Can I extend my O-A visa by leaving and re-entering Thailand before it expires?

Nov 2, 2019
5 years ago
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Please put my mind at ease.

Entered Swampy on a new O-A multi non imm on 25 July 2019 admitted until 25 July 2020. BEFORE HEALTH INSURANCE LAW OF 31 OCT 2019.

Ignoring new Health Insurance rules for the moment.

If I were to head out to Penang on or about 24 July 2020 and same day return to LOS would immigration stamp me in for another year (assuming I had at least one year health insurance with Thai minimums covered?

Please See my O-A attached.

Thanks.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking clarification on whether they can extend their O-A visa by leaving Thailand and re-entering just before the visa's expiration date. They are particularly concerned about the new health insurance requirements and how it affects their ability to re-enter. Comments indicate that confusion exists around the expiration of the visa and the specifics of re-entry permits. Several users advise that re-entering does not guarantee a new visa stamp and that a re-entry permit is necessary to keep the current stamp valid.
Tod *********
One last thing to keep in mind is that entry stamp is actually for the 23rd of July 2020 (a year minus 2 days ;) ) it's usually only a year minus a day but there's a leap year day next year in Feb making it a year minus 2 days, ;)
Tod *********
@Ja***
, well right now the important thing is; If you're going to leave/come back and want that entry stamp until July 2020 to be valid you'd need a re-entry permit.

I would say wring all the time out of this entry stamp that you can and then go to the thai consulate in Savannakhet and get either a 90 day single entry Non-O visa (and then meet the financial requirements to get a yearly extension at your immigration office) OR get a year-long, multi-entry Non-O visa and bounce out and back in every 90 days for the year.
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Thanks Tod. If I buy a re-entry either single or multiple and exit Thailand it means I stamp back in with an entirely different visa and therefore dont need to freakout about mandatory health insurance? Right?
Tod *********
Something went wrong when you got that visa issued :/
@Mikkel ******
caught it. That visa was issued as a 90 day O-A visa NOT a year long one. :O

You can't exit/re-enter and get ANY more time off that visa, you're stuck with the entry stamp you got.

That VISA expired on the 17th Oct 2019 <- meaning it expired almost two weeks ago :O )

Yo will NOT get stamped back in for another year. In fact IF you don't buy a re-entry permit BEFORE you leave thailand that entry stamp you got (the actual stamp that lets you STAY in thailand) will cancel when you stamp out.

Well spotted
@Mik***
(y)
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Thanks Tod. As it happens I'm I'm looking into getting married to a Thai lady

During the first quarter of 2020. So will need to change to Marriage visa. So it will be helpful if you could suggest how to do so. Do I wing it back to OZ or could I go to a close by country to get it? Either way is it a Non O based on marriage.?
Mikkel *******
But why did they issue a non o-a for only three months is a good question
James ********
Again..my apology...but you continue to ask again...And again...

We do not have your answer ....we are patiently waiting for CONFIRMED REPORTS of those reentering on the O-A visa. Anything else is pure GUESS.

Commenting is closed. Thank you.
Marty *********
I believe you would be stamped in until the date your insurance coverage ends. If you want to be stamped in for a full year you would have to synchronize your insurance coverage to start near the end of your current visa.
Mikkel *******
To get that second year you have to exit and reenter before the actual visa is expired.
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mikkel ******
yes I know. However I'm seeking clarification from Tod or one of his fellow Mods
Stuart *********
@Mikkel ******
it’s odd, the OA visa I got in London has a valid from date to a year later. I don’t know if Canberra made a mistake or they do it differently.
Mikkel *******
No they wont because your visa is already expired at 19th october this year and you won't get anymore stamps out of it. You can keep your current stamp alive with reentry permits, but you will not get any longer stay than you already have on it now.
Christian *******
Today I re- enter Thailand with my non OA visa issued
*****
/19 and my passeport was stamped until
*****
/2020 with no questions but it is the first year of my visa, for the second year I think it’s not clear ...
Stuart *********
@Christian ******
that’s a good sign!
Christian *******
No one know
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