Tourist Visa Extensions

[Jinxy1128]

Hello, I am a 59 year old male living in Canada, have been visiting Thailand for the last 4years on tourist visas, last year for 3 months with 30 days extension at Jomtien Immagration, no problem. This year I am retiring and planned on applying for retirement visa which includes a criminal check. Just found out that I have a criminal record, the last charge was over 25 yrs ago, and some over 40 yrs ago, I was floored that they were still there. Was told , no problem , you can apply for pardon and clean your record,,, but the problem for me is it will take up to 1 year !!!! I have already booked a condo in Pattaya for 6 months. So there is my problem,, after 90 days what do I do, can I go to a neighbouring country ( visa run ) and get another tourist visa and then get 30 day extention to make my 6 months ??? I would appreciate any insight to this problem of mine, I plan on arriving in Thailand on Oct 5th, thanks, Jinxy.

[beechguy]

Hello, I am a 59 year old male living in Canada, have been visiting Thailand for the last 4years on tourist visas, last year for 3 months with 30 days extension at Jomtien Immagration, no problem. This year I am retiring and planned on applying for retirement visa which includes a criminal check. Just found out that I have a criminal record, the last charge was over 25 yrs ago, and some over 40 yrs ago, I was floored that they were still there. Was told , no problem , you can apply for pardon and clean your record,,, but the problem for me is it will take up to 1 year !!!! I have already booked a condo in Pattaya for 6 months. So there is my problem,, after 90 days what do I do, can I go to a neighbouring country ( visa run ) and get another tourist visa and then get 30 day extention to make my 6 months ??? I would appreciate any insight to this problem of mine, I plan on arriving in Thailand on Oct 5th, thanks, Jinxy.

Yes, you could go to another country and get another Tourist Visa. Some recent report say that you could get a double enrty in Vientiane, Laos, they are free unil March, 2010. Also, it has been said, that it is easy to get a single entry, Non-Immigrant "O" Visa there if one is 50 or older. That would be good for a stay of 90 days. You could do some research, but I'm not sure a criminal background check is a requirement if you apply for a one year "Extension of Stay" once you are in Thailand.

[Mario2008]

Hello, I am a 59 year old male living in Canada, have been visiting Thailand for the last 4years on tourist visas, last year for 3 months with 30 days extension at Jomtien Immagration, no problem. This year I am retiring and planned on applying for retirement visa which includes a criminal check. Just found out that I have a criminal record, the last charge was over 25 yrs ago, and some over 40 yrs ago, I was floored that they were still there. Was told , no problem , you can apply for pardon and clean your record,,, but the problem for me is it will take up to 1 year !!!! I have already booked a condo in Pattaya for 6 months. So there is my problem,, after 90 days what do I do, can I go to a neighbouring country ( visa run ) and get another tourist visa and then get 30 day extention to make my 6 months ??? I would appreciate any insight to this problem of mine, I plan on arriving in Thailand on Oct 5th, thanks, Jinxy.

Not realy a problem There are two kind of visas you can get based on retirement. The first one is the O-A visa, this requires a criminal and health check. The plus of this visa is that you would get a permision to stay of 1 year straight away.

There is however also the possobility of getting a non-O visa based on retirement. This visa doesn't require a criminal background or health check. Down side is that you would only get a permission to stay for 3 months right away.

In both cases you can extend your permision to stay with one year and every year after that if you cna show an income of 65,000 baht a month, OR 800,000 in a Thai bankaccount OR a combination of income and money in the bank, totaling 800,000.

There is no criminal background check for the extension.

If you want to apply based on money in the bank make sure you have it there for at least 2 months for the first extension and 3 months for every next extension

So just apply for a non-O visa and your problems are solved. You could even apply in a neighbouring country. In any case do not apply at the embassy in Canada, apply at a honorary consulate. The embassy in Canada will insist that you apply for the O-A visa and refuse to give a non-O based on retirement!

[Penkoprod]

Does getting the O entail border runs every 90 days, whereas the O-A just means a trip to Immigration every 90 days?

Also, what would the Thai Immigration/Authorities class something bad enough to refuse a visa based on criminal record?

Always puzzled me that last one !!!!!

Penkoprod

[Mario2008]

Does getting the O entail border runs every 90 days, whereas the O-A just means a trip to Immigration every 90 days?

Also, what would the Thai Immigration/Authorities class something bad enough to refuse a visa based on criminal record?

Always puzzled me that last one !!!!!

Penkoprod

A multiple entry non-O would mean you would have to leave every 90 days, where as the O-A would give you a year and indeed need to make 90 day reports. But when you get an extension you don't have to leave any more, but just make 90 days reports.

[macjet]

Does getting the O entail border runs every 90 days, whereas the O-A just means a trip to Immigration every 90 days?

Also, what would the Thai Immigration/Authorities class something bad enough to refuse a visa based on criminal record?

Always puzzled me that last one !!!!!

Penkoprod

Another consideration to your time-line problem is a triple entry visas (60 days each, exit re-entry) obtainable from Canada + extension + renewals in Laos. Some consulates (Malaysian) are refusing 4th entry visas so stay with Laos.

[Jinxy1128]

Thanks everyone for the helpfull advice, so I will get my regular tourist visa from the Thai Consulate in Vancouver, good for 60 days, then should I get a 30 day extension at Jomtien, or make a road trip to Laos first and try my luck. Or can I apply for 1 year extension off tourist visa in Jomtien if I show proof of pension 65000 + a month going into my Thai bank account. Either way, this year I just need 6 months, maybe next year I will want to stay longer or permanent !! Cheers Jinxy.

[Lite Beer]

Why not get a Double Entry Tourist Visa in Canada? This would give you 6 months with extensions and a border run in the middle.

For the 12 month extension you need a letter from your Embassy verifying your monthly income. OR a letter from your Thai bank verifying a bank balance of at least 800,000 Baht . This has to be there at least 60 days before you apply. OR a combination of both. As said Police check is not needed for this.

[lopburi3]

Thanks everyone for the helpfull advice, so I will get my regular tourist visa from the Thai Consulate in Vancouver, good for 60 days, then should I get a 30 day extension at Jomtien, or make a road trip to Laos first and try my luck. Or can I apply for 1 year extension off tourist visa in Jomtien if I show proof of pension 65000 + a month going into my Thai bank account. Either way, this year I just need 6 months, maybe next year I will want to stay longer or permanent !! Cheers Jinxy.

With 21 days or more remaining you can apply for change of visa to non immigrant at cost of 2,000 baht to retire here (funds proof) and 60 days later apply for one year extension of stay at cost of 1,900 baht. After getting that you will need re-entry permit for any travel (at 1,000 baht).