Options when Annual extension expires

[Bluetongue]

When I first stayed here I did annual extensions based on marriage. After a couple of those I realised annual extension based on retirement was easier, despite having to have a greater amount of money. I have done four or five of those back to back. My current extension expires on 18 January. Whilst I am inclined to get another one I wanted to know what my options are. My pattern of staying here is likely to change for at least the next couple of years to perhaps coming for two months twice a year

 

Question is, can I just front up to immigration on or just before the 18th and ask for a two month visa? That would cover me until I leave and then I could just reenter the country on a 30 day visa and extend that if necessary. This would mean the benefit to me of not going through the whole palava of the annual extension, trip to embassy and bank etc, plus no need for reentry permits, but the downside is what? potential for some other hassle down the line?

[ubonjoe]

You could apply for a 60 day extension (not a visa) to visit your wife. She would need to be with you when you apply.

There is no 30 day visa. I assume you mean a 30 day visa exempt entry that you can then extend for 30 days. Doing it 2 times year would not be a problem.

 

 

 

[Bluetongue]

Thanks Ubon Joe

 

I did indeed mean the 30 day visa exempt entry. As I always seem to encounter some problem when the wife goes with me, and I am not 100% sure of my movements, I think I will play it on the safe side and get another 12 month extension

[Tanoshi]

You could indeed just apply for a 60 day extension to visit wife which will tie you over until you leave. (1,900 baht).

 

Long term if your only planning to visit twice a year for 2 months, you have a number of choices.

1. Apply for another extension (1,900 baht) + a re-entry permit (twice) 2,000 baht. (You will have to be in Thailand to renew the extension).

2. Apply for a ME Non Imm O Visa from the Thai Embassy in your home Country.

3. Apply for a TV from the Embassy/Consulate of your home Country for each visit. (60 days) + 30 day extension = 90 days.

4. Visa exempt entry (30 days) + 30 day extension = 60 days.

 

Nobody knows your situation better than yourself. Your decision should be based on ease of process, travel and costs.

 

 

 

[snooky]

Much easier to do the retirement extension and get reentry permits - then you will be good for another year without worries about visa's etc.  That would be my choice.  Come and go as you please.  

[English Engineer]

I think you have to take account of the fact that obtaining the retirement extension is likely to become more difficult in the future. Better to keep your retirement extension running.

[Searat7]

2 hours ago, snooky said:

Much easier to do the retirement extension and get reentry permits - then you will be good for another year without worries about visa's etc.  That would be my choice.  Come and go as you please.  

I get a new O-A visa every other year in the USA and obtain re-Entry permits for the second year. Less hassle- I mail my visa applications to New York and always receive passport back with visa and no questions asked. 

[laislica]

As long as the renewal date for your retirement ext suits you, I'd keep doing them.

By that I mean, will you always be in Thailand about 30 days before it expires, so you can renew?

If not get a new O A and return at a date that will give you a perfect renewal date.

 

After a retirement ext, I let it lapse and got a new O A which I then extended as a retirement ext.

This turned out to be more expensive and time consuming than the retirement ext.

Time without a PP whilst the visa is issued, cost of secure courier etc....

 

However, I returned at a date that allows me to renew by the end of April, thus allowing us to stay ouside Thailand for Christmas and the New Year or not.

Previously, I would always have had to be in Thailand on those dates.

[Ebumbu]

3 hours ago, English Engineer said:

Much easier to do the retirement extension and get reentry permits - then you will be good for another year without worries about visa's etc.  That would be my choice.  Come and go as you please.  

Yes, if you lapse, you could be subjected to unwanted extra scrutiny in the future. The so-called retirement visa is a good deal, with low maintenance and costs. 

[brewsterbudgen]

I think you have to take account of the fact that obtaining the retirement extension is likely to become more difficult in the future. Better to keep your retirement extension running.

Any evidence to support this "fact"?

Sent from my SM-G930F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[NanLaew]

28 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Any evidence to support this "fact"?

Sent from my SM-G930F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

Do you honestly see it getting easier?

[Suradit69]

4 hours ago, Ebumbu said:

The so-called retirement visa is a good deal, with low maintenance and costs.

The non-imm O-A is sometimes referred to as a retirement visa. It is, at least, a visa.

 

The extension of stay based on retirement is not a visa.

 

Calling the extension of stay a  "so called retirement visa" in a discussion of options is just confusing.

[snooky]

6 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Do you honestly see it getting easier?

I originally had a visa extension in the early 90's when the requirement of income was only 35,000bt per month.  Mine lapsed because I was a day or two late returning due to work commitments.  When I finally got a new extension Mr T had upped the requirement to 65,000bt per month.  I have been told that had I kept the original extension going, I would have been grandfathered into the old rate - not sure about that but as you can see, things do change here so it is better to keep the present extension rather than running into difficulties later on.

[Tanoshi]

12 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Do you honestly see it getting easier?

How easier can it be.

Copies of a few documents that are already in your possession. (Passport, TM6).

The only part requiring any effort is either a trip to the bank to update your passbook and obtain a letter, or obtaining a proof of income letter from your Embassy.

 

Those who talk about 'jumping through hoops' are either plain lazy, disorganised or dysfunctional.

Agents thrive on them.

[Tanoshi]

6 hours ago, snooky said:

I originally had a visa extension in the early 90's when the requirement of income was only 35,000bt per month.  Mine lapsed because I was a day or two late returning due to work commitments.  When I finally got a new extension Mr T had upped the requirement to 65,000bt per month.  I have been told that had I kept the original extension going, I would have been grandfathered into the old rate - not sure about that but as you can see, things do change here so it is better to keep the present extension rather than running into difficulties later on.

The financial requirement changed in October 1998.

Indeed I have a friend who was 'grandfathered' at the time and is still only required to prove an income of 200,000 baht.

 

(6) An alien who entered the Kingdom before October 21, 1998 and has been
consecutively permitted to stay in the Kingdom for retirement shall be subject to the following
criteria:
(a) Must be 60 years of age or over and have an annual fixed income with fluids
maintained in a bank account for the past three months of no less than Baht 200,000 or have
a monthly income of no less than Baht 20,000
(b) If less than 60 years of age but not less than 55 years of age, must have an annual
fixed income with funds maintained in a bank account for the past three months of no less
than Baht 500,000 or have a monthly income of no less than Baht 50,000

[Bluetongue]

Thank you one and all, I intend going for another retirement extension, that was the overwhelming consensus along with my gut. A trip to Bangkok is upcoming, I usually get an embassy letter and show funds in the bank I could do one or the other (well not this year haven't salted 800k only about a quarter of it) but think that Immigration is cooler if they see both.