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How does re-entering Thailand affect the validity of a Non-Immigrant OA Visa?

Non-Immigrant OA VisaVisa StampingMultiple Entry VisaRe-Entry PermitThailand ImmigrationVisa Extension
November 27, 2018
6 years ago
Grant ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Re: Border Run to extend OA Visa. Hi. I have a non Immigrant Type OA visa I am in my first year of using it. I understand that if I travel and return within 1 year of the issue date, it will be stamped for one year beyond the date I return, effectively giving me up to 2 years on my Visa without the need to renew My question is this- if I travel let's say 4 months into my first year, then travel 7 months later, what date will my Visa be stamped? Asked another way- can I travel out of the country multiple times in my first year and have it stamped each time 1 year later within that year?. Hope I have stated my question clearly.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The Non-Immigrant OA Visa allows multiple entries into Thailand, providing the convenience of extending the validity through travel. Each entry can be stamped for an additional year as long as it is made within the initial one-year period following its issue. For example, if the visa was issued on December 13, travel on April 14 would extend the visa to April 14 of the following year, and another entry just before the one-year expiration can repeat this extension process. However, a re-entry permit is necessary to maintain the extended duration when traveling after the initial year.
OA RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the OA Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the OA Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Paul ********
Baffled by the lingo. Maybe pics would help!
6 years ago
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Paul ********
@Amornrat *********
 Thank you!
6 years ago
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Amornrat **********
example issue date O-A is 13.12.2017. ENTER BEFORE date 13.12.2018. Travel 14.4.2018, than stamp 14.4.2019. Travel again on 12.12.2018, than stamp 12.12.2019. If you travel between 13.12.2018 and 12.12.2019 you need to have a reentry permit.
6 years ago
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Robert *******
Change the word Type of Visa in Non Immigrant and Category in O-A, the rest of the visa and the way it works stay the same.
6 years ago
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Paul ********
That first pic Robert - that's of a Tourist visa ? I thought this thread was all about Cat 'O-A' visas ?
6 years ago
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Robert *******
And this is a re-entry permit, succes
6 years ago
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Paul ********
Thanks Robert - i will study that later !
6 years ago
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Robert *******
As requested:
6 years ago
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Robert *******
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Robert *******
Trying to make this clear. You get the Multiple Entry Non Immigrant O-A visa in your passport. On the visa is a valid until / Enter before date. When you enter Thailand you get a NEW stamp with an Admitted until date, this should be 1 year from day on entrance. The VISA is a Multiple Entry so you can exit and enter as many times you like but it must be before the valid until / Enter before date. If you enter just before this date you still get 1 year Admitted until stay stamped in your passport, but your visa turns on the valid until / enter before date into a memory, it is used and invalid. If you still like to travel and keeping your Admitted to Stay period alive, than you need a re-entry permit and than on return you get the same Admitted until date as you already had. This re-entry permit can be a Single or Multiple and is valid until the last day of your Admitted until date stamped in your passport.
6 years ago
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Scott ********
OP, love the post. I’m waiting on my OA to be approved before heading over in January. The OA is a multiple entry visa which is why there are no reentry requirements during the first year. Once you get that extension of stay for the second year, reentry permits are required before leaving if you want to keep that second year open. At least that’s my understanding of the process. Nice to know you can get a multi entry reentry permit for that second year. I guess that’s my next thing to learn about.
6 years ago
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Paul ********
I've never met anyone on an 'OA' visa - what are the benefits of this rare beast ?
6 years ago
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Al *******
@Grant *******
 just clearing up your comment where you stated “Benefit - it’s a 1 year visa that is renewed annually allowing you to stay in country indefinitely.” That is absolutely incorrect.
6 years ago
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Grant ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Al ******
 I'm aware of those distinctions but omitted for brevity
6 years ago
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Al *******
@Grant *******
 no, it is not renewed annually. If used correctly and one leaves the country just prior to the enter before date, one can get a second year from that visa. At the end of that second year one must apply for an extension of stay via their local Thai immigration office, or return to their home country and apply for a new non imm o-a multi entry visa. There are also some other options.
6 years ago
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Paul ********
Got ya. I had 6 one-year Cat 'O's one after the other but had to leave the country every 15 months. That was the excellent Non-Imm MULTI Entry which is now gone. Cheers !
6 years ago
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Grant ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes I did. It still requires 90 day check in. Benefit- it's a 1 year Visa that is renewable annually allowing you to stay in country indefinitely.
6 years ago
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Paul ********
Is the advantage over the Non-Imm 'O' that you don't have to do 90-day reporting ?
6 years ago
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Paul ********
Yep - heard about it 8 years ago. So did you do the whole Criminal record and Medical test procedure ?
6 years ago
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Grant ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
It's a Non Immigrant Type OA "retirement" visa. Google it... it's a very popular visa
6 years ago
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Grant ********
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Marty *********
I arrived in February 2017. I made three trips to the US and a final trip to Cambodia in Nov 2017. I was stamped in until November 2018. I recently got my first 1 year extension.
6 years ago
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Grant ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
3800 is right
6 years ago
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Marty *********
@Grant *******
 I think it is 3800 baht but that is why I do it.
6 years ago
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Grant ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yeah, for 3500 B, it's worth it just for peace of mind.
6 years ago
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Monti ********
Grant Gabler I always get a mutliple reentry permit when I get my annual extension of stay. Often I do not use it enough to cover the cost but it is much less stress having it if needed in an emergency situation then try to get at the airport. I just go do right after getting the extension of stay. Makes for a long day at immigration but I feel it is worth it in the long run.
6 years ago
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Marty *********
@Grant *******
 I purchased a multiple re-entry permit a couple of weeks ago so I can come and go.
6 years ago
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Monti ********
@Grant *******
 Yes. If you leave without a reentry permit at this point your extension of stay is voided when you leave Thailand without a valid reentry permit.
6 years ago
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Grant ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Cool. Now that you are past your "free" extension year, are you required to get reentry visas for subsequent travel? (post Nov 2018?)
6 years ago
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Grant ********
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Paul *********
In the first year you will be stamped in for one year each entry.

If you exit and re enter before the use by date or enter before date you will effectively get 2 years out of this visa..

Warning you will need to get a re entry permit for the 2nd year as if you exit with out it the visa will be voided.
6 years ago
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Marty *********
The visa and the re-entry permit are two different things with two different prices. All I learned about visas I learned from Tod Daniels. He is the final word on all thing visas. Or at least he is one of a few experts moderating this group.
6 years ago
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Grant ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marty ********
 It's kind of strange that they don't require a re-entry permit during the first year. I'm paranoid if I don't get one, my Visa will be voided. I guess the distinction is in the extension of stay. Sounds like a revenue generation trick.
6 years ago
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Marty *********
@Grant *******
 After my first year I purchased a multiple re-entry permit but it expired on the same date as my last stamp in my passport. I only got 9 months use. Now with my 1 year extension I will get the full year of my new multiple re-entry permit.
6 years ago
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Paul *********
Yes only in the 2nd year
6 years ago
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Grant ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Sorry for the follow-on questions Paul- I read "If you are on a Non Immigrant Retirement Visa, you will need a re-entry permit only after you have received your one-year extension." Does this mean that my trips in the first year of my OA Visa do not require a re-entry visa but requires reentry visas during my 2nd year (the extension period?) My Visa is multiple-entry. The language is not clear to me.
6 years ago
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Paul *********
you can get a multiple re entry permit then you don’t need to specify dates. Just remember to do 90 day reports if you don’t exit before any 90 day stay.
6 years ago
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Grant ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you! And yes- don't forget the reentry visa! Can a reentry visa be open-ended, or do you have to specify an exact date? I often prefer to book one-way tickets and return when I feel like it.
6 years ago
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Grant ********
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