Visa Renewal Based On Retirement - The Reload

[Lobo4819]

After having asked around and checked twice at CM Immigration, I am still a little confused and hope someone can provide clarification.

I currently am towards the end of my one-year extension on my initial 90 day Non-O that I got before coming here last year. When I got the extension, I provided the required bank letter and was approved (retirement). Many expats I have spoken with have said there is no need to do a border run to get a reissue on the Non-O/Retirement, although it is stamped along with the visa that I must leave the Kingdom before the date stamped on the extension. I inquired at CM Immigration at my last 90 day report, and the Immigration official I asked said yes, I must leave the Kingdom then return. Yesterday, I stopped by CM Immigration again and asked a different official, who told me I could get the extension there, to just bring a new bank letter and the usual handful of copies along with a photo. I was thinking of another trip to Immigration to see if I could get a 2 out of 3 consensus, but I am sure there is a vast trove of knowledge out there among TV members who have been doing this same thing for years and years.

Relevant comments and feedback appreciated.

[Jingthing]

Wow. Interesting question. Normally, anyone with an annual extension based on retirement does not need to exit Thailand for the rest of their lives, as long as they keep getting NEW annual extensions based on retirement at their local Thai immigration office (before expiry of their then current annual extension).

However, I don't understand the stamp in your passport saying you have to leave. Weird.

[cloudhopper]

You do not need to leave the country if you are granted another annual extension prior to the date the existing one expires, or before applying for an annual extension either.

[Lobo4819]

The exact wording is, "Application of stay is permitted up to (date). Applicant must leave the Kingdom within the date specified herein. Offenders will be prosecuted."

[Priceless]

The exact wording is, "Application of stay is permitted up to (date). Applicant must leave the Kingdom within the date specified herein. Offenders will be prosecuted."

Imagine the following appended to the second sentennce, i.e. after 'herein' and before the full stop: , unless this permit is extended before or on that date

I hope this answers your question.

/ Priceless

[Dante99]

The exact wording is, "Application of stay is permitted up to (date). Applicant must leave the Kingdom within the date specified herein. Offenders will be prosecuted."

That is standard wording on extensions of stay stamps. Just get it renewed before expiration, you can go in 30 days before expiration and get it done. You do not have to leave the country. Unless...........your situation is unusual.

[lopburi3]

You make an appointment during the last 30 days of that permitted to stay time and fill out a TM.7 form with 4x6cm photo as you did last year and makes copies of passport/visa/extension/departure card and have proof of financials plus the 1,900 baht fee. You should have some proof of address if asked. But very simple and no need to exit. Indeed any exit during extension of stay requires a re-entry permit to prevent losing it.

[NancyL]

Like many people here on what they call "retirement visas", my 90-day O visa expired years ago. But, I extended the permission, granted 12-months due to retirement within 30 days of the expiration of that original visa. Then, every year thereafter I asked for and obtained another 12-month permission to stay within 30 days of expiration of the active extension. I haven't left Thailand for years.

When people say they are "renewing their retirement visas", what they really are doing is asking for an extension of their permission to stay.

Lopburi3, the king of the visa subforum, has a good explanation for this process. Think of the visa as your "invitation to the party". You have to come to the party before the expiration date of the "invitation". Once at the party, you can ask your host for permission to remain longer than the end-time listed on the invitation. If you want to leave the party and return, then you need to get your hand-stamped or else the doorman won't let you in since your invitation has expired.

That hand-stamp to be able to return to the party is known as the "re-entry permit".

Oh, and just so this stays in the Chiang Mai forum and doesn't get moved to the visa forum, I'd like to ask who the OP talked with at Chiang Mai Immigration. The young people who staff the queue number machine and the information counter (the one right in the center) often aren't very knowledgeable and are guilty of making up answers rather than saying they don't know or don't understand the question.

[uptheos]

.Oh, and just so this stays in the Chiang Mai forum and doesn't get moved to the visa forum, I'd like to ask who the OP talked with at Chiang Mai Immigration. The young people who staff the queue number machine and the information counter (the one right in the center) often aren't very knowledgeable and are guilty of making up answers rather than saying they don't know or don't understand the question.

+1 - Make sure you ask someone who knows what they are talking about. The young kids don't like losing face, they think they are immigration officers already!

[kaptainrob]

.Oh, and just so this stays in the Chiang Mai forum and doesn't get moved to the visa forum, I'd like to ask who the OP talked with at Chiang Mai Immigration. The young people who staff the queue number machine and the information counter (the one right in the center) often aren't very knowledgeable and are guilty of making up answers rather than saying they don't know or don't understand the question.

+1 - Make sure you ask someone who knows what they are talking about. The young kids don't like losing face, they think they are immigration officers already!

Exactly. If you phone in you'll be put through to a senior officer with good English.

CM Immigration are very helpful and a delight to deal with if all your paperwork is in order: duplicates of everything signed in BLUE ink etc...

[Lobo4819]

The first one I spoke with was one of the older fellows who worked near the retirement visa desk. At the time I went in, the second one was the competent gentleman who usually gives instructions at the beginning of each day and hands out que numbers. If I had asked one of the kids, I could have asked them anything and they would have just smiled and agreed.