What should I know about my OA visa and entry stamp in Thailand?

Jun 26, 2020
4 years ago
Tony ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Looking for some advice. I am here in Thailand on an OA visa which expires on July 17. The entry stamp on my passport says valid until 13/1/21.

I have been to two immigration offices ( Trat and Surin ) and they both assured me that my stay in Thailand, because of the stamp date, was legal until January 2021.

I would hate to arrive at BKK and be told that I am an overstay.

Expert advice please?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster is concerned about the validity of their OA visa and the implications of their entry stamp which allows them to stay in Thailand until January 13, 2021. Comments clarify that while the OA visa expires on July 17, the entry stamp permits their stay until January 2021, suggesting they need to understand the difference between 'valid until' and 'admitted until'. Users also advise on the necessity of obtaining a re-entry permit if leaving the country after the visa expiration. The conversation highlights the importance of staying informed about visa statuses, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Tod *********
Okay, you have some good and some SHIT posts on here :O

AND

you're confusing TWO completely different things

You have a year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant type O-A VISA that gives you a year entry stamp every time you enter during it's validity. That VISA expires on July 17th <- meaning IF you can get back into the country on or before that date you'd get a whole NEW year entry stamp

AND

You appear to have an entry stamp where you entered the last time on Jan 15th 2020 and were stamped in for a whole year until Jan 13th 2021. <- THAT is the stamp that lets you stay IN thailand.

Now just so you know, IF you're going to leave/re-enter the country AFTER the VISA itself runs out (July 17th) you would need to buy a re-entry permit before you stamp out so that when you do come back you're stamped in until the 13 of Jan 2021.
Todd *********
@Tod ********
you clearly have this down extremely well. Thx. And thus a question. I came to Thailand in Mar to ‘shelter’ from Covid. And thus my initial one month visa is now on amnesty until July 31. I would like to stay in country until Apr 30 2021. Any advice on best visa to apply for now to extend? I can meet the retirement visa requirements
Tod *********
@Todd ********
you're done, IF you went on amnesty you're not able to get any in country Non-immigrant type visa issued by an immigration office.

You'd have had to have started that process BEFORE you went on amnesty.

All you can do now is take th amnesty, watch for the announcement by the government about what people on it do when it runs out,

Once the borders open back up see if you can exit/re-enter the country to get a NEW 30 day visa exempt entry.

Then immediately apply for an in country 90 day Non-O visa based on retirement by showing that you have 800K baht in a thai bank account in your name only transferred in from overseas

That's about it right now other than using an agency to get you an under the table, back door, visa/extension..
Todd *********
@Tod ********
thx 🙏 very much!
Tony ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Tod, Many thanks for your clear and concise explanation. I sincerely appreciate it.
Tod *********
@Anthony *****
take care, enjoy your time here, stay safe :)
Edna *******
These days I would be very concerned about getting back in. Plus the quarantine issue.
Patrick ********
Evan ********
One of the big advantages of getting a A-O visa from your home country! You can leave just before the visa expires and return and effectively you get almost an extra year added! Note that it’s no longer a multiple entry visa then so if you want to travel out of Thailand you will need a single or multi re entry permit (get at the airport or immigration prior).

In your case, you left in January so that’s when it’s extended to. Look in your passport!
Tod *********
that's an advantage ONLY when the country isn't locked down and foreigners can't get in :( It's not all that much of a plus right now
Evan ********
@Tod ********
yes it is at the moment Tod! Glad mine was extended just before Thailand closed its borders in March. Hoping international flights are back on by late March 2021
Stan *******
‘Valid until’ and ‘admitted until’ are two different animals.

Valid until means ‘use before’. If you don’t use it by that date ie arrive Thailand by that date then the visa expires.

Once you get here you are allowed to stay until the date your admittance expires - in your case 13 January 2021.
Ադամ ********
VALID UNTIL has nothing to do with admitted until. You are fine until

13 Jan 2021.

If it is was possible (covid) You could enter on 17 JUL 2020 and stay another year. If you get a multiple re-entry permit come and going as you wish
Tod *********
(y) (y) (y)
@Adam *******
got it right :) At this time the O/P (if they're IN thailand) can stay until Jan 13th 2021, :)
Jane ***********
@Adam *******
his stamp says ADMITTED until
Ադամ ********
@Jane **********
Exactly What he does not seem to understand.
Tony ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Tony ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Tod *********
and are you INSIDE thailand right now?
Michael ********
Post picture of it guessing the july date was when you were supposed to enter by
Garrett ***********
That doesn't really make any sense man. Can you post a picture of the visa and entry stamp? Block out the important numbers.
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