Chaeng Wattana Visa Extension

[Billmont]

Your information and paperwork from Hull seems to have been the problem. Retirement extension of stay in Thailand requires a non immigrant visa entry and meeting the financial requirements and filling out a TM7 with photo and 1,900 baht - it must be done at the location serving your residence. No medical or police reports.

Sorry but I completely disagree with what you say. Yes, the end may have been correct in that they advised me to go to my local immigration Office. As for doing everything by the book I did not realise that I had to be wrongly informed by the first officer, and the second department sending me back and then the 3 officer sending me to his Boss is correct procedure and by the book as you claim. I would have though a polite "you must go to your local Immigration Office" would have saved me a lot of time and taxi fares and also would have saved them a lot of time when they are no doubt very busy. They obviously did not know their job and it was not a language problem as my Thai wife fully understood what was said. If I was advised of this at my first visit then no problem, perhaps you do not understand or did not read my comment correctly I was not complaining about Hull or have to go to my local Immigration Office. I am complaining that the immigration officers did not appear to understand their own system and direct me to my local Immigration Office. Only the Officer with 4 gold rings seem to understand this but it took the best part of two days to get this information.

[lopburi3]

I provided you the requirements (and doing during the last 30 days of a permitted to stay entry is also one of them) and why they did not have a clue when you arrived

for a retirement visa and had followed all the instructions I had received from the Hull Consulate including the medical and Police report

.

If you wanted a retirement visa it could only have been obtained from the Embassy in London (Hull can not sell you that) so they told you wrong. To obtain extension of stay you must use your local immigration office so if they said to apply in Bangkok they told you wrong. You do not need a medical or police report so if they told you that they told you wrong. Now you appear at immigration asking for a visa immediately after entry and Immigration has not a clue? I can understand why.

[Billmont]

I provided you the requirements (and doing during the last 30 days of a permitted to stay entry is also one of them) and why they did not have a clue when you arrived

for a retirement visa and had followed all the instructions I had received from the Hull Consulate including the medical and Police report

.

If you wanted a retirement visa it could only have been obtained from the Embassy in London (Hull can not sell you that) so they told you wrong. To obtain extension of stay you must use your local immigration office so if they said to apply in Bangkok they told you wrong. You do not need a medical or police report so if they told you that they told you wrong. Now you appear at immigration asking for a visa immediately after entry and Immigration has not a clue? I can understand why.

Perhaps you do not understand as also the 3 Bangkok officers, Great minds think alike etc! I got the necessary Non Immigrant Visa from Hull with the clear understanding that I would have to apply to the Immigration authorities in Thailand for my retirement visa and I also had all the requirements ie funds etc. It was all very clear as proved two days later in Korat when I presented my documents and everything was accepted after only being in Thailand for 8 days and I had 82 days of the first stamp remaining. I just needed to be told by the Bangkok immigration office to go to my local office. Perhaps I chose a couple of bad days when I visited Bangkok and perhaps it was staffed by trainees much the same as you appear to be as you do not understand that all was required by the Bangkok office was to direct me to my local office which would have taken one minute but they did not know. The Korat office knew what was reqiured and in less than 15 minutes I was on my way home with retirement visa and multiple re-entry stamp. Thank goodness you are not an immigration officer otherwise you would have me going back to the Embassy in London. QED

[lopburi3]

And I can count my blessings not being one also.

But you did not receive a visa but a one year extension of stay for retirement and then had to obtain re-entry permit to act as a visa for any travel. A multi entry non immigrant O-A visa from the Embassy would have not required that for the first year and provided up to two years here before any show of money in Thailand would have been required. Up to you what is better but Hull can not sell a long stay (retirement visa). As for Korat providing early that is highly unusual (only Pattaya used to do that and they have stopped) so suspect it would not happen today.

I suspect the problem was your saying you wanted a visa and show of police report/medical when it was actually an extension of stay you required and these items were not required.

[lopburi3]

Will add to above that a year ago Chiang Watanna was also covering for a number of incomplete Immigration offices upcountry in another office in the same building so suspect that is where you were sent (or mis-sent).

[arthurwait]

Thanks for the link. I'll ask my wife to call them.

Does the WP get extended for one year without submitting more docs and fees after obtaining the extension of stay stamp?

Just want to avoid unnecessary hassle.

Lots and lots and lots and lots of documents.

I'm a bit lost on what you have and haven't got at the moment, but hopefully this is relevant and some help.

The first year a work permit application takes 3 to 4 months. IIRC they all get sent to HQ . One office in BK. It isn't as long in following years. You can work during application IIRC, but not sure about the first year now and I think the date is a year from application, but it's too long ago to remember now. Don't be surprised if documents keep going missing.

Remember minimum wage changed in January, that and the amount of Thai tax reciepts you need to submit.

Remember the photos of your business premises with your employees there and you , but none of you working of course.

I'm a bit lost again on what visa you want, but you can't apply for a years non-B until you have got your work permit and the company has been paying tax for a year again IIRC unless that has changed. I think the above poster is right about applying for a work permit and it only being temporary then applying for a non-B , then going back to get it extended to a year.

The thing we have taken to doing because the rules change all the time and the list of required documents is never upto date with it is going to both the work permit office and immigration and going through everything they need and any rule changes. Otherwise expect at least 3 visits.

Again IIRC I'm not sure that a shareholder (majority) can count as an employee.

During all this time keep yours most likely your wifes mobile on and charged as you may be contacted about your business premises for inspection( just to see if they are real, Thailand hasn't suddenly discovered health and safety) if they can't get through to you your application will most likely go in the bin.

[EvilDrSomkid]

Thanks for the link. I'll ask my wife to call them.

Does the WP get extended for one year without submitting more docs and fees after obtaining the extension of stay stamp?

Just want to avoid unnecessary hassle.

Lots and lots and lots and lots of documents.

I'm a bit lost on what you have and haven't got at the moment, but hopefully this is relevant and some help.

The first year a work permit application takes 3 to 4 months. IIRC they all get sent to HQ . One office in BK. It isn't as long in following years. You can work during application IIRC, but not sure about the first year now and I think the date is a year from application, but it's too long ago to remember now. Don't be surprised if documents keep going missing.

Remember minimum wage changed in January, that and the amount of Thai tax reciepts you need to submit.

Remember the photos of your business premises with your employees there and you , but none of you working of course.

I'm a bit lost again on what visa you want, but you can't apply for a years non-B until you have got your work permit and the company has been paying tax for a year again IIRC unless that has changed. I think the above poster is right about applying for a work permit and it only being temporary then applying for a non-B , then going back to get it extended to a year.

The thing we have taken to doing because the rules change all the time and the list of required documents is never upto date with it is going to both the work permit office and immigration and going through everything they need and any rule changes. Otherwise expect at least 3 visits.

Again IIRC I'm not sure that a shareholder (majority) can count as an employee.

During all this time keep yours most likely your wifes mobile on and charged as you may be contacted about your business premises for inspection( just to see if they are real, Thailand hasn't suddenly discovered health and safety) if they can't get through to you your application will most likely go in the bin.

The situation at present is this:

-The company has been running for more than 5 years, in Bangkok.

-I recently became 40% shareholder.

-It has 2 Thai employees at the moment, one of which is my wife who holds 55%, it will have 4 Thai employees from June 1st.

-I had/have a Non imm O visa.

-Applied for extension of stay based on marriage, return to CW for outcome on June 8th.

-There is a real office.

-The books/accounting are well kept.

[tombkk]

Thanks for the link. I'll ask my wife to call them.

Does the WP get extended for one year without submitting more docs and fees after obtaining the extension of stay stamp?

Just want to avoid unnecessary hassle.

Lots and lots and lots and lots of documents.

I'm a bit lost on what you have and haven't got at the moment, but hopefully this is relevant and some help.

The first year a work permit application takes 3 to 4 months. IIRC they all get sent to HQ . One office in BK. It isn't as long in following years. You can work during application IIRC, but not sure about the first year now and I think the date is a year from application, but it's too long ago to remember now. Don't be surprised if documents keep going missing.

Remember minimum wage changed in January, that and the amount of Thai tax reciepts you need to submit.

Remember the photos of your business premises with your employees there and you , but none of you working of course.

I'm a bit lost again on what visa you want, but you can't apply for a years non-B until you have got your work permit and the company has been paying tax for a year again IIRC unless that has changed. I think the above poster is right about applying for a work permit and it only being temporary then applying for a non-B , then going back to get it extended to a year.

The thing we have taken to doing because the rules change all the time and the list of required documents is never upto date with it is going to both the work permit office and immigration and going through everything they need and any rule changes. Otherwise expect at least 3 visits.

Again IIRC I'm not sure that a shareholder (majority) can count as an employee.

During all this time keep yours most likely your wifes mobile on and charged as you may be contacted about your business premises for inspection( just to see if they are real, Thailand hasn't suddenly discovered health and safety) if they can't get through to you your application will most likely go in the bin.

The situation at present is this:

-The company has been running for more than 5 years, in Bangkok.

-I recently became 40% shareholder.

-It has 2 Thai employees at the moment, one of which is my wife who holds 55%, it will have 4 Thai employees from June 1st.

-I had/have a Non imm O visa.

-Applied for extension of stay based on marriage, return to CW for outcome on June 8th.

-There is a real office.

-The books/accounting are well kept.

A few remarks:

It doesn't take months any more to get a one-year work permit. Those times are over. I got my brand-new one-year WP within ten days. That was for my SME business, no special privileges such as BOI or one-stop.

Being a shareholder in the company reduces the minimum salary required to apply for a work permit, depending on your nationality.

The non-imm O visa will allow you to apply for a work permit. In fact, any non-imm visa is good. (Some people will now contradict me, saying that you don't need a non-imm to apply for the WP. That is correct, but the WP won't be issued unless you have the required visa.)

You currently need four Thai employees and 2 million baht paid-up capital to apply for one work permit.

I have information that the government intends to change this rule and make it a lot easier to apply for a work permit, but that is not confirmed yet and we will have to see what happens after the elections.

[lopburi3]

Actually non immigrant O on basis of retirement is not normally allowed for work permit issue and yes you do not need any specific visa to apply for a work permit.

[EvilDrSomkid]

Thanks for the link. I'll ask my wife to call them.

Does the WP get extended for one year without submitting more docs and fees after obtaining the extension of stay stamp?

Just want to avoid unnecessary hassle.

Lots and lots and lots and lots of documents.

I'm a bit lost on what you have and haven't got at the moment, but hopefully this is relevant and some help.

The first year a work permit application takes 3 to 4 months. IIRC they all get sent to HQ . One office in BK. It isn't as long in following years. You can work during application IIRC, but not sure about the first year now and I think the date is a year from application, but it's too long ago to remember now. Don't be surprised if documents keep going missing.

Remember minimum wage changed in January, that and the amount of Thai tax reciepts you need to submit.

Remember the photos of your business premises with your employees there and you , but none of you working of course.

I'm a bit lost again on what visa you want, but you can't apply for a years non-B until you have got your work permit and the company has been paying tax for a year again IIRC unless that has changed. I think the above poster is right about applying for a work permit and it only being temporary then applying for a non-B , then going back to get it extended to a year.

The thing we have taken to doing because the rules change all the time and the list of required documents is never upto date with it is going to both the work permit office and immigration and going through everything they need and any rule changes. Otherwise expect at least 3 visits.

Again IIRC I'm not sure that a shareholder (majority) can count as an employee.

During all this time keep yours most likely your wifes mobile on and charged as you may be contacted about your business premises for inspection( just to see if they are real, Thailand hasn't suddenly discovered health and safety) if they can't get through to you your application will most likely go in the bin.

The situation at present is this:

-The company has been running for more than 5 years, in Bangkok.

-I recently became 40% shareholder.

-It has 2 Thai employees at the moment, one of which is my wife who holds 55%, it will have 4 Thai employees from June 1st.

-I had/have a Non imm O visa.

-Applied for extension of stay based on marriage, return to CW for outcome on June 8th.

-There is a real office.

-The books/accounting are well kept.

A few remarks:

It doesn't take months any more to get a one-year work permit. Those times are over. I got my brand-new one-year WP within ten days. That was for my SME business, no special privileges such as BOI or one-stop.

Being a shareholder in the company reduces the minimum salary required to apply for a work permit, depending on your nationality.

The non-imm O visa will allow you to apply for a work permit. In fact, any non-imm visa is good. (Some people will now contradict me, saying that you don't need a non-imm to apply for the WP. That is correct, but the WP won't be issued unless you have the required visa.)

You currently need four Thai employees and 2 million baht paid-up capital to apply for one work permit.

I have information that the government intends to change this rule and make it a lot easier to apply for a work permit, but that is not confirmed yet and we will have to see what happens after the elections.

Thanks for your input.

Since I am married to a Thai national, I have understood its only 1 million registered capital required.

My salary will be 50k.

[EvilDrSomkid]

Just to update, got the extension stamp today. Had to wait for an hour.

However, I had to go to the counter and ask if the stamp had been put yet. I had number I27. The queue number jumper from 26 to 28 then 32. I went over and said: Did you miss my number? It was stamped already and was at the bottom of a pile. The staff was totally uninterested, but gave me my stamped passport. Yay!

On a side note, "interesting" people there today...

[Cuchulainn]

A quick question:

do you have to queue up with all the people waiting to apply for an extension (each person could take up to 30 mins to process) or is there a separate counter solely for getting extension stamps (after the 30 day under consideration wait)?

[EvilDrSomkid]

A quick question:

do you have to queue up with all the people waiting to apply for an extension (each person could take up to 30 mins to process) or is there a separate counter solely for getting extension stamps (after the 30 day under consideration wait)?

Separate counter. The I counters. When you get the queue ticket, its on your right. You get called to give your passport (counter I-1), you keep your ticket, wait and your queue number should get called again (counter I-3).

You'll see. Not complicated.

[Cuchulainn]

Thanks. I just remembered that from last year. It's before the 90 day office.