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Will leaving Thailand with a pending visa application affect my status?

Feb 18, 2025
20 days ago
Boel ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have a pending consideration stamp in my passport. We plan to leave Thailand for an overseas trip. Will my visa application be cancelled? Google search says it will. Anyone have any experience with this?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion centers around the implications of leaving Thailand with a pending 'Under Consideration' stamp for a visa application. Participants note the importance of obtaining a re-entry permit and returning before the stamp's expiration date to avoid cancellation of the visa application. Several contributors share personal experiences indicating it's possible to leave and return, provided the necessary steps are followed. Additionally, concerns are raised about potential home visits by immigration officials during the consideration period.
Alastair ********
What about the (potential) home visit?

I was told by CW that they might come for home visit, and phitsanulok immigration that there would be 3 home visits. I understood they don't make an appointment, just phone 2 hours or less before arriving, and if you are not home for their visit they just cancel the application.

Hence, I understood during the under consideration period you can't even travel to a different province without risking missing the home visit.

Note: I did apply for the one year extension based on marriage to Thai wife at CW in December 2024, and we did not have any officer visit before going back for stamping at the end of the under consideration period.
Tod *********
This is how it works,

IF you have applied for an extension, received an under consideration stamp but need to leave the country, you would have to buy a re-entry permit (which is ONLY valid for that under consideration stamp)

AND

it goes without saying but I'll say it anyway šŸ˜® you have to be back IN thailand by the date that stamp runs out or you lose the application for extension and start all over from zero again.
Peter **********
Plan your trip for the time after your extention is stamped in
Bob **********
If your stamp is still valid I believe you can with a re entry as long as your back in time
Mal ********
I have departed Thailand with an Under Consideration stamp for a Thai Wife visa extension (and re-entry permit) and then returned to go to immigration on the required date ... no problem.
Michael ********
You say visa application. Do you mean NON O visa, or extension of stay? Marriage or retirement, and which office? You can leave during both, with a re-entey permit, but you will have to be very up front with immigration. If it is a marriage visa or extension, some offices want to visit your home. Return to the office on the review date and you will be fine.
Boel ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
yeah. It's an extension on my marriage visa. I will return before the stamp expires.
Michael ********
@Boel *******
Ah right. Under considerstion for extensions are definitely fine to leave on and return. I did this last month, with a re-entry, with no issues. In Pattaya, a home visit is required. Not sure on other offices.
Paul *******
You need to attend Immigration on the date indicated on the under consideration stamp or your visa/extention of stay will be denyied.
Daniele ***********
I think you can get a re entry permit to your under consideration date, only one way to know for sure, go immigration and ask for a re entry permit
James ********
IF you have an Under Consideration stamp in your passport...you are required to report to the Thai Immigration office on the date shown on the stamp in your passport.

Failure to do that means your application for the extension will be DENIED.

It's wise to stay in Thailand uh until you have the extension you applied for is approved and stamp in your passport.

You will have to start all over with applying for a Thai Visa.
Boel ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for all the replies šŸ˜Š
Boel ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
unfortunately I can't stay until that date. I will be back in Thailand before the date on the stamp.
John **********
@Boel *******
speak to your immigration office. It's possible to get a re-entry permit for that under consideration period but your immigration office may want to visit your home during that period and speak to you, your wife and witnesses
James ********
@John *********
Good advice āœ…
Matti *********
@Boel *******
Iā€™ve done it before.

If your current extension is still valid see that you have re-entry permit or get one and you can exit as long as you are back before your re-entry (and extension) expires and/or before the date you need to report at immigration.

I think once I left after my old extension expired and just get re-entry which was valid until the date of the ā€œunder considerationā€ stamp. But in this case better to check with immigration as they tell you what to do when applying re-entry.
Graham ******
@Matti ********
a re-entry permit will only cover the under-consideration stamp not the current extension stamp under these circumstances
Matti *********
@Graham *****
yes and no. I had like 3 weeks left on my extension (and multiple RE permit) when I applied new extension and received the under consideration stamp (for 30 days or so).

They would not sell me new RE Permit and just said I can come and go as usual until my RE Permit (and the old extension) is still valid.

Few years back I had to get new RE Permit as the extension (and my multi RE Permit to go with it) was already expired. So naturally this was until the date mentioned in the under consideration stamp as the RE is always tied to your current and valid permit to stay stamp.
Graham ******
@Matti ********
If that were true and you missed your under consideration date then the extension application would almost certainly be denied
Matti *********
@Graham *****
read again.

I didnā€™t miss anything.

I had 3 weeks left on my extension and multiple RE Permit. And pending application for new annual extension of stay with date to report to immigration in about 4 weeks time.

Left the country actually twice for a couple of days business trip without issues. Got back before the expiry of the current extension and RE Permit and reported to immigration a week later to get my new extension.

The trick is to apply your new extension when you still have 3 to 4 weeks left on the old one. And always get the one year multi RE Permit as well. So you can travel without issues and without buying new RE Permit when ā€œunder considerationā€.
Wannikea *********
@Boel *******
get a reentry permit and make sure you get to the office on the date stamped in your under consideration stamp
James ********
@Wannikea ********
Correct āœ…
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