Do I need a re-entry permit for the long stay O-A visa in Thailand?

Question

Hi, I just wanted some clarification regarding the long stay "O-A" Visa. I have read that you can come and go as much as you like during the one-year validity of your visa, however from my consulate here in Canada it says a re-entry permit is needed or your visa will be considered void.

This taken directly from the site.

Recommendations for Foreigners with Non-Immigrant Visa "O-A" (Long Stay) While Staying in the Kingdom
Upon arrival, holder of this type of visa will be permitted to stay in Thailand for 1 year from the date of first entry. During the one year period, if he or she wishes to leave and re-enter the country, he or she is required to apply at the Immigration Office for re-entry permit (single or multiple) before departure. In the case of leaving the country without a re-entry permit, the permit to stay for 1 year shall be considered void".

Ask Thailand · Answer

The long stay "O-A" Visa permits entry into Thailand for one year, allowing multiple entries without needing a re-entry permit each time, according to some sources. However, the consulate indicates that exiting Thailand requires a re-entry permit to maintain the validity of the visa. Discussions clarify that while the visa allows multiple entries, if a person exits after the visa’s expiration date, they must obtain a re-entry permit to avoid invalidating their visa.

Tod ********* · Answer

because I am a visual learner (and do better with pictures) here's an example.

This Non-O-A was issued in London on April 10th 2018. The visa has a valid until (enter on or before) date of April 9th 2019  A lear from the date it was issued. You can see under the No. Of Entry it says MULTIPLE.

The holder of this visa can come and go from thailand all the want until April 9th 2019 and each time they enter they'll be stamped in for a whole year.

IF they exit and re-enter just prior to the "valid until" date they'd be stamped in until April 2020 BUT the multiple part of the visa would expire on the 9th of April 2019 so if they were going to leave the country AFTER that date and wanted to keep the "free" second year stamp valid so they could get stamped back in until that date they would need a re-entry permit

Tod ********* · Answer

You can get TWO years of stay out of that visa by exiting/re-entering the country just prior to the "enter before" or "must be utilized by" date. That would stamp you in for another full year.

It is the second year here that requires a re-entry permit because the multiple entry portion of that visa also expires on the enter before date and if you left the country without a re-entry permit after the visa itself expired your stamp would cancel when you were stamped out of the country.

Tod ********* · Answer

Your consulate (and indeed MANY thai consulates) website is in error.

IF you get a year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O-A (Long Stay) visa (the one that requires the police back ground check and the medical certificate) that visa is good for unlimited entries for the validity of the visa with each entry getting you stamped in for a year from the date you enter the country.

Do I need a re-entry permit for the long stay O-A visa in Thailand?

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