Leaving For 6 Months Retirement Visa Expires

[madgolfer]

I have a retirement visa that is valid till mid March 2013.....I want to go away to Europe for 6 months in January returning in July by then my retirement visa will have expired....what are my options ?

Thanks in advance.

[Lite Beer]

Do you have a Visa or an Extension of stay?

EDIT.

It looks like you have a 12 month extension of stay from Pattaya Immigration.

They might let you renew it early.

Failing that, you would need to start over again with a Non Imm O Visa and apply for the Extension at Immigration as you did last time.

[davejones]

You will have to start again. If you are leaving the country for 6 months then you have no reason to extend your stay. Extending your stay is for people that want to stay in the country.

[lopburi3]

As said ask them if they can renew early - they may well allow if you show your travel plans. If not just obtain a non immigrant O visa for your return and 60 days later do your extension of stay for retirement. Same paperwork required regardless so not a serious issue.

[moe666]

You will have to start again. If you are leaving the country for 6 months then you have no reason to extend your stay. Extending your stay is for people that want to stay in the country.

Not quite true I have left every year for 6 to 4 months to visit family in the states. Just get a re-entry permit before you leave.This doesn't apply to op as his will expire before leaveing.

[madgolfer]

Thanks for the replies....worst case scenario get an O before I return ...maybe they will renew it before I go...on my second renewel so they might do it....