What is the procedure for using a re-entry permit on a Non-OA visa in Thailand?

Apr 14, 2024
7 months ago
Ken *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello, I just arrived in Thailand on a one year retirement visa. I have “multiple” re-entries. Question I have is what do I need to do to use a re-entry if I need to go back to the US a for something (family emergency, death of relative, etc)? Is there a procedure with Thai immigration or can I just get a ticket and go? Photos of stamp and visa below
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TLDR : Answer Summary
If you hold a retirement Non-OA visa in Thailand with multiple re-entries, you can leave for the U.S. without additional immigration procedures. Upon returning to Thailand, ensure that you present your eVisa PDF and confirm that immigration issues you a valid entry stamp for another year, or until your insurance expires. Always check that your visa is recognized by immigration during re-entry. If your insurance policy changes or expires, you might need to show proof of a new policy upon each re-entry.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Bob **********
During the first year just leave and come back and get stamped in for another year after the visa expires you’ll need to buy re entry
Graham ******
@Bob *********
and buy new insurance to cover the second year
Bob **********
Ellie *******
Okay, OP has a VALID Non-OA e-Visa from the consulate in his own country. This Non-OA itself is valid until 28 February 2025. He can enter Thailand until 28 February 2025 without doing anything, including getting a re-entry permit.

During that,

As his current insurance policy is valid until 8 April 2025, he will be stamped in until 8 April 2025 every time he enters Thailand. When he gets a new insurance valid after the current one, he will be stamped in for 365 days or until the new insurance policy expires.

Technically and possibly, he can get a 365-day stamp starting 28 February 2025 for the last time to use this visa.

If he is in Thailand with an entry stamp valid after 28 February 2025 and wants to get out and back to Thailand using the remaining days of this stamp, this is the time he needs to apply for a re-entry permit BEFORE he leaves Thailand.
Martin *********
@Ellie ******
Hello, I see on Visa condition the name of Insurance company. They check it on the first entry and the if you go out and come back, they check it again? what happend if you make a entry before expire (for a another year) and the insurance expire soon or you change the company?
Ellie *******
@Martin ********
, As a rule, you have to show the insurance policy along with your eVisa PDF upon your entry to Thailand. Not all embassies/consulates put policy details into the condition field of Non-OA visa information.

Entry on valid Non-OA gives an entry stamp until the earlier date of, for 365 days or the validity of your insurance policy(ies) you can show at passport control at your entry point. You can buy a new insurance policy if you want.

Please make your own post if you have further question.
Tod *********
I tried to reply to @Todd Capron, but I can't tag them 🙁 (I think they have me blocked)
@ Brandon **********
e had the correct answer to him though

I believe that Todd is confusing two completely different things

One is a year extension with a multiple re-entry permit that you get from the immigration office here. That allows you to exit/re-enter and get stamped in until the expiration date of the extension each time during the year

That is not what the O/P has 😮 They have a year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type OA (Long Stay) visa issued from a thai consulate in their country before they came here

That visa is valid for a year from the date it's issued, it's good for unlimited entries to thailand, each entry is good for a whole new year entry stamp or for as long as the mandatory 100K USD insurance policy is good for up to a year.

They are completely different animals 😮
Kevin ***********
The only thing you need to do is check they notice the visa when you return and make sure they don't give you a normal 30 day stamp when you come back in. They can make mistakes, so always check before you leave the immigration booth.
Tony *********
So would that mean everytime you re-enter you would need to show the E-visa pdf again as no visa stuck in the passport anymore ?
Tod *********
@Paul ******
which is neither here nor there, the PDF is your visa, print out your visa and put it in your passport, it's not brain science or rocket surgery.

How you think it should be or believe it should work doesn't even factor in to the equation. You also need a print out of the eVisa to get an extension at the immigration office 🙂
Tod *********
@Tony ********
correct (y) the PDF they email you IS your visa, so print it fold it up, put it in your passport, make sure passport control sees it every time you stamp in AND check your entry stamp after they hand the passport back to you just to be sure you're stamped in for the correct amount of time 🙂
Paul *******
@Tod ********
OK, while I get that, why don't they record your visa in their computer system? Surely they would know you have a valid visa, regardless of whether it's electronic or a physical visa sticker or an extension of stay, without even needing to flip through your passport? Or does Thai immigration not have the technology for that yet?
Ellie *******
@Paul ******
, the eVisa data is on the system. Your question cannot be answered in this group. But it's your responsibility to get the right stamp and eVisa PDF is only proof you can have and show that you have a valid visa in case.
Wannikea *********
@Tony ********
pretty much
Todd ********
I have same and make freq trips to USA. You do nothing. You can exit at will. When you return your valid stay remains until 8 april 2025 each time. Keys is that you have a multi entry stamp. Enjoy Songkran
Brandon ************
Jai Arya yes as long as you have a new year of insurance
Sam **********
Brandon ************
@Todd *******
that's not the same way all. The op has a multiple entry visa, not a multiple re-entry permit. They'll get a new stamp each time that will be for a year, not the same date as before.
Ian *******
@Brandon ***********
I agree he already has a multi entry visa, so he can basically leave and re-enter without issues. The bit I don't understand is you say he will get a new stamp with a new date each time for 1 years time. That does not make sense to me. If he gets a new 1 year later stamp each time he could keep the O-A going forever. It is only valid for 1 year, as per the original stamp of 8 Apr 2025, and he can extend that once to get 2 years worth. Is this not correct?
Brandon ************
@Ian ******
every time you enter while the visa is valid, which is for 1 year, you get a 1 year entry stamp. So no you cannot keep it going forever because once the visa expires you cannot get a new entry stamp on it. So you leave Thailand and enter right before the visa ends and get a brand new year, giving almost 2 years. Then you go home and purchase a new OA visa and start the process over. No money in Thailand required.
Gábor **********
@Brandon ***********
that's true, I do it already 10th year.
Christian *******
@Brandon ***********
Correct 👍 however, your insurance needs to match the dates
Todd ********
@Brandon ***********
i read he has a retirement visa. The date it expires is constant on every reenty stamp he receives that year if he travels into Thailand . Harry Chan explained it best regarding reentry permits.
Dan **********
@Todd *******
you didn’t see he had a Non-OA VISA.
Brandon ************
@Todd *******
the picture clearly shows he has a non-OA which is a 1 year multiple entry visa you can only get in your home country. You cannot get a multiple entry permit for it. It's already multiple entry.
Graham ******
Until your Non-Oa expires every time you enter Thailand you will be stamped in for 12 months or until the end of your current insurance if shorter
Tod *********
When does the actual OA VISA expire the PDF ? Seeing as that image you posted is just an entry stamp and it clearly says eVisa 😉

As long as you re-enter the country on or before the date the visa itself expires you get stamped in for a new year entry stamp (or as long as your insurance is valid for up to a year)
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