TerraplaneGuy

It's interesting. The difference between the LTR and the OA process you describe is that with the OA you don't apply for an extension of stay until the term of the visa (one year) is about to expire. They are called "extensions of stay", not "permissions to stay". And they take effect after the full term of the visa. Whereas with the LTR, there is an outright contradiction in that the visa term is ten years but you only get "permission to stay" for 5 and then have to apply when that expires for another 5 year "permission". So you're applying while the proclaimed term of the visa still has 5 years to run. It makes no sense. If they wanted it to be similar to the OA process (and avoid contradicting themselves), they would have called the LTR a 5 year visa and said you can apply for a 5 year "extension of stay" when it expires. But they decided to invent a new mystical process and I do believe it's so they could hype the LTR as "10 years" when in fact it's not. The problem of course is that governments change, policies change, and there's no way to know for sure what might be required in 5 years when it's time for a new "permission". Just look at how often Immigration (and various regional offices) change the rules for "extensions of stay" under OA visas. Let's keep our fingers crossed with the LTR 🙂

OK thanks. It’s just so weird that they have created a new thing called a “stay permit” which is exactly what a visa is supposed to be. So it’s like a visa within a visa. They obviously wanted to attract people by advertising a “10 year visa” but couldn’t really commit to it. It’s like some gimmicky iPhone promotion at MBK. The 5 year “stay permit” is all you can fully rely on. But hey, it’s still a lot better than a 1 year OA. I’m probably gonna go for it.

Ok but so what exactly is the difference between the required paperwork when you first apply and when you do the 5 year extension? You say you don’t need to get anything from someone else? But don’t you have to get fresh evidence of income from your pension provider or whatever? Isn’t the whole purpose to get updated documents?

This to me is a huge advantage. My concern is that the recent announcement of proposed changes to the tax law on foreign income (which would tax it even if not brought into Thailand) might end up changing this LTR treatment too. Hope not ...

I see. To me it’s still kind of funny because a visa is itself a permission and shouldn’t need to be extended during its term. Imagine if a one year visa (like O or OA) only gave you “permission” for 6 months and you had to apply again in 6 months just to complete a year. The bottom line to me is, how many years can I really count on with confidence? If I have to apply for a second permission, I know they always have discretion to deny me. So for me, this is effectively a 5 year visa. Not saying it’s not worthwhile.

Pardon the ignorance but does this system for filing your own TM30 apply only to people who own their own condos or are married to a Thai land/condo owner? I've lived in Thailand a long time but always rented and my TM30s have always been registered by my landlords (or hotel owners). I wouldn't mind having control over the process but is it possible if you're just renting? My concern about TM30s normally arises once a year when I extend my stay (retirement, OA) and depending on the Immigration office, they may require a copy. Sorry if this is explained somewhere within this thread but it's so long it's hard to tell.

It seems to me that this is a great visa - and I may get one - but it's really just a 5 year visa. If you have to re-submit all qualifications to stay in the country after 5 years, how is it different from a situation where your visa expires and you are applying for a new visa? Does it say on it that it's valid for 10 years? If not it seems to me there's some hype in their marketing.

But think about it: in a given month, there are a certain number of people who have to extend their retirement stays, because they are expiring. So say there are 100 in August. They will not reduce their workload by making you come there twice. If they want to spread them out, just 10 each day, they can accept your package the first time you come and do some the next day or whenever. It seems they made Neilly come back just to take the package upstairs which they already had downstairs.

I know it's kind of pointless to ask "why" ... but if she was prepared to accept all your docs and give you that slip, why couldn't she just give your package to the people upstairs and let them process it without you having to return?

Yes I should have asked that. Too late now. But it’s hard to understand why a TM30 would be required for in-person but not mail, in the same circumstances (first report after a re-entry) …?

I just did my 90 day at CW and yes the officer asked me for a TM30, which luckily I had. I asked her if, on re-entering from abroad, it was allowed to file the first 90 day by mail instead of coming in person and she said yes (I think she understood the question but you never know…).

Quick question - what building do we go to at Chaeng Wattana to submit the 90 day? It’s been a few years for me doing an extension there. I think it was Building B …?

Got it. I misunderstood you. Yes I was thinking of the idea of not mentioning the recent re-entry date for fear of triggering the need for in-person for the next 90-day but I see you are relying on mail-in as a substitute for in-person. It’s interesting that Immigration (when it rejects online) doesn’t suggest mail-in as an option, they just demand “in-person”. But hey Immigration is often interesting 🙂

Good luck. Will you use your new re-entry date on your next TM47 or continue with the old one so as to reduce the chance of getting tripped up?

Thanks! I’ve never gone there for a 90 day. Only for extension of stay. For that I arrive very early. Is it also good to arrive very early if just doing the 90 day?

How about for in-person at CW, is a TM30 required?

Please us know on this thread if it works out 🙂

If that’s true it seems you could avoid having to go in person after a re-entry if you file the TM47 online but don’t enter your recent re-entry date, just use the same one you used on your last TM47. Not that I would suggest entering inaccurate info of course …

I’m going to Chaeng Wattana to do my 90 day because (see original post at top) I was out of the country in May. I have changed address since my last 90 day report but not since I left the country. My landlord (actually hotel/serviced apartment) filed a TM30 online both before I left and again when I re-entered in May BUT I can’t get a screenshot of it because they say after 15 days it no longer shows in their system. Do I need the TM30 at all given my address hasn’t changed since I was last in Thailand or is it the address on my last TM47 that has to match my new TM47? If I do need a TM30 is there a way I can just fill it out at immigration or do I somehow have to file it online (probably impossible since I’m already registered via the hotel)?

Thanks. To be clear so filing on line must be done in the period 14-7 days before due date? Also about the TM30, since I last arrived I’ve been staying at a hotel that I’m sure files TM30s for guests on the government online system. When I go to Imm to file my 90 day in person do I have to bring a screenshot of the hotel’s TM30 filing? Anything else needed (passport obviously)?

I’ve been here on retirement extensions for many years. I usually leave the country and return at least once a year. I file my 90-day reports online. This time I got rejected with this message: “For first-time requests of a 90-day notification in each country visit, in-person presentation at the immigration office is required.” Is this new? I was out of the country for a month this spring and this is my first report since then. But I used the same address on my report as I did on my last few, which were accepted.

Is there a time limit, after it expires, for renewing it this way without having to start all over with a driving test? Like if you wait 6 months is it still as above?

Thanks. Last time I remember I'd read that you need a med certificate but they didn't ask me for one. Is there any special form? What does it need to say? And can you get one at any clinic or does it have to come from a hospital?

Hi all, my 5 year car and motorbike licences will be expiring so it's time to renew. Last time I did it at the Bang Chak location (Sukhumvit 101). Can anyone please update me on the requirements? Last time I needed: -copies of passport pages (identity and visa) and original passport -residence certificate -copies of current (expired) licence front and back, and original licence -eye test (no written test) and have to watch a movie -fee Is this still it? Also, about timing, it used to be you'd get almost an extra year if you waited til just past expiry of the licence (which is your birthday), because they give you 5 years starting from your NEXT birthday. Still true? Thanks for any info.

You should be able to use a guest house TM30 for a retirement visa. Depending on the office they may also want a copy of a rental agreement and the blue book and ID of the owner or manager of the guest house.