Chiang Rai Retirement Extensions Summary - No Surprises

[mojaco]

Short Summary of Retirement Extensions January 22, 2020, Chiang Rai Immigration (in town)
Foreign husband - Extension by 800,000 Baht in Bangkok Bank Fixed Account
Foreign wife - Extension by 800,000 Baht in Bangkok Bank Savings Account

Doors opened at 8:30.   We arrived prior to 8:00 and were first ones waiting.  Total of 8 were there when the doors opened.  We were done with both extensions and out the door at 9:35.

Updated both bank books 2 days before extension (6 days old OK)
    Bangkok Bank can do a B/F (Balance Forward) so no need to add/withdraw money from the fixed deposit.  I added 500 Baht to the savings account but maybe not needed.

Only one copy of everything needed.  Every copy had to be signed by the retiree at least 2.5 inches from the bottom so the IO can put a large stamp around the applicant's signatures.

These are the only copies needed:
(1) TM-7 with phone number on back and photo attached (white background)
(2) Copy of each used page in passport
(3) Copy of Departure Card (Front and back on same page)
(4) Copy of latest 90-Day receipt (show original)
(5) Copy of latest TM-30 screen printout (show original)
(6) Copy of rental agreement signed by owner (show original)
(7) Copy of rental owner's ID Card signed by owner
(8) Copy or rental owner's House Registration signed by owner
(9) The IO handed out 4 other papers to sign (Overstay, Retirement Rules, 800K/400K money in the bank rules, one other that I cannot remember)

Not needed
(1) Map
(2) Marriage Information (each on own retirement extensions)
(3) Photos of apartment
(4) Just like last year thee was no request to prove 800K/400K still in bank during coming year, BUT it was clearly stated that the funds had to remain in the bank per the rules all year for next year's extension.  Even if changing to 65K/month system for next year's extension.  So if want to change to 65K/month system need to keep the money in the bank all year AND have 12 months of 65K/month to change to the monthly income system next year.
(5) No need to "show activity" of retiree using fixed deposit account

 

[mojaco]

Forgot to mention that we both are on "Non-O" not "Non-OA" originally so the insurance issue never came up during the extension process.

[statman78]

Congrats on the easy extension.  Chaing Rai Immigration does a good job.  ????  I've never had a problem there.

 

At 9:30 when you were done, how many people were waiting?  Since the office in Chiang Rai only does extensions on Monday and Wednesday I always thought it would be crowded.  I went in on a Wednesday once for a re-entry permit and the place was packed.  While the office in town is much closer, I usually go up to Mae Sai since it accepts extensions everyday.  I never had more than a 5 minute wait there.

[mojaco]

There were only 8 of us when the doors opened at 8:30.  6 for extensions and 2 for 90-Days.  By 9:30 about 3 more had come in but there were only 5 of us still in the office when we left.  In the office in town I think it depends on how many foreign students are coming in to renew their stays or perhaps some months of the year are busier? 

 

I have always just made it a practice to get there no later than 8:00, and if there already was a big crowd I think I would just either come back the next week or go to Mae Sai.  I start doing my retirement extension as soon as possible (can start 45 days early).

[statman78]

Monaco,

Thanks for the info.  I also do my extension in January.  Next year I’ll try the office in town. It’s only about a 10 minute drive from my home.