What's the correct date my visa needs to be extended from?

[caller]

Sorry if this question has been asked before, but I can't find it!

My multi OA visa was issued on 12.9.14. It states I must enter Thailand by 11.9.15.

I arrived in Thailand on 26.9.14.

However, due to a planned trip, I last attended for a 90 day report (in Korat), on 17.6.15, a bit earlier than normal. I didn't notice, but they have written the next date I am required to attend as 14.9.15. Which buggers my plans a bit as I want to be in the UK then!

I'm also a little surprised not to have travelled out of Thailand before now, but there you have it.

My plan was to fly back into Thailand on the 23rd or 24th September (I'm just about to book).

So is the correct day I need to extend my visa, if not leaving Thailand, the 14th or 25th? I know the 90 day report kicks in again from the date of my arrival.

Thanks for the anticipated help.

[Dannie Boy]

I know Lomu is the visa expert, but by my reckoning they should have stamped your passport with permission to stay until the 25/9/15 when you entered last year and assuming you've not left since, that date is still valid. Now again, my understanding is that if you return to Thailand before your original visa expires, they will give you a full 12 months permission to stay, so if you return on the 23/24th Sept, you should get a full year until Sept 2016. If you're out of the country when you would normally do your 90 day report, it isn't an issue and your next 90 day report kicks in after your return (90 days from 23/24 Sept). Hopefully Lomu will confirm this as correct.

[caller]

I know Lomu is the visa expert, but by my reckoning they should have stamped your passport with permission to stay until the 25/9/15 when you entered last year and assuming you've not left since, that date is still valid.

And so they have, why on earth didn't I think to look for that? Thanks very much DB, much appreciated.

[hhinner]

Caller, don't be confused by the two dates. Your visa will not be useable to enter Thailand after 11/9/15. Your permission to stay expires on 25/9/15, so you can stay until that date. DB is correct about your 90 day report not being an issue if you leave before 14/9.

If you want to re-enter Thailand on 23/24 Sept you will have to get an extension of your permission to stay before you leave, together with a re-entry permit (single or multi). Or you can apply for a new visa in UK. Or you can enter on a visa waiver (probably not preferred).

Hopefully Lomu will be along shortly to clarify. BTW will you extend because of marriage (or dependant) or retirement? This info might be useful for Lomu to know.

Cheers.

[caller]

Caller, don't be confused by the two dates. Your visa will not be useable to enter Thailand after 11/9/15. Your permission to stay expires on 25/9/15, so you can stay until that date. DB is correct about your 90 day report not being an issue if you leave before 14/9.

If you want to re-enter Thailand on 23/24 Sept you will have to get an extension of your permission to stay before you leave, together with a re-entry permit (single or multi). Or you can apply for a new visa in UK. Or you can enter on a visa waiver (probably not preferred).

Hopefully Lomu will be along shortly to clarify. BTW will you extend because of marriage (or dependant) or retirement? This info might be useful for Lomu to know.

Cheers.

Thanks, but I don't understand. I have a multi entry AO (meaning 'retirement', I believe) and I entered Thailand on 26 September 2014. I thought the multi-entry was to all intents and purposes, my extension, in that it kicks off again, starting with a 90 day report from when I re-enter the Country?

[caller]

Caller, don't be confused by the two dates. Your visa will not be useable to enter Thailand after 11/9/15. Your permission to stay expires on 25/9/15, so you can stay until that date. DB is correct about your 90 day report not being an issue if you leave before 14/9.

If you want to re-enter Thailand on 23/24 Sept you will have to get an extension of your permission to stay before you leave, together with a re-entry permit (single or multi). Or you can apply for a new visa in UK. Or you can enter on a visa waiver (probably not preferred).

Hopefully Lomu will be along shortly to clarify. BTW will you extend because of marriage (or dependant) or retirement? This info might be useful for Lomu to know.

Cheers.

Thanks, but I don't understand. I have a multi entry AO (meaning 'retirement', I believe) and I entered Thailand on 26 September 2014. I thought the multi-entry was to all intents and purposes, my extension, in that it kicks off again, starting with a 90 day report from when I re-enter the Country as long as I do so before 25.9.15?

[hhinner]

Your multi entry visa allows you to come and go as you please during the validity of the visa. However, yours states the latest date of entry as 11/9/15. It will not be usable after that date. After that date you need to already be on a permission to stay (or an extension thereof) and have a re-entry permit

Actually, on thinking about it, I believe you could do a border run before you leave for the UK (leave the country and turn around and come back in) and get another one year permission to stay stamp. However, to then go to UK and come back after 11/9 you will need to get a re-entry permit to keep that permission to stay valid. I think you could get the re-entry permit at the airport on the way out or at immigration locally before you leave.

Lomu will know for sure. Other members may be able to confirm re-entry permits are available at the airport.

Cheers.

[caller]

Okay, thanks for that HH. I have to confess that my thinking is the latest date of entry on the visa being 11.9.15 means as long as I enter before that date, I then have 12 months on a multi AO? Why else would my next 90 day report be set for 14.9.15? Pity he just didn't put the 25th as I was expecting and should have checked.

But this takes me back to my original question, which I now seem to be answering by myself - but am I, and DB right, or HH?

(could a mod kindly delete my accidental double post above).

[hhinner]

Okay, thanks for that HH. I have to confess that my thinking is the latest date of entry on the visa being 11.9.15 means as long as I enter before that date, I then have 12 months on a multi AO? Why else would my next 90 day report be set for 14.9.15? Pity he just didn't put the 25th as I was expecting and should have checked.

But this takes me back to my original question, which I now seem to be answering by myself - but am I, and DB right, or HH?

(could a mod kindly delete my accidental double post above).

I have to confess that my thinking is the latest date of entry on the visa being 11.9.15 means as long as I enter before that date, I then have 12 months on a multi AO? --- This is correct. So a border run before you leave will get you another 12 months. I think!

Why else would my next 90 day report be set for 14.9.15? --- Because it's 90 days after the previous report.

Pity he just didn't put the 25th as I was expecting and should have checked. --- He couldn't because it would be more than 90 days. I think some offices always count from when you actually report and some count from the last due date if you report early. If you reported early at some point it could be you didn't get credit for "unused" days. Also a year is 365 days and reporting is 90 days (4 x 90 = 360) so there was a good chance your last report date wouldn't be your leave by date anyway. But if you're leaving before your report date it's irrelevant anyway.

I'm no expert and you should wait for one to show up here. I just didn't want you thinking you could come back on your original visa after its enter by date.

[lomuamart]

Sorry for being late to reply - my birthday got in the way!!
hhiner has got it right.
Your multi-entry OA visa will be valid for a year from the date it's entered in your passport. During that year, you can exit and enter as many times as you want and on re-entry you'll get another year permitted to stay. That permission can extend beyond the visa's validity and is the most important date.
However, once the visa's validity date is passed you need a re-entry permit to keep the latest permission to stay date alive if you exit. On re-entry, you'll be stamped in until that permitted to stay date. You won't get another year because the visa has expired.
I hope that's clear.
90 day reporting is only necessary if you stay in the country for 90 consequtive (sic) days. The clock starts from the day you enter. That's day one. Incidently, airport Imm won't put another reporting slip in your passport so keep the one you've got in there and the onus is on you to count the 90 days. Just point out to Imm in Korat that those 90 days started ticking from your entry stamp.
The two important dates for you are the visa's validity and your permitted to stay date. the 90 day reporting is immaterial as long as you don't stay here for 90 days on the trot.

[caller]

Okay, many thanks for the above info Lomu, HH (sorry to doubt you) and DB.

It seems I'm about 3 hours from the Cambodian border, if I do a 'visa run', would that be good enough to give me another 12 months and then I can fly to the UK as planned?

And happy birthday for yesterday Lomu - hope your head doesn't hurt too much!

[HHTel]

I don't think you get an automatic extension of 1 year by doing a 'border run'. An extension needs to be applied for at the immigration office showing the correct criteria for retirement and paying the 1900 baht fee.

[caller]

But am I seeking an extension, or just a stamp on a multi AO, that allows me a further 12 months on the original visa, or have I completely misunderstood the whole point of the multi AO, or maybe the processes involved?

[hhinner]

It would be a new entry on your multi entry visa. Not an extension.

[Dannie Boy]

But am I seeking an extension, or just a stamp on a multi AO, that allows me a further 12 months on the original visa, or have I completely misunderstood the whole point of the multi AO, or maybe the processes involved?

I'm certain that if you leave and re-enter Thailand before your original visa expires, you'll get another 12 months permission to stay stamp when you re-enter. However as Lomu mentions above, you'll need a re-entry permit before you exit again for your forthcoming trip