Answered9 years ago
What happens to my O-A visa if I leave Thailand and return after its expiry with a re-entry permit?
hello. i have an oa multiple entry visa. i want to leave before the expiry and return a month after expiry. if i get a re entry permit prior to leaving then how long will that permit last before i have to apply for another visa?
Answer summary
The O-A multiple entry visa is valid for entries until the specified expiry date, which the user understands may be affected by leaving the country. If a re-entry permit is obtained before leaving, it allows the user to retain their current 'admitted until' expiration date as long as they return before that date. However, if the user leaves Thailand and does not return until after the original visa expiration date, they will need to apply for a new visa. The overall advice suggests that if intending to leave, securing an extension prior to departure is advisable.
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Joe ***********
My friend who has an O-A Visa just did this - she made a trip to Singapore a few days ago and is back. Yesterday she went to Immigration to report after being out of Thailand. She asked - When I go to Germany in June - I will not return until the first year expires. If I buy a Reentry Permit before I leave in June will my O-A still be intact until April 2019? - Answer - Yes.
Garry ***********
OPThank you guys 4 your help now I know where I stand
Tod *********
@Garry **********
It's not odd at all that Non-O-A visa gets you stamped in for a new year every time you enter the country right up until the "enter before" date on the visa itself. That's why people get 2 full years of stay out of it. They exit/re-enter just prior to the 'enter before' date and get stamped in for another whole year
Tod *********
@Garry **********
, you can't ever renew a visa or an extension of stay you get inside the country. They run out when they expire and you buy a new one.If you are going to get another one from the consulate in london it's the exact same process.
IF you are going to apply for a yearly extension of stay at the immigration office you just meet the financial requirements of 65K baht a month in income from a notarized letter from your consulate or 800K baht in a thai bank account in your name for 60 days prior to your application for a yearly extension.
Garry ***********
OPJoe when I obtained my original visa in London it was a big effort. Doctors certification police certification bank certification and then getting 3 copies all documents certified by a solicitor. Plus 4 trips to London because I stuffed up. In short it was a lot of work and expense.when my visa expires and I have to renew is the process this onerous or is it much simpler just out of curiosity?
Joe ***********
It is normal under the O-A visa (in the first year) to be stamped back in with a date one year out from the date reentered. Managed correctly the O-A visa will yield two years (As it is supposed to do).
In the second year the O-A visa is no longer a Multi-Entry visa. The second year of the O-A visa requires a reentry permit if you exit Thailand in order to keep the remaining portion of the second year alive upon return.
The discussion here in this thread is a special case of reentering after the expiry date of the first year. Read the various narratives above.
In the second year the O-A visa is no longer a Multi-Entry visa. The second year of the O-A visa requires a reentry permit if you exit Thailand in order to keep the remaining portion of the second year alive upon return.
The discussion here in this thread is a special case of reentering after the expiry date of the first year. Read the various narratives above.
Garry ***********
OP@T**
. I’ve been out twice since I arrived and each time I returned I get new stamp giving me another year. Now I thinks that’s odd but I not gonna look gift horse mouth. I went Jomtien first time I left to see if I needed a re entry permit but they told me I didn’t because my visa was multiple entry. So I would imagine when handing the passport at airport immigration with re entry permit they will then re stamp my passport to April next year?Tod *********
@Steve ******
they'll take your money for sure ;)
Steve *******
@T**
of course, you wouldnt need it otherwise, but they will sell it to you even when the visa itself is still validTod *********
@Steve ******
The ONLY reason you would ever do it, would be IF you are going to exit the country and not return until AFTER your visa expired. In that case the re-entry permit would keep your last "admitted until" stamp date valid when you return.Joe ***********
My friend did and Immigration said it would work for her O-A
Steve *******
@T**
. So to clarify, you can buy a re entry permit even when you have a valid multiple entry visa?Joe ***********
That is what I thought I said. I just left out the word extension... an oversight
Tod *********
The O-A visa itself will expire when ever it expires.
All a re-entry permit will do is keep her current "admitted until" stamp valid so when she comes back after the O-A visa expires she's stamped in until that date again.
All a re-entry permit will do is keep her current "admitted until" stamp valid so when she comes back after the O-A visa expires she's stamped in until that date again.
Tod *********
Okay,
IF you are going to exit the country and come back AFTER the enter before date on the visa you need a re-entry permit to keep your current stamp 'alive'. That's it.
@Ga***
, the visa you have gives you a year stamp every time you enter the country for the validity of the visa (the enter before date).IF you are going to exit the country and come back AFTER the enter before date on the visa you need a re-entry permit to keep your current stamp 'alive'. That's it.
Garry ***********
OPPhew I bloody hope that’s right I want it to be that’s the news I was hoping to hear. Interesting the differing opinions that’s best news I’ve heard
เดวิด **********
The "enter before" date on the visa and the "admitted until" date you get stamped into your passport when you arrive are separate things. A re-entry permit keep that "admitted until" date alive. It does not add days or pause... only allows you to leave, return and stay to that date.
If you leave and re-enter a few days before the "enter before" date, you will get stamped in for another year.
So if your admitted until date is April next year and you buy a re-entry permit...as long as you return before That April date you are good.
If you leave and re-enter a few days before the "enter before" date, you will get stamped in for another year.
So if your admitted until date is April next year and you buy a re-entry permit...as long as you return before That April date you are good.
เดวิด **********
Yeah with a multi entry normally you wouldn't need a re-entry permit.
Probably have to explain your situation to them.
Good luck at immigration and safe travels when you do leave.
Probably have to explain your situation to them.
Good luck at immigration and safe travels when you do leave.
Garry ***********
OPAnyway I wii go spk immmigration tomoz and get answer
Garry ***********
OP@เดวิด *********
but my friend my visa is soooo good I don’t need a re entry permitเดวิด **********
The re-entry permit keeps the admitted date alive. That is exatly what it is for.
I am on a 1 year extension (no visa) and have a multiple re-entry permit. I come and go for work assignments all the time.
Each time I stamp back in, the admitted until date is the one that was given on my extension.
I am on a 1 year extension (no visa) and have a multiple re-entry permit. I come and go for work assignments all the time.
Each time I stamp back in, the admitted until date is the one that was given on my extension.
Garry ***********
OPi completely understand the enter before and the admitted until and the re entry before the enter before date etc. but what i am trying to ascertain is that what if anything will keep the admitted until date alive and there are differing opinions. when i establish the truth i will publish it on here
Ron *******
A reentry permit only keeps your extension alive until it's expired date. It doesn't extend anything.
Garry ***********
OP@Ron ******
yes that appears the only way to deal with the situation. if i dont get the extension i will stay and leave in April. thank you.Ron *******
Ok. So apply for an extension. I guess youll apply on the basis of retirement? Then buy a reentry permit if you intend to leave and return.
Garry ***********
OPits a crazy system!
Garry ***********
OPnope the visa runs out in october, i am ok until next april because when i re entered last week they stamped me ok until april. but i want to leave and come back after my visa expires in october
Ron *******
If you get the extension on that visa before it runs out, then you would need a reentry permit to keep the extension alive. I guess your visa itself, actually runs out this month?
Garry ***********
OPyep
Ron *******
You have a multiple entry visa. That's why immigration said you don't need a reentry permit. 😊
Garry ***********
OP@Ron ******
thanks ronRon *******
Forget being stamped in until April if you leave again and don't return until after October when your visa is finished. Your reentry permit will only be issued until your visa finish date in October.
Garry ***********
OPleave lol
Garry ***********
OPi think the answer is a visa extension before i leafe
Garry ***********
OP@Ron ******
my visa expires well last entry date is october. but as i returned the other day i am stamped until april. so if i stay and dont leave for another year i am o.k but i want to exit for a couple months and return after my original visa expires. see the problem?Ron *******
The easy way to understand it is that a reentry permit is only good for the validity of the visa or extension.
Ron *******
If your visa is valied until April 2019 and you left today with a reentry permit, provided you come back by the expiry date in April 2019, your ok.
Garry ***********
OPyes because i have multiple entry when i went jomtien they said i didnt need a re entry permit. so the fact i have stamped until april next year gets deleted if i leave and if i come back when visa expires in oct i will have to get another visa?
Garry ***********
OPthanks ron if i dont leave i can stay until April when my book is stamped as i just came back from short visit to australia. But if i leave and return after my visa expires i am stuffed? dont make sense to me
Ron *******
Re entry Permit is only valid until the end of your visa or extension.
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