Tod Daniels

You also have to realize that flying in to EITHER Bangkok airport (DMK or BKK) after milking free stamps/30 day extensions to live here is a risk on it's own. HUNDREDS of people are denied entry at those airports every week because the officers think they're living here on free stamps, and entering by land (which most people can do 2 times a year) is far less risky as far as denial of entry.. Worst case you get turned around, sent back to the country you just left and told to fly in..

Just curious there slick, when was the last time you bounced out and back at Mae Sai / Tachileik ? That border has been closed more than 2 months now

works fine for me selecting french passport in france let's me select the "visiting thai family more than 60 days and the multiple entry choice

Correct!! Cancel the current extension at Cham Churi Square a couple weeks before your termination date. Get your ducks in a row documentation wise, Go to Chaengwattana section L-1 apply for a year extension based on retirement. sandyf, the term visa is commonly used by people on an extension of stay, it just is, and Few people are actually in the initial Visa entry. I answered as if the person was on an extension of stay based on employment, and while I took that 'leap in logic' when I gave my answer, I honestly believe if the op looked at the current stamp they have in their passport, it would say, "extension of stay permitted until", and have a date. Sorry to have butted heads with you, but still think my advice is spot on for the O/P

You're a little of on that. .When they go back to get the Non-ED visa and new 90 day stamp inked in it will not be dated from his arrival date. It will be dated from the date they APPLIED for the Non-ED visa at Chaengwattana <- two weeks before. AND When they go for the year extension when they 90 days runs down they can go any time they have 45 days or less left on their current stamp and the extension will be added to the expiration of their 90 day stamp so they won't lose any time going early

I see where we are having a problem I am the one who posted the information incorrectly in the earlier comment He needs a minimum of 15 days left, you can apply when ever you want as long as you have 15 days left on his stamp There is no difference between an adult and a child getting an ED visa issued in country Everyone has a 2 week under review period to get an ed visa issued inside the country at Bangkok immigration. No issue at all studying at school without an ED visa. There's no rule against it You apply at the main immigration office in the government complex (Building B) on Chaengwattana Road and you want to go to Section C-1. https://tinyurl.com/Main-office-Chaengwattana You can make an appt to apply (then just show up with the correct documents etc 15 minutes before and don't need to get a queue number Online Appt Booking Bangkok you pick Chaengwattana and you want THIS choice

Unless I'm mistaken that was for a VISA STICKER that was issued by a thai consulate in another country but was issued for the wrong reason <- wasn't it? I have seen people apply for a Non-O visa but the consulate mistakenly stuck in a sticker visa for a Non-B, and the ONLY way to change a visa TYPE once it's issued (and if you're still on the initial 90 day entry) is to go to the MFA office out by Chaengwattana <-because they run thai consulates who hawk visas in other countries, have them contact the original issuing embassy, review the paperwork and if the visa was issued for the wrong category they will correct it with the stamp you show.. That cannot happen once you're on an extension of stay from the immigration office inside the country This whole thing has abso-tively, posi-lutley ZERO to do with changing the reason for an extension of stay (gotten from a visa that expired LONG ago), and it just muddies the water as far as what the real process is for the O/P in their instance.. Its as if you're comparing apples to durian.. .

TWO WEEKS PROCESSING TIME ???? in Bangkok you apply when you have 15 days or MORE left on your 30 day visa exempt entry stamp OR the 30 day extension from that stamp. (You cannot apply with less time than that) (Sorry DonniePeverley I posted that wrong the first time you need a MINIMUM of 15 days left to apply, not 15 or less. My apologies) You register at a school (pay the tuition) and they get documentation from the Ministry of Education that you take to the immigration office to apply for the initial 90 day Non-ED visa. <- That can take some time so get enrolled and get that process going You apply for the 90 day Non-ED visa for 2000baht at Section C-1 out at the main immigration office at Chaengwattana, you get a receipt that says come back for the "results" in 2 weeks.. On that date you go back with the passport and they will ink in a Non-ED visa with a new 90 day stamp.

You have your wires crossed a bit, a single entry tourist visa is VALID for 3 month <- that means you have 3 months to ENTER thailand and when you do you get stamped in for 60 days. You can get one 30 day extension on that for 1900baht at the immigration office where you stay. Then you're done You could get a 6 month METV <- Multi-Entry Tourist Visa.. That visa is valid for 6 months from the date it's issued, it's unlimited entry with each entry getting you 60 days, and you can extend each entry once by 30 more days. Work that visa correctly and you can get almost 9 months of stay out of it. That'd be the choice, because this isn't the thailand it was pre-covid-sh*t show when people lived here on back to back free entry stamps, 30 day extensions and/or tourist visa entries..

I finally found a cancellation of extension from Cham Churi Square based on employment. As you can see from the dates the person went IN to the office to cancel the extension on July 1st, and their termination date was the 21 of July. The officer cancelled their extension on the first of July and gave them permission to stay until the 21st <- if you go a few weeks before the date on your termination paperwork they'll do the same thing to you and that should give you plenty of time to get to Chaengwattana to apply for the year extension based on retirement Sincerely good luck with it, and as I might have mentioned GO to Chaengwattana before you cancel your current extension. Go to Section L-1, the first cubby hole on the right in that section has a sign that says "Document Checking" and you can get the hand out from them that lists all the requirements to get the year extension. That way you can pull it off in one try.. Also helps to book an appt with the online booking system (which you can do up to a month ahead) because then you just show up 20 minutes before the appt, get your documents checked in that first cubby and go straight to Counter 32 in Section L-1 without needing to get a queue number from the front counter Here's the online link ONLINE APPT FOR BANGKOK you want this choice

That is usually requested for the year extension of stay, and when someone is applying for the initial first yearly extension using banked money method because their seasoning requirement is only 2 months <- that's why I said get a 3 month print out BUT There is no harm in having a year transaction print out although as you mentioned some banks can't print any more than 6 months on demand and the year has to be ordered taking about 4 or 5 days to get

That comment would NOT apply to Chaengwattana. You have to have proof of a current 90 day report <- meaning you have a receipt showing when your NEXT 90 day report is due. Had someone on a year extension WITH a re-entry permit come back into the country (which resets the 90 day count down) try to get a COR at Section B out at Chaengwattana with the previous 90 day report receipt and they were told; come back after you've filed a new 90 day report. They charge you 200baht, give you an EMS receipt and mail it to the address you have a TM30 filed under.. You get it in about 5 days Chaengwattana seems to really be sticklers for the requirements they have set up to issue Certificates of Residence to people. This is the form and the additional hand out they give you when you want to apply for the resident certificate and even though that "requirements" says "previous" 90 day report receipt they mean one that shows your NEXT 90 day report not one you got earlier but left the country on before it was due ????

You can cancel your extension at Cham Churi Square up to three weeks before your actual termination date on the paperwork from your employer <- they will cnacel the work permit/extension and give you a stamp letting you stay until the termination date, That gives you plenty of time to go get the bank letter, the documents, and go apply at Chaengwattana for your extension. The Bank LETTER can be up to 7 days old at C/W although your bank book must be updated the date you apply for the extension, and you need a 3 month print out of the detail transaction report which most banks can do on the spot. You DO need to have the funds fully seasoned the 2 months before you apply for the new extension as well as have all the documents required but it's pretty straight forward. Believe me people do "reason changes" for extensions all the time. ESPECIALLY employment to retirement or employment to marriage ???? those are done the most. One final time so sandyf catches on, you're NOT doing anything VISA-wise. An extension of stay is NOT a visa, it's exactly what the stamp says, an extension of stay, (you got it FROM a visa, but that visa expired long ago) You're just changing the reason for your extension is all. Totally can be done, totally can be done over a period of a couple weeks if you cancel your employment extension early like I mentioned

You just won't give it a rest, they are not here ON a visa <- they are on an extension of stay and there is no issue AT ALL with changing the reason for an extension. people do it all the time Employment to marriage, marriage to retirement, retirement to marriage, education to marriage, employment to retirement <- those are REASON CHANGES. and have nothing to do with changing a visa type at the MFA or leaving the country.

How about you stick with what you know (here's a hint it is NOT entry/visa/extension stuff) The O/P is on an extension of stay, they can cancel that up to 3 weeks early at Cham Churi Square and that gives them plenty of time to apply for the year extension at Chaengwattana

You need to understand that you don't have any Non-B visa right now and you will NOT be applying for a Non-O visa either ???? You are on a yearly extension of stay (or sometimes a 2 year one as you get your extensions at Cham Churi Square's One Stop Service Center) As I said you will not apply for a Non-O visa inside the country. All you are doing is changing the REASON for your extension from one based on employment to one based on retirement. You will take documentation from your employer to C/C Square a few weeks before your termination date, cancel the current extension you're on <- they will give you a new stamp allowing you to stay until the termination date. Then you meet the requirements and go to Chaengwattana to apply for a yearly extension of stay based on being over 50 (retirement) <- in Section L-1 at the main immigration office for 1900baht. Cham Churi Square only cancels your current extension, they won't issue a new extension based on retirement, that's done at Chaengwattana. I would say well before you're going to do this cancel extension/apply for a new one you slog on out to Chaengwattana and get the hand out listing the requirements for the yearly extension of stay from the first cubbyhole on the right as you walk in to Section L-1 (it has a sign that says "Document Check" on the entry. That way you can have everything ready for when you do go to apply. Remember you need the 800K baht banked in a thai bank account in your name only for 2 months before you APPLY for the extension. People change the reason for extensions all the time, and going from an extension based on employment to one based on being over 50 (retirement) is pretty straightforward even though you are dealing with two different offices

I went out there Tuesday the 15th and the station to the pink line was not open, and the guards there said there are no plans for it to open in the immediate future. You take a taxi from exit number one downstairs at Wat Phra Sri Mahathat and it's about 50 baht to the door of the immigration office in building B at the government complex

I found this https://www.pattayamail.com/chiangmaimail/thai-e-visa-service-to-streamline-application-process-433796

Okay just confirmed thru a border bounce service out of Chiang Mai (and having some one ask on a C/M f/b page) that the Lao crossing at Chiang Saen / Special Economic Zone (Kings Romans Casino) breaks down like this; It's 100baht to get the boat across to the Lao side. On the Lao side they will ask 2000baht for the Lao Visa On Arrival <- (you HAVE TO BUY ONE), but if you just give them 1500 they will accept it ???? Then the boat ride back is 200 baht ???? not much you can do other than swim back ???? So 1800baht all in AND it takes a full page plus entry/exit stamps because the lao visa sticker is one page.. It is NOT a day pass 10USD anything to get in to Lao and back

I believe you're in error there with that advice.., The Chiang Saen border with Lao DEFINITELY will sell you a Visa On Arrival for 1800baht, and not a "day pass for 10USD" <- which is what the BURMA borders do The Chiang Saen border goes across to the Special Economic Zone (Kings Romans Casino Complex), you take the boat across and back It's not that much faster (or any cheaper) than the Chiang Khong border just a ways away that has the friendship bridge to cross into Lao

You will need to have your landlord or yourself file a TM 30 showing you're registered as staying at that address before you apply for your yearly extension. And when you do apply you will need lease, you should also have the land lord thai I/D copy, house book copy but might not be asked for them.

You can only use Thai children as a reason for an extension until they are 20 years old. So your child is out as a reason to get an extension. I would say before you divorce go to the Thai consulate in Savannakhet Lao and get a year-long, multi-entry non-o visa based on marriage. That Visa is valid for a year from the day they issue it whether you divorce or not. On that visa you have to bounce in and out every 90 days, but you can do that for a whole year (even if you divorce or won't invalidate the visa). You can get almost 15 months of stay out of that year long, multi entry Non-O visa.

As people (most astute than myself) pointed out IF you are on an OA visa yearly EXTENSION OF STAY <-(not the original year entries from the visa), you can indeed "change the reason" for the extension to the one you currently have based on being over 50 (retirement) to one based on marriage to a thai AND you would not need to continue the insurance. You have to be on a yearly extension though because the rule is you must get at least the FIRST extension on a visa for the reason it was issued <- meaning seeing as you got the OA for being over 50, you'd have to have at least one yearly extension for that reason before you could apply for a yearly extension the following year for a different reason. Well spotted Dr Jack.. That was good you brought that up ????

They were making some people who didn't have proof of lodging for the whole 60 days BOOK hotels right there before you could apply Just make a booking for the whole 60 days you'll get for the tourist visa and then cancel it after you get the visa issued

These are the steps to get OFF an OA extension, on to an O visa and then a year extension based on retirement EXIT the country close to your current OA extension expiring, Enter the country on a free visa exempt entry for 30 days, immediately GO to your immigration office and apply for the 90 day Non-O visa by meeting the proof of funds and supplying the required documentation, you pay the 2000baht Wait the 14 to 21 days the under consideration is (depending on the office you use) Go back to the office on that date, get a Non-O visa and a new 90 day stamp inked in Wait until you have 30 days or less left on that stamp Go back to apply for a year extension by meeting the financial requirements, supplying the required documentation and paying 1900baht. The retirement extension is issued on the spot (unless you're in Jomtien or Phuket which have you leave the passport and pick it up the next day) That's how you do it above the table without an agent by meeting the requirements on your own. I mean face it if you have a yearly OA extension now you already DO meet the requirements ???? The tough part is getting OFF that OA, on to a stamp you can apply for an O visa from and then getting thru the steps