Visa Renewal

[Rich the Robin]

Hi,

 

Does anyone have any recent experience in renewing their annual visa, by agent, at Jomtien Imm?

 

Ive been given to understand that it is no longer completed at JI but that you are now taken up to Bangkok to organise.

 

Wondered if this applies through all Jomtien agents now and if correct, what actually happens?

 

thanks

 

[DrJack54]

13 minutes ago, Rich the Robin said:

Wondered if this applies through all Jomtien agents now and if correct, what actually happens

Suggest you contact your agent with any questions. 

You are asking about obtaining 12 month extension using money in Bank method. 

 

This attached thread lists several Jomtien/Pattaya agents 

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1354256-i-need-names-of-visa-agents-in-pattaya/

 

[Tod Daniels]

If you bank with Bangkok Bank they will bring you to Bangkok to bank the funds, get the bank letter, etc. 

 

Then they take you to get the extension and back to begin to get the money out. 

 

For some reason they can't use Bangkok Bank in Pattaya. 

 

It doesn't seem to have affected other banks down there

[SamSpade]

1 hour ago, Tod Daniels said:

If you bank with Bangkok Bank they will bring you to Bangkok to bank the funds, get the bank letter, etc. 

 

Then they take you to get the extension and back to begin to get the money out. 

 

For some reason they can't use Bangkok Bank in Pattaya. 

 

It doesn't seem to have affected other banks down there

I know from last Monday, one of the most popular visa agents in Pattaya no longer does the assisted 800K with Bangkok Bank (there was a few weeks when they were doing it in Bangkok) so if somebody didn't have the funds in their account, I'd suggest getting a bank account with SCB, Krungthai or Kasikorn asap.

 

 

 

[Gsxrnz]

My agent uses Bangkok Bank, but now cannot use a Pattaya branch, so they drive you to Chonburi. About a one hour drive each way, and maybe 30 minutes at the bank.

 

PM me for details.

[jippytum]

People without funds are worried punters just now. 

About time they cleaned up this  illegal earner for  immigration staff. 

[soisanuk]

A few weeks ago a friend told me her son, who uses a Pattaya Agent for renewing his extensions at Jomtien Immigration as he does not have the 800k in the bank, was told by his agent that he needed to switch from Bangkok Bank to another bank as Jomtien Immigration was no longer accepting agent renewals using Bangkok Bank.

 

I renewed my extension on the 3 July at Jomtien Immigration. I use the 65k monthly income method and do not use an agent. I use Bangkok Bank and no question was raised. So, it is apparently that Jomtien Immigration is not accepting Bangkok Bank accounts if the extension is being done by an agent.

[Thingamabob]

Strictly speaking it's an annual extension, not a visa renewal. Personally I prefer to leave 800k baht in an SCB account, untouched for many years, and to front up for an annual extension at CW without any recourse to an agent. Usually takes a couple of hours, wiith no hassle.

[thailand49]

Here is what I found out through another expat notifying me.

 

As we know if you didn't a few months back and I knew this was happening for a long time, one of the branch I use on Sukhumvit across from Num Chai appliance Bangkok Bank was opening accounts for Chinese National this has been going on for a long time so long I stopped using them since it was packed with Chinese National the moment they opened. I just happened to be there the day they got raided!

 

Since then the light has been shining on BB, they are the favor the last few months.  The reality or law correct me if I'm wrong, if you are a tourist one can't open a account now that the light is on BB, with all these illegal money laundry accounts they are auditing everything thus dragging all the individuals who uses Agents, which ask you to have a BB account when time the put the necessary funds into your account obtain a certify letter to get your extension.  A close expat I know been here 20 plus years been using an agent up standing guy needed to renew told this week can't help him now. For whatever reason he said he got a message a letter to report to Jomtien Immigration on 15th of July. I would imagine now how many are using agents that are in his situation.

 

When I went down to his agent office, since I'm trying to do an extension for a family friend told this week, everyday is not the same, that might have to use another bank Krungthai suggested?  

 

I was just noting to Dr Jack last week about also using an agent although I've been doing extension on my own for 15 plus years thinking about having an agent do it so it free up my money in case I get sick.

[sandyf]

4 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

Strictly speaking it's an annual extension, not a visa renewal.

Strictly speaking you are wrong.

It is a renewal, or possibly conversion, of visa status.

[soisanuk]

1 hour ago, sandyf said:

Strictly speaking you are wrong.

It is a renewal, or possibly conversion, of visa status.

It is an extension.  Using a Non-Immigrant Visa to enter Thailand (or obtained in Thailand), you get a "permission to stay" in the Kingdom of 90 days.  Before the 90 days are up, you apply to extend that time period for one year (retirement, married to a Thai, etc.).  You then apply annually to renew that extension of your permission to stay date.

[Thingamabob]

2 hours ago, sandyf said:

Strictly speaking you are wrong.

It is a renewal, or possibly conversion, of visa status.

Strictly speaking, sincere regrets for my serious error. 

[sandyf]

On 7/5/2025 at 10:11 AM, soisanuk said:

It is an extension.  Using a Non-Immigrant Visa to enter Thailand (or obtained in Thailand), you get a "permission to stay" in the Kingdom of 90 days.  Before the 90 days are up, you apply to extend that time period for one year (retirement, married to a Thai, etc.).  You then apply annually to renew that extension of your permission to stay date.

How can it be an extension if you change from retirement to marriage or vice versa, it is a conversion of visa status.

Remaining on one or the other is a renewal of visa status.

If your current visa status comes to an end and still in Thailand, your visa status would change to illegal.

[sandyf]

On 7/5/2025 at 10:21 AM, Thingamabob said:

Strictly speaking, sincere regrets for my serious error. 

We can live in hope that you will refrain from starting a post in the same way.

[thailand49]

It is sad with what BB was doing  opening account to get big tips from mainland Chinese who were tourist so they could laundry their money.

The raid now has gotten official paranoid to think beyond the scope of what was happening to think every expat that has an BB account is doing laundrying. So now their search include those that are using agent to obtain Extensions without funds required. I know many living here for 2 decades using agent now all of a sudden their stay is in question.. Some are referring to just Pattaya BB, for now stop the practice but rumors are true the Chinese Triads have half of the 72 Thai provinces in their pocket mainly Bangkok the problem is much bigger than just BB.

Not being an expert like many here if they aren't able to obtain extensions what are the alternatives to be able to stay?

[Goethe]

23 minutes ago, sandyf said:

How can it be an extension if you change from retirement to marriage or vice versa, it is a conversion of visa status.

Remaining on one or the other is a renewal of visa status.

If your current visa status comes to an end and still in Thailand, your visa status would change to illegal.

The confusion arises because in Thailand there is no consistency in the use of the term "visa". Although the terms "retirement visa" and "marriage visa" are commonly used (especially on this forum), the Immigration Act (Section 35) refers only to "permission to stay" and "extension of permission to stay" -- and it lists the purposes for which such permissions may be granted and the permissible length (one year).

[steve187]

1 hour ago, sandyf said:

How can it be an extension if you change from retirement to marriage or vice versa, it is a conversion of visa status.

Remaining on one or the other is a renewal of visa status.

If your current visa status comes to an end and still in Thailand, your visa status would change to illegal.

i think you are just being argumentative, its an extension, even the application form tm7  says extension of stay, not extension of visa

[Thingamabob]

2 hours ago, sandyf said:

We can live in hope that you will refrain from starting a post in the same way.

Wtfdytya.

[soisanuk]

14 hours ago, sandyf said:

How can it be an extension if you change from retirement to marriage or vice versa, it is a conversion of visa status.

Remaining on one or the other is a renewal of visa status.

If your current visa status comes to an end and still in Thailand, your visa status would change to illegal.

As mentioned by others since my post that has been questioned, the Application says Extension. 

 

The initial extension of stay is for having a Non-Immigrant Visa generally without regard to the category - in most cases for retirement or married to a Thai national it is category "O", for business category "B", etc.

 

When applying for the "extension" of your "Permission to Stay" in Thailand, you must state the purpose for the application. This can change with no need to change the original Visa category upon which prior extensions were based. So if going from married to a Thai to retirement or vice versa, you only need to change the purpose of the request on the Application for extension.   

[sandyf]

On 7/7/2025 at 3:03 AM, soisanuk said:

As mentioned by others since my post that has been questioned, the Application says Extension. 

 

The initial extension of stay is for having a Non-Immigrant Visa generally without regard to the category - in most cases for retirement or married to a Thai national it is category "O", for business category "B", etc.

 

When applying for the "extension" of your "Permission to Stay" in Thailand, you must state the purpose for the application. This can change with no need to change the original Visa category upon which prior extensions were based. So if going from married to a Thai to retirement or vice versa, you only need to change the purpose of the request on the Application for extension.   

You are free to make up anything you want, but at the end of the day every foreigner in Thailand has a visa status.

[soisanuk]

On 7/10/2025 at 9:38 PM, sandyf said:

You are free to make up anything you want, but at the end of the day every foreigner in Thailand has a visa status.

Nothing is being made up.  You can enter Thailand with a Visa or for many countries, Visa Exempt (no visa required). 

 

 Upon arrival, Immigration places a stamp in the passport showing the permission to stay period which is based on the type of entry (Visa or Exempt). These are two separate things. To extend your stay you apply to extend your permission to stay not your visa.  I entered Thailand over 20 years ago on a Non-Immigrant O Visa receiving a 90 day permission to stay. I applied to extend that stay for one year for purpose of retirement.  For the past 20+ years I annually go to Immigration and file a TM.7, Application for Extension of Temporary Stay in the Kingdom.

 

The Pattaya City Expats Club has an extensive section re entering Thailand, extending one's stay, and other Thai Immigration requirements at https://pcec.club/Thai-Immigration.  The difference is also noted on this Thai Embassy's website - https://helsinki.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/information-about-visa-and-validity-of-stay-permit?page=5f49f4a199a85e260f4278de&menu=5d80876d15e39c3354007bb1

 

 

[hotandsticky]

On 7/5/2025 at 9:42 AM, Thingamabob said:

Strictly speaking it's an annual extension, not a visa renewal. Personally I prefer to leave 800k baht in an SCB account, untouched for many years, and to front up for an annual extension at CW without any recourse to an agent. Usually takes a couple of hours, wiith no hassle.

 

 

I don't know why you got 2 thumbs down.......................presumably from the ignorant who you were trying to educate.

[OJAS]

On 7/6/2025 at 6:05 PM, sandyf said:

We can live in hope that you will refrain from starting a post in the same way.

 

We can live in hope that you will refrain from continuing to flog a dead horse.

 

[OJAS]

On 7/6/2025 at 6:31 PM, Goethe said:

The confusion arises because in Thailand there is no consistency in the use of the term "visa". Although the terms "retirement visa" and "marriage visa" are commonly used (especially on this forum), the Immigration Act (Section 35) refers only to "permission to stay" and "extension of permission to stay" -- and it lists the purposes for which such permissions may be granted and the permissible length (one year).

 

Visas issued by practically every other country on this great planet of ours generally mean what they say on the tin: namely, that you can enter the country from Date A but have to leave by Date B. In Thailand, however, we have instead a convoluted system whereby visas are used to enter the country on the basis of permissions to stay granted by immigration officers regardless of the individual validity periods of said visas. 

 

[mikebike]

6 minutes ago, OJAS said:

 

Visas issued by practically every other country on this great planet of ours generally mean what they say on the tin: namely, that you can enter the country from Date A but have to leave by Date B. In Thailand, however, we have instead a convoluted system whereby visas are used to enter the country on the basis of permissions to stay granted by immigration officers regardless of the individual validity periods of said visas. 

 

There is no country on earth where obtaining a visa guarantees you entry. Entry is always granted by immigration officers at the point of entry.

[DrJack54]

Trolling post removed along with reply. 

 

[NanLaew]

On 7/5/2025 at 2:14 PM, sandyf said:

On 7/5/2025 at 9:42 AM, Thingamabob said:

Strictly speaking it's an annual extension, not a visa renewal.

Strictly speaking you are wrong.

It is a renewal, or possibly conversion, of visa status.

 

A visa cannot be renewed. It is dead the moment border immigration uses the entry stamp. They even overstamp the visa with 'USED', or they used to when multi-entry visas were still available, probably to avoid confusion or speed things up on a subsequent entry. Since only single-entry Non-O's are issued these days, there's no need to indicate it is used any more.

 

So, annual extension, or renewal of annual extension, is the correct term.

[Liquorice]

8 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

So, annual extension, or renewal of annual extension, is the correct term.

To be more precise, it's an extension of your temporary permission of stay, originally granted when entering Thailand with a Non Imm visa, or when obtained at a local Immigration office.

[NanLaew]

On 7/6/2025 at 6:05 PM, thailand49 said:

It is sad with what BB was doing  opening account to get big tips from mainland Chinese who were tourist so they could laundry their money.

The raid now has gotten official paranoid to think beyond the scope of what was happening to think every expat that has an BB account is doing laundrying. So now their search include those that are using agent to obtain Extensions without funds required. I know many living here for 2 decades using agent now all of a sudden their stay is in question.. Some are referring to just Pattaya BB, for now stop the practice but rumors are true the Chinese Triads have half of the 72 Thai provinces in their pocket mainly Bangkok the problem is much bigger than just BB.

Not being an expert like many here if they aren't able to obtain extensions what are the alternatives to be able to stay?

 

They are not suspecting all foreigners with accounts at Bangkok Bank of money laundering, and they are not searching for "those that are using agent to obtain Extensions without funds required" either.

 

Simply put, it's just unfortunate that some foreigners applying for an extension and using an agent due to lack of funds have an account with Bangkok Bank. It's collateral damage, that's all.

 

That's why agents are simply advising those customers affected to open an account with another bank.

 

There's a rather long-winded, scaremongering YouTube going the rounds that I think maybe you have seen? It's the one that starts with the narrator, who sounds like an English-speaking Thai, walking around upstairs at CW, then out and about on Bangkok's streets. Alluding to "an informant in immigration", it promotes a Thai government plan to get rid of foreigners unless they are rich, along with other popular tropes of the "they don't like us here" collective. It goes completely off-piste with a rant about frozen pensions that has naff all to do with immigration or extensions, and that's when I lost the little interest I had.

[DrJack54]

25 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Simply put, it's just unfortunate that some foreigners applying for an extension and using an agent due to lack of funds have an account with Bangkok Bank. It's collateral damage, that's all

Nice Rant.. 

In reality some folk opt to use agent for loss of opportunity cost. 

I'm stupid that's why I do not use agent. I opt to lose the 8%+ my Oz super fund would yield.