Goethe

23 minutes ago, sandyf said:

How can it be an extension if you change from retirement to marriage or vice versa, it is a conversion of visa status.

Remaining on one or the other is a renewal of visa status.

If your current visa status comes to an end and still in Thailand, your visa status would change to illegal.

The confusion arises because in Thailand there is no consistency in the use of the term "visa". Although the terms "retirement visa" and "marriage visa" are commonly used (especially on this forum), the Immigration Act (Section 35) refers only to "permission to stay" and "extension of permission to stay" -- and it lists the purposes for which such permissions may be granted and the permissible length (one year).

"You'll once a year need an balance confirmation letter from your bank together with a 3-month statement (typically 200 baht cost, valid for 7 days) and copy of (all pages) on your bankbook, which also need to be updated, often same day or day before applying for extension of stay."

Procedure may be different, depending on the Immigration Office.

At Jomtien, if you have the 800 000 baht in an FDA. the procedure is as follows:

1. Deposit 100 baht in the FDA.

2. Request the bank to update your bank book.

3. Request a letter stating that you are the holder of the account and how much is in it. (Cost: 200 baht.)

4. Request a 12-month statement. (Cost: 200 baht.)

5. If you are applying for an Extension of Stay yourself, you will need to copy every page of your bank book. 

6. If you are using an agent #5 is not necessary.

Source: Recent personal experience.

This discussion demonstrates an eternal truth: different offices have different requirements, so before you apply for an extension of stay, it is wise to enquire about what they currently are.

Current requirements at Jomtien with 800 000 baht in a Fixed Deposit account are as follows:

1. Deposit 100 baht in the account and update bank book.

2. Request from the bank a letter stating that you are the owner of the account and how much is in it.

3. Request a 12-month bank statement.

Different banks levy different fees. At my SCB branch I paid 200 baht for items 1 & 2, and another 200 baht for item 3. 

Free shipping: you have to spend only 180 baht.

Prices: very cheap, often cheaper than Lazada or Shopee.

Quality: cheap goods from China are ... cheap goods.

Sizes: you must be extra careful when ordering.

Delivery times: reasonable, but often longer than advertised.

16 hours ago, Caldera said:

What's still not clear (to me anyway) after reading this thread is what happens if someone entered visa exempt and needs to apply for a non-immigrant visa first.

 

As per the previous thread from a few months ago, agents in Pattaya couldn't help such a TOURIST to open a bank account anymore. That was a bigger issue than just using another branch or even another bank for the yearly extensions, because opening a new account at another bank is straightforward for someone who is already on a retirement extension and just needs the next one.

 

I wonder if that has been resolved as well or remains an issue. 

This week I saw a sign in the office of my visa agent about applying for non-o status. It included information on what it would cost to open a bank account. So yes: the issue seems to have been resolved.

A notary cannot notarize the veracity of the documents, only your signature. You present "bank documents" to a notary. How does he or she know for sure where they came from? Nowadays almost any document can be falsified.

On 2/15/2025 at 3:22 PM, Caldera said:

 

I'm not so sure. The announcement you've posted is from one of Pattaya's more popular agents and it's likely that other agents (at least in Pattaya) are affected by this change as well.

 

Also note that it's not just about opening bank accounts for those who don't have one, but also about applications for visas and extensions whereas the agent takes care of the financials. Apparently the underlying issue is that Bangkok Bank is under scrutiny for opening accounts for people who don't (or shouldn't) qualify.

 

If, when and how this will be resolved is anyone's guess.

The announcement refers to acquiring NEW Retirement Visas, but specifically states that renewing extensions of current Retirement Visas will still be processed.

On 11/8/2024 at 11:05 PM, treetops said:

 

I've not seen any reports on this, but the information to airlines was updated recently and now acknowledges extensions are possible and an onward/return ticket can be for further out than 60 days.

The reason why the airline may want to see a return ticket within 60 days is because being granted a 30-day extension, while highly likely, is not 100% guaranteed. So if you are denied entry by Thai Immigration because you do not have a return ticket within 60 days, the airline would be responsible for flying you back home. That is an expense they do not wish to incur.

I have no doubt that some readers of this forum will testify that they have never had a return ticket and have encountered no problems with either the airline or Thai Immigration, but the question for you is: "Do you want to take that risk?" (My testimony is that I have been checked by the airlines before boarding several times.)

"Be aware that expired licenses can still be renewed up to one year after expiry. "

That is correct, but be aware that if your license has expired and you are stopped by the police, you will be fined (personal experience). The one-year grace period refers only to your not needing to start the whole process from the beginning.

The 90-day report has nothing to do with your permission to stay. They are quite separate matters. 

Since you are out of the country when your 90-day report is due, there is no requirement to report. You report only if you are still in the country.

When you return to Thailand, a new 90-day period begins. (Your arrival date is day one.)

4 hours ago, Kerryd said:

It is safe - if YOU follow the rules and meet the requirements.

In other words - do what you are supposed to do to live here legally.

There is no need to use an agent - unless you do not meet the requirements.

An Extension of Temporary Stay costs 1,900 baht. That's it.
Add a couple hundred baht for photos and photocopies every couple of years.

I put my 800k in a Fixed Term account the year before I could apply for a Non-O (and then apply for an Extension).

That money has sat there ever since. Doesn't earn a lot of interest but technically it earns more than enough to pay the fee for my annual Extension as well as those photocopies/photos and a Re-Entry permit or two. And I never have to worry about "topping up" the account or withdrawing "too much" or having to pay an "agent" to scam the requirements.

I've done 13 Extensions so far with NO problems and don't use an agent.

15 years ago, my 77 year old dad who was dying of lung cancer was still able to go to Immigration to apply for his Extension - 6 weeks before he died.

If he could do it - without an agent, there's no reason anyone else can't.

Pro tip: It's the SAME paperwork and photocopies needed every year. THINK about it and prepare it AHEAD of time. Get your photocopies done, update your bank book the day before you go. Sign your photocopies.

If you don't have a computer/printer, get extra copies of the TM.47 from Immigration and photocopy them and make extra copies of the required passport pages.

Each year it takes me barely 15 minutes to update and print the TM.47, print the scans of my passport pages, attach a photo and sign all the paperwork. A quick run to the bank to update my bank book and get my "bank letter".

When you arrive at Immigration all your paperwork should be 100% complete. It takes me maybe 4-5 minutes with the IO from the time I hand over my paperwork until I've paid the fee and he's taken my photo (with the "ticket number") and I'm heading for the door.

Pro tip: Take a pen with you so you can sign all the pages you didn't bother doing beforehand or the photocopies you decided you might not need this time.

Pro tip: SHOWER and wear CLEAN clothes before going to Immigration. Seriously - WTF are you thinking when you show up stinking of body odour and looking like you haven't changed your clothes in weeks ?

And yes - I HAVE seen people sit down with an IO and hand over their passport and bank book - and then expect the IO to fill out the paperwork and make the photocopies for them. (And of course they are ahead of me in line every time.)

And yes, there are always people who "forgot" to make photocopies or sign half their paperwork and need a pen.

And yes, far too often I've had to stand in line with people who stunk so bad it almost made you retch. And it sucks when they are directly behind you and you approach the desk/IO and they see you and then get hit with the smell and think it's you. (I've even made eye contact with an IO, pointed at my nose and then behind me so he knew it wasn't me that stunk so bad.)

I spent 10 years working in Afghanistan and you could literally smell them from 500 meters away if the breeze was right - and they didn't smell as bad as some people I've seen at Jomtien Immigration.

And people wonder why so many of the Immigration Officers seem to be in a bad mood all the time.

(Another good reason to show up really early - to catch them before their mood turns really sour !)

Still shake my head when people claim they'd rather pay an agent 20,000+ baht to get their Extension for them - because they "can't be bothered" to spend 15 minutes to do the paperwork themselves and only pay 1,900 baht instead.

Uh huh. 

 

It's called freedom of choice. You have the freedom to do it your way; others choose to do it differently. I do everything legally, but choose to use an agent -- because I can afford to. One unpleasant fact that you cited: "And yes, far too often I've had to stand in line with people who stunk so bad it almost made you retch" is one of the reasons I stay away from Immigration. This forum is full of reports that underline the unpredictability of the process from year to year and from Office to Office. I pay a small fee, can be sure there will be no problems, pick up my passport the following day --  and sleep like an innocent child. 

Any and every entry into Thailand is subject to the discretion of the Immigration Officer. (This is standard practice all over the world.)

The only valid answer to the question: "Can I get unlimited entries for 60 days" is: "Yes -- until you can't."

There is a HUGE amount of false and misleading information on this topic on this forum (the renewal of a Canadian passport in Thailand). These are the facts:

1. You may renew your passport at the Canadian Embassy in Bangkok.

2. You may book appointment to go in person or you may mail in your application.

3. You may choose to pick up the new passport in person or have it mailed to you.

4. The turn-around time is very reasonable.

Source? Personal experience.

Here is all the information you need: https://search.brave.com/search?q=renew+canadian+passport+in+thailand&source=android&summary=1&conversation=beb367afda9ea14a2bcb47

To be perfectly safe, buy a cheap ticket to a neighbouring country. There is no point in taking a risk, since the "insurance" of an onward flight is so cheap. 

On 11/7/2024 at 4:06 PM, quake said:

 

100 baht, that sounds a bit cheap to me.

Ps was it a typo ?

 

 

 

The fee charged by agents ranges from 0 to 500 baht, depending on the agent. I pay 200 baht and am happy to do so.

You may not "volunteer" in Thailand in any capacity without the requisite documents. 

On 8/24/2024 at 1:55 PM, DrJack54 said:

Jomitien has their own rules. 

Eg for 12 months extensions processed at Jomitien the agent will have you tag along to immigration.

 

Google "Maneerat" located Soi 13/2.

They will advise you on phone or Line cost and procedure for 30 day extension to VE stamp entry.

At Jomtien Immigration you have to "tag along" with the agent (for a one-year extension of stay) merely for the purpose of having your photograph taken (by the agent!) somewhere in the Immigration Building. (My experience during the past 3 years.)

36 minutes ago, Maestro said:

When entering Thailand with a new visa, the fist 90-day report is due 90 days after the date of arrival.

Since the date of arrival counts as day one, the report is due 89 days later.

90 days means 90 days. The grace period of 7 days applies only if you remain in the country. There is no grace period if you leave the country after 90 days without reporting. 

Whether or not you will be penalized on your next visit to Immigration is unpredictable. 

Why take a chance?