Can I extend my Non-Immigrant O visa if I don&#x27;t travel to Thailand by its expiration date?

you have a few options if your house isn't sold by the expiry date of the visa and none of them involve an agent or a visa run. Assuming you are 50+ and a Canadian citizen?

You can enter visa exempt and get 60 days which can be extended once for 30 days in country, so you get the 90 days. Once you have the 90 days non O, you can open a bank account with the bank of your choice. When you have 45(ish), depends on where you are located, go to the Canadian embassy in BKK or consulate in Chiang Mai and get the affidavit of income, then head over to immigration and apply for the Non O. You'll get another 90 days. When that's close to expiring you go back to immigration and apply for the yearly extension. You may need a new affidavit of income, not sure how long they are valid.

OR

Once the visa expires, apply using the e-visa system. If you aren't comfortable on the computer or don't have someone to assist you, most local libraries have someone that can help you. You enter on the Non 0, you can open a bank account with this visa. Once you have a month left, go through the process of the affidavit of income and apply for the yearly extension.

Not sure why an agent is telling you that a visa run is required as a Non O can be applied for and extended in country. If you are not 50+ or aren't sure how long you want to stay, look at the METV or the DTV if you qualify.

Dorothy ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you Helen, yes I am Canadian and over 50. I will just reapply online from Vancouver myself IF I have to (hoping the house will be sold by then) The expensive lawyer told me it would take 40 days to get a visa and I have to be in Thailand within 30days. Well, it only took 4 days to get the visa and I have 90days to enter Thailand.

18 days ago

Eric ******

I was told by Brandon there is no 90 day extension on a Non O, only the retirement extension for a year. I mistakenly thought there was also, but in 2 weeks when my 90 days are up, I have to leave. When I got here I think I technically only got 87 days because my Non O was issued a few before I left. Those lawyers didn’t do you any favors. You really don’t need to apply until closer until you leave. Something else I learned on here as I was in the process of applying way too early.

Helen ********

you are very confused. You didn't get 87 days, if you entered on a Non O you would have been stamped in for 90 days from the date of entry. The day you arrive is counted as day 1, even if it's at 11:50pm so really 89 days. The stamp in your passport is the one that counts.

Correct, you can't extend the 90 days Non O for another 90 days. You can either apply for the yearly extension based on retirement or an extension for family which is 60 days.

Reply to

Helen ********

Eric ******

Wow, Dorothy, you’re gonna be pretty ‘put off’, to put it mildly, when you see how easy it is. The figures they gave you were ridiculous in my opinion. I wouldn’t use them again. And they sound like they don’t know what they’re doing. You’ll be fine doing it on your own though.

And if I recall from my Non O, the clock started when it was issued, not when I got here. So check with others on here, they know more than I do, but the December 21 date is when it would up, no matter when you got here. If you arrived on December 1, you would have less than 3 weeks before having to leave, unless you get the retirement extension before then. Is that how you understood it? Good luck selling your house. I just sold mine a few months ago, and it’s no fun. A huge relief when you’re 10,000 miles away with no bills and no responsibilities though!😁

Helen ********

you are very wrong with your interpretation of the dates. The visa is valid for entry for 90 days from the date of issue. As long as the OP enters Thailand prior to the expiry date on their visa they will get stamped in for 90 days from their date of entry.

Dorothy ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

oh no, I thought I have to be in Thailand by December 21st to get another 90 days extendion. Find a place to rent, get a 6 month lease.then open a bank account with 800,000 bhdt deposit. 2 months after that get a one year extention?

Helen ********

Eric is confused. Your visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issue and you must enter Thailand before the expiry date. However when you use it to actually enter Thailand you will get stamped in for 90 days from the date you arrive. Technically it's 89 days since the day you arrive is counted as day 1, even if it's 11:50pm. In your case as long as you enter prior to December 21st, you will get stamped in for 90 days. It's the stamp in your passport that counts.

Dorothy ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Helen *******

Great, thank you so much for your help Helen!

Reply to

Dorothy ************

Helen ********

lots of options for you then, no visa runs or banking the 800,000THB required. I'm sorry to hear they took advantage of you like that. Just out of curiosity , what made you decide to contact a lawyer/agent? Dealing with the Vancouver consulate is always easy, they are pleasant, helpful and usually quite quick to issue visas. Hope your house sells quickly... probably will with the current housing market!

18 days ago

Dorothy ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Helen *******

I am actually 2 ferries (4 hours) away from Vancouver. Lesson learned. I will do it online as everyone said it's easy. 😊

Eric ******

@Helen *******

Hi, Helen. I didn’t think we were able to get affidavits of income anymore. I’m here now on a Non O and would gladly done that. That does apply to US citizens as well. I have 2

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weeks left on my Non O, will that be enough time? I kind of gave up on the $800k baht, as least temporarily, when the USD took a nosedive. I was gonna reapply when I returned, but I’d rather do it now so I have the account when I get back. I make over the $65,000 baht from my pension. Thanks.

Helen ********

it depends on nationality. Canadians still can but I don't believe US, UK or Australia still offer them.

Reply to

Helen ********

Tony **********

Very easy to use the Evisa system. No need for an agent or lawyer.. wait to you accept an offer on your house to apply. Is well only take about 10 business days. Really, is very easy.

Dorothy ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tony *********

okay, Thanks, I will wait till I have a closing date for the house. Appreciate your suggestion.

Reply to

Dorothy ************

Mike ******

So nice visa service.

Graham ******

Why did you use an agent, the process is simple online?

Brandon ************

If you don't enter Thailand before the end date on the visa, then your visa is expired and it cannot be used and it cannot be extended. You would need to apply for a new visa from the embassy.

Dorothy ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Okay, thanks. Hopefully I sold my house by then.