Will I face issues getting a re-entry permit for Thailand if I travel during my 60-day Covid extension?

Non-O visa COVID-19 extension Re-entry permit Visa issues Expats in Thailand Immigration advice Marriage visa

Jun 13, 2021

4 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I am currently stamped in for 90 days from a non-O visa based on marriage. Because I couldn't open a bank account quickly enough for the 400,000 baht to season for 2 months I will be applying for a 60 day Covid extension. I now expect to have to return to the UK some time in the next few months for an operation. If that's during the Covid extension, will I have a problem getting a re-entry permit or relying on it when I return to Thailand? I ask because of the apparent inconsistency between getting an extension on the basis of being unable to travel  and then travelling abroad!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is on a 90-day non-O visa based on marriage and plans to apply for a 60-day Covid extension. They are concerned about possible complications in obtaining a re-entry permit if they need to travel to the UK for an operation during the Covid extension. Responses indicate that while theoretically a re-entry permit should keep the extension valid, there may be issues due to the nature of the extension being based on an inability to travel. An alternative suggested was to apply for a new single entry Non-O visa, which could simplify the situation.

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Geoff ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for your suggested alternative. I had also thought that I could go for a family visit extension instead of the Covid one. I will decide when I know how the timing of my annual extension renewal wouldb work out since I don't want it to be in the UK summer months when I may want to be abroad.

4 years ago

Benjamin ******

@Geoff *******

I am having a hard time understanding why you want a short stay extension of stay to "keep alive" on a re-entry permit when you can get a single entry non-O visa.

When you get a re-entry permit, your current extension is still "being used"

4 years ago

Geoff ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Benjamin *****

Sorry, I don't. I was just mentioning the alternative I had considered.

4 years ago

Reply to

Geoff ********

Benjamin ******

>If that's during the Covid extension, will I have a problem getting a re-entry permit or relying on it when I return to Thailand?

A re-entry permit keeps your current extension of stay "alive". *IN THEORY* you should be able to get an re-entry permit to keep your current 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19 alive. The re-entry permit is 1,000 THB. However, since a 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19 is because you can't travel back home, there's a chance that they would not sell you the re-entry permit, or (a slim chance) is that you'd get rejected at the airport.

A much much better option that's only slightly more expensive would be to get another single entry Non-O visa based on marriage to a Thai national. This would give you 89 days on entry. After you return from the UK, your money should be seasoned for 2 months, and you can apply for a one year extension of stay based on marriage to a Thai national when you have 30 days or less remaining on your current entry stamp (45 days at some immigration offices).

A single entry Non-O visa based on marriage to a Thai national is 2K THB in local currency :)

4 years ago

John **********

@Benjamin *****

I guess another issue might be obtaining a Coe on a Covid extension assuming they're still required at the time

4 years ago

Benjamin ******

@John *********

That's a good point too. How can a person return on a 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19??

The Non-O visa would be much better for him

4 years ago

Reply to

Benjamin ******

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