What Visa Extension Will I Get?

[Petch01]

Hi,

At the end of April 2008 I have to apply for my 4th one year non-immigrant B extension. I didn't pay attention to it and just realised that my passport expires in September 2008. Can I expect complications at the immigration office? Will I get my extension and if so, until when?

Thank you very much.

Petch01

[gusgorman]

Indeed you will more than likely have to get a new passport first as the rule is to get a visa for most if not all countries is that your current passport must have at least 6 months on it left.

[JohnC]

As I understand it from previous posts you will not get a visa past your passport expiry date, my retirement extension was due last April and my passport had nine months left to run and I was advised by our consul to renew my passport first as immigration would only give me a nine month permission to stay on my old passport. I renewed my passport, the embassy carried forward the unexpired eight months to my new pasport and I took both passports to immigration when renewing my extension and had no problems. As you have a couple of weeks to go I would recommend you renew your passport with your embassy this week!

[Petch01]

Gusgorman and JohnC, thank you very much for your quick response.

It's Songkran now and the embassy states on its website that a new passport can take up to two weeks. I have to go to Immi on the 28th April. It seems that I'm too late. Stupid, stupid, stupid me.

I really hope that things will happen as JohnC wrote. i.e. That Immigration will give me a visa extension until September 2008. It's sad for the vice-versa travel, the paperwork and the costs but that's the price I've to pay.

Any other insights are very welcome. Thank you very much.

Petch01

[lopburi3]

You should receive an extension until the expiration date of your passport. Believe when you obtain the new passport they even provide the remaining time without charge.

[Petch01]

You should receive an extension until the expiration date of your passport. Believe when you obtain the new passport they even provide the remaining time without charge.

Lopburi3 sir, thank you very much for this reply.

Petch01

[tijnebijn]

I have got a similar question . My current non O multiple is expired on the 6th of May .

I have my paperwork together for my first extension based on marriage .

The thing is my passport will be expired at Oct 2009 , so just 5 months valid after the first extension .

Do I need to renew my passport before I go for the first extension , or will next year be fine ?

I still can go out the 5th of May to have the ' extra 3 months ' ( visa expired on 10th of may ) ,

I think those extra 3 months is still regarded as non O , so I assume I still can get the extension ?

All this ofcourse when I should renew my passport ( takes 2 weeks )

First I was thinking to go for the last visarun , second to renew my passport ( if I need to ) ,

Third go for the extension . So basically all I need to know is I do I have to renew my passport ?

Thanks for any answers .

[lopburi3]

You should be fine - next year you can get a new passport with six or seven months remaining - or take it down lower if you do not plan travel to a country that requires six month validity for entry.

[JohnC]

It's Songkran now and the embassy states on its website that a new passport can take up to two weeks.

I understand your dilema, however I believe songran has finished in Bangkok but that aside it would be worth spending a few baht on a phone call to the embassy, explain your situation and ask them if you come up in person with the application and old passport can they renew it prior to the 28th? Worst case scenario is you waste a few baht on a phone call, best case is they say yes! end of problem.

[tijnebijn]

Thanks for that Lopburi , guess I only need to do the extension .

[Petch01]

It's Songkran now and the embassy states on its website that a new passport can take up to two weeks.

I understand your dilema, however I believe songran has finished in Bangkok but that aside it would be worth spending a few baht on a phone call to the embassy, explain your situation and ask them if you come up in person with the application and old passport can they renew it prior to the 28th? Worst case scenario is you waste a few baht on a phone call, best case is they say yes! end of problem.

Thanks JohnC. The mrs. and I have decided to go to the Embassy first thing tomorrow morning (17-04-08). Our holiday by car to Kanchanaburi and Mae Sot which starts today, will get a little detour. If the Embassy can get me one in time it would be perfect. If not I should get an extension in my old passport until September 2008 according to several posters.

Petch01