Thailand visa: My Non Immigrant “O” visa – multiple entry expires can I get an extension?
Dear editors,
I did not find the following in the Visa file, hence my question. I have a Non Immigrant “O” visa – multiple entry. The visa expires (= Enter Before) on 19/12/2015.
I am traveling to Thailand on 15/12 and will therefore – if I have understood correctly – still have a period of a maximum stay of 90 days. My return trip to Belgium is booked on March 1, 2016.
If I want to make a trip to Laos or Cambodia in the month of January 2016 – either by land or by plane – I will receive a “visa” (or in this case a visa-exemption) of 15 or 30 days when I return to Thailand , as my O visa/Multiple Entry has expired.
In that case, can I obtain an “extension” of that period of 15/30 days? And can I obtain this possible extension in Khon Kaen?
Thanks for your attention.
Guido
Dear Guido,
If you enter Thailand on 15/12/15 you will indeed still have 90 days, because the validity period of your visa runs until 18/12/15 (Enter BEFORE 19/12/15). This means that you will receive a period of stay that ends on 13/03/16, if I count correctly. (If you only land on December 16, then add a day). Given that you leave on March 1, 2016, this is more than enough if you were to stay in Thailand.
However, you would like to make a trip to Laos/Cambodia in January 2016. Your visa will indeed no longer be of any use, because it will expire. You can then re-enter on the basis of a “Visa exemption”.
If you enter Thailand by land, you will receive a “Visa Exemption” of 15 days. If you return via the airport, you will receive a “Visa Exemption” of 30 days. If those 15/30 days “Visa Exemption” are insufficient, you can have it extended once at immigration for a maximum of 30 days. Costs 1900 Baht.
Tip – If you can wait until the end of January to make your trip, and you're coming back in via the airport, you may be able to work it out so that your return is within 30 days of your return date of March 1.
You don't have to extend anything at all. (Of course you can also do with 15 days, but then you have to postpone it a bit longer)
There is also another option that should definitely be considered. Upon entry you will have obtained a residence period until March 13, 2016. If you now go for a Single re-entry before your departure to Laos/Cambodia, that residence period will remain until March 13, 16.
Because of that re-entry, she will not expire when leaving Thailand. A re-entry is separate from a visa. So it does not matter that your visa has expired if you think so. It therefore does not matter whether you enter Thailand by land or via the airport. In both cases, the previously obtained date of stay will be retained.
A Single Re-entry can be picked up at immigration and costs 1000 Baht. Get it before you leave Thailand of course.
At Immigration Khon Kaen you can obtain both extensions and re-entries. See link: www.khonkaensearch.com/khon-kaen-immigration-office/
Regards,
RonnyLatPhrao
Disclaimer: The advice is based on existing regulations. The editors accept no responsibility if this is deviated from in practice.