Retirement Visa Question

[Larryst]

I currently have a Retirement Visa and it ends in December 2010. If I leave LOS in October 2010 can I renew it before I leave LOS? I won't be back in Thailand around January or February 2011. Or do I have to wait till I get back to Thailand?

[Lite Beer]

If you are talking about a 12 month extension of stay from Immigration they may well do it early if you have a good reason. They have been known to do this if you are travelling out of the country.

Go and ask them.

If not you would have to start again.

[BWPattaya]

Yes, do it before you go or you will lose it and on your return you would get a 30 day visa on arrival.

[lopburi3]

There is no such thing as a 30 day visa on arrival - that would be visa exempt entry. But if unable to extend first he should obtain a single non immigrant O visa and use that for entry and extension again 60 days later.

[BWPattaya]

There is no such thing as a 30 day visa on arrival - that would be visa exempt entry. But if unable to extend first he should obtain a single non immigrant O visa and use that for entry and extension again 60 days later.

OK, in this case it is a Visa Exempt but there is a classification of Visa On Arrival but you are being pedantic. I am sure readers understood what I meant as the normal tourist gets a visa when he arrives at the airport

From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2491

VISA ON ARRIVAL

- According to the Interior Ministerial Announcements, passport holders from 21 countries and territories may apply for visas at the immigration checkpoints for the purpose of tourism for the period of not exceeding 15 days.

- The applicant must possess means of living expenses at the amount of 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family accordingly.

- The applicant must possess a passport with at least six-month validity and must present full paid ticket which is usable within 15 days since the date of entry

- Visa on arrival is provided at 24 designated international checkpoints and applicants should submit the application form duly filled out and to which his/her recent photograph (4 x 6 cm) is attached. The application fee is 1,000 Baht.

- Visitors who enter the Kingdom with Visa on Arrival generally cannot file an application for extension of stay except in special cases such as illness which prevents them from travelling, etc. They can submit an application at the Office of Immigration Bureau , Immigration Division 1, Government Center B, Chaengwattana Soi 7, Laksi, Bangkok 10210. Tel 0-2141-9889 or at website http://www.immigration.go.th

[InterestedObserver]

The difference between a visa on arrival and visa exempt is 15 versus 30 days, that's not being pedantic.

[Mario2008]

Visa on arrival and visa exempt entry are two completely different things and using the incorrect terminology is confusing. Also at the airport one has to ignore the signs for visa on arrival if one qualifies for visa exempt entry.

[Lite Beer]

Visa On Arrival is 15 days and usually costs 1,000 Baht.

Visa exempt is 30 days and free.