Late to renew retirement visa

[john smith]

I may be three or four days late renewing my non O retirement visa ( possible hospital stay) is there a fine for this or will I need to cross a border return and start the whole process again? God forbid!

[Yagoda]

4 minutes ago, john smith said:

I may be three or four days late renewing my non O retirement visa ( possible hospital stay) is there a fine for this or will I need to cross a border return and start the whole process again? God forbid!

Renew now.. 

[Hummin]

My wife call the emigration when there is something we need to know, and they always gives us the answers we are looking for. 

 

 

[SAFETY FIRST]

27 minutes ago, john smith said:

I may be three or four days late renewing my non O retirement visa ( possible hospital stay) is there a fine for this or will I need to cross a border return and start the whole process again? God forbid!

You posted in the wrong forum. 

 

ask mods to relocate in visa forum 

[Jingthing]

Just posting my opinion from reading the forum so long.

I'm sure that you know that you never want to put yourself in such a vulnerable position. 

But if you can't possibly avoid it, my impression is that it's common (though never guaranteed) for immigration to allow being a little late by just charging an overstay fine (I think 500 a day).

Obviously having a good excuse such as medical would be helpful so bring evidence of that.

[judokrab]

Ask the hospital to arrange a medical extension for you. Then piggyback your retirement extension onto that when you get out.

But why can't you renew it before you go to hospital? You can do it up to a month early in most provinces.

[CANSIAM]

Do your best to renew prior to your hospital stay. You don't want to be on overstay, you may also have a problem getting another Non O with an overstay stamp in your PP. As said maybe the hospital can do something with immigration......

[Sheryl]

Moved to appropriate forum.

 

As others have said, you can extend 30 days prior to the expiration of your current petmission of stay.  (45 days in some pmaces). 

 

Alternatively can get a shorter extension on medical grounds. The orivate "international" hospitals will fo this for you. If in govt or smaller pvt hospital, a family member armed with a letter fom the hospital can do it on your behalf.

 

But extrnding before hospital admission would be simplest. 

 

You will not be extending a visa, you will be extenfing your permission of stay. 

[DrJack54]

OP what is date of expiry of current permission of stay.

What is date you would enter hospital. 

Which immigration office 

How urgent is "possible hospital stay" 

[Tod Daniels]

As a general rule there is not problem applying for a new yearly extension after your current one runs out. 

I've had friends just forget their renewal date and go as late as 35 days after their extension ran out, pay the 500baht a day fine, then get the year extension no problem at all 

I was told by an officer as long as the overstay is still accruing the 500 baht a day fine, you can pay the overstay and get the extension. So at least in theory you could apply for a new extension up to the 40th day you overstayed (because the fine caps at 20K after 500 a day for 40 days) 

A few days isn't gonna matter, BUT far more important than just paying the overstay and getting the extension is the fact you need to not get caught out on ANYTHING during the time you're on overstay before you get the extension as that will run you right off the rails. 

NOTE; I am not advocating overstay, nor downplaying the risk when you do, only stating in my experience that it is indeed possible to pay an overstay fine and get a new yearly extension

[Jingthing]

21 minutes ago, Tod Daniels said:

As a general rule there is not problem applying for a new yearly extension after your current one runs out. 

I've had friends just forget their renewal date and go as late as 35 days after their extension ran out, pay the 500baht a day fine, then get the year extension no problem at all 

I was told by an officer as long as the overstay is still accruing the 500 baht a day fine, you can pay the overstay and get the extension. So at least in theory you could apply for a new extension up to the 40th day you overstayed (because the fine caps at 20K after 500 a day for 40 days) 

A few days isn't gonna matter, BUT far more important than just paying the overstay and getting the extension is the fact you need to not get caught out on ANYTHING during the time you're on overstay before you get the extension as that will run you right off the rails. 

NOTE; I am not advocating overstay, nor downplaying the risk when you do, only stating in my experience that it is indeed possible to pay an overstay fine and get a new yearly extension

It puts the expat in a very vulnerable position. They could accept the application with overstay fines or at their discretion they could reject it.

[Tuvoc]

On 2/7/2025 at 9:41 PM, john smith said:

I may be three or four days late renewing my non O retirement visa ( possible hospital stay) is there a fine for this or will I need to cross a border return and start the whole process again? God forbid!

 

I was a few days late with my first renewal - the agent's fault not mine - and there were no issues. The following year I renewed myself, no problems. But you really do need to avoid any overstay not matter how small. I would not advocate any overstay, no matter how short.

[DrJack54]

On 2/7/2025 at 3:41 PM, john smith said:

I may be three or four days late renewing my non O retirement visa ( possible hospital stay)

OP seems at this point not admitted to hospital. Stated "possible hospital stay" 

Appears no reason OP can not do the extension now.

As others have stated he should avoid overstay 

Also as pointed out immigration will still process his extension however pp will have overstay stamp+ fine.

Avoid. 

OP has not replied. 

Extension retirement is simple process. The main thing is financials.

Even that is simple trip to bank 

[ignis]

Mine runs out on 31 December

Always renew 1st week of December,  date stamp of new extension is 4 dec 2024... Valid until 31 Dec 2025

 

Another way if you cannot go, get someone to go for you [friend/wife]. give them a letter explaining why + all the normal paperwork needed and a photo of yourself in bed or Hospital

[Moonlover]

43 minutes ago, ignis said:

Another way if you cannot go, get someone to go for you [friend/wife]. give them a letter explaining why + all the normal paperwork needed and a photo of yourself in bed or Hospital

This can only be done if the applicant is handicapped or disabled and I'm sure some evidence would be required. (See page 2 of the TM7)

[ignis]

2 hours ago, Moonlover said:

This can only be done if the applicant is handicapped or disabled and I'm sure some evidence would be required. (See page 2 of the TM7)

the 3 that I know, as I said have to supply a photo every year.

[jwest10]

On 2/8/2025 at 6:22 AM, Tod Daniels said:

As a general rule there is not problem applying for a new yearly extension after your current one runs out. 

I've had friends just forget their renewal date and go as late as 35 days after their extension ran out, pay the 500baht a day fine, then get the year extension no problem at all 

I was told by an officer as long as the overstay is still accruing the 500 baht a day fine, you can pay the overstay and get the extension. So at least in theory you could apply for a new extension up to the 40th day you overstayed (because the fine caps at 20K after 500 a day for 40 days) 

A few days isn't gonna matter, BUT far more important than just paying the overstay and getting the extension is the fact you need to not get caught out on ANYTHING during the time you're on overstay before you get the extension as that will run you right off the rails. 

NOTE; I am not advocating overstay, nor downplaying the risk when you do, only stating in my experience that it is indeed possible to pay an overstay fine and get a new yearly extension

There are ways around this as has been mentioned  many posts but why leave it so late?

[Moonlover]

14 minutes ago, ignis said:

2 hours ago, Moonlover said:

This can only be done if the applicant is handicapped or disabled and I'm sure some evidence would be required. (See page 2 of the TM7)

 

15 minutes ago, ignis said:

the 3 that I know, as I said have to supply a photo every year.

How would a photo provide proof that someone has Alzheimer's?

[OJAS]

On 2/8/2025 at 6:22 AM, Tod Daniels said:

only stating in my experience that it is indeed possible to pay an overstay fine and get a new yearly extension

 

As confirmed on the basis of personal experience by @billd766 in this thread:

 

 

[hotandsticky]

9 hours ago, Moonlover said:

This can only be done if the applicant is handicapped or disabled and I'm sure some evidence would be required. (See page 2 of the TM7)

 

 

I am sure this has been done .........somewhere.

 

 

BUT, the wife of a paraplegic friend in Isaan was told that, despite being bed-ridden, her husband HAD to attend the local Immigration office in person. He was also fined 20,000 Baht for 'overstay' whilst he spent months in the hospital.

 

Ironically, when his wife returned, with some papers, she was wearing her work uniform. The IO noticed that she was a higher grade than than the IO and immediately refunded the 20k.

[Caldera]

12 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

Ironically, when his wife returned, with some papers, she was wearing her work uniform. The IO noticed that she was a higher grade than than the IO and immediately refunded the 20k.

 

And if you believe that, you will believe anything. But even if this anecdote happens to be true, most foreigners wouldn't have a civil servant wife at their disposal to fix their mess.

 

Too many people get into an overstay situation while hospitalized and assume that immigration can rectify it later, with proof of their (past) hospital stay. That is simply not the case - it's important to ask the hospital for assistance with a medical extension before going on overstay. 

[hotandsticky]

Just now, Caldera said:

 

And if you believe that, you will believe anything.

 

Too many people get into an overstay situation while hospitalized and assume that immigration can rectify it later, with proof of their (past) hospital stay. That is simply not the case - it's important to ask the hospital for assistance with a medical extension before going on overstay. 

 

 

Do not call me a liar. If you choose not to believe it, then trot on..........

 

The individual concerned (who I have known for 16 years) also posted about the experience on here.

[Caldera]

1 minute ago, hotandsticky said:

Do not call me a liar. If you choose not to believe it, then trot on..........

 

The individual concerned (who I have known for 16 years) also posted about the experience on here.

 

I know exactly who you are talking about. I didn't call you a liar, but I think you're gullible. The guy you're talking about might very well have lied.

 

Anyway, I did add the following to my previous post, as I'm more concerned with general advice than with this particular fairytale:

 

But even if this anecdote happens to be true, most foreigners wouldn't have a civil servant wife at their disposal to fix their mess.

[DrJack54]

1 minute ago, Caldera said:

That is simply not the case - it's important to ask the hospital for assistance with a medical extension before going on overstay. 

Spot on and to put this thread back on track ...the OP very vague about medical treatment.

Not currently in hospital. To quote OP.... "( possible hospital stay)" 

 

He should obtain extension NOW.

Immigration can be little flexible with "how many days prior" 

In any event no contribution from OP to thread. 

 

 

 

[billd766]

39 minutes ago, OJAS said:

 

As confirmed on the basis of personal experience by @billd766 in this thread:

 

 

But it WAS my fault and NOT that of Immigration. BTW it is a marriage extension and NOT a retirement extension.

[Jingthing]

17 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Spot on and to put this thread back on track ...the OP very vague about medical treatment.

Not currently in hospital. To quote OP.... "( possible hospital stay)" 

 

He should obtain extension NOW.

Immigration can be little flexible with "how many days prior" 

In any event no contribution from OP to thread. 

 

 

 

I am curious about your opinion in general in cases where hospitalization isn't in play.

In other words, an expat shows up somewhat late (for example from a few days to a few weeks) for their extension.

Do you think in most cases they will probably give a deserved rude lecture but still be allowed to apply with overstay fines, or not?

In my opinion, in most cases this just based on years of reading the forum, that it will usually be allowed.

[GammaGlobulin]

On 2/8/2025 at 6:22 AM, Tod Daniels said:

As a general rule there is not problem applying for a new yearly extension after your current one runs out. 

I've had friends just forget their renewal date and go as late as 35 days after their extension ran out, pay the 500baht a day fine, then get the year extension no problem at all 

 

It would be helpful to know if this is actually a hard and fast rule.

If one is delayed by up to 40 days, as you say, in renewing the retirement visa, for whatever reason, if just paying a fine would suffice.

If this were the case....then....for sure...

Basically NOT a problem....compared to having to start the entire process over from the beginning, having to leave and return, or even worse.

This would be worth checking out.

 

Or, would the decision be based solely on the discretion of the individual officer handling this issue.

 

 

[Jingthing]

3 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

It would be helpful to know if this is actually a hard and fast rule.

If one is delayed by up to 40 days, as you say, in renewing the retirement visa, for whatever reason, if just paying a fine would suffice.

If this were the case....then....for sure...

Basically NOT a problem....compared to having to start the entire process over from the beginning, having to leave and return, or even worse.

This would be worth checking out.

 

Or, would the decision be based solely on the discretion of the individual officer handling this issue.

 

 

I don't believe it is possible for that to be a hard and fast rule.

Each officer has the power to reject any application at any time hopefully with reason and showing up with an overstay is obviously a totally defensive reason (not that it really matters if it's a bad reason). 

So I think you're barking up the wrong tree here. Deal with the ambiguity.

[DrJack54]

3 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

In my opinion, in most cases this just based on years of reading the forum, that it will usually be allowed.

Correct.

In fact think Tod Daniels outlined that earlier.

Anyone on ongoing extensions that is late with due date will have extension processed and will be fined and overstay stamp will go into pp.

Obviously fewer days the better.

Back to OP, he indicates few days overstay.

No issue.

However he should do extension now. Clearly not bed ridden.

 

Aside: This also applies to visa exempt entries. If for some stupid reason you are late for 30 day extension then attend immigration asap and same as above will occur. 

 

[GammaGlobulin]

4 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I don't believe it is possible for that to be a hard and fast rule.

Each officer has the power to reject any application at any time hopefully with reason and showing up with an overstay is obviously a totally defensive reason (not that it really matters if it's a bad reason). 

So I think you're barking up the wrong tree here. Deal with the ambiguity.

 

Why did we come to Thailand, anyway....?

If not for the ambiguity?

 

If you don't relish ambiguity, maybe better to visit Germany?