soisanuk

The passport is mailed to their office and they call for you to pick it up.

If you are in Pattaya, the only Agent that I know of that will handle USA passport renewals is Key Visa on the soi adjacent to Big C South - use Google to search for their web page. 

Two of my friends used them very recently to renew their passports because they didn't want to go through the mail in process themselves. The first one to use it recommended them to the 2nd one.  The first one said he went to several agents in Pattaya, but found that only Key Visa would do USA passport renewals (they also handle UK passport renewals).  Their fee, includes passport renewal fee and the postage, is 10,000 baht.  The first one received his passport after a 4 week wait and the second after a 3 week wait. 

The first one also used them to do the transfer of stamps at Pattaya Immigration for a fee of 2,500 baht. The second one planned to use them, but was waiting until next week when they could also do his 90 day address report as a visit to Immigration is required when there has been a change in passport numbers. They said they would do the 90  day for an additional 500 baht.  However, that friend has now decided to use a different agent for that purpose - VIP Visa on Jomtien 2nd Road near Soi Wat Boon intersection - as a mutual friend who went through the mail in process lives in the Jomtien area and used VIP Visa to get the transfers done  and was charged a fee of 500 baht. 

Jomtien Immigration for the past few months has ignored the rule that says no TM.30 is due if entering using a Re Entry Permit and returning to the same address. They were requiring a new TM.30 if you left and returned to Thailand regardless of whether you used a Re Entry Permit and returned to the same address.  In some reports, they apparently imposed a 1,600 baht fine but not always.  They also were allowing 72 hours instead of 24 for making the report.

HOWEVER, there there may be a recent change - the following is posted on the Pattaya City Expats Club's webpage for the latest Thai Immigration issues:

Quote

UPDATE as of 2 April 2024

Although the Immigration Rule does not require a TM.30 to be filed if returning using a Re-Entry permit to your previously reported address, Pattaya Immigration's policy for the past few months as noted above, required a new TM.30 be filed. 

We received 2 reports that the Pattaya Immigration has changed this policy and are now no longer requiring a new TM.30 if returning to the same address and having entered using a Re-Entry permit.  There has also been a similar report on the AseanNow message board site.

We will appreciate receiving more reports on individuals' experience with Pattaya Immigration on this issue.

The 90 day report is required if you remain in Thailand for more than 90 consecutive days.  Thus, the report would be required. 

However, if you have no plans to visit Immigration after getting the 60 day to visit spouse extension (which will be at a time you have been in country 60 consecutive days (30+30)), you could skip doing the report as Immigration upon departure from Thailand does not check  for 90 day reporting.  

19 hours ago, khunPer said:

Haven't heard that – interesting – do you have a quote-link to the change?

Here are two Thai Embassy/Consulate sources showing 6 month validity required for obtaining a Visa:

https://cgchicago.thaiembassy.org/en/page/tourist-visa-requirements

Single Entry Tourist Visa

• Your actual Passport or Travel Document.
(Passport or Travel Document must not expire within 6 months and contain at least ONE completely empty visa page) - include a copy of "picture-page" of the passport.

http://www.thaiembassyjakarta.com/en/consular-services/important-information-on-visa-application/

Passport with at least two blank pages left, valid for at least six months from the expected date of arrival in Thailand.

Here is a link to an Aseannow.com thread that comments on less than 6 months is okay for entry into Thailand (it also has several comments saying 6 months required along with comments that that information is incorrect.   
- https://aseannow.com/topic/1294708-passport-validity-requirements/

IMO the references to the  IATA website requirements, which is used by most airlines to determine eligibility for entry shows that if you have a passport that expires in less than 6 months but later than the period of stay in Thailand, then entry will be permitted, e.g.

1 hour ago, khunPer said:

No – if you are talking about extension of stay; upon entry you need 6 months – but your extension of stay will not be longer than your passport is valid.

I believe the rules changed some time ago. Now, upon entry, your passport only needs to be valid for the length of stay (30, 60, & 90 days for Visa Exempt, Tourist, & Non-Immigrant). 

However, if you are applying for a Visa at a Thai Embassy or Consulate, I believe the Ministry of Foreign Affairs still requires you to have 6 months validity.

18 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Just as well the one was very tired

I quit using the North Pattaya Road Best a long time ago - no place to park.  It used to be you could park on North Road fairly close to Best entry door (not many spaces, but I usually found at least one available).  Then they made it no parking for that whole area of North Road near Best. The very few parking spaces behind Best were almost always full, so I gave up on shopping there.

43 minutes ago, steve187 said:

previously immigration would issue a 1 year extension with a valid to date beyond the passport expiry date, but now they only issue to passport expiry date

It was several years or so ago that I had a passport expiring (April) before my normal one year extension period ended (July).  Immigration gave me an extension up to the passport expiry date (April).  When I received my new passport, they transferred my stamps and further extended my stay to my previous annual renewal date of July with no additional fee charged for the further extension.  

Subsequently, they changed the rules.  If your passport expires in less than one year, they will grant an extension up to the expiry date of the passport.  When you receive your new passport, they will transfer stamps but not extend the current period of stay.  Before that period of stay ends (usually 30 but in some Offices 45 days before) you can apply of a one year extension of stay and pay the fee. Thus creating a new annual renewal date.

For example passport expires in April, normal extension renewal is July.   Extension will be granted until April.  When a new  passport is issued the stamps are transferred and before the April expiry date, you apply for a new extension, pay the fee, and the extension will expire one year later (April).  

I just renewed my passport as it was set to expire in April 2025 with my next renewal due in July 2024.  I have just now received my new USA passport and will transfer the stamps at the same time as I do my next 90 day address report in early May (I have to do the address report in person as it cannot be done online as passport numbers will not match with previous online reports).  I renewed my passport more than one year before expiry date so that my next renewal will continue to be for a full year (July 2025).

The process at Chonburi (Pattaya) Immigration for getting the initial Non-O Visa and subsequent extension are shown on the Pattaya City Expats Club website at: https://pcec.club/Applying-for-Non-Immigrant-O-Retirement/

You may want to consider checking into this company: https://www.wrlife.org/

It was recommended by a speaker a few months ago at the Pattaya City Expats Club.  A couple of members in the audience mentioned they also have medical insurance from this company and were satisfied with their coverage.      I have had no dealings with this company as my health insurance from USA covers me here and I have no need for their cover.    I am mentioning it as a possibility and, of course, recommend due diligence before obtaining.  But I did note they are listed by Bangkok Hospital Pattaya (BHP) as being one they accept - Listing from BHP website: https://bangkokpattayahospital.com/plan-your-visit/health-insurance/insurance-companies/

If applying for the Non-Immigrant O Visa at Chonburi (Pattaya) Immigration [Jomtien], be aware that they require the 800,000 be on deposit for 2 months prior to the application date -- this is not in the Immigration rule which has no requirement for how long it must be on deposit, but it is required by Jomtien Immigration Office in Pattaya.

1 hour ago, jerrymahoney said:

Up to u but this is the reference to "proof" actually 'evidence' at (3)

 

ORDER OF THE IMMIGRATION BUREAU
No. 327/2557
Subject: Criteria and Conditions for Consideration of an Alien’s Application
for a Temporary Stay in the Kingdom of Thailand

 

 

The above is the rule for "extensions," not for application for a Non-Immigrant O Visa.  The rules for granting a Non-O Visa for purpose of retirement are:

Quote

 

DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED MORE THAN 15 DAYS BEFORE VISA EXPIRATION
IN SUPPORT OF THE APPLICATION FOR VISA OR VISA STATUS ALTERATION FOR 90 DAYS
IF YOU HAVE OVERSTAYED, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATIONFOR THIS TYPE OF VISA.

 

5.1 Present passbook and deposit certificate from banks in Thailand (in Thai language (Attention: Immigration Commissioner))
52 Copy of all entries of the applicants passbook showing that the applicant has a savings or fixed deposit account of not less than Baht 800,000 (all documents must be in the Applicant’s name)
5.3 Evidence of foreign currency fund transferred to Thailand

     or     
A letter of guarantee from the local or overseas Embassy or Consulate that proving the monthly pension of the Applicant not less than Baht 65,000 per month (together with reference documents showing the source of monthly pension)
     or     
Evidence of deposited money under Clause 5 and evidence of income under Clause 6 (for one year) showing the total amount not less than Baht 800,000
Rental Agreement between the Applicant and the Landlord ; A copy of house registration. Location map of the house and a rental receipt Past three months.

 

 

 

 

If using the 65k per month method, a letter from your Embassy is required. Thus, those from USA, UK, and Australia cannot meet this requirement as those Embassies no longer issue such letters. 

16 minutes ago, SmokeandIce said:

As mentioned before, much depends on what immigration office you use.  When I was going from visa exempt to 3 month Non-O, Chaeng Wattana would not accept the monthly THB 65,000 for 12 months; the only two options were THB 800,000 in a Thai bank or a letter from one of the few foregn embassies that still offer this.

 

For any 12 month Non-O extensions, CW accepts either THB 800,000 (seasoned) or 12 months of THB 65,000.

Most of the answers so far relate to "extension" of stay rather than applying for the Non-Immigrant O Visa.  Smokeandice's above comment notes the requirement for applying for the Visa at CW which is the requirement for getting the "Visa" - using monthly income is acceptable for the subsequent "extension" of stay.

2 hours ago, KannikaP said:

I made the mistake ONCE in five years of not clicking the Long Stay option. Money was instant, but classed as a local transfer. I cannot understand why yours are FTT when you click for example family & friends. 

Clicking the Long Stay option is to ensure Wise sends it to your bank if it is one of their partner banks (Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn Bank, & one other, I think it is TMB but not sure). 

If click on one of the other options, Wise may use any of their partner banks to effect the transfer, e.g. you have a Bangkok Bank account and they use Kasikorn to fund the transfer which will be coded by Bangkok Bank as a domestic transfer from another Thai bank.  They still could use Bangkok Bank to do the transfer and it would be coded FTT - the Long Stay option would ensure they use Bangkok Bank for the transfer, not another partner bank.

13 hours ago, JGon said:

No option there. The website never asked this questions.

On my last transfer at the beginning of this month, I also encountered these questions and after answering, was as noted by the OP then given the purpose list which included the long stay Thailand option and proceeded on with the usual transfer process.  Funds arrived around 2pm as usual in my Bangkok Bank account coded FTT.   I use my desktop PC when I make the transfers.

The BAHTNET system is for funds sent through the Bank of Thailand's Bahtnet system.  Per Wise, their Swift code is  BOTHTHBPTS1  (https://wise.com/us/swift-codes/BOTHTHBPTS1)

16 hours ago, Dp1231 said:

My flight is arriving at bkk airport at 12:00 pm on April 13th, I have a doctors appoint at bangkok hospital pattaya at 3:30 pm. I will be able to use the fast track immigration lane at bkk and wont be checking any luggage so my arrival at bkk should go pretty smooth my question is will i have enough time to make my 3:30 pm doctor's appointment if I catch a taxi at bkk and go straight to bangkok hospital pattaya, the reason im asking is due to songkran and traffic issues 

April 13 is a Saturday.  Motorway 7 will be toll free from 12:01am April 11 to midnight April 17 for the Songkran Holidays (per recent article in Thaiger).  If your flight is on time and you have no unusual delays at Immigration/customs, it should not take much more than an hour and a half or less for the trip. 

Even if a bit late, Bangkok Hospital Pattaya is not rigid on their appointment times provided the doctor is still there.  I am usually on time for my appointments there, but have sometimes been a late and never had a problem in still seeing the doctor. 

That said, unless of particular urgency, why not just contact them and reschedule your appointment for another day -- in the 20+ years I have been using BHP, I have on occasion done that when something came up to conflict with my original appointment. There is usually no problem in getting another appointment on the day I wish to see the doctor (I have also arrived without an appointment and still been able to see the doctor, but may have to wait a bit).

Wise is connected to my US Bank.  When I initiate a transfer, it usually takes only a few seconds before Wise has the funds, no delay at that end.

When I order a transfer on a weekday before 9am, the funds arrive in my Bangkok Bank account around 2pm the same day.  If after 9am, it usually arrives the following weekday (M-F) around 2pm.  If that weekday is a Thai holiday, then it will arrive the weekday following.

As mentioned, it will depend on the Immigration Office for your location.

If it is Chonburi (Pattaya) Immigration, then a new TM.30 will be required as for the past several months they are no longer following the "rule" that permits non-filing if using a Re-Entry permit and returning to the same address. 

20 hours ago, Jaymatheson said:

Hi,

 

Savannakhet doesn't seem to give Multiple Entry Non-Imm O based on Retirement.

 

If I get a 90-day Single Entry Retirement, can I return to Savannakhet 3 months later and apply / receive another one?

 

Thanks

The usual expectation is that after entering Thailand and getting the 90 day permission to stay, the individual would apply for a one year extension at Thai Immigration for purpose of "retirement"  which was the purpose stated for getting the Non-O Visa in the first place.  If the individual planned to retire here, then why would they want a multiple entry Non-O?

If you wish to enter and then travel outside of Thailand rather than remain continuously, you can always get a single or multiple Re-entry permit which will permit such travel and keep your retirement extension of stay valid.

3 hours ago, Liquorice said:

Secondly, you'll need to transfer the equivalent of 800K THB funds from overseas and deposit in a Thai bank account, your sole name, so you'll need to open a Thai Savings account. . .

 

Probably easier to enter from S Korea visa exempt, which will grant a stay of 30 days and can be extended for a further 30 days, then follow the above procedure to obtain Non O.

When the Non O is granted you'll be granted a further stay of 90 days. Within the last 30 days of that 90 days, you may apply for the 1-year extension of stay based on retirement.

Each Immigration Office may have their own requirements, which can differ from the main Immigration Rules.

If you will be using Chonburi (Pattaya) Immigration, they currently require that the 800k be on deposit in a Thai bank in your name at least 2 months before you apply for the Non-Immigrant O Visa (the "Immigration Rule" does not require this 2 month period, only that it be on deposit on the day of application).

Also, the Application has to be approved by Immigration HQ in Bangkok and they require at least 15 days to process it. So, you will need at least 15 days remaining on your initial Permission to Stay at the time of application (best to check with the Immigration Office where yo will apply as there have been reports that some require at least 21 days be remaining).  If you enter Visa Exempt and receive the initial 30 day stay, you can extend it another 30 days at an Immigration Office in Thailand if needed to allow enough time for for processing the Application for the Non-O Visa.

After receiving the Non-O Visa, continue to keep the 800k on deposit as it is required to be on deposit at least 2 months before applying for the Extension of Stay (this is the "Immigration Rule," and is followed by Pattaya Immigration, but there reports that a few Immigration Offices will require 3 months on deposit beforehand). 

14 hours ago, bbi1 said:

Last year I remember clearly the 20th April was the big day in Pattaya. Was last year an exception to the norm?

The 18th (Naklua) & 19th (Pattaya) have been the big days for many years now (the water throwing was stopped during the Covid pandemic shutdown). 

4 hours ago, ThirdRock said:

I have read mixed comments about the online appointment application being used again at Jomtien.  And based on the appointments booked on the site for the next week, it seems pople are using it.  One reader was kind enough to relate his eperience several weeks ago but at that point he  ran into some confusion on what to do upon arrival. 

 

For a Non-O [Ret.] annual renewal, does anyone have recent experience with the process?  Do you still go to Reception in Bldg A, or do you proceed directly to the main building with you appointment printout?

The Pattaya City Expats Club note on their website that they have received 3  very recent reports that Desk 8 (retirement) is honoring the online appointments, but they also have 1 recent report that the person having an appointment for 30 day extension of visa exempt entry was told to get in line and get a queue number.  They have no reports as yet on the experience of anyone using the other reasons for an appointment.

17 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

You would be on the safe side with an IDP based on your Thai driving license (5 year regular one).

Australia seems to acknowledge the one year IDP (1949 convention) only.

This was the rule in Thailand for decades, so no problem.

You go to your nearest DLT and ask about a one year IDP.

DLT: Departement of Land Traffic ("traffic office"/"motor office").

Which region are you living?

There is a very recent thread about the IDP:

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1319103-international-driving-license-for-thai-local-licence/#comment-18674767

 

Before the nitpickers wake up:

it's an "International Driving Permit" (IDP) not "license".

License from issuing country (in your case Thailand) has to be shown together.

If you opt to get an IDP, they are not available at all DLT locations, e.g., Banglamung (serves Pattaya area) does not issue them and will direct you to apply at DLT Office in Chonburi which does.