Can I do a border run back into Thailand with a 1-year multiple entry visa after 90 days?

Oct 16, 2023
a year ago
Stephen ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I obtained a 1 year multiple entry visa (based on marriage to a Thai) at Savanakhet Consulate which i understand I need to exit Thailand after 90 days so my question is can I go back to Laos and turn around and come straight back into Thailand without having to go back to the consulate etc.

thanks in advance 🙏
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquired about the process of re-entering Thailand with a 1-year multiple entry NON-O visa after a 90-day stay. Responses clarified that the user must exit before the 90-day permit expires and can re-enter immediately, though caution was advised regarding specific border crossing experiences. Discussion also delved into options for obtaining a 1-year visa extension at a local immigration office to avoid repetitive border runs and the requirements for such an extension.
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Martin ***********
Looking to obtain a 1 year visa from UK so can get 5 year driver's thai licence next visit. Which visa is easiest to get; a multi entry tourist visa or an education visa perhaps? May stay in Thailand 4-6 months before returning to work in UK.
Alastair ********
There is also the option to go to your local immigration office in Thailand and get the 1 year extension on the visa. Avoids the need for overseas travel every 90 days, but paperwork is a little annoying to complete
Phil ******
@Alastair *******
do you need the ฿400k tied up in a thai bank?
Alastair ********
@Phil *****
only for 2 months before each annual renewal
Phil ******
@Alastair *******
but my initial 90 day Non o before I enter i don't have to do if I apply in my home country
Alastair ********
@Phil *****
correct
Stephen ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alastair *******
In other words yes 😣
Stephen ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alastair *******
That’s why if you live close to a border or an airport it is a great excuse to just leave Thailand and come back a few days later, Personally I can not be bothered with all the red tape and documentation required for the extension 👍
John *******
Is this the case with all non-O visas obtained outside Thailand ? You only get a 90 day entry permit and have to do these border hops four times a year ? Is there any way to get a one year extension ? 🤔
Alastair ********
@John ******
yes. 1 year extension is available at local Thai immigration office
John *******
@Alastair *******
can you get the one year extension during your first 90 day entry ?
Graham ******
@John ******
Why would you get a 12 month multi-entry Visa then go for a 12 month extension during your first 90 days, just get a 90 day single entry Visa and save some money?
John *******
@Graham *****
depends on the country where you are applying for the visa. Some don't offer 90 day single entry. I think the USA only offers this one year multi entry 90 days per stay in the non-O category.
Graham ******
@John ******
So get a Tourist Visa to start then apply for the Non-O then the extension, better than the expense of a 12 month visa which hardly gets used
Alastair ********
@John ******
I've heard one or two offices in the country do things differently, however, the general rule is that during any 90 day entry, when you have less than
*****
(depending on office) days remaining, you can apply for the 1 year extension. There is quite a bit of paperwork required, so best to visit your local immigration office in advance to get a copy of their printed list of requirements and confirm their timing. This will include >B400,000 in a bank account in only the name of the foreign spouse, seasoned for 2+ months, photos of couple at home, marriage certificates, etc.

After applying for the extension there is a waiting period of a few weeks, during which time immigration will normally conduct a home visit, and then you return to the immigration office to get the 1 year extension stamped into passport.

After getting the extension, you can then get a re-entry / multiple re-entry that will allow travel in and out of the country.
Mick ********
Just be careful of where you do your exit entry. I used Aranyaprathet and got a lecture from the big boss about can only do once, next time have to fly. Made no difference to her that I have a 1 year non O multi entry. I know that border is a complete piss take and they make their own rules up.
David ***********
@Mick *******
if you have a 1 year non o multi entry visa why can't you just go to the immigration office and do a 90 day report?
John **********
@David **********
Non-O visas are only valid for 90 days then you have to get a 12 month extension. A multiple entry Non-O visa is usually valid for 12 months and gives you 90 days every time you enter, while you can get a 12 month extension on this visa many prefer to leave Thailand and stamp into another country then return to Thailand getting another 90 days on entry. Also means you avoid doing a 90 day report as you are never inside Thailand long enough
Mick ********
@John *********
bang on, better than my description. I work 6 weeks on 6 weeks off so it's never an issue.
Stephen ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
I do exactly that every 90 day’s visit a different country spend a few nights there and come back into Thailand it breaks up the stay in my village and is something to look forward to just like a mini break every 3 months
Mick ********
@David **********
non imm O marriage visa has to leave every 90 days. I don't get either.
David ***********
@Mick *******
I don't, I don't even go to immigration to do my 90 day report it's done for me and the slip is sent to my address.
Nongnuch ********
@David **********
because that's not how this visa type works
Graham ******
@David **********
Because the OP has only got a 90 entry stamp then has to leave
David ***********
@Graham *****
R okay 👌
Nongnuch ********
@Mick *******
absolutely good warning. As posted before in many Thai Visa Advice groups. AVOID Poipet at any costs. Regardless if you have a valid multi entry visa, or attempting a border run. AVOID Poipet!
Nongnuch ********
@Stephen ***********
allow me a slight correction: you need to exit Thailand BEFORE the 90-days stay permit expires, not AFTER 90 days. After 90 days you would be in overstay and the visa would become invalid. For the whole 1-year visa validity ("visa must be used by") you need to exit before a stay permit expires and you will activate a new 90-days stay permit upon re-entry
Stephen ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nongnuch *******
Excellent piece of advice.

It does seem unfair that a person can overstay on a T/R visa then reapply for another T/R visa in a country outside of Thailand and have no issues but there is a huge penalty for Non O visa’s

Just saying 🤔
Nongnuch ********
@Stephen ***********
well, he could fly back to his home country and apply for the multi entry Non-Imm-O visa, again. Upon leaving Thailand, his old ME Non-O visa will be stamped "USED" so he is free to apply for the next visa
John ********
@Nongnuch *******
the visa becomes invalid and can’t be used again in the case of a one day overstay? Is that what you’re saying?
Nongnuch ********
@John *******
that's what I am saying and that's a fact. If you overstay the stay permit of 90 days, which your multi entry Non-Imm-O visa is guaranteeing you, the visa itself will become invalid. So you better get all your ducks in a row
Stuart *********
@Nongnuch *******
Not sure where you get that impression. Overstaying by one day will not cancel the rest of the year long Non O.
Nongnuch ********
@Stuart ********
it's the same with those 12 months bank transfer proofs for a 1-year extension based on retirement - - if you miss out one month, the extension becomes void in the very moment
Stuart *********
@Nongnuch *******
That’s completely different. You’re confusing being on an extension and applying for your next one. If you miss a payment you will not get your next years extension but it doesn’t cancel your existing one.
Nongnuch ********
Nongnuch ********
@Stuart ********
that depends on the level of tolerance of the specific Immigration. Technically the visa will become void
Brandon ************
The only requirement is that you stamp out of Thailand, and stamp into another country. You can then immediately return.
Stephen ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Thanks Brandon. I just wanted to make sure that was possible
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