isaan sam

Hello,

I got a one year multiple entry visa when in the states, and went out for one last trip just before one year. This extended me to 15 months. I applied for the retirement visa in Bangkok in the last month. Had to sit in line for awhile, but when I was called I had the visa in 20 minutes. Also, all I needed was one set of materials, as opposed to 2 or 3 sets elsewhere. Very efficient if you have all the required documents.

It was a different story for my family. They applied for the extension, based on my having the retirement visa, in Mukdahan. There was more of a hassle with the application taking two hours. Also, there was no one day processing, and they were given a 30 day stamp to return again next month. So, that means at least two trips (or more if the visas are not ready and approved in Bangkok during the 30 days).

So, take your pick. A one day trip to Bangkok (if you fly in early and leave late) where you get the visa all done in one day. OR at least two trips to Mukdahan or Nong Khai, one to apply and one (or more) to go back and get the retirement stamp after approval in Bangkod.

Yes, you may extend your present entry permit, on the basis of retirement - and the non-immigrant entry permits of any accompanying and qualifying dependents may be extended to match your extension.

Your main task is to document the remittance of at least 800,000 baht into Thailand from overseas, or to document a qualifying pension.  You appear to have been through this process before - and that process is still in effect (except the required amount of 800,000 baht may be higher than in your previous experiences).

Good luck!

Steve Sykes

Managing Director

Indo-Siam Group

Bangkok

steve @indo-saim.com

www.thaistartup.com

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Thanks Steve,

This does seem to answer my immediate question of, can I apply at this time on my multiple entry visa? YES! I feel much better. When I had the retirement extension earlier, I documented my monthly income by going to the American Embassy. They gave me a form, and I filled in my income per month, as well as other statements on birth certificate and marriage certificate numbers for the family. This was notorized, and I took the original to Immigration. No questions asked further about income. I have money in a bank account already, and will get a bank certification this week. I do not have 800,000 baht in it at present. But, as I read the requirements, its says 800,000 baht in a bank account OR proven income of 65,000 baht per month. We have have more than the monthly income requirement, and around 50,000 baht in the bank account right now. Does this sound okay? We were in about the same situation three years ago, and had no problem when I applied for the retirement extension. Are requirements about the same today, or have they tightened up any on the amount to be present right now in the bank account?

One last question. I could go to Mukdahan to apply, but that might take some time. Three years ago, they had me apply first to see if I were approved (it took a couple of months). Then after I was approved, they had the rest of the family apply. At the present time, I have to go to Bangkok anyway next week to pick up a new passport for my son, and I thought I would stop by Immigration there, as I have heard that they normally have same day service. Is that true? If I am approved that day, I can then come back to Isaan and take the rest of the family to Mukdahan to get their extensions based on my newly approved retirement extension. Or is it possible for me, by myself, to get the extensions for the whole family also in Bangkok on that same day (or would they have to come along)? They are not really up for another visit to Bankok, as we just did that 10 days ago. Any suggestions? We have a lttle time to get all of this done, but the 19th of November is not that far off. I would appreciate any advice you might be able to give.

Issan Sam

Hello,

I have been reading the posts about Endure last night, and have not posted on this subject until now. It has been a few days since any new posts have been made, but I hope that some of you are still checking in on this particular topic and will reply to my question. I have a similar, very real situation, to what has been described by Endure, and need immediate help. I am now at the begining of the last month of 15 months for my present one year multiple entry visa (I left and returned three days before the utilization date on the visa, allowing me to be admitted until Nov 19, 2004). Basically, I want to now apply for a retirement extension based on this visa. Can I do it?

I will first give some background information. I have previously had two retirement extensions made from my first one-year multiple entry visa, which was issued back on Sept 5, 2001. All of my family members (farang wife and 3 children) were also granted the one year extensions based on my retirement extension. My family originally entered Thailand on Sept 10th, 2001. Because of an illness with my wife, we left Thailand on Dec 16, 2003 with a reentry permit, and returned to the US. My retirement extension on this visa allowed us to stay to February 23, 2004, the same date that was on my reentry permit. Because of medical problems, we were not able to return before that date, and the retirement extension ran out. After nine months, my wife had a full recovery and we were ready to return to Thailand.

This current information is as follows. We all were issued one year multiple entry visas in Houston on Aug 26, 2004, with it stating, 'it must be utilized before Aug 25, 2005.' We re-entered Thailand on Sept 10th, 2004. We subsequently left and reentered just before 3, 6, and 9 months on the visa. We also left and re-entered on Aug 22, 2005, and are currently admitted until Nove 19, 2005.

I had been told that I could do the above, and have no problem in applying for the retirement extension. However, another friend said he was not so sure, and I should check with thaivisa.com. So I did last night, and followed the discussion on the current topic. However, I was not able to specifically decipher from the discussion, whether I am able to apply or not based on my current visa. Can you help? I thought everything was okay, but now am not so sure. I am planning on going to Bangkok next week to make application for the retirement extension. We do not really want to go out of the country again to get another non immigrant visa.

Legally, it would seem that my current visa is still valid, as we are allowed to stay until the 19th of November. The validity of the visa would seem to have two parts: it must be utilized by Aug 25th (one year from issue date) with no further re-entries taking place after that date; and it allows us to be admitted until Nov 19th, 90 days after our final re-entry date of Aug 22nd. Nothing on the visa says that it must expired after one year from the date of issue. It could do so if a person left and reentered at 9 months, and made no further use of the visa. However, if the a reentry was made in the 10th, 11th, or 12th month before the utilization date, the visa in essence should extend to 13, 14, or 15 months. The longest allowable expiration date would seem to be at the end of 15 months. It would seem to make no legal sense for the visa to allow you to stay 15 months, but expire at one year. If so, how could you validly stay for 15 months with an expired visa? This is my thinking, and why I have waited until now to apply for the retirement extension. Am I correct, or all wet?

This truly is a real situation, and I need to take action very soon. I would like to hear from those of you that know more about this than I.

Isaan Sam