How early can I apply for an extension on a Non-OA visa in Thailand before its validity expires?

Oct 15, 2018
6 years ago
Jean-Michel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Second question today...!!!

How much time before the end of validity date of a visa non imm OA can you apply for extension in Thailand ? I've heard 30 days maximum but never could find confirmation.....

My story is as follow:

I have a non OA valid until July 1st 2019. I need to go back to Europe for Mother's day on the 25th of May. I want to use this occasion to stay in Europe until September. Does that mean that my visa will be lost or is it possible to do the extension of stay more than 30 days before the end of validity (let's say around May 20th) ? Alternatively can I come back in September, get a 30 days tourist stamp and do the yearly extension then (I doubt it but I ask just for the sake of covering all options)....

Thank you all for help....๐Ÿค”๐Ÿค”๐Ÿค”๐Ÿค”๐Ÿค”
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquired about the possibility of extending their Non-OA visa and whether they can do so before the visa's validity expires. They mentioned needing to travel to Europe and asked if they could apply for an extension more than 30 days before the visa expires (specifically around May 20th) or if they would lose the visa. Community members clarified that a re-entry permit could keep their stay valid even if the visa expired. If they leave with a re-entry permit, they can return and receive a new admission stamp for another year, maintaining their stay until the new expiration.
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Fabio *******************
sorry, this means that every time you leave Thailand, taking a re entry, having a non-o immigrant visa extension, when you return to Thailand you are given another year?
Fabio *******************
@Tod ********
thanks, as always very kind.
Tod *********
@Fabio ******************
correct, a re-entry permit will keep ANY extension of stay stamp "alive" and when you come back you'll be stamped in until the expiration date of the extension.
Fabio *******************
@Tod ********
thanks tod, so if I leave Thailand with a re entry when I return I can stay until the expiration of the extension?
Tod *********
no, what we are talking about is not a Non-O visa and it is not a yearly extension of stay :/

This is concerning a specific type of Non-Immigrant visa (a type O-A longstay) that you can get from the thai consulate in your country BEFORE you come to thailand. It requires a police background check and a medical certificate in addition to meeting the financial requirements.
Tod *********
@Jean-Michel ********
You are confusing two separate things.

One is the validity of the VISA you got from the thai consulate <- that's what let's you IN to the country and is good for a year from the date it was issued

The other thing is your entry stamp <-that's what let's you STAY in thailand, and on the O-A visa you have you get stamped in for ONE year every time you enter the country (for the validity of the visa),

IF you exit//re-enter just before the VISA expires (in your case July 2019) you would get stamped in for a whole new year (even though the visa will expire in July).

The entry stamp lets you stay in the country and the VISA lets you in and controls how many days you get stamped in for
Tod *********
@Jean-Michel ********
right, the re-entry portion of your O-A visa expires the same time your visa would so to keep any entry stamp "alive" after that date if you were leaving the country you'd need a re-entry permit ;)
Jean-Michel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
this was understood....but the re-entry option as mentioned by Robert was a new option that I was'nt aware of.... so I will be able to re-enter eventhough my visa is not valid anymore thanks to the re-entry permit paid for on departure in May...
Robert *******
Correct, the visa becomes invalid, but with your re-entry permit you keep your admitted to stay period alive. So In your example if you return in September with a re-entry permit you will get an new Admitted to Stay stamp til January 31st 2020
Robert *******
Some offices it is 45 days, but most it is 30 dasy
Jean-Michel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
......you confirm no more than 30 days...not 35 days ...not 31 days .... no exception?
Robert *******
30 days before the last date, using same example it will be 30 days before January 31st 2020
Jean-Michel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
Great...I got it .....and this will obviously allow me to get the extension on my non OA in September by providing among others proof of funds ....right ?
Jean-Michel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks
@Robert ******
.... But I don't get it (๐Ÿ™ sorry)...

Let's say I enter Thailand on Feb 1st 2019....my tm6 stamp will say admitted until January 31st 2020...ok?

Then are you telling me that I should buy a re entry permit on my departure on May 25th 2019 in order to be admitted back in September 2019 while my visa won't be valid anymore at that time? (visa non OA valid until July 1st 2019)....is that what you are saying?
Robert *******
Before you go to Europe you can do a border run and get a new one year of stay. Than before you go to Europe get the re-entry permit and get the same admitted to stay date again when you return.
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