Visa Renewal (retirement)

[Artisi]

Renewed my visa on last Tuesday for 12 months (retirement). No problems no hassles in all it took maybe 40 minutes as it was complicated by having to change earlier information to my new passport.

Prior to heading for Suan Plu, I made contact with a "friend" inside to ask what was needed;

old passport, updated bankbook and certified bank statement and last 6 months print out of account, certified copy of money coming into the country , minimum Bht 800,000 (2003 /4 - still in the bank), plus photocopies of all - a selection of photo's - house - wife and I , pics inside of house wife and I, a few family pics. I gave them a folder with other info that I thought might be of interest or required.

Immigration kept 4 pics, copies of the bank info and returned all other info. They recopied the front page and the entry info. from my new passoprt which they stamped and I countersigned. My new passport now has a copy of the original entry into Thailand 2001, my latest entry Sept this year and the new 12 month visa.

All-in-all smooth and efficient with a reminder to get a re-entry if I want to leave the country.

The secret is - to find out what is required and make sure you comply with the requirements - if you have what is needed go in with a positive attitude, clean and tidy and well dressed you will be treated positively.

[Lite Beer]

Renewed my visa on last Tuesday for 12 months (retirement). No problems no hassles in all it took maybe 40 minutes as it was complicated by having to change earlier information to my new passport.

Prior to heading for Suan Plu, I made contact with a "friend" inside to ask what was needed;

old passport, updated bankbook and certified bank statement and last 6 months print out of account, certified copy of money coming into the country , minimum Bht 800,000 (2003 /4 - still in the bank), plus photocopies of all - a selection of photo's - house - wife and I , pics inside of house wife and I, a few family pics. I gave them a folder with other info that I thought might be of interest or required.

Immigration kept 4 pics, copies of the bank info and returned all other info. They recopied the front page and the entry info. from my new passoprt which they stamped and I countersigned. My new passport now has a copy of the original entry into Thailand 2001, my latest entry Sept this year and the new 12 month visa.

All-in-all smooth and efficient with a reminder to get a re-entry if I want to leave the country.

The secret is - to find out what is required and make sure you comply with the requirements - if you have what is needed go in with a positive attitude, clean and tidy and well dressed you will be treated positively.

Photos of family for a retirement extension? Strange!

[phutoie2]

Yep, what if not married and no girlfriend??? for extension of retirement visa. Photo's!!

Edited October 11, 2007 by phutoie2

[Spaniel]

I just renewed my retirement visa yesterday, 10 Oct, in Bangkok, using the embassy letter showing monthly income. They didn't require any house photos but did ask me to draw a map to where I lived. It was my understanding that the photos were only required when you were requesting a visa based on marriage to a Thai.

[Artisi]

I just renewed my retirement visa yesterday, 10 Oct, in Bangkok, using the embassy letter showing monthly income. They didn't require any house photos but did ask me to draw a map to where I lived. It was my understanding that the photos were only required when you were requesting a visa based on marriage to a Thai.

I wasn't about to argue to the sake of a couple of photo's -but I agree - for retirement it is a bit strange - but they make the rules and I just smile and go along with it.

[Lite Beer]

I just renewed my retirement visa yesterday, 10 Oct, in Bangkok, using the embassy letter showing monthly income. They didn't require any house photos but did ask me to draw a map to where I lived. It was my understanding that the photos were only required when you were requesting a visa based on marriage to a Thai.

I wasn't about to argue to the sake of a couple of photo's -but I agree - for retirement it is a bit strange - but they make the rules and I just smile and go along with it.

Agree. You can never have too much documentation with you.

Even if it is a bit bazaar.

[naka]

Do they really want proof of funds entering from overseas ?

Not a problem for me but have been renewing my retirement visa

for six years and this was never asked for (in Pattaya).

Naka.

[Maestro]

I believe proof that the money in the Thai bank for a retirement extension came from your savings, usually meaning from abroad, is requested only with the very first application for extension. Perhaps reminded by head office, some immigration offices with a record keeping system probably not at its best have recently been asking for this proof again, ie about the transfer of money to Thailand before the first application for extension.

--

Maestro

[naka]

Ta Maestro.

Naka.