I intend to “give up” my O-A extension, obtain an exempt entry, then apply for an O visa in Chiang mai.
My extension allows me to stay until Oct 1. I have a multiple reentry permit. If I re-enter the country on Sept 30 or Oct 1, will the IO give me the 30 day exempt stamp?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user plans to give up their O-A extension and seeks clarity on whether they will receive a 30-day visa exemption stamp when re-entering Thailand on the last day of their extension. Responses suggest that the decision is at the discretion of the immigration officer. Some people have reported successfully obtaining the exemption by explicitly requesting not to use their extension and providing signed acknowledgment. However, results can vary, with some officers displaying leniency and others enforcing strict rules.
In my case l printed out a Google translated request to not use my O visa and to stamp me in on a visa exemption, he called his boss over who could speak English and wanted to make sure l understood what this would mean. Satisfied with my answer they wrote some stuff in my visa stamp got me to sign it and in l went. Easy. This was about 6 months ago.
That's totally up to the officer at passport control on your entry. Some officers would stamp until 1 Oct even for 1 day. On the other hand, there were reports of people successfully being stamped on visa-exempt after asking the officer not to use a re-entry permit and signing some acknowledgement to give up the re-entry permit.
So it's your decision to bet your lucky or take the safe side to enter after 1 Oct.
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