Retirement Visa Re-entry, Address Reporting Question

[btvbill]

I have a retirement visa and multiple re-entry stamp good until 04 Feb 2011. I have a flight to the USA next week. Do I have to go to the immigration office again to fill out any forms before I depart or can I simply come and go as long as I have a multiple re-entry stamp? Also, I may be gone a couple months so I will need to report my address in Thailand. Can that be done online, etc. or do I have to physically be here when the 90 days come up (in my case May) to report my current address in Thailand? Thanks for any help on this.

[Lite Beer]

Come and go as you please while your Re Entry Permit is valid.

You only have to report if you are in the country for 90 days.

When you return the 90 day clock starts again.

[btvbill]

Great, thanks for the help!

[bill1369]

Everyone who provides answers to these visa Q's should be personally thanked. "Thank You"

Nevertheless, I guess I'm the dense one who doesn't understand some of the requirements & terminology. I have sorta followed these posts for 9-mos but now need to find out just what I need to do. My situation: I am a US citizen with an O-A visa issued in Los Angeles with entry stamp expiring in June. My confusion seems to have no limits. Do I need to apply for a new O-A visa or an extension of my permission to stay? What is the difference? (I read on another forum someone said to just go to Cambodia and, upon return, a new 1-year stamp would be entered in the passport.) Another Q is what documentation is necessary? Most of what is posted in forum answers is straightforward; nevertheless, I'm am confused about the income requirements. I have no savings in Thailand. However, thru 4 US government agencies, I receive about $5,000/mo which is directly deposited into my US bank. After it is deposited, I withdraw it all and place it in my Thai bank account. I am sure I can get a letter from the US bank confirming the government deposits as well as a letter from my Thai bank confirming how much has passed thru that account in the last 9 or 10 months. Are those letters sufficient? Last thing: there is a reply in one of the posts that the 'no criminal record' letter is not always necessary. When is it required? How long does it take for Embassy to issue, if needed?

Oh, last time I did my 90-day check-in I went to the new Immigration ofc on Rama IV (I live in BKK). It was all of a 90-second trip once inside - great service. Can that ofc also handle these visa/extension issues?

With all the fine answers here, this all should be easy. But, is it easier still to pay a lawyer a few K for an extension/visa and forget about it?

Thanks everyone....

Bill

[lopburi3]

1. From LA you likely have a single entry non immigrant OA visa (marked "S" rather than "M" for number of entries allowed. In that case you can not obtain a second year by travel/return method.

2. You could obtain a new visa in the US but there is no need for that with your income.

3. Make an appointment with the US Embassy on-line (ACSU) on the web site for May to obtain a letter of income (for retirement extension). You fill out a form indicating your total pension income and sign under oath. Will cost about $30 or baht.

4. Have a current 4x6cm photo, that para 3 letter, passport/copy, departure card/copy and something to indicate your address (lease/letter/landlord note-copy of ID card) or such and visit Immigration with 1,900 baht to apply for extension of stay for 365 days for retirement. You use a TM.7 form which you can download and fill out in advance if you want.

5. Rama IV can not handle any visa or 90 day reporting for non BOI customers effective immediately. You must do at Chiang Watanna (and next 90 day report also).

[bill1369]

Dear Lopburi3 -

Thank you!! Your answer makes it all seem quite easy. I'll start process in May - I assume, once I go to Immigration and hand in all the paperwork, the extension is given while I wait (or w/i a day or so). [No more Rama IV, huh? That place was efficient.]

Can I ask a couple other Q's of you: Is this process you describe what I should do every year from now on? I will never apply for a new visa, only an extension? Also, you are correct, my visa entry is marked "S". I assume it's always going to be an S but, when planning to visit the US, I should submit the multi-entry form + 3,800 baht for a multiple entry stamp. If I do that and leave/return to Thailand, what period of time is given upon re-entry?

Thanks again!!

[lopburi3]

You will require a re-entry permit but unless you plan multi trips the single entry at 1,000 baht is better value. If you use then obtain another when you return to keep as emergency and you will still be ahead.

Yes you just obtain a one year extension of stay each year. They are not marked S or M as they do not allow any entry - you have to use a re-entry permit for that.

Re-entry stamp will be the same date as your permitted to stay date on your extension of stay stamp (and it is also listed on the re-entry permit when you get it). Just be sure to enter the re-entry number in the visa area on return and check that you have been stamped correctly (they have to manually make up a stamp for that date).

[bill1369]

You will require a re-entry permit but unless you plan multi trips the single entry at 1,000 baht is better value. If you use then obtain another when you return to keep as emergency and you will still be ahead.

Yes you just obtain a one year extension of stay each year. They are not marked S or M as they do not allow any entry - you have to use a re-entry permit for that.

Re-entry stamp will be the same date as your permitted to stay date on your extension of stay stamp (and it is also listed on the re-entry permit when you get it). Just be sure to enter the re-entry number in the visa area on return and check that you have been stamped correctly (they have to manually make up a stamp for that date).

Hello Lopburi3,

Maybe you remember giving me advice a couple months ago about a getting an extension of my O-A visa. Just wanted to let you know I followed your advice, went yesterday and a rcv'd the year's extension + the 1 trip stamp without any problems. Thank you very much for your help!!! I appreciate it.

Bill