Answered4 years ago

Can I extend my non-immigrant O visa and convert it to multiple entry while traveling frequently in Thailand?

non-immigrant O visa visa extension re-entry permit multiple entry visa Thai marriage visa Phuket immigration

Toby **********

asked Feb 1, 2023

2.2k

views

replies

likes

I have received my first 90 day non-immigrant O on the basis of having a Thai wife. I entered the country on the 18th January and the visa expires on the 15th April. I am based in Phuket

My understanding is that I can apply for a 1-year extension within 45 days of the visa's expiration at the main Immigration in Phuket Town. At which time I will receive a 30-day under consideration stamp. Therefore if I apply around the 1st March I assume I collect the 1-year extension around 1st April. Is this all correct? 

I also need to leave the country about 4 times between now and the 15th April. My understanding is that I can convert my current visa to a multiple entry visa but only get the benefit of the multiple entries until the current expiration date on the 15th April.  I also need to go to immigration in Phuket Town to do this. 

The other option is that I get a re-entry permit before each trip but I can do this at Blue True Immigration (much closer to me). Is my understanding correct here too? 

Finally, when I arrange the extension I want to do it as a multiple entry visa? Can this be done in the same step as applying for the extension or is this an additional step after getting a 1-year single entry non-O?

Quite a few questions here but thanks in advance for your help.

Answer summary

The user inquired about extending their 90-day non-immigrant O visa based on marriage to a Thai spouse and the process for frequent travel. They learned that apps for one-year extensions can be filed up to 45 days before expiration, and upon approval, an under-consideration stamp is valid for an additional month. The user also sought advice on whether a current visa can be converted to a multiple entry one or if multiple re-entry permits are needed for their travels. Community responses clarified that a current stamp cannot be converted to a multi-entry visa, and re-entry permits must be applied for separately. It was recommended to obtain a multiple entry visa after getting the one-year extension.

14 repliesnewest first

Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.

John **********

Bear in mind that during the 1 month under consideration period for the extension that the immigration office may well want to visit you at home to check you are in fact living as man and wife, they may also wish to speak to a couple of neighbours to verify this. As you seem to be in and out of Thailand a lot it's something to mention when you apply for the extension.

4 years ago

James ********

FYI, I have placed the TOPIC of Savannakhet on your post...

CLICK on it and all posts about it will pop up to read.

Look at the replies from

@Tod ********

as they are important to follow to get the One year. Non O multi-entry Visa as Married to Thai ...

THIS post has what you need to know... Read Tod Daniels reply...

******************************************************************************************

**********

*****

3/?mibextid=Nif5oz

Toby **********

Thank you

James ********

advice. You will get the Visa 👍

4 years ago

Stuart *********

In Phuket Town you get your marriage extension upstairs in room 204. A re entry permit is bought in room 101 downstairs on the left hand side.

You can get re-entry permits at Blue Tree. If you think your going to be leaving 4 times then it’s worth getting a multiple entry rather than one each trip. You save 200 baht but more importantly you save 1

***

pages in your passport. Each permit takes roughly one half page.

4 years ago

Toby **********

Quick update, I went to Blue Tree to get a re-entry permit. I had spent some time trying to clarify with the guy who appeared in charge yesterday what could and couldn't be done there. I left believing I could only get a multiple entry stamp in Phuket Town and single re-entry in Bluetree. Anyway it appears that we got our wires crossed as I went back to today to apply and ticked multiple entry on the TM8 form on the off chance they gave it to me and it went through with no issues. Interestingly the multiple entry stamp finishes 2 days after my previous visa finishes (90 days after I arrived in Thailand) so I get an extra 2 days for what it's worth too.

4 years ago

Stuart *********

@Toby *********

Thanks for the update.

4 years ago

Toby **********

Stuart Cumming I actually have a fresh passport so not that I want to waste it but I am also not short on pages. When I apply for the 1 year extension can I apply for a multiple entry in that step or is that a further step and / or stamp?

4 years ago

Toby **********

Great very helpful. Well I think based on convenience (Bluetree is 5 minutes away and I find the queues later in the day are non-existent) I will just do a few re-entry permits until I apply for the extension then I'll apply for a multiple entry on the 1-year. Thanks again for your help though. Very useful indeed.

4 years ago

Stuart *********

@Toby *********

Sure. Any re-entry permit you get for the “under consideration” period will only be valid until that date. Once on the year extension a re-entry permit (single or multiple) will be valid until that date.

You’ll want to check with them there though and advise them that you intend to travel during the under consideration period as they may well want to arrange a home visit to check you’re actually married, live together and may even want to interview neighbours.

4 years ago

Dannie ***************

If you want a NON O married to Thai spouse multiple entry

visa, you need to go to the Thai Consulate in Savannakhet, Laos.

5,000 baht

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Toby *********

I would say that

@Dannie **************

(y) makes a valid point. You have EXTENSIVE TRAVEL while you're trying to get from this 90 day Non-O to a year extension based on marriage AND the under consideration period too.

If all you have is a 90 day single entry Non-O, you might think about just slogging over to the thai consulate in Savannakhet Lao and applying for the year long, multi-entry Non-O visa <- that is tailor made for extensive travel

The visa is valid for a year, it's unlimited entry for that time, and each entry gets you stamped in for 90 days.

It's a bargain at 5000 baht and the application process is easy (they don't require proof of funds and only minimal documentation)

Think about it, especially given your travel plans 🙂

4 years ago

Toby **********

Thanks for the suggestion of Savannkhet but I would rather plough through this locally for a number of reasons. Appreciate your input though.

4 years ago

Ellie *******

Generally, the under-consideration period is the first month of a new 1-year extension. That means, your first stamp could be until middle of May once a 1-year extension is applied. And it also would be the time you can collect your whole year's stamp. But you need to check the policy of the Phuket office. Let's see information from Phuket.

You canNOT 'convert' your current stamp or 1-year extension to a multiple entry visa. Only the option you can travel out and back Thailand is getting re-entry permit. You need on re-entry permit with the current stamp.

After you apply for a 1-year extension and finaly get the stamp for rest of 1 year, you apply for re-entry permit, that will be same expiry as the stamp you have at the time of application.

4 years ago