I think I messed up with my O-A multi-entry retirement visa.
The date of issue was Oct. 6, 2017 and it says Enter Before Oct. 5, 2018. I first entered Thailand Oct. 25, 2017 and I thought the multi-entry was good until Oct. 24, 2018 (tomorrow), after which I would need to buy re-entry permits for my trips out of Thailand for the next year. I just returned this afternoon from a 5 day trip to Myanmar and Immigration at the Chiang Mai airport told me that my visa expired Oct. 5 and that I should have bought a re-entry permit before I left on the trip to Myanmar. (Of course, I did not get a re-entry permit for this trip because I didn't think I needed one when I left for Myanmar on Oct. 18...)
Was Immigration today at the CM airport correct about my visa expiring Oct. 5, 2018?
If so, what are my best options now? I was planning to go to Hong Kong next week and I noticed there is a Thai consulate there. Perhaps I should apply there for a 60-day tourist visa, extendable for 30 days, the go back to my country of citizenship, USA, and apply for a new retirement visa? Any other ideas?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user mistakenly thought their O-A multi-entry retirement visa was valid until October 24, 2018, after their initial entry on October 25, 2017. However, they were informed by Immigration at the Chiang Mai airport that their visa expired on October 5, 2018, and they should have secured a re-entry permit before leaving for a trip to Myanmar. They are now exploring options including applying for a 60-day tourist visa at the Thai consulate in Hong Kong and potentially returning to the USA to reapply for a new retirement visa.
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.