a re-entry permit is not necessary for this visa type, but one is required if planning to leave the country again.

Mike ****** · Answer

i just did this.  On my latest OA Visa the "must be used by date is the 9th".  Flew back into CNX airport on the 7th and presented my new OA Visa Health insurance and got stamped in until the 6th of next year.  After the new stamp I got the re-entry permit.

Tod ********* · Answer

As long as it's the VISAS themselves that expire on Feb 28th, you can bounce out/back showing the new insurance when you re-enter and you should get stamped in for a whole new year (or until the insurance expires up to a year)

You do NOT get a re-entry permit because the visa is a year-long multi-entry type meaning the re-entry permit is built into the visa

It is not uncommon for people on OA visas to get almost 2 years of stay out of them by getting that new year insurance and bouncing out/back just before the visa itself expires..

Remember though, once you do come back into the country IF you're going to leave at any time on this second "free" year you need to buy a re-entry permit or you'll cancel the entry stamp when you exit the country

Can I do a border hop to extend my Non Imm ME OA Visa in Thailand?

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