Yes, I am an idiot.....

[TexanInUdon]

Greetings to all,  I have been reading and reading this forum and I am just not sure what my best course of action may be.   I will certainly appreciate feedback and if someone may be able to share their wisdom and point me the right direction.

 

background....

 

May 03, 2019

I secured the Non Imm “O”  single entry from the Thai Consulate in Dallas Texas.

May 16, 2019

I entered via plane to Bangkok and was stamped in for admission until August 13, 2019

 

Very quickly I got the Thai bank account,  deposited more than 800,000b 

 

August 06, 2019

Passport stamped with the Extension of Stay to the date of August 13, 2020

 

and now the stupidity....

 

Trip to the USA planned ...

Leaving  Bkk airport on Nov 27, 2019

 

I was under the incorrect assumption that the little TM 7 form stapled on the page stating “Departure Card” was what I needed to give to Immigration

 

and yep,  they took it.

 

Now I know ..... I was supposed to pay for a re-entry Visa....

 

As I arrive back in Bangkok ,  I learned my valuable lesson.

 

”retirement visa” extension voided.

 

New stamp on Dec 11, 2019 by Bkk immigration

Admitted to the date of January 09, 2020.

 

I went to Immigration in Udon on Dec 16, 2019 and it was mega crowded.  Looked like all the immigrant workers had the place full.

 

I get my number called and the gentleman from Immigration  asks me to come back.   I know why...  they were flooded.

He would help me out then....

 

I go visiting  another province for the holidays and I return yesterday to Immigration.

 

I explain my mistake, show all the appropriate stamps..... 

 

I am told.  “ You need to go to Vientiane, Laos “

 

I have been told I could ask for a tourist visa in Udon ?   Giving me another 30 days...?

 

Am I ultimately going to have to go to Laos ?   Basically start this “Retirement Visa” process all over again ??

 

Your feedback is truly appreciated.

 

-Respectfully 

Idiot

 

[Pilotman]

Yes, you have to start all over again. No way that I know of short circuiting this process. Lesson learnt, get at least a single entry re entry permit on the day that you get your extension, that way you won't get caught out if you have to leave the Kingdom at short notice but intend to return.  

Edited January 3, 2020 by Pilotman

[ubonjoe]

7 minutes ago, TexanInUdon said:

I have been told I could ask for a tourist visa in Udon ?

You can apply for a 30 day extension of your 30 day visa exempt entry. It is not possible to get a tourist visa at immigration.

[BritTim]

It is possible to convert your tourist entry into a non immigrant entry with the intention of later applying for a one-year extension of stay on the basis of retirement. Udon immigration wants you to go to Vientiane instead because it saves them the work of processing the conversion.

[moontang]

Likely will need to have tm30 in order, too, in UTH.

[Peter Denis]

Yes, since the permission to stay from your previous Non Imm O Visa was voided by you exiting without a re-entry permit, you will need to restart the application process again.

And you are now here on a Visa Exempt entry valid till 9 January, which can be extended at your local IO for an additional 30 days (1900 THB) till 8 February 2020.

The easiest option for you is to extend that Visa Exempt entry, and then apply at your local Udon IO for a 90-day Non Imm O - retirement Visa (I presume that you are not married to a thai national, otherwise you could also apply for a 90-day Non Imm O - marriage Visa). 

The application has to be done at least 15 days (some offices require 21 days) before your extended Visa Exempt entry expires (which would be 8 February 2020 in your case).

In the last 30 days the 90-day Non Imm O Visa provides you, you can then apply for a 1 year extension of stay of that Non Imm O Visa.  And you would be back to the previous status you had before exiting without the re-entry permit.

I have PM-ed you a comprehensive roadmap with all details/options on how to do that (but it is basically same as how you did it last time to get your Non Imm O - retirement Visa).

NOTE: The 'advice' of your Udon IO that you need to go to Laos is inaccurate.  If you do not extend your Visa Exempt entry with another 30 days indeed you won't be able to apply for the 90-day Non Imm O - retirement Visa at your local IO (as it needs to be done at least 15-21 days before expiry of your permission to stay).

But after having extended it, there is plenty of time and hence no need to exit Thailand, as you can simply apply at your local IO.

Success!

[Peter Denis]

12 minutes ago, moontang said:

Likely will need to have tm30 in order, too, in UTH.

Yes, when you apply for a 30-day extension of stay of your present Visa Exempt entry at your local IO, you will most probably be queried for a TM30.

The place where you are staying (hotel / rental-condo / girlfriend's place / own house) needs to file a TM30 within 24 hours of you arriving at that place, that you are staying there.  And such a TM30 is required when applying for an extension of stay at your local IO.  

Note: In case you need to do it yourself (your condo or staying at girlfriend's place, or condo-owner not being aware how to do it), just PM me and I will send you a comprehensive step-by-step instruction on how to register and file TM30s on-line using the IO TM30 website.  Piece of cake (if you know how to do it).

[andrewlochhead]

Hi Denis, I would appreciate receiving your ROADMAP for procedure to go from visa exempt entry to retirement extension.

 

Please send via PM

 

Thank you in anticipation and all good wishes for 2020 The Year of the Rat!

Edited January 3, 2020 by CharlieH
personal details and email address removed as per forum rules, "send by PM" inserted.

[Peter Denis]

10 minutes ago, andrewlochhead said:

Hi Denis, I would appreciate receiving your ROADMAP for procedure to go from visa exempt entry to retirement extension. My details;

Andrew LOCHHEAD

UK citizen, 72 years

Email: [email protected]

 

Thank you in anticipation and all good wishes for 2020 The Year of the Rat!

Hi Andrew,

No problem, I just did send you the document PM (click the mail-icon next to your ThaiVisa profile icon, when logged in).

 

Note: I originally compiled the document as a guidance for retirees on an original OA Visa which are now confronted with the bogus health-insurance scam when applying for an extension of that OA Visa.  By switching to a Non Imm O - retirement Visa and subsequent application for 1-year extension of stay, they avoid that insurance scam. And requirements/conditions for both are same (except for the insurance requirement, which is not required for O - retirement Visa extensions).

Obviously the process described in the document also applies coming from a different angle, and wanting to apply for a Non Imm O - retirement Visa and subsequent extension.

Edited January 3, 2020 by Peter Denis

[Puchaiyank]

2 hours ago, TexanInUdon said:

Am I ultimately going to have to go to Laos ?   Basically start this “Retirement Visa” process all over again ??

YEP!

[Peter Denis]

2 hours ago, TexanInUdon said:

Am I ultimately going to have to go to Laos ?   Basically start this “Retirement Visa” process all over again ??

 

2 minutes ago, Puchaiyank said:

YEP!

Nope!

OP re-entered Thailand VisaExempt.

When he extends that VisaExempt with an additional 30 days, he will be able to apply in time for a 90-day Non Imm O - retirement Visa at his local Udon IO, and in the last month of that 90-day permission to stay he can then apply for a 1-year extension of that Non Imm O - retirement Visa.

So no reason to exit Thailand, the whole process can be done at his local IO.

[mamypoko]

Howdy Tex,

You're not alone, I joined that idiot club several years ago.

Regards,

N Cali

[Chazar]

This  whole reentry permit  thing is  just another  load of stupidity,give you  an extension for a  year and then you  must get a re entry permit..................

[jacko45k]

1 hour ago, mamypoko said:

Howdy Tex,

You're not alone, I joined that idiot club several years ago.

Regards,

N Cali

Or perhaps call it the 'I didn't bother to read what it says right under the Extension Stamp in English' club. I believe that is why many go directly from the Extension desk to the Re-Entry Permit desk.

[ubonjoe]

2 hours ago, Chazar said:

This  whole reentry permit  thing is  just another  load of stupidity,give you  an extension for a  year and then you  must get a re entry permit..................

Tell that to bureaucrats that wrote the immigration act over 40 years ago that has not been amended since then.

That is where everything comes from.

[Jaxxper]

Yes, do not pass go, start again....

Would suggest getting a multi exit/entry permit once you have your new permission to stay.

[Muhendis]

I had this problem of no re-entry permit a couple of years ago. The problem wasn't spotted at swampy when I returned but was picked up when I did my 90 day report. After a lot of head scratching the IO decided to make a few corrective markings in my passport and on receiving a 2,000 baht tip made everything right again. Nice man.

[tinca tinca]

why do you call it "A RE-ENTRY VISA"????

IT IS NOT

It is a re-entry PERMIT !!

 

[Guest]

Hey bro' ... no kidding .. that just sucks ... and we all make mistakes.  Best of luck getting it all sorted out, and enjoy your life in The Kingdom.  January is my nine year anniversary here ... and this was the BEST decision of a lifetime.  Don't give up!  Keep going, and think of this as a story to tell a decade from now. Happy 2563 !

[orchidfan]

6 hours ago, Chazar said:

This  whole reentry permit  thing is  just another  load of stupidity,give you  an extension for a  year and then you  must get a re entry permit..................

Yes, I fell for that one too after 1st 1yr extension. No reminder given by IO that i needed re~entry visa to leave Thailand during that time.

Naively thought that i was all.set for the next year.

Wouldn't have hurt if they'd given a gentle verbal reminder or warning on that day I picked up my passport....even though the Extension stamp does state this in small print at the bottom.

Always read the fine print!

[ubonjoe]

41 minutes ago, orchidfan said:

even though the Extension stamp does state this in small print at the bottom.

That is a very important notice to pay attention to.

[TexanInUdon]

First of all...... thank you all for your advice....and Peter Denis,  your roadmap is very helpful indeed. Very Helpful.  Thank you !

 

I read that stamp about re-entry.    I was under the mistaken impression that the little "Departure Card" that was stapled on the page was what that re-entry was all about.  So when they took that at the Airport... I thought I was good to go.

 

Now.... obviously,  I know better.    I would have done a multiple re-entry in a heartbeat had I been blessed with the knowledge I have today.

 

A little <deleted> that IO summarily dismissed me and said "go to Laos".     But we play by their rules to stay.   And I love it here.

So...  with most of your advice and assistance via this forum,  I am better prepared and informed.   

 

I am truly grateful.

 

Respectfully

TexanInUdon

 

 

 

[TexanInUdon]

Well,  when I went to Immigration last week and I explained my situation.....  IO said,  "Go to Laos" 

 

I went yesterday (Monday) and when asked what I needed.   I said " I want to apply for an extension"   They took my passport and 30 minutes or so later...... I had my 30 day extension.   

 

I had the passport in hand and I told him I wanted to apply for the 90 day Non Immigrant O Visa.... and we have a very brief back and forth....and I ask him how much it costs.  He acted like he did not want to do this.  He mentions Laos again...says it is cheaper if I go to Laos.

I tell him I really do not want go to Laos....  how much does it cost to get one here at this office.  

He does not answer right away...  and after this brief pause and thought... he tells me "8000 baht"

 

I try confirm... "it costs 8000 baht to get the Non Immigrant O Visa from you here in Udon Thani ??"

Not a firm yes...but a "yes".     
 I leave shaking my head a little.   

 

Has anyone heard anything like this ?      I do believe they do not want to do the processing here.

 

 

 

[impulse]

There are circumstances when visa agents are worth their money.  This may be one of them.  At least worth a consult.

 

[Puchaiyank]

5 hours ago, TexanInUdon said:

Well,  when I went to Immigration last week and I explained my situation.....  IO said,  "Go to Laos" 

 

I went yesterday (Monday) and when asked what I needed.   I said " I want to apply for an extension"   They took my passport and 30 minutes or so later...... I had my 30 day extension.   

 

I had the passport in hand and I told him I wanted to apply for the 90 day Non Immigrant O Visa.... and we have a very brief back and forth....and I ask him how much it costs.  He acted like he did not want to do this.  He mentions Laos again...says it is cheaper if I go to Laos.

I tell him I really do not want go to Laos....  how much does it cost to get one here at this office.  

He does not answer right away...  and after this brief pause and thought... he tells me "8000 baht"

 

I try confirm... "it costs 8000 baht to get the Non Immigrant O Visa from you here in Udon Thani ??"

Not a firm yes...but a "yes".     
 I leave shaking my head a little.   

 

Has anyone heard anything like this ?      I do believe they do not want to do the processing here.

 

 

 

I ended up hiring a lawyer to bypass the Udon IO opportunists there.  Cost me 1100 baht and I did not even have to go back to immigration...everything was handed to me at the lawyers office...

 

The 90-day desk jockey and the visa processors work together to create opportunities...

 

This is Thailand...love it or leave it...

 

Left last Nov...purchased home on large lake in Alabama...love to fish!  

 

However, I have been told by some folks that there are no scams in Thailand...just mis-communications...????

[faraday]

Few years ago, I was quoted 5kbaht at udon i.o.to get my marriage extension done.

 

Try talking to the lady on the desk, 3 seats down. She's very helpful.

[RJRS1301]

Thailand "the land of opportunity"

Mind you visa costs for Australia are astronomical and no refunds if unsuccessful

[Peter Denis]

11 hours ago, TexanInUdon said:

Well,  when I went to Immigration last week and I explained my situation.....  IO said,  "Go to Laos" 

 

I went yesterday (Monday) and when asked what I needed.   I said " I want to apply for an extension"   They took my passport and 30 minutes or so later...... I had my 30 day extension.   

 

I had the passport in hand and I told him I wanted to apply for the 90 day Non Immigrant O Visa.... and we have a very brief back and forth....and I ask him how much it costs.  He acted like he did not want to do this.  He mentions Laos again...says it is cheaper if I go to Laos.

I tell him I really do not want go to Laos....  how much does it cost to get one here at this office.  

He does not answer right away...  and after this brief pause and thought... he tells me "8000 baht"

 

I try confirm... "it costs 8000 baht to get the Non Immigrant O Visa from you here in Udon Thani ??"

Not a firm yes...but a "yes".     
 I leave shaking my head a little.   

 

Has anyone heard anything like this ?      I do believe they do not want to do the processing here.

The application for a 90-day Non Imm O - retirement Visa needs to be done at the local IO where you want to stay long-term (for you that's Udon Thani), so it's no use applying at a different office. 

With your additional 30 day extension, you still have time as the application has to be done 15 days (some offices require 21 days) before your permission to stay expires.

In your case I would go back to the UdonThani IO and ask again.  If possible try to speak with another officer than the 8000 Bath scammer.  Or politely request to speak to the highest officer in charge.

If it is indeed uniform practice in UdonThani IO to charge 8000 THB for that service, you can of course go to Laos to get it there but time/travel would probably cost you more.