What are the requirements and timeline for extending a Non-Immigrant O-A visa in Thailand based on Retirement?

Jul 12, 2018
6 years ago
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Good Morning all,

I have a Non-Immigrant O-A multiple entry I year visa.

The visa expires 3rd September 2018.

I'm getting ready to submit an application for extension based on Retirement.

My research has indicated I need to submit the following with my application.

1. File a TM7 extension of stay form

2. Show evidence of income. In my case I can show Australian Government pension Monthly income from military well in excess of the 65, 000thb

required.

3. Pay 1900THB fee

4. 2 passport size photos Im in Saraburi

5. Hand drawn map to my residence

6. Original passport with signed photocopies of each page, two sets.

As this group appears to contain some really knowledgeable members I would appreciate feedback as to the above requirements.

Specifically how long before the 3rd September 2018 visa expiry should I submit the application to SARABURI Immigration?

My next 90 report is due 20th August 2018

I can prove address as they already know that from my 90 day reports. Also I have a Thai Drivers License and my AIS phone bill is sent to my address too.

I appreciate your time reading this.

Thanks.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the steps and documentation required to extend a Non-Immigrant O-A visa based on retirement, including the TM7 form, proof of income, payment fee, photos, a map to residence, and passport copies. The author seeks clarification on the optimal time to apply for the extension relative to the visa's expiration date and confirms they can demonstrate residency through existing reports. Several commenters provide insights on correcting entry stamps, reminders about visa requirements, and strategies for maintaining valid residency in Thailand.
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Tod *********
@James *********
, I'm gonna close commenting on your thread now because you're sorted out

Glad it worked out for you :)
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
OK sounds good will do.
Tod *********
@Ja***
(y)
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Corrected date now done courtesy of Saraburi immigration!
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'll go sort it tomorrow at Saraburi. I'm very particular about immigration so if it needs a date correction then so be it. Besides Id like to think immigration would look at it positively.

.
Tod *********
Bernd ***********
@Tod ********
I really do admire your always calm endurance..πŸ˜‰
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Can I do that at my Saraburi immigration office?
Tod *********
The upside at least IS you did manage to bounce out and back in before your visa expired so you WILL get stamped in for the year you are owed (once they correct the stamp)

(y)
Tod *********
@Ja***
because it is the holder of the passport's responsibility to make sure you're stamped in for the correct amount of time I'd say you should get the stamp corrected long before you come up for an extension of stay, BUT I'll leave that up to you.

It's free to correct the stamp,at the immigration office.

Just show up, let them see that you were on an O-A visa, the date you bounced and they should correct your admitted until date to a year (minus 1 day) from the date you bounced.

Look at your original entry stamp you entered on 4th Sept 2017 and were stamped in until the 3rd Sept 2018 <- that stamp is correct.

The entry stamp you got should be date entered 7th Aug 2018, stamped in until 6th August 2019.
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
OK... right now Im plus one month based on your calculations. What's the downside of I leave sleeping dogs lay?
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
and if I apply for and extension based upon your date?
Tod *********
be on a one month overstay when you go for your extension finally in 2019 and get a 15K baht fine.
Tod *********
James To be completely honest, I think you were stamped in wrong :O

The way that visa works is every time you enter the country you are stamped in for a full year from the date you arrive (NOT from the date of your previous entry stamp <- which was canceled when you exited the country).

I'd either go back to the airport or stop by the immigration office because I believe you should have been stamped in until the 6th of August 2019 and that the Sept 5th date is totally wrong. you shouldn't hve shown her the previous entry stamp you had you should have shown here the O-A visa itself. You can't get stamped in for more than a year at a time on that visa. So that would lead me to believe your current (new) entry stamp in wrong.
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
To the victor go the spoils! (Apologies to Andrew Jackson for butchering his quote)

Successful mission and now have another stamp with validity until 3 September 2019!!!

I'll post a pic in a couple of hours... need sleep now.
Bernd ***********
@James *********
yesterday ,of course.
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bernd **********
so just forget the 20th August and rock up 89 days from 20 August or 89 days from yesterday?
Bernd ***********
@James *********
ad 89 days for the next visit.
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Now I have a follow on question re my 90 day report. Prior to yesterdays saga I was due to report 20 August 2018. I understand once you exit Thailand and return and new 90 Day sequence starts. So do I ignore the old 20 August date now and calculate and new date or should I still go to immigration on the 20 August?
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
yes Im aware of a need for the reentry permit thanks.
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Good morning guys... well after reading
@Tod ********
latest comment as to what should be the entry stamp date Im left wondering if a new can of worms has been opened? Please see attached stamp issued at DMK last night about and hour before midnight.

The lady IO was very pleasant and did her thing.... as She handed my passport back I checked the stamp and saw She had written 5 September 2018! I pointed this out She apologised and changed it to 2019. So I received another 12 months. This date does not correllate with what you suggested Tod.
Bernd ***********
@Tod ********
i'm also keen to see the stamp...πŸ€”
Tod *********
Umm,
@Ja***
, just so we're clear your NEW entry stamp should have an admitted until date of the 6th of August 2019 <- a year from the date you bounced out and back in. NOT a year from the date your previous year's stamp expired ;)
Tod *********
One last thing to remember; IF you're going to leave the country and come back on this current stamp you'll need a re-entry permit or your stamp cancels ;) Congratulations
Tod *********
I'm really glad you were able to pull that off (y)
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Here are my stamps so far. Just need DMK immigration to come to the party in a few hours.
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Wow Mental telepathy.... i'm sitting here about to write you... i'm in Penang airport waiting for my return flight to DMK. Assuming all goes to plan Ill stamp in at DMK around 8pm tonight.
Tod *********
@Ja***
, were you able to bounce out and back today to get your second year stamp on your O-A visa?
Tod *********
Here's an example on a Non-O-A visa itself.

There is a date of issue and an enter before date. It's the enter before date on the visa that is the drop dead date that you have to exit and re-enter by to get the second year.
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Will do... I have 5 hours to kill before my return flight leaves.
Tod *********
@James *********
make sure you go thru passport control in Malaysia so you get stamped in and out :) Don't just hang around in the transit area ..

Good Luck (y)
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I've had enough of crazy drivers so thought better of it. Besides it would have meant 10 hours of heart stopping moments. πŸ˜‰
Tod *********
@James *********
that'll work (y)
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
quick update... not driving to Chong Chom... flying to Penang tomorrow and back same day.
Bernd ***********
@James *********
good luck, or chok dee. (y)
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
for sure!
Tod *********
@James *********
do report back and let people know how it worked out for you okay?
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
To everyone that has contributed to my saga here... thank you. I'm on the road driving at 5am tomorrow so should hit the border carpark by 10 or 11m at latest. Hopefully I can do the business in one hour and head back to Saraburi. That should mean I get my one year before 11:59pm tomorrow night.
Tod *********
@Be***
I know I have one example with wording like yours too. :)

I just picked this one out of the file I have visa photos in ;)
Bernd ***********
@Tod ********
interesting to see the different visa, all O-A , mine said valid from/until. More clear.
Tod *********
In this example the holder of this visa would need to exit/re-enter the country by the 31st of May 2018 to get another year admitted until stamp for free.
Tod *********
IF your enter before date is 7 August 2018 you need to leave AND re-enter the country BY tomorrow to get another year free
Tod *********
And this highlights the important difference between an admitted until stamp (that you get when you enter the country) and an "enter before" date that is stamped on a visa when you buy it :/

I apologize to the O/P for providing wrong information about the date they needed to bounce out and back in by. Thankfully there are astute posters on the group who caught it.
Tod *********
Sorry for the bad information BUT
@Steve ******
and others are totally correct
Tod *********
okay, now let's get this sorted,

You have an admitted until stamp (that you got when you last entered the country and was for a year)

AND

You have a "enter before" date on the VISA itself. <- That's the date you have to exit/ re-enter the country by NOT your current stamp
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Wrong 03 September 2018
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
30 September 2018
Tod *********
@Bernd **********
It's my fault for not reading all the comments

BUT

if I remember correctly I was urging them to get the second year for free and not fool with getting an yearly extension at the immigration office. They seemed to want to go the extension route rather than the free year route.

I'll bow out of this one now. They either bounce out and back in by tomorrow at 11:59PM or they go get a yearly extension of stay at the immigration office :)
Bernd ***********
@Tod ********
you answered correctly before but the whole story in it length got confusing. Too long....
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Steve *******
@James *********
Yes, there's a car park next to the border crossing. 40bt if remember from the last time I was there
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
If I drive can I leave my vehicle close to the border and hopefully reclaim it after the bounce?
Tod *********
@Ja***
you'll get there, stamp out of thailand, buy your visa on arrival to Cambodia, get stamped in to cambodia turn around get stamped out of cambodia and get stamped right back into thailand.
Steve *******
It's pretty relaxed at chong chom
Steve *******
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
At Chong Chom can one pass through as a pedestrian and immediately return?
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
No problems Tod. We are human. Thanks anyway.
Tod *********
@James *********
, I apologize for the bad info, thankfully you still have (some) time to get the second year out of the visa. Sorry about that. :/ Let us know how it goes.
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks everyone.... still getting over the shock. Guess I have no choice but to try to get to Chong Chom tomorrow.
Tod *********
flying out and back in AFTER the visa itself expires gets you nothing AND it cancels your current stamp too.
Tod *********
@Ja***
you either bounce out and back IN by tomorrow to get the second year stamp or you go apply for a yearly extension anytime before your current admitted until stamp expires on the 3rd of Sept.
Steve *******
@James *********
Im guessing a 30 day visa exempt stamp
Tod *********
@James *********
you would get a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp because your VISA expires on the 7th of August
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So can someone please explain what would happen if I flew to Penang 22nd August 2018 and returned to Thailand on 23rd August2018?

What would immigration do stamp wise?
Tod *********
@James *********
You can still bounce out and back in on that visa and get another year. It's just gotta be before 11:59 tomorrow night
Steve *******
@James *********
You've still got until tomorrow for a border bounce or you can stick to your original plan and apply for the yearly extention of stay. All is not lost!
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So I have been labouring under a misapprehension.

Wouldn't be the first time😁
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Tod *********
@Be***
&
@St***
WELL SPOTTED (y) I was totally mistaken and thought his enter before date was the 3rd of Sept 2018 :/ IT IS DEFINITELY NOT :O That's just his current admitted until date and has no bearing on anything as far as him getting a second year out of the visa itself
@Ja***
IF the actual "enter before" date on the visa is the 7th of August that's the day you'd have to re-enter thailand by to get another year :/
Bernd ***********
@James *********
sorry to disturb, but you said the enter before date was 7.Aug.18 so you have to leave and re enter before that date.
@Tod ********
told you the same before as well.
Steve *******
@James *********
Sounds like a good idea
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Can we get Tod to sort this please?
Steve *******
@James *********
I dont know if there's some confusion with the dates but to get the second year from the OA visa Ive always had to border bounce before the 'enter before' date on the visa.
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
What use is A multiple OA one year visa if your suggestion is true?
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
with respect Steve... I have been told by
@Tod ********
and by immigration to just exit and return before 3 September 2018. Ate they wrong too?
Steve *******
James Le Sage That's your addmited to stay stamp not your visa. Ok, but you cant border bounce to get stamped in for another year once your enter before date has passed. You'll have to stick to your original plan and apply for the yearly extention of stay before 3rd September.
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Here is my stamp.
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
True... however you need to read the whole thread.. you would see I entered 4 September 2017.
Steve *******
@James *********
From yourself. You said the enter before date on the visa was 7th August 2018.
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
My multiple entry OA visa is valid until 3 September 2018.

I entered Thailand 4 September 2017. I'm not sure where you are getting your info from
@Steve ******
Steve *******
@James *********
Then to get stamped in for another year by border bouncing you have to do it by that date, ie tomorrow.
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
yes.. why?
Steve *******
@James *********
Isnt your enter before date 7th August 2018?
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
I just did the travel times and methods to Chong Chom and don't think my carcass would make it. SO...

It seems easier if I fly DMK to Penang stay a day or two then return before my Visa expiry 3rd September 2018. Can you see any issues doing the bounce this way?
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
You're the man! Thanks
Tod *********
@James *********
nope, that's it
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Thanks Tod. Any paperwork needed other than Passport?
Tod *********
It appears that the closest border to you is the Chong Chom - O Smach border with Cambodia. It's about 350KM away.

As long as you bounce out and back in BEFORE the 3rd of Sept 2018 you'll be stamped in for another year.
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
And update...
@Tod ********
I been thinking about your advice and am now of a kind to do your recommended border bounce instead of applying for the one year extension. So my question now is my residence is in Saraburi... middle of nowhere... which border would be the best to exit by and return? As Ive never done a land border crossing before. Also what requirements will I need to have zero issues? Thanks.
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
My thanks for your time Tod. I'm good to go now. Will go for the handout... makes, sense.
Tod *********
@James *********
right and because you're stamped in for a whole year, that's why your entry stamp says admitted until the 3rd of Sept 2018.

Your documentation looks good, but I'd still swing by there BEFORE you're fixing to apply and get the hand out (every office has a sheet that lists the exact requirements) just so you don't get surprised by something they need that is specific to that office.

Even though I still say border-bounce on by the 7th of August to get another year, I wish you good luck if you decide to get the year extension instead (y)
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
For the record I entered Thailand 4 Sept 2017
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Does my list of requirements above seem correct to you?
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Tod... seems practical to do it 20 August 2018 when I do my 90 day report
Tod *********
You could certainly wait and apply for your yearly extension at the same time you do your 90 day report if you wanted to. The EARLIEST you can apply for the extension is 30 days before your current expiration date and you can do it any time after that date right up until the day your current stamp expires.
Tod *********
So in theory IF you exited/re-entered the country BEFORE August 7th 2018 you'd get stamped in for another year.

BUT

If you want to get a yearly extension at the immigration office you can apply 30 days before your current stamp expires (Sept 3 2018)

That means you could go anytime after about the 3rd-4th of August. You wouldn't lose any time going early, they'll add a year onto your current stamps expiration date.
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
No... date of issues was 8 August 2017

Enter before date 7 August 2018... sorry my mistake earlier.
Tod *********
@James *********
so the date of issue on that visa was back in 2016 and you're already ON the second year already. right?
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
enter before date
Tod *********
@James *********
, that's the enter before date or the date of issue?
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
8 August 2017
Tod *********
And what is the Enter Before date stamped on the visa itself?
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes
Tod *********
That's the date on your square entry stamp that you got when you entered the country right?
Tod *********
All I'm pointing out is you're shorting yourself the actual time you can get out of that visa by starting to jump thru the immigration hoops a year sooner than you need to. :/

Hands down, going to a border, stamping out of thailand, in&out of another country and then back into thailand to get a whole new year's stamp to stay here is the easier of the two choices.

That O-A visa cost you 200USD and you did a police back ground check and a medical certificate to get it, (in other words you hoop jumped for the thai consulate just to get the visa) :O

I can't see why you'd want to short yourself the time you're allowed on it. Still if your adamant about getting a yearly extension you can apply 30 days before you current entry stamp expires (the timing has NOTHING to do with the visa itself)

What is the date your current entry stamp expires.
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for that Tod. Seems to me paying 1900thb is way cheaper than doing a border hop?
Tod *********
A year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O-A visa is good for unlimited entries with each entry getting you stamped in for a whole new year for the validity of the visa itself.

If you exit/re-enter the country just prior to the "enter before" date on the VISA itself (not the entry stamp you have from it) you'll be stamped in for a whole new year, <- meaning you can get TWO years of stay out of a visa that is valid for one year. ;)
Tod *********
why would you apply for an extension?

IF the enter before date on that visa is 3 Sept 2018, just exit/re-enter the country and you'll get stamped in for a whole NEW year.

You won't need to apply for a yearly extension until Sept 2019 if you do that
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