What is the best way to extend a one-year Non-Immigrant O-A visa in Thailand?

Non-Immigrant O-A Visa Visa Extension Thailand Visa Regulations Immigration Process Expat Advice

Mar 3, 2018

7 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Related to an one-year Non-Inmigrant O-A VISA(more than 50 years),wich is the best option in order to extend it, as long as possible?

Option A.- Go out the country and re-enter before the "Enter before" date (that gives you one year more), and some days before this "extra-year"  apply for an extension.

Option B.- Apply for an extension firstly, and before that extension expires, go out and re-enter for an additional year.

Or...it doesn´t matter the order and in both cases you can stay three years (aproximately)?

Thanks for your attention.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

To extend a one-year Non-Immigrant O-A visa in Thailand, the recommended method is Option A: exiting the country and re-entering before the visa's 'Enter Before' date, which allows for a new one-year stay. Option B, which involves applying for an extension first and then exiting, is not a valid option according to community feedback. Most commenters agree that Option A is the only practical way to maximize the stay, allowing for a total of approximately two years if timed correctly.

Joe ***********

Option B is not a functional option - it is just not part of the normal process for the O-A visa

7 years ago

Diane ******

Agree with Tod. Only way to get the 2 years is with option A.

7 years ago

Joaquin ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks,I thought option B was possible...

7 years ago

Joaquin ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks....always learning...🤔

7 years ago

Tod *********

The minute you get an extension of stay inside the country at the immigration office the ability to use that visa to exit / re-enter and get another year is null and void

7 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

Alex *********

Don't understand what are you talking about. Just before expiry of the visa, apply for extension. If you have all the requirements you don't need to leave the country

7 years ago

Alex *********

OK, thanks

7 years ago

Tod *********

@Alex ********

, they are talking about a year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O-A (Long Stay) visa that they got from a thai consulate in their country before they came here. It's the one that requires a police background check and a medical certificate in addition to meeting the financial requirements.

That visa is good for unlimited exits/entries with each entry getting you stamped in for a completely new calendar year. Exiting and re-entering the country just prior to the "enter before" date on the visa would get them stamped in for a whole new calendar year. Meaning they can get 2 years of stay out of the one year visa.

7 years ago

Joaquin ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I live near the border, if I go out and re-enter in the same day ,some days before the "date enter before" written in the VISA,, I can add one more year stay without any burocracy (Apply form,documents,inmigration office visit...)

7 years ago

Reply to

Joaquin ***********

Robert *******

Only option A is possible.

7 years ago

Joaquin ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks

7 years ago

Reply to

Joaquin ***********