What are my options for returning to Thailand after leaving without a valid re-entry permit on my retirement visa?

Question

Need some advice on returning to Thailand. I have not paid attention to my visa and reentry requirements. I am currently in the U.S.

I was in Thailand last Nov. 2021. Obtained a Non-O and then retirement visa valid until Feb. 2023.

I left Thailand Dec. 2021, obtained a re-entry stamp Single Entry.

Returned to Thailand April 2022 and immigration stamp states under visa class "NON-RE" which i am assuming means no more reentry through Feb. 2023 and it would invalidate my retirement visa if i left again. (Again, i wasn't paying attention to this part).

I departed Thailand May 2022.

I was planning on returning to Thailand July (purchased one way ticket thinking i am ok until Feb. 2023). Now that the light bulb has come on after joining this group, I am realizing I invalidated my retirement visa when i left a second time and have to do this all over again.

I am thinking my options are:
1. Reschedule my flight, apply for Non-O while here in the U.S. and then apply for retirement visa again after i arrive there using my Thai account with 800000 baht.
1. Keep my flight next week, come in on 30 day tourist visa, purchase throw away ticket for flight, apply for Non-O and retirement visa when i get there.

I am sure there are cost differences and i am not sure if they will charge me to rebook yet.

I made a mess, and any feedback and constructive advice is appreciated....thanks

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user is seeking advice on returning to Thailand after invalidating their retirement visa by leaving without a valid re-entry permit. They originally held a Non-O retirement visa valid until February 2023 but made the mistake of not renewing their re-entry permit before leaving Thailand in May 2022. The user is now considering options such as applying for a Non-O visa while still in the U.S. or entering Thailand on a 30-day visa exempt stamp and then applying for the Non-O visa and the retirement extension upon arrival.

Tod ********* · Answer

Okay the first mistake was thinking that the Non-RE you got written on your entry stamp meant anything other than you used a RE-ENTRY permit to get back in 🙁 That's all it meant, nothing more nothing less and you should have been stamped in until Feb 2023 like your extension was valid for.

The FATAL mistake 😮  <- as it pertains to your extension 😕 was NOT buying another single re-entry permit when you left the country in May 2022 🙁 because stamping out without a valid re-entry permit in your passport is what cancelled your current extension.

You are correct, you either buy a new 90 day Non-O visa from the thai consulate in the US using the eVisa online program (which means you meet the requirements for that visa THERE <- meaning you need mandatory insurance). Enter on it, get stamped in for 90 days and then apply for the year extension like normal at the immigration office

OR

You come in on a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp <-(there is no 30 day tourist visa, you're talking about coming in on a FREE visa exempt entry). Then you get your act together and immediately go to your immigration office and apply for an in country 90 day Non-O visa for 2000baht (which does NOT require any insurance BTW). You wait the under review period, get the Non-O visa and new 90 day stamp inked in and then get the year extension for 1900baht after 2 months.

The only mess was that you didn't get another single re-entry permit before you left in May 2022, believe me you're not the first person to have done that and cancelled their extension when they stamped out.

Those are pretty much your options good luck with it

What are my options for returning to Thailand after leaving without a valid re-entry permit on my retirement visa?

Activity

Related

Resources