Answered8 years ago

Do I need a re-entry permit for my non-immigrant O-A multiple entry visa if I leave Thailand and return after a few weeks?

Non-Immigrant O-A Visa Re-Entry Permit Visa Regulations Immigration Procedures Thailand Expats in Thailand

Gregory ******

asked Nov 11, 2018

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I have a USA passport with a non-immigrant O-A multiple entry Visa.  

I have been reading over several days and several hours and have conflicting information.  

I need to go back to USA for taxes and must depart Thailand and return back a couple of weeks later.

My question is am I required to get a re-Entry permit.  So not to have my visa canceled. 

One site said first year it’s not needed, but after a one year extension then yes it’s required.  Others stated you need a re-Entry permit, no exception. 

Please clarify this for me. Thanks

Answer summary

If you are in the first year of your non-immigrant O-A multiple entry visa, you do not need a re-entry permit when departing and re-entering Thailand. However, if you have extended your stay into the second year, a re-entry permit is required to avoid canceling your permission to stay.

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Joe ***********

@Mikkel ******

- has explained the features and functions of the O-A Mult-Entry Visa correctly

8 years ago

Gregory ******

@Joe **********

thanks

8 years ago

Joe ***********

If you are in the First Year of your O-A Visa then no Reentry Permit is needed (because it is a Multi-Entry Visa). If you are in the Second Year of Permission to Stay in Thailand you must buy a Reentry Permit

8 years ago

Mikkel *******

On a non O A you have one year of validity on the visa.. So within that year you will get stamped in for a year every time you leave and re-enter the country. You can exit and re-enter just before the date of expiry to get another full year of stay. But if you leave and re-enter the country after the original visa has expired, you will need to buy a re-entry permit as to not cancel the permitted to stay date you already have. If you are already on an extension of stay, from immigration inside Thailand, then you always need to buy a re-entry permit to not cancel your extension.

8 years ago

Gregory ******

@Joe **********

thank you

8 years ago

Joe ***********

Gregory Lacy - When the Expiry Date of First Year of your O-A Multi Entry Visa is approaching - a day or two BEFORE that Expiry Date - do a Border Run - Exit and Reenter Thailand on the same day (no reentry permit wanted or needed).

Upon reentering Thailand just before the First Year Expiry Date you will be Stamped In for 12 more months. After that if you leave Thailand you need to buy a Reentry Permit..

You don't need to get any Extension from Thai Immigration unil towards the End of the Second Year.

If others say anything different - they are Wrong!

Ellie *******

(y)

Jeff ******

Thanks. That's what I was guessing. So, for example, if I get a one-year non O-A, stay for 11 months, border bounce to get one more year, then fly home for 2 months (thus returning after the original 1 year expiration), I should get a re-entry permit before leaving and then when I returned I would be able to stay until one year after my 11 month border bounce. Do I have that correct? (this is not theoretical but what I actually am thinking of doing next year).

8 years ago

Ellie *******

@Gregory *****

you will need to extend only when (just before) your final admitted to stay date is over, not original expiration date on the visa itself. Or just buy new one.

8 years ago

Ellie *******

@Jeff *****

you need re-entry permit if you want to keep your current stamp alive.

8 years ago

Jeff ******

What if you leave the country before your one-year visa expires but return after? In that case you would need a re-entry permit?

8 years ago

Gregory ******

@Mikkel ******

thank you very much. So the original year of issue I can go in and out of Thailand no re-Entry form needed. But once the original expiration date arrives, tor I make the first extension then it is required.

8 years ago