novster

I wasn’t able to extend an Ed visa for reason of retirement once I had finished studying (in Phuket). I had to leave country and re-enter with a Non-O based on retirement (issued at foreign embassy) although also had option of entering Thailand visa free and applying for 3 month non-O at immigration office.

Indeed they have it but last year having the booking made no difference to being seen ahead of everyone else queuing up. It may have just been a bad day at immigration and will give it another go this year.

Thanks Brick Top. I will give the online appointment system another go and maybe an afternoon appointment would be better once the morning rush is over.

Thanks for the replies. (I agree getting there early would be best but my bank is located an hour or so away and doesn’t open until 8.30am so difficult to get there much before 10am). I did have an online appointment last year but there wasn’t a separate online queue so of no use.

When is the best time to arrive at Phuket immigration for a retirement extension. Last year I arrived at about 10am after my bank visit and it was pandemonium. The queue for the initial document check and queue number was more of a scrum than a queue. Is early afternoon better or do they fill their quota in the morning and tell you to come back the next day? Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

Can confirm the Phuket immigration volunteers list of information was accurate when I renewed earlier this month.

Just to clarify one of the questions requiring an upload was for insurance documents and it was to this that I replied not applicable.

Yes applied for single entry 3 month visa. It was not a requirement to have insurance for this visa. (I don’t know if it would be for a multi-entry non O based on retirement.) Obviously had to leave Thailand and use it when re-entering. I uploaded a handwritten document with “not applicable” written on it on the online application.

Applied for a non O based on retirement from the Thai London embassy 4 months ago. Was a very simple online process and received visa within a few days. No insurance required. Needed to show £10k in a bank account for a 3 month period prior to application together with a few passport scans. Obtained a re-entry permit and travelled to London during the 3 month visa. I have since obtained a 12 month extension from Phuket immigration. That was quite a painful process (despite having all the necessary documentation and funds in place) and so was pleased I obtained the initial Non O online from London rather than left standing in the heat outside room 103 for hours just because I wasn’t using an agent.

Not sure if question was for me or the original poster but if the former - I was 49 when I applied for the education visa and have since turned 50 (and the year of classes has ceased).

Looked into doing exactly this in Phuket a month ago and was told not possible by the immigration volunteers and a couple of agents. One agent did offer to do it for THB60,000 but wasn’t convinced they fully understood what I was asking and if so it wouldn’t have been done in Phuket.

My education visa for study at a language school issued by the Thai embassy in London was for a stay of 90 days which can be extended up to 3 times for a further 90 days on each occasion. So you could just not extend the original visa. .

What are you supposed to do with the letter you get from the school to avoid this problem arising? (Please don’t say take to immigration)!

Thank you Dr Jack

Yes I am currently in Thailand on a Non Immigrant permission to stay based on education and turn 50 in May and so will look to convert immediately to a permission based on retirement (maybe not on my birthday mind). Whist here can I check my understanding that as it’s an extension I am applying for immigration will not want to see evidence that the THB800,000 came from overseas☺️?