Retirement Visa - Renewal

[leemo]

Hi

I have searched TV for the answer, but as immigration rules and requirements tend to change with the breeze it's probably best to start from scratch for the latest info.

My Retirement Visa expires on 21st August, and I shall be over the border just before then with the option to return before or after that date.

I have been told that if I return just before my visa expires, say 20th August, immigration at the airport will give me another 90 days, effectively extending the visa to expire in December, and it can then be renewed to expire the following December.

I have also been told, no surprise, that this is not the case and that by assuming so I would be overstaying and would end up in avoidable bother when I go to renew the visa in December.

Is there a definitive rule here, or is it another case of 'up to' the immigration officer dealing with the renewal?

Tia

leemo

[Mario2008]

What kind of visa do you have, does it say multiple non-O or multiple O-A?

[Lite Beer]

Yes. You have to tell us what kind of Visa you have.

I am guessing that it is a Non Imm O Multi Entry Visa. If so then you can leave on the day the Visa expires and get another 90 days when you re enter.

Please check what you have.

[leemo]

What kind of visa do you have, does it say multiple non-O or multiple O-A?

Oops, I didn't know there were different types of retirement visa...mine's a regular multiple entry that was converted from a non-O several years ago and since renewed annually.

[Lite Beer]

Sorry . I am even more confused now.

Do you have a Non Imm Visa that was obtained from a Consulate outside of Thailand? OR Do you have 12 monthly extension obtained from Immigration inside Thailand?

[Mario2008]

Only when you come to Thailand with a multiple entry visa, with which you have to leave the country every 90 days, can you leave and re-nter just before the visa expires and get a new 90 days. That is not the case when you are on an extension of stay from immigration in Thailand itself or when you have a single entry non-O visa.

You say you have a multiple entry visa. That visa is valid for 1 year and during that year eevry time you enter Thaland you will get a new 90 days to stay in Thailand. So if you leave and re-enter Thailand just before the visa expires you get a new 90 days and so almost 15 months out of the visa.

You could apply for an extension of stay from immirgation in Thailand, based on retirement. You would need an incoem of 65,000 baht a month (can be from abroad) OR 800,000 baht in a bankaccount in Thailand for 3 months OR a combination of income and money in the bank totaling 800,000.

[lopburi3]

What kind of visa do you have, does it say multiple non-O or multiple O-A?

Oops, I didn't know there were different types of retirement visa...mine's a regular multiple entry that was converted from a non-O several years ago and since renewed annually.

Do you have a one years extension of stay from Immigration in Thailand that you use a TM.7 form and 1,900 baht to obtain and also a multi re-entry permit that costs 3,800 baht? If that is what you have then you only get stamped in for your current permitted to stay time on each entry.

[leemo]

Sorry . I am even more confused now.

Do you have a Non Imm Visa that was obtained from a Consulate outside of Thailand? OR Do you have 12 monthly extension obtained from Immigration inside Thailand?

About 5 years ago I got a multiple entry non-imm O at a Thai consulate in the UK. This meant having to leave LoS every 90 days.

When it expired a year later I converted (upgraded?) to a regular retirement visa (800,000 in the bank, etc), and this is what I've had ever since, renewing annually.

[Lite Beer]

You now have a 12 month extension of your permission to stay. (Not a Visa)

You have to apply for another extension within the last 30 days of your stay.

If you leave the country before it expires it will die when you leave unless you have a Re Entry Permit. That would only be valid until your stay expiry date.

No you will not get an extra 90 days.

[leemo]

Only when you come to Thailand with a multiple entry visa, with which you have to leave the country every 90 days, can you leave and re-nter just before the visa expires and get a new 90 days. That is not the case when you are on an extension of stay from immigration in Thailand itself or when you have a single entry non-O visa.

You say you have a multiple entry visa. That visa is valid for 1 year and during that year eevry time you enter Thaland you will get a new 90 days to stay in Thailand. So if you leave and re-enter Thailand just before the visa expires you get a new 90 days and so almost 15 months out of the visa.

You could apply for an extension of stay from immirgation in Thailand, based on retirement. You would need an incoem of 65,000 baht a month (can be from abroad) OR 800,000 baht in a bankaccount in Thailand for 3 months OR a combination of income and money in the bank totaling 800,000.

Ah, looks like I may have used the wrong wording. I have just checked the relevant 'stamp' and it says 'extension of stay', and 'retirement' in a small box, so it's not actually a retirement 'visa' per se but just another in a series of temporary (12-month) extensions of my years old non-imm O visa, based on retirement. Thanks for pulling me up on it, never too old to learn...

To clarify, I started off with a non-imm O several years ago, and converted or upgraded to my retirement 'extension' which until today I thought was a 'visa'. Renewals have meant keeping 800k in the bank or providing other proofs to satisfy the 800k earnings/income requirement. It cost 1,900 + 3,800 for the multiple entry facility, so I do not need to physically leave the country or purchase a reentry stamp (1,000 baht) before I do leave, but I do need to attend the immigration office each 90 days.

So far so good, and a tip is in order for others - do check your passport and don't rely on memory...I thought my visa/extension expires Aug 21st but reality says it's Aug 15th...

Back to the original query: As it expires on Aug 15th, is there any benefit for me to return to LoS on or before Aug 15th, or on or after Aug 16th, or is there no difference at all?

Tia, and apologies for any confusion.

[Mario2008]

There realy is no benefit in it to leave, you won't get extra days with it. You still would have to extend your stay on the 15th of august. You can do it tomorrow if you want to, you wouldn't lose any extra day. Extending early is always advised, in case you forget some document or something.

[lopburi3]

You need to extend again. If you do not do so before August 15 you will need to obtain a new visa and start over again. And you will have to depart Thailand by August 15.

If you are leaving before extending you must return before the 15th to get another extension of stay - if you are later you will have to obtain a new visa (2,000 baht) and then extend (1,900 baht) and obtain a new re-entry permit if you plan travel (3,800 baht).

[leemo]

Thanks to all, my previous post crossed with yours.

To summarise, there is no benefit by returning to LoS before my extension expires on Aug 15th, but is it safe to assume there will be no penalty or other complication to do with my next 12-month retirement extension if I return after the current one expires?

[leemo]

I really do need to read all posts before responding to one...thanks again, will take the safe course and renew my current extension before I leave.

[lopburi3]

You will have to obtain a new non immigrant visa - but other than that it should be the same process - but it may require two proof of pension letters if that is what you use if you intend to return without a visa as to obtain from Immigration (often only done in Bangkok) will require a letter and two months later a new letter for the actual extension of stay may be required.

If I were you and you are here this week I would do it now - get the extension of stay and a new re-entry permit. You lose no days by doing now and save a buch of paperwork.

[Lite Beer]

Why not be safe and renew it this month.

[auntyedna]

My Retirement Visa expires on 21st August, and I shall be over the border just before then with the option to return before or after that date.

I have been told that if I return just before my visa expires, say 20th August, immigration at the airport will give me another 90 days, effectively extending the visa to expire in December, and it can then be renewed to expire the following December.

If you come back on 20th August, you will be permitted to stay for just one day. Been there, done that.