What are the current rules for extending a Non-Immigrant O-A visa in Thailand and banking requirements?

September 5, 2019
5 years ago
Mick *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Tod Daniels and group, Iam looking back on my earlier questions and responses and am now curious if anything has changed since the January post of mine. I now live in Thailand on a non imm O-A multi-entry retirement visa issue from u.s. issue date 25 April 2019. Exp 24 April 2020. As you previously suggested I will depart and come back Thailand j just prior to expiration to get another year on this visa. Question 1) I assume that opportunity hasn’t changed yet. To get nearly two years out of an initial O-A visa, Correct?

Question 2) I do not need to buy any re-entry permit during that first year since I have a multi- entry visa for that first year only, correct?

Question 3 for all the marbles: I should ignore banking 800k in Thailand bank until at least 2 months prior to the end of the second year on this same visa? Correct? Because that is the point when I apply for an extension of stay with immigration.....Nearing the end of the second year on this visa.....NOT nearing the end of first year. No banking amount is required nearing the end of the first year. Again this assumes I get stamped in for another year just prior to April 24 2020.

Your groups response is valuable and appreciated. 😃
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is inquiring about the current processes regarding their Non-Immigrant O-A multi-entry retirement visa in Thailand, specifically asking if they can extend their stay for another year without needing a bank deposit until the second year, and whether a re-entry permit is required during their first year. They also question the timing of banking 800,000 Baht for visa extension purposes.
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James ********
Good Luck Brian. As you have many helpful replies to your post, I close commenting.
Roy ***********
I'm going to add this question to this thread, as it is directly related to the OP. When leaving Thailand and returning near the end of the first full year of the OA visa, to be able to get a 'permitted to stay" stamp of one more year, can that be done overland or must it be done via an airport? I imagine there's no difference thread, but I want to be sure as I may do this overland at Vientiane at the end of October.
James ********
Roy Schachter enjoy your visit to Vientianne.
Roy ***********
James Miller Thank you. I know I don't need anything from the Thai Consulate. Re: same day border run, nice to know that's an option; however last time I was in Vientiane was in 1997, so as long as I'm going to be there, I want to walk around town and talk to some people. I have the time, I'll just miss one day of my Thai language class. I'll do the Laos visa-on-arrival, and I think I have the needed info for that.
James ********
@Roy **********
you can simply make a border run, cross over and return. No need to go to Thai Consulate or Vientianne etc.
Roy ***********
@Robert ******
Yes, I definitely plan to do that. I know I need to remind the IO that I have an OA visa, and ensure the stamp is for a full year. Thanks for the reminder.
Robert *******
I don't worry about you knowing the date. I worry more about the date stamp the Immigration Officer is going to use. Make sure before you leave the check point it is 1 year after arrival date.
Roy ***********
@Robert ******
Thank you. I am very clear about the end date for my OA Visa and would go to Vientiane and stay 1 or 2 nights. A RT flight from Chiang Mai to Nong Kkai is half the cost of a flight from Chiang Mai to Vientiane, plus I will probably visit someone in Udon Thani.
Robert *******
There is no difference at airports or land borders. But this visa is not so much in use to do border runs, please check twice the stamp and correct date before you jump in the car to go back home.
Tod *********
Brian Mikulec here's a pro tip,

NEVER EVER trust an immigration officer inside the country to tell you ANYTHING about a visa you bought from a thai consulate outside the country :O

AND

NEVER EVER trust a consulate employee to tell you anything about an extension of stay you get inside the country at the immigration office. :/

No matter what that half wit, paper pushing, passport stamping immigration officer told you IF you exit, re-enter before your current O-A visa expires you'll get stamped in for a whole new year, meaning you won't need to bank any money until 2 months BEFORE that second year stamp expires (meaning end of Jan 2021) ;)
Francis ********************
@Tod ********
always thank you for your answers to this question. If I’d listened to anyone else’s advise I could have had problems
Mick *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
and group. Thanks to all of the responses. 👍🏽
Tod *********
@Brian ********
your last question is so far in the future that you shouldn't even waste a second of your time pondering it at all :O

Exit/re-enter the country on or before April 2020 and you'll get stamped in until 2021. :) THEN you can start worrying about the yearly extension.
Mick *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
my last question was about when am I required to bank money in Thailand? Why do I ask this ? Because in my first visit to my friendly immigration office one of the IO smiled 😃 and said to me be sure to bank money in a Thai bank before the end of your first year. I looked at him puzzled and of course 😄 smiled back.
Bjørn *********
Hello.. I am in the same situation as mr. Mikulec.. I have a non oa M. visa that is valid until 24 oct. 2019. I am going to Thailand oct. 18.. Planing to stay 5 months...Does the rule still stand.. or do I need a new visa ? Thanks for help 🙂
Bjørn *********
Thanks 🙂 I was confused.. My earlier NON oa m visas said « Enter before « now it sais « valid until « Thanks Tod Daniels
Tod *********
as long as you ENTER the country (stamp in) before the visa itself expires (24 Oct 2019) you'll get stamped in for a whole new year.

BUT

If you're going to leave the country during that year you will need a re-entry permit.
Bobby ********
At this point you've got it. The only thing likely to change might be the "seasoning" rule for the money in the bank account. Of course you could just have a trip home at the end of the second year and get a new OA visa. That way you don't have to transfer a cent to a Thai bank account
Marty *********
I believe the seasoning of the 800,000 baht is two months prior to your application for a 1 year extension and not the date of expiry of your permission to stay stamp. I would deposit the money 3 months early just to be on the safe side. You probably can apply at least 30 days before the permission to stay stamp expires.
Krishn *********
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