Renewing (Or Extending) Of Retirement Visas

[NavaJauvana]

I'm sure this topic has been covered before but i didn't find it easy to find the answer from past topics. I also found it difficult to find the path to the "Start a New Topic" button. Maybe i'm not clever enough, but maybe the webmasters could make things a bit clearer about how to navigate thru this massive website for newcomers.

My question is this: I am here in Thailand on a Retirement visa. I extended it (or renewed it) for a one year period which ends October 14th. I need to travel out of Thailand on August 12th. If i go to Immigration on August 10th, will they extend my Retirement visa for another year, even if it is still valid for another 2 months? Or do i need to wait until i return to Thailand (date uncertain, but i know it will then need to be before the Retirement visa expires.) Does anyone here have a lot of experience or knows the rules about how much lead time is acceptable for these annual extensions or renewals of the Retirement Visa?

Thanking you for your responses.

[Jingthing]

Normally one month early is standard and always accepted.

Two months is reportedly accepted at Jomtien only without excuse.

Some offices will consider two months early with a good excuse including proof of travel out. This acceptance is totally at their discretion.

If you leave Thailand without a new extension and come back after your current permission to stay expires, you need to start all over.

[ubonjoe]

If you don't have a re-entry permit already you will need to get one from immigration (1000 baht single 3800 multiple entry) before you depart or you will loose your extension.

I suggest your do your new extension after you return from your trip.

[moe666]

Which immigration office do you use that would help to give you your answer. Just go in with your ticket and ask all they can do is say no. As mentioned above some will do it some will not. Good luck

[NavaJauvana]

I am in Bangkok so i go to Chaeng Wattana (sp?), the immigration office that covers BKK.

Does anyone have experience going in with a ticket showing the departure date that helps them get an early extension? Or is it an arbitrary decision of the immigration official at the time of the request?

[ubonjoe]

Or is it an arbitrary decision of the immigration official at the time of the request?

More or less.

It might be worth a try though.

[lopburi3]

Recent reports I have seen do not bode well for early extensions of stay (but nothing but a trip lost is you want to try - if no go get the re-entry permit and hope for a return before expiration of current stay. Starting over is really not a big issue as same paperwork is required each time anyhow - the only additional thing required is a new non immigrant O visa entry (and that can be obtained in Thailand at Chiang Watanna for an extra 2,000 baht if required - but best option would be to obtain from a local Consulate prior to return if you know will not make the re-entry permit deadline).

[NavaJauvana]

So, the general view is that one month before the visa terminates is the normal lead time that immigration allows for getting the one year extension?

Another question regarding the income support requirement. Does a Fixed Deposit passbook and letter from the thai bank suffice as well as a normal Savings passbook? The problem with the Fixed Deposit Passbook is that if there are no withdrawals, it does not show the current balance in the Passbook. Does anyone have experience with using FD as income support for extensions?

[Jingthing]

Post withdrawn.

[lopburi3]

Normal fixed cash deposit is allowed. Such passbooks can easily be updated by teller in my experience but I do not use for immigration.

[Lite Beer]

A Fixed account should be no problem.