Retirement Extension: Bkk Vs. The Provinces

[MoTewada]

I have entered TH on a TR (tourist visa) and I´ve do have the properly seasoned 800K in a TH bank and meet the other criteria (over 50).

I intend to file for the „Retirement Extension“.

Question:

I have read that only BKK and Pukhet immigration will convert and grant the "Retirement Extension", while filing in the smaller provinces is a futile exercise. Is that really the case? If so, this would require me to stick around BKK for another month or so just to file here..while I would in fact prefer to spend my time in a smaller province....

I appreciate any informed feedback!

[Mario2008]

It really depends on the immigration office, some will. For instance Chiang Mai will also convert for reason of retirement.

If you have any specific plans, best is to check with the immigration office for that area.

But you might be able to do the conversion right away, for the conversion it is not necesarry that the money is seasoned. That comes after 2 or 3 months, when you have to aply for an extension. But if the money is seasoned, they might give the conversion and extension in 1 go.

[lopburi3]

Extension of stay has to be done at the immigration office serving your location (regardless of where a conversion is made). In the case of conversions/extensions in Bangkok recent reporting seems to be that you must wait until last 30 days of the allowed 90 day entry to actually do the extension.

[MoTewada]

thanks for the feedback so far. So, to get down to the nitty-gritty, i plan to show up at Immigration in BKK about a week before my tourist visa expires with the following documents to effect a change from the tourist visa to the retirement extension:

TM.7 Application for Extension of Temporary Stay in the Kingdom

Letter from the local TH bank certifying the 800 K - properly seasoned

updated bank books of the day of application

4 x 6 cm photo

PP, and PP copy and copy of the arrival form

copy of the local monthly rental agreement

Is that it? Or, do I miss something? I appreciate informed additional feedback!

thank you!

[lopburi3]

You missed something as you must have at least 11 days and should have 21 days or more remaining on a tourist visa entry to make a conversion to non immigrant entry. The money does not have to be seasoned as you will return 2 months later for the extension of stay.

If you do not have time you may have to extend your tourist visa entry 30 days first.

[ubonjoe]

You need a completed TM86 not TM7. http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/download/pdf/tm86.pdf