How can I secure a one-year extension on my Non-Immigrant O Visa in Thailand before traveling in February?

Non-Immigrant O Visa Thai Visa Extension Immigration Office Re-entry Permit Visa Procedures Expat Life in Thailand Visa Application Timeline

Nov 19, 2023

a year ago

Dave *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

*Non-Immi "O" Thai Spouse; 1-year Extension*

Current Situation:

I will travel to Thailand on 23rd Nov and will arrive on a Non-Immi O Visa (single entry 90 days). 

Plan:

Me and my Spouse (Thai national) would Like to leave Thailand from 4th Feb for 2 weeks and then come Back there on 16th Feb. 

My information so far:

When I applied for my Visa, I wanted to get a 1-year multiple entry Visa but was told by my local embassy that They do Not issue These anymore and instead I have to Go with the 90-days single entry Visa and get a one-year Extension at an Immigration Office in Thailand.

Question(s) I have:

When do I go to which Immigration Office, to get the one-year Extension with the least hassle (waiting time)? 

- All my paperwork is 100% legit

- I have Money in a Thai bank Account

My biggest concern is to get this done before  leaving thailand for a Trip on 4th Feb. I Heard that there might be waiting/under consideration periods etc... 

I am familiar with re-entry permits and have gotten myself a few in the past when i Had different Visa types so thats all good.

Thank you everyone for reading and helping me out with information, you are much appreciated.

Looking forward to get some advise.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is planning to travel to Thailand on a Non-Immigrant O Visa, which allows for a 90-day stay, and seeks guidance on obtaining a one-year extension before leaving for a trip on February 4. They need to know which immigration office to visit for the extension with minimal hassle, ensuring all paperwork is prepared and recognizing the importance of timing, especially with weekends impacting operations. Responses indicate that the extension can be applied for at the local immigration office only when within 30 days of the current visa expiration, with advice given on managing time and re-entry permits.

Paul *********

As long as your current visa or extension of stay is valid, you can travel while on the "under consideration" stamp. Just so long as you arrive back in time to collect the new extension stamp in your passport.

a year ago

Dave *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Paul ********

that is great, for some reason i always thought it is not possible. Thank you!

a year ago

Reply to

Dave *****

John **********

Note that 17 & 18 Feb is a Saturday & Sunday so immigration offices will be closed so a bit tight unless you are certain you have everything immigration requires

a year ago

Dave *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

thank you John!

a year ago

Tod *********

@John *********

well spotted (y) I didn't look at the dates 🙂

a year ago

Reply to

Tod *********

Your embassy is correct. Only a couple embassies now sell the year/multi Non-O based on marriage

Be that as it may

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗼 𝗜 𝗴𝗼 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲, 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲-𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗹𝗲 (𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲)?

you don't get to pick and choose what office you go to for your year extension. You use the office that serves the area where you live AND where you have the TM30 filed (which you will need to file once you get here at the office in your area)

You can apply for a year extension at MOST immigration offices when you have 30 days or less left on your current stamp.

You will apply for the year extension for 1900baht and get a 30 day under consideration stamp.

THEN on that date you'll go back to the immigration office and get the year extension inked in and buy a re-entry permit at that time.

Using your time line, IF you arrive on Nov 23 you will get stamped in until Feb 20th meaning you could apply for a yearly extension any time AFTER January 20th..

SO that means

You either apply for the year extension for 1900baht BEFORE you leave the country on the 4th of Feb. You'd get the 30 day under consideration stamp and you'd need to BUY a single re-entry permit for 1000baht so you can get back in without cancelling that stamp

OR

You buy a single re-entry permit for 1000baht and leave the country and when you come back on the 16th you get your act together to apply for the year extension BEFORE that 90 day entry stamp from the Non-O you have expired (the 20th of Feb)

a year ago

Dave *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

Wow thank you so much for this detailed Feedback. For me there are two completely new information Here now:

1. I did Not know that i can leave Thailand (having a re-entry permit) and come Back while being on the "under consideration" stamp.

2. I also Had No Idea that i can leave and come Back with a re-entry permit on a single-entry Visa. I thought thats Not a Thing/possible.

I personally would prefer Option 1 as it gets the ball rolling sooner.

Thank you Tod, I will contact Chaengwattana and go from there. I guess the "30 days or less" -rule does also apply to them and their process?

a year ago

Tod *********

@Dave ****

Chaengwattana allows you to apply for an extension when you have 45 days or less, so in theory you can show up and apply any time after Jan 7th (y)

a year ago

Dave *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

awesome that Sounds good. I will follow your advise of going early. Thanks a Lot!

a year ago

Tod *********

@Dave ****

this is a list of requirements that you can be asked for it is NOT a Chaengwattana list it is a general list. I'd say once you get here, slog on out to Chaengwattana Section L-1 and get the hand out from the first cubby on the right (where it says document check) they have the printed list of requirements

a year ago

Dave *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

Very helpful, thank you. Feeling better prepared and more confident about our plans now 😄👍🏻

a year ago

Reply to

Dave *****

Tod *********

Personally I would apply for the year extension as SOON as you can (right after Jan 20th) get the under consideration stamp TELL them you're going to be out of the country from the 4th to the 16th in case they want to do a home visit and get a re-entry permit the day you get the under consideration stamp (it will only be valid for that stamp so just get a single re-entry)

That way you don't have a gun to your head to get the extension done in the 4 days you have left comin' back the 16th and being stamped in until the 20th 😮

a year ago

Reply to

Tod *********

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How early can I apply for a non-O visa extension before it expires in Thailand?

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