Visa Extension

[NavaJauvana]

Hello....esteemed readers and experienced contributors....I have a couple of questions regarding extension of Visas from within Thailand.<br><br>First, I am in my first year in Thailand on a Retirement (O-A) Visa. The visa (or rather the 1 year period from my last entrance on the Visa) is expiring in October this year. I know that i need to go to Immigration to request a one year extension. <br><br>I would like to know exactly and in detail all the paperwork that i need to bring with me to the Immigration Office...Bank letters, etc. <br>I also need to know how far before the Visa expires should i go to Immigration for the extension.<br>I also need to do a 90 day Reporting that falls 9 days before the Visa expires (90 Day Reporting due on 5 Oct. and Visa expires on 14 Oct.). <br>Can i do both the 90 Day Reporting and 1 Year Extension at the same time?? Which do i do first?<br><br>Second question is regarding my son. He is now visiting me here on a 30 day Visa-on-Arrival he received at the airport. He is having dental work done in BKK and his dentist has offered to give him a letter for Immigration requesting a 30 day extension of his tourist visa to complete the dental work. Will Immigration extend a tourist visa for medical/dental work? If yes, can my son go to the old city Immigration office near Sathorn Road for this, or does he need to go to the new Immigration headquarters across the river for this extension?  Is it likely he will get an extension with a letter from his dentist?<br><br>Thanking you in advance for your kind replies and advice. <br>

[lopburi3]

There is no 30 day visa on arrival so your son must have a visa exempt entry and any entry can be extended for medical reasons. He would need to go to Chiang Watanna Soi 7 Immigration (which is on the East side of the river - the same as old Immigration office).

If you had a single entry non immigrant O-A (check that - multi allows a different process) you should plan to extend a week or two before expiration of current stay and you could do both that and address reporting at the same time (it does not matter which is first). You will need 800k in account 3 months and letter of account balance (if using only bank account) with proof that day of account balance (there are branch offices of most banks on ground floor level of Bangkok Immigration). You will need copies of bank passbook, photo/data page of passport, visa and entry stamps and arrival card. Sign all copies. Photo 4x6cm taken within six months and 1,900 baht fee for TM.7 application for extension of stay. They may ask for proof of residence (lease or such).

[NavaJauvana]

There is no 30 day visa on arrival so your son must have a visa exempt entry and any entry can be extended for medical reasons. He would need to go to Chiang Watanna Soi 7 Immigration (which is on the East side of the river - the same as old Immigration office).

If you had a single entry non immigrant O-A (check that - multi allows a different process) you should plan to extend a week or two before expiration of current stay and you could do both that and address reporting at the same time (it does not matter which is first). You will need 800k in account 3 months and letter of account balance (if using only bank account) with proof that day of account balance (there are branch offices of most banks on ground floor level of Bangkok Immigration). You will need copies of bank passbook, photo/data page of passport, visa and entry stamps and arrival card. Sign all copies. Photo 4x6cm taken within six months and 1,900 baht fee for TM.7 application for extension of stay. They may ask for proof of residence (lease or such).

Thank you for this information. I have a multiple-entry non-immigrant O-A Visa. Can you kindly explain the particulars for extending this multiple-entry Visa (rather than a single entry)?

Also, you say i need to show proof on that day that i have the 800,000 baht in my account. That means the copy of passbook needs to be from the day i go for an extension?

How recent must the letter from the bank be? I checked with my Bank (SCB) and they want 200 baht for a letter stating i have an account with them. That sounds crazy to me, but i guess i have no choice.

[Lifer]

There is no 30 day visa on arrival so your son must have a visa exempt entry and any entry can be extended for medical reasons. He would need to go to Chiang Watanna Soi 7 Immigration (which is on the East side of the river - the same as old Immigration office).

If you had a single entry non immigrant O-A (check that - multi allows a different process) you should plan to extend a week or two before expiration of current stay and you could do both that and address reporting at the same time (it does not matter which is first). You will need 800k in account 3 months and letter of account balance (if using only bank account) with proof that day of account balance (there are branch offices of most banks on ground floor level of Bangkok Immigration). You will need copies of bank passbook, photo/data page of passport, visa and entry stamps and arrival card. Sign all copies. Photo 4x6cm taken within six months and 1,900 baht fee for TM.7 application for extension of stay. They may ask for proof of residence (lease or such).

Thank you very much for this information. I have a multiple-entry non-immigrant O-A Visa. Can you kindly explain the difference for extending this multiple-entry Visa (rather than a single entry)?

Also, you say i need to show proof on that day that i have the 800,000 baht in my account. Does this means the copy of my passbook needs to be dated from the day i go for an extension?

How recent must the letter from the bank be? I checked with my Bank (SCB) and they want 200 baht for a letter stating i have an account with them. That sounds crazy to me, but i guess i have no choice.

It's either 200 Baht or a very high ridiculous fee to the Consulate to do an affidavit. US Consulate fee now $50. I think the 200 Baht bank letter is cheaper! Make sure the money has been in the bank for the period required. Good luck.

[Jingthing]

If using the bank account only (sans combo) method the embassy letter is irrelevant and never needed. I find complaining about the 200 baht fee from the bank very, very petty. Banks charge for special services everywhere. The balance shown on the bank letter and the actual passbook balance MUST be exactly the same and the letter should be as fresh as possible (usually the previous day to the application is good enough but it depends on the office).

[Tafia]

Thank you very much for this information. I have a multiple-entry non-immigrant O-A Visa. Can you kindly explain the difference for extending this multiple-entry Visa (rather than a single entry)?

If you have a multi entry O-A visa and are coming to the end of the first year, you can do a border run, ensure you are back in Thailand a day before it expires and you will get a further 12 months without applying for an extension and having to show funds for a further 12 mths.

[lopburi3]

The good news is that you do not have to visit immigration for extension of stay for another year. Any entry made before your current visa expiration date gets a new one year permitted to stay stamp. If you are set on doing now no problem - you can do - but the multi entry allows up to almost two years stay before it is required (although during second year you would need a re-entry permit for any travel - just as you required when on an immigration extension from Chiang Watanna). So you could get on a visa run bus and if visa is still valid return with a new one year stay for about 2,000 baht from Bangkok.

[NavaJauvana]

The good news is that you do not have to visit immigration for extension of stay for another year. Any entry made before your current visa expiration date gets a new one year permitted to stay stamp. If you are set on doing now no problem - you can do - but the multi entry allows up to almost two years stay before it is required (although during second year you would need a re-entry permit for any travel - just as you required when on an immigration extension from Chiang Watanna). So you could get on a visa run bus and if visa is still valid return with a new one year stay for about 2,000 baht from Bangkok.

Thanks to everyone for your replies.

One more question: what do i need to do to get Re-Entry Permits on my Extension to Stay for One Year, so i can travel, go out of the country when i wish, and return keeping the Extension to Stay Valid?

[Tafia]

The good news is that you do not have to visit immigration for extension of stay for another year. Any entry made before your current visa expiration date gets a new one year permitted to stay stamp. If you are set on doing now no problem - you can do - but the multi entry allows up to almost two years stay before it is required (although during second year you would need a re-entry permit for any travel - just as you required when on an immigration extension from Chiang Watanna). So you could get on a visa run bus and if visa is still valid return with a new one year stay for about 2,000 baht from Bangkok.

Thanks to everyone for your replies.

One more question: what do i need to do to get Re-Entry Permits on my Extension to Stay for One Year, so i can travel, go out of the country when i wish, and return keeping the Extension to Stay Valid?

For your second year YES. its essential or you will lose your extension when you leave the country. You can get at Immigration Single entry 1000 THB Multy entry 3800 THB

[Mario2008]

You can apply for the re-entry permit at immigration. Just fill in the form and submit a passport size photo. As said, single is 1,000 baht and multiple 3,800 baht. The re-entry permit is valid as long as your current permission to stay is valid. When your pemisison to stay ends, so does the re-entry permit.

[NavaJauvana]

Thank you. And one more question: Earlier in the thread, it mentions that to extend any visa for medical reasons, one would need to go to Chiang Watanna Soi 7 -- the old Immigration Office in town, not the new one. Is this the same as Suan Phlu? Where exactly is it? How do i get there? Again, thanks to everyone who responded.

[Mario2008]

Chiang Wattana is the new office, on the outskirts of town. I think you misread.

Map:

http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/location1.html

[uptheos]

I checked with my Bank (SCB) and they want 200 baht for a letter stating i have an account with them. That sounds crazy to me, but i guess i have no choice.

To pay 200 Baht for a certified bank letter, stating that you have at least 800,000 Baht deposited for at least 3 months, is a bargain.......it's 4 quid for crying out loud. You obviously haven't been doing much banking in the west these days, if you think that's expensive.

[NavaJauvana]

I see. I am getting a letter from my dentist requesting Immigration to extend my son's 30 day "visa" exempt entry for dental work. He needs to go to the New Immigration Office outside of town for that?

[Mario2008]

Yes, and it is up to immirgation to grant the extension or not. The official rule is that one has to be unable to travel. But some hospitals have good liasons with immigration.

[NavaJauvana]

There is no 30 day visa on arrival so your son must have a visa exempt entry and any entry can be extended for medical reasons. He would need to go to Chiang Watanna Soi 7 Immigration (which is on the East side of the river - the same as old Immigration office).

If you had a single entry non immigrant O-A (check that - multi allows a different process) you should plan to extend a week or two before expiration of current stay and you could do both that and address reporting at the same time (it does not matter which is first). You will need 800k in account 3 months and letter of account balance (if using only bank account) with proof that day of account balance (there are branch offices of most banks on ground floor level of Bangkok Immigration). You will need copies of bank passbook, photo/data page of passport, visa and entry stamps and arrival card. Sign all copies. Photo 4x6cm taken within six months and 1,900 baht fee for TM.7 application for extension of stay. They may ask for proof of residence (lease or such).

I'm confused about where he needs to go to extend his visa for medical reasons....the Old Office on Suan Phlu or the New Office....and how do i get directions to the correct office? Is there a web site with a map?

[lopburi3]

You said the new office was on the other side of the river - it is not. It is at the end of Soi 7.

Post #12 provided a Map link which even has a diagram of the building.

http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/location1.html