Answered7 years ago

Is It True That a Retirement Visa Automatically Extends When Leaving and Re-entering Thailand?

Retirement Visa Visa Extension Immigration Rules

Vladimir ************

asked Mar 2, 2020

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Hi falks,

I got my 1 year retirement visa in NY. Visa until July 16  2020. In local emigration I was advised to go outside Thailand and come back. After this trip my visa should be extended for another year. I did so. Came back on Feb 28.

Today I went to immigration and officer pointed that my visa automatically extended for another year (see attached. Is it the way to "beat the system"? Retirement "visa run"? Too simple..... Also I was told that if I leave Thailand and come back before my retirement visa exparstion I automatically get it extended for another year!!!

Way too simple!!!!!!

Does anybody has experience?

Answer summary

The original poster discusses their experience with a 1-year retirement visa (Non-Immigrant O-A). They mention being informed that leaving Thailand and returning before the visa expires would automatically grant a 1-year extension. However, commenters clarify that this is a misunderstanding. Instead, the visa itself does not extend; the holder is simply granted a new 1-year stamp upon re-entry, as long as they enter before the visa's expiration date.

13 repliesnewest first

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Padraig **********

Re your case..I was unlucky they gave me five weeks when I entered two days ago....stamped to

*****

/2020...but we have discussed that in this forum already...just saying !

7 years ago

Padraig **********

Well robert I’m due out March 28th anyway as I winter in CM (Oct to April )....so I’m not bothered but I may go in just to satisfy myself and let y’all know ....

7 years ago

Robert *******

And you went back to immigration office to fix it, as we adviced you?

7 years ago

Sergey *********

You could just ask me in person =)))

Every time you enter Thailand with this OA visa (until it's "valid until" date only!) you get a 1year stamp. And because it's multi entry, you do not need to buy re-entry permit during first year (until "valid until" date).

So, you can enter the country a couple of days before "valid until" date and get a 1year stamp again. BUT! As soon as the "valid until" date is passed, you will need a re-entry permit to go out and back (if you want to keep that last 1year stamp valid).

7 years ago

Sergey *********

The visa itself is only a "ticket" that allows you to enter Thailand. It does not allow you to STAY in Thailand. But every stamp made based on visa allows you to STAY in country until the date in that STAMP.

So, when "valid until" date passes, you will not be able to use this exact visa to enter the country. But that has nothing to do with your Staying in country =)

7 years ago

Paul *********

Should add any trips out of thailand after 16 July 2020 (the visa use by date) you will need a re-entry permit to keep the admitted until date valid.

7 years ago

Vladimir ************

Sorry for my stupidity :-) .... "date valid" is it Feb 28 2021?

7 years ago

Robert *******

indeed, to simple and incorrect.

With this Non Immigrant 0-A visa you get 1 year of stay on each entry if you enter Thailand before 16 July 2020.

You do not extend the visa, You only get a new stamp as in the second picture.

If you leave and come back just before on or 16 July 2020 you stil get 1 year of stay, for example Admitted until 14 july 2021 but the visa itself will get invalid on 16 July 2020

7 years ago

Roger *********

In the 2nd year, you will need a single or multi-reentry permit to avoid voiding your O-A visa if you leave the country during that time. .

7 years ago

Hans ********

@Robert ******

correct have the same Visa

7 years ago

Robert *******

if you stay 90 days in Thailand you need to report at immigration.

Do not make new words, like retirement visa run, it only makes thing much more complicated as you are the only one who understand.

7 years ago

Robert *******

As example date yes,

7 years ago

Vladimir ************

Thanks Robert! May I refrase my question: if this visa will get invalid6 does it mean that I am legally in Thailand until July 14 2021?

7 years ago