What should I know about renewing my Non-Immigrant O-A visa and the related requirements in Thailand?

Jan 1, 2022
3 years ago
Graham ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Happy New Year Everyone

Wondering if you can give some guidance on my Visa queries:

1. I have a Non-Immigrant O-A visa with an expiry date of 4 Feb 22 with Multi-Entry. However, my Passport arrival stamp says up to 23 Feb. I assume the 23rd is the expiry date. Is that correct?

2.When I renew/extend my visa for a further 12 months do I also need to apply for Multi-Entry or is that automatic?

3. Assuming I satisfy all the criteria for the renewal/extension (30 days before the expiry date), how long does this normally take to be issued? (I'm planning to Thailand for a 6 week trip overseas on 31 Jan 22)

4. How long will it be before I can start to spend the 800k baht which has been maintained in a Thai Bank for around 6 months so far?

Thanking you in advance.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquires about their Non-Immigrant O-A visa and seeks clarification on expiration dates, renewal processes, multi-entry requirements, processing times for extensions, and guidelines related to maintaining funds in a Thai bank account. A community member clarifies the difference between the visa sticker and entry stamp expiration, explains the renewal process and the need for re-entry permits, and outlines the requirements for maintaining funds and health insurance.
Ellie *******
We are not going into an insurance advice thread
Tod *********
1 - Okay there are two different things

the expiration date of the VISA <- the sticker in your passport and the expiration date of the entry stamp you got when you entered using the visa.

If your sticker expires on 4th Feb 2022 you could exit, re-enter the country and get a whole new year entry stamp (assuming you have the mandatory health insurance required)

Your entry stamp is how long you can stay IN thailand without getting an extension, so right now that's until 23 Feb 2022.

2 - When you apply for an extension based inside the country it's sold as NO entry <- because you're already inside thailand so after they issue the year extension you buy a re-entry permit (single re-entry 1000baht or multiple re-entry 3800 baht)

3 - you can apply for an extension when you have 30 days left on your current stamp (some offices are 45 days before like Phuket, Bangkok, Chiang Mai). At almost all immigration offices extensions based on retirement are issued on the spot (in Jomtien you go back the next day to pick up your passport.

4 - the seasoning of the funds is 800K baht in a thai bank account in your name only for 2 months before you apply. The funds have to stay in the account for 3 months after the extension is granted and then the balance can't go below 400K baht the rest of the year.

Keep in mind you'll need to carry the
******
mandatory health insurance from one of the 18 approved thai carriers, and when you apply for the extension you show the current proof of insurance document that let you stay here this year and the new one that shows you're covered for next year.
Brett *****************
@Tod ********
Where to find the list of insurance company list please?
Tod *********
@Brett ****************
*************************************
Brett *****************
@Tod ********
Thank you ๐Ÿ™
Graham ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
thank you so much for your prompt and comprehensive response. Very much appreciated particularly so early on New Year's Day.

Just to clarify your answer to Q.1, if I did an exit and re-entry before 4 February do I get a one year extension without having to apply or pay extension fees. (Probably a hypothetical question as I don't want to do quarantine twice if they don't renew the Thailand Pass alternative.
Tod *********
@Graham **********
the visa is valid for unlimited entries during it's validity (a year from the date it was issued by the consulate) as long as you meet the insurance the visa requires (and the entry requirements to get in to the country which has nothing to do with the visa) you will get stamped in for a whole new year, just like you did when you showed up the first time.
Graham ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Thanks Todd
Graham ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
*Tod
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