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What Are My Options for Extending My O/A Visa If I Have to Leave Thailand Before It Expires?
Jan 25, 2020
6 years ago
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTERUK, 57yrs old, 1st O/A visa over 50, rental agreement in Jomtien, previous year: back to back tourist visas and extensions.
Hi all,
Despite trying to be organized I possibly have a new problem approaching,
my visa expires March 13, I have transferred the 800k to a Thai bank in my name and this will be seasoned 4 days before my visa expires,
Unexpectedly I now understand I’m going to be called to go back to the UK soon for important reasons to do with selling my business property, but as with these matters it’s all uncertain on the exact timing but have been told most likely 4 weeks or little more,
This is all sounding a little bad timing for the visa extension,
My worry is I could be in the UK when my visa expires,
What are my options then? are they that I will have to start all over again with a new
O/A visa? before I can return back to Thailand? (Is this ok to do? ) or is there another way?
Do I need a medical and police check again? I no longer have a doctors in the UK or an address of my own so it makes things difficult,
I will have the 800k in a Thai bank but I will not be able to update the bank book or get a letter from the Thai bank to show immigration while I’m in the UK,
So I guess I have to prove funds again in my UK bank do I ?
I need insurance too I understand do I? maybe silly question but can I get the Thai insurance they require set up ok from the UK,? If so do you know how long it takes to get the insurance sorted,
I have no option at the moment but to carry on preparing to hopefully extend my visa here,
which leads to another question what do the Immigration teem at Jomtien need from me as to getting my extension ,
Is there a list somewhere I can check against please?
I also need to get all the other information I can as I’m most likely will have to dash to the UK at an unfortunate time,
Thank you in advance for any help you can give me,
Hi all,
Despite trying to be organized I possibly have a new problem approaching,
my visa expires March 13, I have transferred the 800k to a Thai bank in my name and this will be seasoned 4 days before my visa expires,
Unexpectedly I now understand I’m going to be called to go back to the UK soon for important reasons to do with selling my business property, but as with these matters it’s all uncertain on the exact timing but have been told most likely 4 weeks or little more,
This is all sounding a little bad timing for the visa extension,
My worry is I could be in the UK when my visa expires,
What are my options then? are they that I will have to start all over again with a new
O/A visa? before I can return back to Thailand? (Is this ok to do? ) or is there another way?
Do I need a medical and police check again? I no longer have a doctors in the UK or an address of my own so it makes things difficult,
I will have the 800k in a Thai bank but I will not be able to update the bank book or get a letter from the Thai bank to show immigration while I’m in the UK,
So I guess I have to prove funds again in my UK bank do I ?
I need insurance too I understand do I? maybe silly question but can I get the Thai insurance they require set up ok from the UK,? If so do you know how long it takes to get the insurance sorted,
I have no option at the moment but to carry on preparing to hopefully extend my visa here,
which leads to another question what do the Immigration teem at Jomtien need from me as to getting my extension ,
Is there a list somewhere I can check against please?
I also need to get all the other information I can as I’m most likely will have to dash to the UK at an unfortunate time,
Thank you in advance for any help you can give me,
TLDR : Answer Summary
A UK expat with an O/A visa is concerned about the timing of an urgent trip back to the UK and the potential expiration of their visa on March 13. They have recently transferred funds to a Thai bank that will be seasoned shortly before expiration but are unsure of how to proceed if they are abroad when the visa expires. Comments from the community suggest various options for extending the visa, including the possibility of exiting and re-entering Thailand before the visa expires to secure an additional year, options for obtaining a Non-O visa while back in the UK, and ensuring that they meet the immigration requirements.
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Tod *********
Okay, First I wanna thank everyone for their helpful comments
AND now I wanna point out how after messaging with the O/P a solution was found
He is currently on an O-A visa that is valid until Mar 13 2020, AND he has his year entry stamp valid until Mar 20 2020.
He was going to apply for a yearly extension without knowing that there is a 'free" second year you can get from an O-A visa by simply exiting and re-entering the country BEFORE the visa runs out.
In his case as long as he exits/re-enters on or before the 13 of March 2020 (the date the VISA expires) he'll get stamped in for a whole new year until Mar 2021. :O Then he just needs a re-entry permit when he goes back to his country so when he comes back he gets stamped in until Mar 2021. He won't need to apply for a yearly extension until 2021 if he does that. NOT this year
AND now I wanna point out how after messaging with the O/P a solution was found
He is currently on an O-A visa that is valid until Mar 13 2020, AND he has his year entry stamp valid until Mar 20 2020.
He was going to apply for a yearly extension without knowing that there is a 'free" second year you can get from an O-A visa by simply exiting and re-entering the country BEFORE the visa runs out.
In his case as long as he exits/re-enters on or before the 13 of March 2020 (the date the VISA expires) he'll get stamped in for a whole new year until Mar 2021. :O Then he just needs a re-entry permit when he goes back to his country so when he comes back he gets stamped in until Mar 2021. He won't need to apply for a yearly extension until 2021 if he does that. NOT this year
James ********
@Tod ********
great followup ....thank you 😉Reply to
James ********
Reply
James ********
Good luck Michael ...you have good options. Take care and safe travels.
Commenting closed.
Commenting closed.
Tod *********
@Michael *********
I have seen immigration offices grant extensions early IF you show you're going to be out of the country when your current extension expires AND if you meet the requirements.Unfortunately it seems like you will be out of the country AND you will not have your funds seasoned BEFORE you leave :/ That means even proving to an immigration office that you're not gonna be here before the extension runs out they wouldn't let you extend early because you don't meet the requirements.
You have 4 choices
they are:
-Get a year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O-A visa when you're back in your country.
-Get a 90 day Non-O visa when you're back in your country then apply for the yearly extension once you get back.
-Get a 60 day tourist visa when you're back in your country and then apply for the in country conversion to a 90 day Non-O visa and then a yearly extension
-Come in on a 30 day visa exempt entry and then apply for the in country conversion to a 90 day Non-O visa and then a yearly extension
Chris *********
Can you give your UK solicitor Power of Attorney to act on your behalf so you don’t have to return to the UK?
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chris ********
yes thank you I have been told I should do this by a friend here, I have many things to sort out, ideally be better for me to go back but at a more convenient time would be best, but I don’t have that option, I will talk to the solicitor to see what he can do though, thank youReply to
Michael **********
Reply
Bobby ********
A terrific rundown of the process changing from OA to O from Tod Daniels is here
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@Bobby *******
Good reply...but he will not have an O-A 😄as he will return from UK to Thailand visa exempt on arrival.Reply to
James ********
Reply
James ********
Forget the O-A...period.
You do not need it.
Leave Thailand and return exempt visa on arrival for 30 days.
Go to local immigration and get checklist for obtaining Non O followed by Extension of Stay for one year.
Health insurance not required.
Medical certificate usually not required.
Police clearance nor required.
You already have the 800,000 Thai baht in Thai bank in YOUR NAME ONLY.
BINGO...You have your first year retirement visa/extension.
You do not need it.
Leave Thailand and return exempt visa on arrival for 30 days.
Go to local immigration and get checklist for obtaining Non O followed by Extension of Stay for one year.
Health insurance not required.
Medical certificate usually not required.
Police clearance nor required.
You already have the 800,000 Thai baht in Thai bank in YOUR NAME ONLY.
BINGO...You have your first year retirement visa/extension.
Ron *******
Easy enough to get a single entry Non O in the UK for retirement provided you can supply the documents they ask for.
Not forgetting you'll need to apply by the London Thai Embassy E visa website.
You can use a consulate at Liverpool, Hull, Edinburgh, Cardiff or Dublin but you need to email your documents for pre approval from London then make an appointment. There is no postal services via the consulates in the UK or Ireland.
Non-Immigrant Type O (Retirement (pensioner aged 50 or above with a state pension who wants to stay in Thailand for no longer than 90 days) - single entry only)
Financial evidence e.g. A copy of pension statement if the applicant is a pensioner, or a copy of 1-month bank statement showing your income from pension, or 3-month bank statement of at least £10,000
Confirmation of legal residence in the UK or Ireland
Not forgetting you'll need to apply by the London Thai Embassy E visa website.
You can use a consulate at Liverpool, Hull, Edinburgh, Cardiff or Dublin but you need to email your documents for pre approval from London then make an appointment. There is no postal services via the consulates in the UK or Ireland.
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-Non-Immigrant-visas.html#7Non-Immigrant Type O (Retirement (pensioner aged 50 or above with a state pension who wants to stay in Thailand for no longer than 90 days) - single entry only)
Financial evidence e.g. A copy of pension statement if the applicant is a pensioner, or a copy of 1-month bank statement showing your income from pension, or 3-month bank statement of at least £10,000
Confirmation of legal residence in the UK or Ireland
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
thank you very much for the quick reply, fantastic !!Reply to
Michael **********
Reply
Bob **********
If it's your 1st year of an O-A do a bounce and get the second year if not maybe get a non-O back in the UK and extend when you get back no insurance needed just leave the funds in the bank
Peter ****************
Nope. The first year of your NON IMM O-A is MULTI ENTRY (See the "M" on your visa). So this first year you can go and come back as many times you want. (before 13th of March) That second year you are stamped in you DO need a re-entry permit and also when you come back from the UK, you almost sure to be asked to the healthcare insurance for that (whole) year.
Peter ****************
To be clear
@Michael *********
, if you choose for this option, you have to leave thailand to 'a random country nearby' and come back. Only then you got a full year. And indeed then get a re-entry permit. This all BEFORE you go back to the UK.Bob **********
Yes get a re entry at Immigration or the airport can't guarantee not having insurance but you'll get back in on a stamp or until your visa expires when renewing an O-A you will need insurance with one of the companies they recommend
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTERits my first year yes, can I do that really wow that could be the answer I needed, so i needs to leave before the visa expires and get a reentry stamp is that all ?
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Michael **********
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