Overstay On Retirement

[ed53]

My wife and I are American living in Chiang Mai for the last two and a half years on annual permissions to stay based on retirement. Last year we extended with US consulate affidavits regarding income requirements. Our visa stamp this year is until May 26, a Saturday. I had planned to get another income affidavit, however, there are no open appointments at the consulate until May 29.

If a stamp falls on a Saturday, is the permission to stay good until Monday? Can I get an affidavit on the 29th and go to immigration and pay the overstay charges and still get our annual extension? I could wire in the 800,000 baht to a bank here, but the money wouldn't be "seasoned" and I'd rather keep our money in the US if possible.

Any help with this would be appreciated. Thanks.

[ubonjoe]

I would call the consulate and inform them of your situation. I think they would make an exception to the appointment rule.

You would pay overstay of 500 baht per day for at least 3 days. Immigration would expect you to show up on Friday if extension runs out on a Saturday.

[lopburi3]

Can you perhaps get the letter in Bangkok - or plead your case with Consulate? You will be overstay after 26th but would be allowed to extend on Monday; so no sure thing on paying and being accepted Tuesday (although have seen it reported lately at some places it will be up to officer).

[Lite Beer]

Not much help now but in future don't leave it until the last minute.

You have a period of 30 days before the expiry date to apply.

[NancyL]

American citizens in Chiang Mai have a good citizens' service unit at the Consulate, however they do require appointments and are well-known to book up several weeks in advance.

All Expats in Chiang Mai have a fairly good (but busy) Immigration office, but they offer appointments and are well-known to book up several weeks in advance.

I know this is a kinder, gentler forum than some of the others, but I must say that expiration of extension-to-stay is not an emergency situation.

The other option for those who don't like to plan ahead is to fly out of the country, return and ask for 30-day visa exempt status at the airport, visit Chiang Mai Immigration early in that 30 day period, ask for a 90 day O visa and then during the last 30 days of that visa get an income letter from the Am. Consulate and go to Immigration for a 12-month retirement extension.

Yes, I know that involves some forward-planning -- but at least the OP isn't turning his/her lack of planning into a crisis for the consulate.

[ed53]

Thanks all for your thoughts. I am not trying to create an emergency for the consulate, just trying to check my options. We can fly out of country and return getting a 30-day visa exempt status. Is it possible to apply for an extension by reason of retirement during the 30-day tourist visa exempt period? Also, I have been assuming that the 800,00 baht bank account for an retirement extension must be "seasoned"; is this correct? Thanks again all.

[Jingthing]

Thanks all for your thoughts. I am not trying to create an emergency for the consulate, just trying to check my options. We can fly out of country and return getting a 30-day visa exempt status. Is it possible to apply for an extension by reason of retirement during the 30-day tourist visa exempt period? Also, I have been assuming that the 800,00 baht bank account for an retirement extension must be "seasoned"; is this correct? Thanks again all.

To start over it would be seen as a first time extension, requiring a TWO month seasoning period, not three.

[moe666]

You have to convert the 30 day permission to enter the country into a Non-o visa at immigration first. Then 30 days before it expires go to immigration with all documents and apply for a retirement extension of stay. The 1rst 60 days allows you to season the 800,000baht in the thai bank account but you could also go back to the letter of income from the consulate. When you get the non-o conversion you will need the letter from consulate showing income or the 800,000 in the bank but not seasoned they just want to know you have it for the future extension of stay. Figure out what you are going to do and get on line and make your appointments early.

[lopburi3]

Thanks all for your thoughts. I am not trying to create an emergency for the consulate, just trying to check my options. We can fly out of country and return getting a 30-day visa exempt status. Is it possible to apply for an extension by reason of retirement during the 30-day tourist visa exempt period? Also, I have been assuming that the 800,00 baht bank account for an retirement extension must be "seasoned"; is this correct? Thanks again all.

To start over it would be seen as a first time extension, requiring a TWO month seasoning period, not three.

Poster clearly said he had extended last year using Consulate letters so this will require three month seasoning.

Last year we extended with US consulate affidavits regarding income requirements

[IMA_FARANG]

Just a question.....I don't know the answer to this....but is immigration in Chiang Mai even open on a Saturday?

I know Chang Wattana here in Bangkok isn't, so I wonder about Chaing Mai?

And yes, they would expect you here in Chaeng Wattana to be there on a Friday if your extension was due on a Saturday.

[lopburi3]

Actually they are fully willing to issue extension on the first workday after a holiday/weekend - yes you should get extension early as nothing lost - but they will not have issues with reporting Monday for an extension that ends on the weekend from any recent report that I have seen.

[Mario2008]

Just a question.....I don't know the answer to this....but is immigration in Chiang Mai even open on a Saturday?

I know Chang Wattana here in Bangkok isn't, so I wonder about Chaing Mai?

And yes, they would expect you here in Chaeng Wattana to be there on a Friday if your extension was due on a Saturday.

All immigration office are only open on weekdays, that includes Chiang Mai.

Only the Suan Plu office in Bangkok is open on Saturday( mornings only) and only for a re-entry permit!

[ed53]

Thank you to everyone for your comments/thoughts.

Since we seem to hear so many negative things about our government services, I thought I'd share that this morning I sent an email to the US Consulate asking if there was any way to accommodate my wife and me. Within 9 minutes, I got a reply to come to the embassy tomorrow at 9:00 am and they would take care of us.

[ubonjoe]

Very good. Glad that it worked out for you.

I have found the consulate in Bangkok to be helpful also.

[KED]

I am really glad that the U.S. embassy quickly replied with a positive solution. In my dealings with them, I have always been satisfies and even impressed with their efficiency and courtesy. My only complaint (which is not specific to the Thailand Embassy) is the outrageous cost of getting additional pages added to an existing passport. I don't mind a reasonable process fee; however, I feel US 80 is exorbitant - the fee should be more like 40 or 50 at the most.

ok, thanks, rant over and I do feel better.