Question About Visa Renewal

[BangkokHank]

My annual (non-O visa for retirement) expires on 8 April 2023. I understand that I can renew it within 45 days of that date. I plan to renew it on 1 March. My question is, until what date would the renewed visa be valid? For one year from the date that I renew it (on 1 March)? Or one year from 8 April? Thanks very much.

[Mike Teavee]

One year from your current permission to stay date so 8th April 2024.

 

[norbra]

8 th of April every year unless your passport has less than 12 months validity,extension will then be issued to to that date

Edited February 27, 2023 by norbra

[sscc]

Have two simple questions about  Retirement   Non-Imm "O"   Visa 1-year Extension in Jomtien. 

/    Do the immigration office need single copy or 2 copies of all papers ? 

/    Is "O" Visa extension process and requirement same as "O-A" extension  less the  insurance certificate ? 

[Mike Teavee]

10 hours ago, sscc said:

Have two simple questions about  Retirement   Non-Imm "O"   Visa 1-year Extension in Jomtien. 

/    Do the immigration office need single copy or 2 copies of all papers ? 

/    Is "O" Visa extension process and requirement same as "O-A" extension  less the  insurance certificate ? 

All reports thus far are that the "2 Copies of all papers" are only for Marriage Extensions at CW but if a copy costs 2b how much would it cost to have 2 Copies of everything anyway? 

 

Yes a Non-Imm O Visa Extension is exactly the same as a Non-Imm OA extension save for you don't need the evidence of Insurance [NB I'm assuming we're talking about a "Retirement" extension here, have no knowledge/experience of Non-Imm Marriage or Dependents extensions).

    

[Lite Beer]

8th April 2024 is the correct answer.

Edited March 3, 2023 by Lite Beer

[BangkokHank]

Yes. I already renewed my visa, and it was as people here said - that I would get a full year from the previous date of expiration (rather than a year from the date that I went to renew it.)

 

Everything went well, by the way, as I had all the documents/copies that they wanted. It's always a great relief to get this taken care of - and to gain another year of residence here.

[DrJack54]

56 minutes ago, BangkokHank said:

It's always a great relief to get this taken care of - and to gain another year of residence here.

Good news.

Why not post exact details of all the docs that you provided.

 

Up to date reviews of extension always welcome. 

 

[BangkokHank]

11 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Good news.

Why not post exact details of all the docs that you provided.

 

Up to date reviews of extension always welcome. 

 

OK. Fair enough. Here's the gist of it:

 

I recently learned (on this website) that my visa could be renewed up to 45 days before its expiration. I wanted to get it done as soon as possible, just in case something were to go wrong. So I did my renewal on 28 February, about 40 days before the expiration of my existing visa.

 

In the week before my renewal, I had a new set of photos (head shots) made.

 

A few days before the renewal, I made the hand-drawn map of where I live.

 

The day before the renewal, I went to my local copy/print shop and had my apartment rental contract and all the relevant pages of my passport photocopied, as well as my hand-drawn map. (My apartment lease is for three years, so I expect to be living here during my next few renewals, and I assume that a photocopy of my hand-drawn map will work for those renewals.) I also had my latest 90-day report printed out. (I had done it online, and I downloaded it to a USB drive and brought that to the copy/print shop.) I also filled out the application on the online PDF that I found the link to on this website, and had that printed out as well. (That is important, as I will explain later.)

 

On the day of my renewal, I left my home at 10:00 and went to the main office of my bank in Ploenchit Road. I arrived there at about 11:15 (I live kind of far away from downtown Bangkok), and I got the required bank letter confirming my account details (cost: 100 baht), as well as a free photocopy of all the pages of my bankbook from the very nice lady at the bank. (I use the 800,000 baht in the bank method, for which I have a separate account that I don't use for anything else.) Oh, and on my way to the bank, I used the bank's app to transfer 100 baht from my retirement account to my other account - so that I could show some activity on the account on renewal day.

 

I was out of the bank just before noon. From there, I took the BTS to Victory Monument. At Victory Monument, I took the number 166 bus, which goes all the way to the front door of the Immigration Bureau - for just 10 baht for the non-airconditioned bus and 22 baht for the air-conditioned one. Be careful, though, as there are TWO number 166 buses there, one going to the Immigration Bureau at Muang Thong Thani and the other going to the Immigration Bureau at Chaeng Wattana! Don't ask me why they wouldn't use different numbers for different bus routes. Probably has something to do with this being Thailand. This bus goes by expressway, so it is fairly fast.

 

I arrived at the Immigration Bureau at about five minutes before 1:00pm, which is when I wanted to arrive since that's when they finish their lunch break. (In the past, I always went there first thing in the morning, but it still ended up taking all day to process my visa. So now I just shoot for arriving there at 1:00pm.)

 

When they re-open at 1:00pm, they first let in the people who were there in the morning and already have their queue numbers. Then they let in the people who came in the afternoon. Again, in the past, I would go to the first desk on the right and get an application, which I would have to fill out before being allowed to get a queue number. But since I had already filled out and printed out my application form, I could bypass that desk and go straight for the desk where they hand out the queue numbers. I think this saved me a lot of time.

 

The visa processing procedure is actually divided into two parts - quite sensibly. The first part is the document checking, where they check to make sure that all of your documents are in order. If they aren't, they will tell you which documents you are lacking - and you can go out and get/have copies made of whatever is missing. If you have everything, they then pass on your queue number to the officers who actually process the visas and they will call your number again when they are ready for you.

 

I had to wait about two hours for my documents to be checked. After having my documents checked and getting confirmation that I had everything, I took the opportunity to go to the toilet, as I thought I would have another long wait before they would call me for the actual processing. As it turned out, as soon as I got back from the toilet, my number was already up on the board! And to think that I almost went out for a walk and a drink of water.

 

The actual processing just involved signing my name on a pile of documents and filling out a couple of additional forms. The officer processing my case was very professional - and very fast - not to mention quite stern looking. She was also quite attractive, and I was tempted to flirt with her. But in the end, I decided that it would be better not to do anything to make myself stand out to her. Sometimes it's better to just remain a face in the crowd.

 

My visa was processed in time for me to get my re-entry permit, but just barely. But in this case, just barely is still good enough.

 

I then took the bus back to Victory Monument (this time it was the air-conditioned one - for 22 baht). I'm glad I got the air-conditioned one because the traffic was horrible - as all of these government employees get off work at the same time. I didn't get home until 7:00pm.

 

Total cost: 1,900 baht for the visa extension; 3,800 baht for the multiple-entry re-entry permit; 100 baht for the bank letter; about 200 baht for the photos and photocopies/print-outs, 12 baht for the bus to Immigration and 22 baht for the bus back - plus a couple of rides on the BTS and songtaews to get to and from my home. So a little over 6,000 baht total, and I'm set for another year. Acceptable, I think.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DrJack54]

14 minutes ago, BangkokHank said:

So a little over 6,000 baht total, and I'm set for another year. Acceptable, I think.

Excellent report 

Thanks for posting in detail really helpful.

 

On slight difference from my own experience at CW last Nov was that the io wanted bank statements. 

When I asked why (had never been requested previously) ....

She stated that I had some months with zero activity.

Same as you I use a dedicated bank account.

Surprised that you didn't use the banks at the CW complex for your bank letter etc. (unless your SCB) 

Also bit surprised that you didn't use appointment option.

It works so well. 

 

 

[Jingthing]

On 3/3/2023 at 10:39 AM, sscc said:

Have two simple questions about  Retirement   Non-Imm "O"   Visa 1-year Extension in Jomtien. 

/    Do the immigration office need single copy or 2 copies of all papers ? 

/    Is "O" Visa extension process and requirement same as "O-A" extension  less the  insurance certificate ? 

One copy only.

 

I can confirm that with 100 percent confidence.

 

Yes.

 

[BangkokHank]

On 3/4/2023 at 11:57 AM, DrJack54 said:

Excellent report. Thanks.

Thanks for posting in detail really helpful. Thanks. It's also helpful for me, as I will keep a copy of what I wrote to use next year.

 

On slight difference from my own experience at CW last Nov was that the io wanted bank statements. 

When I asked why (had never been requested previously) ....

She stated that I had some months with zero activity. I hadn't used my dedicated retirement account for the whole year, so I didn't expect it to show any activity at all. As it turned out, upon updating the bankbook before going to Immigration, there were interest payments made every quarter, which I guess gave the impression that the account was active. However, I still brought my other bank book with me to show them - just in case they asked why no money was going out of my dedicated retirement account. But they didn't ask, so I didn't need to show it.

Same as you I use a dedicated bank account. Yes. I do this because I don't want to accidentally go under the 800,000 baht required balance.

Surprised that you didn't use the banks at the CW complex for your bank letter etc. (unless your SCB) I use Krungsi Bank. I realize that they have a branch at Immigration, but I feel more comfortable going to the main office, where I know I can get things done quickly and correctly. Besides, it's more or less on my way to Immigration. That being said, I suppose I should try to do it at the branch at Immigration someday. I suppose they would be just as familiar with the process as the main office is. Perhaps even more so. Anyway, I always feel a bit stressed when I'm at the Immigration Bureau, so I prefer to show up there with all of the documents already in hand.

Also bit surprised that you didn't use appointment option.

It works so well. It is my understanding that it is necessary to book one's appointment days - or even weeks - in advance. I prefer to just show up on short notice. For that flexibility, I am willing to spend an extra hour at Immigration.

My responses to your message above in bold.

[DrJack54]

5 minutes ago, BangkokHank said:

My responses to your message above in bold.

Clearly lot of time on your hands.

Thanks for initial report.

Skip the follow up reply. 

[alstaxi]

Renew 1 year extension of stay based on retirement,   my present extension expires may 23, must I wait until within 45 days to renew it, used to be able  to renew much earlier, can someone confirm the 45 day restriction? Tyia.

[DrJack54]

31 minutes ago, alstaxi said:

Renew 1 year extension of stay based on retirement,   my present extension expires may 23, must I wait until within 45 days to renew it, used to be able  to renew much earlier, can someone confirm the 45 day restriction? Tyia.

It's only 45 days at some offices.

It is 30 days at most offices. 

 

You were not able to apply for extension previously "much earlier" 

[alstaxi]

24 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

It's only 45 days at some offices.

It is 30 days at most offices. 

 

You were not able to apply for extension previously "much earlier" 

Is Jomtien a 30 or 45 day office, and yes I was able, as I have  renewed , many times, as much a 6 months early, this was 18 years ago though, and I had heard they stopped this practice, hence my question now.

[ubonjoe]

1 minute ago, alstaxi said:

Is Jomtien a 30 or 45 day office, and yes I was able, as I have  renewed , many times, as much a 6 months early, this was 18 years ago though, and I had heard they stopped this practice, hence my question now.

It is 45 days.

[alstaxi]

8 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

It is 45 days.

Thank you.

[hotandsticky]

10 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

It is 45 days.

 

That is not what they told me..... they stipulated 30 days when I asked what is the earliest date that I could apply.

[hotandsticky]

3 minutes ago, alstaxi said:

Thank you.

 

Please let me know if they do 45 days for you as it would help me  -  rather than the 30 days they told me.

[DrJack54]

15 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

Please let me know if they do 45 days for you as it would help me  -  rather than the 30 days they told me.

My understanding was Jomtien up to 30 days early.

However seems incorrect as uj stated above 45.

 

If you have an airline ticket out immigration office may permit earlier extension application. 

[alstaxi]

14 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

Please let me know if they do 45 days for you as it would help me  -  rather than the 30 days they told me.

Glad to let you know, my next mystery will be how long is the letter from my embassy confirming pension income going to be valid for, it was 30 days, or more, sometimes?? 

[hotandsticky]

13 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

My understanding was Jomtien up to 30 days early.

However seems incorrect as uj stated above 45.

 

If you have an airline ticket out immigration office may permit earlier extension application. 

I still think that it is 30 days.

 

It is good to know that with an upcoming flight they might permit earlier application.

[BangkokHank]

19 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Clearly lot of time on your hands.

Yes. I am retired. Remember?