nowretired

Why should I be fined for a mistake that's unlikely to be detected? Why should the officer match the visa sticker validity with my last entry stamp? He will check for overstay. that's it. It's still Thailand and not Germany. Not saying it can't happen, but you seem a bit too sure.

And how sure are you about getting a conversion without any problems? Why not arresting me on the spot? Doesn't the need for conversion mean that I'm right now illegal?

Is there any known similar case? I doubt to be the first one, but one of many undetected.

You are personally responsible for what is contained in the passport.

If the passport contains a "stamping error" just visit an immigration office and ask for it to be corrected.

If, on the other hand you, wish to run the risk a fine will be imposed.

Whether you get the 30 day extension or not depends upon how long you want to stay.

You can get a total stay of almost 6 months by getting the 30 day extension for each entry.

My understanding is that I have a maximum of 2 more entries so if I get a 30 day extension for each that would only give me 2 months total vs 4 months by leaving and re-entry.

I think that I may be missing something here

Have a look at your visa sticker . There are two important things to note

1. The expiry or "enter before date"

2 The No. of entry's the visa permits. A tourist visa will indicate "S" for a single entry , "2" for two permitted entry's or "3" for three permitted entity's.

All entries have to be made before or on the "enter before date.

On entry to the country the immigration officer will place a stamp in your passport which allows a 60 day stay which can be extended by 30 days at an immigration office for a fee of 1900 Bht. You have to leave the country on or before 6o dys or if an extension is obtained 90 days.

For those holding double/triple entry tourist visas re-entering the country will result in anther 60 day permission to stay which can, again be extended.

Suggest when "BeefSlapper" next visits the UK and is in need of a laugh he takes a walk around Tower Hamlets, at night, whilst carrying and drinking from an open bottle of alcohol.

Whether you got to immigration really depends on the extent of the overstay. If the overstay is really only one or two days then there would be no harm in visiting immigration where a fine will be imposed for the overstay and you would most likely be granted an extension of stay if the school provided paperwork is in order.

Just for information schools do not grant visas or extensions of stay. All a school can do provide documentary support for a person to make a personal application for a visa and subsequent extensions. A person studying at a Language school is only able to remain in the country for a maximum of 12 months before a new visa is required.

NB

There is no 1-year language visa! It is possible to obtain a one tear Multiple entry ED visa in some countries but not within the region.Those studying at university can obtain a one year extension of stay.

If you are Thai and can prove it, then you can obtain a one year extension of stay at an immigration office .

The proof of the funds coming from a abroad is need to a apply for a non immigrant visa (non-o class) based upon qualifying for an extension of stay based upon retirement.

It is not required to apply for the extension of stay. There is no retirement visa done at immigration.

Okay, I mis-spoke. Thanks for clearing that up Joe. So after 5 years of working and paying taxes here, my locally accrued savings do not qualify me for a non-imm retirement?

A single entry non O visa based on being over 50 is easily obtained from a nearby Thai embassy/consulate. You will need to will need to demonstrate 800,000 Bht in a Thai bank or a letter from your Embassy attesting to an income of 65,000 Bht/month

The visa will give a 90 day entry. During the last 30 days apply for an extension of stay, based on retirment, at an immigration office

that s bullshit, there is no rule....you can stay 2 to 3 years in Thailand, after disappear for 2 to 3 weeks and reapply again for tourist visa.

there certainly has to be some kind of a rule. where can you find out how many visas does this or that embassy issue - ask the embassy directly or there is a website with some regulations...? maybe officers in immigration now..? it's very confusing.

Every Immigration Office seems to make their own rules. Some of much easier than others. Vientiane was putting a red stamp in the passports for a while stating no more tourist visas

Immigration offices are only found within Thailand !

Do not confuse Embassy and Consulate staff with "Immigration" they are very different beings !

I don't mean to start a Thailand Elite thread but the application is about two pages and requires no documentation or proof of income. You submit one photo. Pay 500k baht and you get a 5 year visa. My only point is that it proves every requirement of these various offices is perfectly arbitrary, capricious , and based on no actual legal requirements whatsoever.

I mean like you need to have a picture of your house sign. It is wrong and your whole extension is held up because the picture had half a thumb in it? What kind of rubbish is this? Your income letter is unacceptable because it is addressed to Khon Kaen Immigration instead of "his honour the director of Khon Kaen Immigration Khun Somchai Pakalolo" Meanwhile any Farang who lays down 500k baht gets a 5 year visa for spending some dosh, which may just be a tiny squirt of his criminal cash flow.

The unfairness defies belief.

Honestly when has Thailand ever been fair to foreigners?

Every country in the world accepts Thais with no VISA run requirements or limitations

However, when a foreigner moves to Thailand, double standards

It will never be fair, it's Thailand

Name the Western countries that a Thai person can walk into on a "visa exempt" entry which can be further extended by 30 days

I don't wish to have this turn into another Thailand bashing thread.

This is my home and all I really want to do is lead a quiet peaceful life here. I generally enjoy it immensely.

But incidents like today bother me. More importantly they bother my wife since she is aware that if I don't get my extension I'm forced to leave the country.

And we have to go through this nonsense every year.

It should be simple. We live life as a married couple in our mutual home. I understand the government's right,even obligation, to ensure that we are being truthful.

What I don't understand is why we have to deal with the type of person and attitude we encountered today.

My original question was whether the officer was simply enforcing the law or if this was just some small minded individual's way of making himself feel like a big man.

If, regarding the combination income rules, he was just following the branch's procedure I can hardly fault him. Although having different offices make up their own rules seems bizarre.

I have even tried to justify his decision on the photos by telling my wife that since the application has to go to Bangkok for approval, maybe he was trying to ensure that everything was completely in order.

Except that his attitude and demeanour when I told him my previous application from Khon Kaen was accepted tended to leave me with the impression that he was just being maliciously spiteful, petty and vindictive.

So I sought advice as to whether he was justified and, if not, was there avenues to report his behaviour and would this be prudent.

All I really know is that if no one says anything he will never change.

Perhaps an examination of your own attitude toward the immigration officers would pay dividends ?

I have lived in Thailand for a long time and have never experienced a problem such as you describe,

Complaints can be lodged via the 1111 number.

Thank you very much Ubonjoe.

Maybe I should explain a bit my situation. I just finish my contract in Myanmar, I'm coming back to Thailand next Saturday.

I have a 3 months baby with my Thai wife and we are finalizing our marriage next Monday, I'm French and our administration system is extremely slow and complicated.

I got an offer to work in Thailand as a coating coordinator but the company hiring me has less than 1 million registered capital, I read that if married 1 million is ok and if not it's 2 million minimum.

I have been working in Thailand 2 years ago, I worked 1 year and half as coating inspector. Maybe a copy of my previous work permit could help me too.

I need to make all the paper work myself as my future company doesn't know much how to proceed.

You will require significant assistance from your employer to meet both Visa and Work Permit requirements

http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908/15388-Non-Immigrant-Visa-%22B%22-(for-Business-and.html

C. A married foreign couple.

No you can not.

You can apply as dependent if the spouse has an extension of stay but that is a whole different clause.

Thanks for the correction !

The "o" visa has expired long ago what you are seeking is a change of reason for your extension of stay .

You can obtain an extension based on marriage if you can meet the requirements which differ according to your status

A. Foreign ladies married to a Thai

B. Foreign male married to Thai lady

C. A married foreign couple.

Does a single non O visa have a spicifified date of entry or is it valid for a set period?

and if so how long is it valid for entry?

Does a single non O visa have a spicifified date of entry or is it valid for a set period?

and if so how long is it valid for entry?

A single entry non O visa gives a 90 day entry and the visa must be used on or before the "enter before date" which will be clearly indicated on the visa.

To stay longer would require you to apply for an extension of stay based on marriage.

Do you have a "Visa" or an extension of stay which is not a visa.

As you say you have not been out of the country for a few years suggests you do indeed stay here on the basis of an extension of stay.

If you wish to leave the country and keep the extension to stay alive you must purchase a re-entry permit. Obtainable from immigration at a cost of 1000 Bht for a single re-entry permit.

You must either

A. Open a Company and employ at least four Thai people. OR

B. Obtain legitimate jobs. Your employer will provided the paperwork required to obtain a visa and work permit. OR

C. He can obtain a retirement extension of stay if the requirements can be met. If those requirements can be met you could obtain an extension based on dependency if you are married .

Or you could both buy into the Thai Elite visa program

As suggested you will likely have to return to Lebanon to obtain a Thai visa

You have been misinformed.

"Retirement visas" are not available in Savannakhet.

The best you can hope for is a single entry non O visa from Penang or Vientiane but you would need to be able to demonstrate a monthly income of 65,000 Bht verified by your Embassy or 800,000 Bht in a Thai bank. A combination of money in the bank combined with a monthly income totaling 800,000 is also an option.

Sorry.

If you wish to travel then that is possible but when returning to Thailand all you will get is a 30 day "visa exempt entry" which can be extended at an immigration office for a further 60 days.

visa exempt entry can be extended with 30 days, exempt if you are married to a Thai or have Thai children then 60 days.

Thanks ! I meant to say " for a stay totaling 60 days" !

My error

As far as I know they no longer do any multiple entry visas. They stopped doing them well over a year ago.

Penang will do them with financial proof. Savannakhet without any financial proof.

I didn't know that, so this http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/433392-current-visa-availability-summary-from-neighboring-countries/ should be adjusted accordingly...

I visited recently the official website and this type of visa is still listed http://www.thaiembassy.org/kualalumpur/th/services/963/18997-DEPENDENT.html , but I'm sure that you are basing your reply on users experiences... a treasure that can't be replaced...

Thanks...

Opening and reading that link to the Embassy seems to suggest only Single entry visas are on offer at a cost of RM220 --- no mention of multi entry visas

You can obtain a single entry tourist visa in Phnom Penh. but it will take 3- 4 days unless you use an agent.

None that I am aware of.

Your current extension of stay remains valid even though it is contained in an expired passport.

I would suggest you have your stamps transferred to the new passport ASAP.

Leaving these matters to the last minute is rarely a good idea!

Making multiple posts about the same topic will not speed response.

I wasn't aware i had made more than one post. i posted once and the page just hung there but never seemed to submit so i typed it all up again and submitted again. did you see it elsewhere? I even looked under "items i've started" and didn't see it there.

Here

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/845489-trip-to-laos-for-double-entry-visa/

It has now been locked by the Mods

At most immigration offices it is possible to renew an extension of stay 30 days in advance of expiry

Your visa will allow an initial 60 days + 30 days if you apply for an extension of stay.

If you wish to travel then that is possible but when returning to Thailand all you will get is a 30 day "visa exempt entry" which can be extended at an immigration office for a further 60 days.

Alternatively if you intend to visit Laos a single or double entry tourist visa can easy be obtained Vientiane.

Got sent home after waiting 5 hours, was told didn't have correct paperwork, when what she was wanting was money, agents walking in amd out all day without a que, despicable greedy people

What paperwork did you fail to provide ?