Does a 1-Year OA Multiple Entry Visa in Thailand Automatically Renew with Re-entry?

June 25, 2022
2 years ago
Brendan ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi, I am living in Pattaya and I am here on a 1 year OA multiple entry visa. If I leave the country and come back in, I was told by a friend who has a contact in immigration that they will stamp my visa and passport for another year from date of new entry. Is this true or do I have to formally go through renewal process with proof of funds etc. Thank you .
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The questioner, who holds a 1-year OA multiple entry visa in Thailand, seeks clarification on whether leaving the country and re-entering would automatically renew the visa for another year or if a formal renewal process involving proof of funds is required. Responses clarify that as long as the individual returns before their visa's expiration date and maintains valid health insurance for the new entry, they can receive another year stamp. Confusion may arise from the different terms used due to the transition from visa stickers to e-visas, but the core requirement is to enter Thailand within the visa's allowed timeframe.
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Saffy *************
As long as you leave Thailand & return within the use by date of your visa, and have insurance for the year, then yes you'll get a 2nd year stamp.
Rob **********
It is true
Brendan ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am 1st February 2023 for both visa and health insurance. My friend is 1st November but wants to stay until April 2023. He will have to renew his health insurance first and then go and come back to Thailand.
Tod *********
@Brendan *****
and don't confuse the ENTRY STAMP you got when you entered thailand with the validity of the visa (the sticker or the PDF file) as they are two different things entirely. You must exit/re-enter before the VISA expires to get another year entry stamp.
Tod *********
@Brendan *****
IF you want another "year" (or as close to it as you can get) on an OA visa that's still valid you have to have the mandatory health insurance for that new year entry stamp. Otherwise you will get stamped in only until the validity of the insurance and they will write on the stamp "allowed in until insurance expired" (in thai) like this
Ellie *******
How to do depends on these:

1. 'Enter Before' (sticker)//Must be used by' (eVisa) date on your original visa

2. 'until date' in your entry stamp

3. your planned return date

If 3 is later both 1 and 2, You need to new one.

Check the bottom-right part of the attached, too
Nongnuch ********
"As long as you enter before the valid until/enter before date mentioned on the visa" . . . . .I guess, since the visa stickers were discontinued and replaced by a visa document sent by email, we have to say goodbye to the term "valid until" that used to state the visa validity on a visa sticker. The new term says "visa must be used by" . . . . . here an example of a Non-Imm-O visa from a couple of weeks ago:
Kevin ***********
@Nongnuch *******
Not every country has switched to the evisa system but I agree
James ********
What are your OA visa validity dates shown on the Visa pasted in your passport?
Brendan ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you. ๐Ÿ˜Š
Robert *******
As long as you enter before the valid until/enter before date mentioned on the visa, you get maximum 1 year of stay OR until the valid until date of your health insurance, which ever comes first.
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