Can my boyfriend enter Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption and obtain a one-year extension based on family ties?

Visa extension Non-O visa Re-entry permit Visa exemption Family in Thailand Immigration rules

Nov 23, 2023

a year ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi I got a question. My boyfriend went to thailand 2022 with a non o based of family in thailand. Because he was taking care of his grandma. He then got an extension for 1 year. And this year around July 2023 he got another extension. But only until march 2024 because his passport expired there so he wasn’t granted an entire year. So then October 2023 we both decided to visit family back home in Europe. So when we came to the airport he wanted to get an re entry permit. But the officer asked him when he’s planning to come back, and he said he’s not really sure but around January/February. So the officer said it doesn’t make sense for him to get the Re entry permit because he’ll be paying for it 1,200b and when he comes back another 1,900 for the yearly extension. (Which would have been one month prior his visa is expiring) the officer said he could just get back with a normal 30 day visa exemption and then get a 1 year extension based on this (for family). Is this even true ? Or should he get a non o based on family again before entering ? Thank you for helping 🙏🏼

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The original poster is seeking clarity on whether their boyfriend can return to Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption and subsequently apply for a one-year extension based on family ties, rather than re-entering on a Non-O visa. According to comments, he cannot directly extend from the visa exemption; he would need to apply for a Non-O visa first and then seek the extension. However, if he has Thai ancestry, entering on a visa exemption might also be possible, according to a comment referencing Thai citizenship based on family.

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Steven ***************

Him getting a Thai passport would solve everything, he wouldn't need any visa or extension.

a year ago

Frank **********

Is he not Thai?

a year ago

Chris ********

Sounds like he has a Thai parent and getting extensions based in that? Then if so he can enter on a 30 day visa exemption and then get a years stay. This article explains it.

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a year ago

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

He cannot get a 1 year extension from visa exempt. He would have to apply to convert to non-O first and then after about 2 months, apply for the 1 year extension. Probably easier to get the non-O before returning so there's no issues with trying to convert to a new visa and he can just apply for the extension directly that way.

a year ago

Clarissa *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

hi thanks Brandon ! May I ask what would be the steps IF he would convert it to a non-o ? 🙂

a year ago

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

@Clarissa ****

gather the paperwork immigration requires and then apply at immigration.

a year ago

Clarissa *****

ORIGINAL POSTER