Retirement Visa - Time Out Of Thailand

[jas007]

Here's the scenario: I'm on a retirement visa (extension of a multiple entry "O" visa) and left Thailand the first part of August. I paid 1900 baht for a re-entry permit and indicated I would return October 1st. Due to a family emergency, I have to delay my return until, possibly, December or the first part of January. The retirement visa itself expires towards the end of January.

First question: upon renewing my visa in January, will it matter to the immigration officer that I didn't return in October as planned?

Second question: once my visa is renewed and I obtain the necessary rentry permit for the next year, is there any specific amount of time that I need to spend in Thailand during each year to keep the visa valid?

Thanks for any responses.

J

[Crossy]

Provided you return before the end of your existing extension I don't believe there will be any difficulties.

I've never heard of any requirement to actually be in the country for a specific minimum period once you've got your retirement extension.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Here's the scenario: I'm on a retirement visa (extension of a multiple entry "O" visa) and left Thailand the first part of August. I paid 1900 baht for a re-entry permit and indicated I would return October 1st. Due to a family emergency, I have to delay my return until, possibly, December or the first part of January. The retirement visa itself expires towards the end of January.

First question: upon renewing my visa in January, will it matter to the immigration officer that I didn't return in October as planned?

Second question: once my visa is renewed and I obtain the necessary rentry permit for the next year, is there any specific amount of time that I need to spend in Thailand during each year to keep the visa valid?

Thanks for any responses.

J

Just to clarify one item.  What did you pay the baht 1,900 for?

A single reentry permit is baht 1,000, a multiple reentry is baht 3,800.

The cost for the one-year extension is baht 1,900.

You did get a reentry permit, correct?  

And, as Cossy said, me, too, never heard of any minimum time of stay in Thailand, or limit on maximum time outside, just need to be at Thai Immigration PRIOR to the exipry of the current extension.

Mac

[jas007]

Thanks for the replies. Maybe I did pay only 1000 baht, now that I think about it. In any event, it's good to know I should be able to renew the visa in January without a problem. Of course, by then, the could change the rules again.

J

[ProThaiExpat]

There is the possibility that you won't get back in time for your on time extension in January, but not to worry, as you can return on a entry permit at the airport for 30 days and then promptly apply for another non-imm-O based on retirement and then 60 days later get a new extension for 365 days from your most recent entry date. You will be paying 1900 baht for the non-imm-O visa and another 1900 for the extension.

[lopburi3]

We already had the wrong amount for extension of stay so will have to correct this - a visa/visa change costs 2,000 baht from Immigration - only the TM.7 extensions of stay are 1,900 baht.

[Artamus]

Here's the scenario: I'm on a retirement visa (extension of a multiple entry "O" visa) and left Thailand the first part of August. I paid 1900 baht for a re-entry permit and indicated I would return October 1st. Due to a family emergency, I have to delay my return until, possibly, December or the first part of January. The retirement visa itself expires towards the end of January.

J

In cases like this what happens about the 90 day reporting? Obviously if you are out of the country more than 90 days you would miss a reporting. Or is the system clever enough that they know you are out of the country and do not expect a report? (Not likely I would think). Would there be a fine on return even if your exit/entry stamps shows you were out of the country? I suppose it's not logical to send a 90 report from overseas!

[RickFarang]

Q. First question: upon renewing my visa in January, will it matter to the immigration officer that I didn't return in October as planned?

A. No, then never look at that. Notice that the same form is used for a multiple re-entry permit and there is only one space for the return date.

Q. once my visa is renewed and I obtain the necessary rentry permit for the next year, is there any specific amount of time that I need to spend in Thailand during each year to keep the visa valid?

A. You don't have to be inside Thailand for any minimum time, except to extend your visa in order for it to remain valid. A close friend worked outside Thailand for two years while he had a retirement visa. He only returned to Thailand a couple of weeks a year to pay bills and extend his visa. He is still here on that same visa.

Single reentry permit is 1900 baht. The multiple-reentry permit is 3800 baht.

In the case of leaving the country, you don't have to make a 90 day report after leaving. When you reenter the country, the 90 day clock starts at day 1.

But don't take my word for any of this. Check with Immigration to be sure. :-)

[lopburi3]

The single re-entry permit is 1,000 baht - the TM.7 extension of stay is 1,900 baht.

Address reports are not required or expected when you are not in Thailand - they become due 90 days after your return (but only if you have not departed again).