I got a good deal on a flight out of the country for a holiday. So I quickly snatched it up! But, I booked this before I remembered when my visa expires. Which is March 9th. I return on March 8th into Bangkok in the afternoon, and leave January 27th. I have time to visit the consulate here in Pattaya on the 9th, but won't have time to visit Bangkok if necessary.

So...trying to figure out what to do. I normally use the income method to qualify for this. I know a notarized form is required from the US embassy in Bangkok. And I believe it can not be older than 30 days, right?

So...I was thinking of going the bank balance route, 800k Baht. I have some 600k there now and can top it up in the next few days, but will that be sufficient for "seasoning" requirements? I believe it was over 800k a few months ago, but dropped lower recently. I understand it has to be in the bank for 90 days?

My other concern is what happens if the flight is delayed. A possibility. What's the consequences. I'll only be in Thailand for 30 days, then back to the US for a few months. Is there anyway to do the extension before I leave?

I appreciate your help!

Craig

Hi Craig,

You can renew your visa up to 60 days before expiry, so you have time to renew based on income but not enough time to top up your 800k which needs to be in your account for 3 months.

For the past 4 years I have used a very reliable visa company to do all the necessary for me and renew my retirement visa, get my multi re-entry etc.. It doesn't cost an arm and a leg because I have all the correct documents, sufficient qualifying income etc.

They do it very quickly - usually a 48 hour turn around, you never have to go to immigration and you are guaranteed there won't be any silly hiccups. For me its worth avoiding all the hassle.

Anyway, it's you choice but if you want to know the company, PM me.

Good luck,

Mobi

If you want a new extension of stay, yu cna do it up to 30 days before your current permission to stay exipres. But in case of a need, such as traveling abroad they often allow it earlier than 30 days.

Just show up with all documents and the ticket a few days before your flight to show you will be away and you should be OK.

Edit:

Yes, Jomtiem allows it even up to 60 days before.

Mobi: I will PM you now!

Mario: Thanks. I'll be a bit over the 30 day requirement, but not much. I think I'll pop by today and see what they say...just to be safe.

Thanks for your help! I feel better now and can enjoy planning my upcoming adventure instead of worrying about my visa.

Just a quick update, stopped by Soi 5 in Jomtien today and was first told 30 days was earliest to renew visa. Told the young lady I would be out of the country and was 6 weeks too early? She said, "no problem!".

FYI....

At Jomtien, don't even bother to ask at the front desk if between one and two months early is OK. The desk clerks don't enforce these things, the retirement desk does! Just apply as normal. In my experience, no questions asked, no travel proof needed, business as usual. As soon as someone reports this not working in an actual application (as opposed to reporting what the front desk tells you), please report here, otherwise I will keep giving this advice. Of course bring travel proof IF you have it, especially if closer to two months early.

Cheers.

Edited January 12, 201214 yr by Jingthing

Craig - don't forget to obtain a re-entry permit at the same time as your annual extension of stay. Otherwise you'll only be stamped in for 30 days on your return to Thailand regardless of the extension of stay

Craig - don't forget to obtain a re-entry permit at the same time as your annual extension of stay. Otherwise you'll only be stamped in for 30 days on your return to Thailand regardless of the extension of stay

Excellent point!

OJAS - is this not just basically nullifying the visa as well? 1 year = 30 days and done?

Just get a multi. Will save you the hassle and expense if you want to trip again.

Edited January 14, 201214 yr by bangkokburning

OJAS - is this not just basically nullifying the visa as well? 1 year = 30 days and done?

Just get a multi. Will save you the hassle and expense if you want to trip again.

What are you going on about?

The OP is getting an 'annual extension of stay' from an immigration office in Thailand.

They will then leave Thailand, so require a re-entry permit to keep the one year extension.

This has absolutely nothing to do with visas, single or multi!

The advise was to obtain a multi re-entry permit at 3,800 baht rather than a single each time at 1,000 baht as you would not spend so much time/travel getting more if you know your travel plans will require more than the one trip. Makes sense to many people.