1 Yr. Retirement Visa With 6 Mo. Remaining On Passport ?

[allane]

What options is Immigration lilely to give me if I walk in and request a 1 yr. "Retirement visa", with approximately 6 mo. remaining on my current passport ?

- 1 yr. Visa, and transfer to new passport once I have it ?

- approx. 6 mo. Retirement Visa, with requirement for new "seasoning period" at the end of the 6 mo. ?

- outright refusal, with instructions to get a new pasport first, then come back ?

- other ?

I am a long-time Thai resident, presently on a Non-Immigrant "B". To the best of my knowledge, I meet all the normal requirements for a "Retirement Visa."

[Mario2008]

You will get the extension based on retirement without any problem, but only till the date yur passport expires. When you have a new passport, you go back to immigration to transfer the stamps to the new passport and at the same time they will give you the rest of the 1 year extension for free.

Do get a new passport ASAP. In case you want to travel, you will only cna go to your homecountry as most countries require at least 6 month validity to enter!

[ignis]

Get a new pssport now, you will have to anyway within 6months.

My last passport ran out on Jan 28th, I renewed it on 8th of June.... Date is still Jan for renewal of Passport.

[waanjai-TV]

Two more questions in this context.

Assuming he will get his new passport. They will also cancel the old one but he will be able to show the old re-entry permit stamped in the old passport.

Question 1: Will they let him in on the old re-entry permit?

Question 2: Is there any certification needed for the new passport, should he decide to get a new passport thru embassy services within Thailand?

[allane]

Re: Your Question 2: These passport renewal questions depend on the country of origin; each country sets their own requirements. As a Canadian, I am able to renew my passport here. I pondered your Question 1 too. I just completed a discretionary trip outside of Thailand, timed to ensure that I was back before the 6 mo. final portion of my current passport. I suspect that Thailand will not let you come back in if you have less than 6 mo. remaining. I never quite understood the logic of this rule, but it is quite general I think. For whatever it is worth, in my view, 30 days longer than a standard 30 - 60 day tourist visa should be enough to ensure coverage due to any extended stay on account of illness etc.

[Parvis]

My situation was very similar - only 5 month left on old US passport. I did the following:

1) Applied for new passport at US Embassy 2 month before expiration of 1 year visa extention (takes normally 3 weeks - I think).

2) Had all stamps - reentry permit (but didn't use it) - departure card - transferred from old passport to new passport by Thai immigration.

3) Applied for my next 1 year visa extention with new passport and usual documentation - without problem