Will my non-immigrant O visa be auto-cancelled when applying for DTV in Vientiane?

Thai Visa Non-immigrant O Visa DTV Application Vientiane Visa Process Expat Visa Concerns Internet Connectivity in Vientiane

Oct 9, 2024

7 days ago

Kevin *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello! A couple DTV questions, specifically for doing it in Vientiane:

1. If you have a non-imm-O (retirement extension) will that be auto-cancelled when you apply for the DTV?

2. Any issues with internet connectivity/speed in Vientiane specifically?  

Thanks!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user inquires whether their non-immigrant O visa (specifically a retirement extension) will be cancelled when applying for a DTV in Vientiane and expresses concerns regarding internet connectivity in the area. Comments indicate that leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit results in losing the extension. Additionally, there's uncertainty about whether one can apply for another visa while leaving and the implications for immigration status.

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John **********

You already have permission to stay in Thailand and you have a multiple entry permit so leaving Thailand won't do anything to that unless you return after its validity date. Can you even apply for another visa in this situation? Who knows. If you can which visa will the immigration officer stamp you in on? Who knows

5 days ago

Stephan ***********

You lose your extension the moment you leave the country without having a re-entry permit, doesn't matter why you leave or what you're gonna do.

7 days ago

Kevin *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stephan **********

thanks, I have a multiple re-entry permit and regularly come and go.

My question is whether the current visa+extension is automatically cancelled when applying for the DTV in Lao, or if one has to do something to cancel it first.

And if it's automatic, is that before or after you get the DTV? If you do *not* get the DTV, is your previous visa cancelled anyway?

6 days ago

Stephan ***********

@Kevin ******

Okay... first of all... you don't have a visa anymore, you're on an extension, based on that old visa which is expired already.

Next... on entry the new visa "beats" the extension (which is "just" a permission to stay), even if you have a re-entry permit. The IO will see in his system that your passport holds a DTV and will stamp you in for 180 days. In exact this moment your extension is history.

To clarify: Embassies/Consulates deal with visas, extensions are the responsibility of the immigration authorities. These two things need to be kept separate, and the two sides do not interfere in each other's affairs.

So... in case your application is rejected you still have your valid extension and can come back to Thailand. Most people do it that way, they even buy a single entry re-entry permit, just in cases, before they apply for the DTV.

6 days ago

Kevin *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stephan **********

thanks, I do hope you're right and my extension will still be valid if the DTV doesn't work out.

However, I don't follow your logic on embassy vs immigration: the original non-imm-O visa, to which the extensions apply, was issued at immigration in CW, that appears to be pretty standard. Lots of visas are issued in-country, so by definition not issued by an embassy or consulate.

Anyway thanks again for replying, I suppose I will find out soon enough. I'm DTV-eligible but all the paperwork is online-only, so hoping for the best.

6 days ago

Stephan ***********

@Kevin ******

Okay... you are right... but the Non-O 90 days is the only type of visa you can get from the Immigration. The more important thing is that only the Immigration handle extensions... so no Embassy or Consulate can cancel your Extension. Search the DTV related groups for others with retirement extension... they did it exactly the way I described to you.

And if you want to be absolutely sure you can ask Immigration and/or Embassy... but I would ask at multiple places... the chance to get a correct answer is higher then... 😉

Good luck for your application! 🤞

5 days ago

Graham ******

@Kevin ******

Embassies come under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration comes under the Ministry of the Interior so they are completely separate. Both issue Visas (but not necessarily the same Visas) but only Immigration issue Extensions of Stay.

6 days ago

Reply to

Graham ******

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