How early can I apply for second retirement extension?

[devaram]

My one year retirement extension will expire on december 17 and I may be out of the country then so how early could I get another extension in Chiangmai? For example I may want to travel ouside Thailand from november 1 untill january 1 so could I apply for the extension in late october?

[Jingthing]

Almost certainly, applications as early as ONE MONTH before permission to stay expiration would be accepted at any office without any excuse needed.

In fact such early applications are encouraged and there is no downside as the new extension starts from the old expiration date no matter how early the application.

In your case, as it is over one month, your best chance would be to be able to show a TICKET out of Thailand (an excuse) proving you really need such an early application, and then whether to accept that or not would be at the discretion of the officer. I don't think just saying you want to travel would usually cut it.

Hopefully, you can get some recent local reports of CM people who have tried such early applications here to get a feel for your chances.

Note these policies depend on office and are a moving target. Recently someone posted that Bangkok has changed their policy to allow earlier than one applications without excuse. That, if true, is only about Bangkok.

[lopburi3]

I believe the policy is immigration wide to allow up to 45 days early application for extensions of stay and not confined to Bangkok.

[Jingthing]

I believe the policy is immigration wide to allow up to 45 days early application for extensions of stay and not confined to Bangkok.

Oh. That IS news.

I don't recall a nationwide change like that was ever actually fully reported here. Only the report of one person from Bangkok unless I missed it (quite possible!)

I am curious, if you don't mind, how do you know that is a national change?

If this is confirmed yes, I would think it's worth a formal announcement in a thread. This would be a big deal for a lot of people.

[lopburi3]

I said believe - I did not confirm - but I have seen more than one report and it indicated it was a new policy rather than a local change in Bangkok. Expect we will find out as more people report.

[Jingthing]

I said believe - I did not confirm - but I have seen more than one report and it indicated it was a new policy rather than a local change in Bangkok. Expect we will find out as more people report.

OK, thank you for that clarification. I do have another question though. Were these reports of the policy change all from the Bangkok office? Because if so, as you know, the filtering down of national policies is problematic.

[DogNo1]

Hallelujah! The officers at Cheng Wattana had told me that this year was the last time they would grant me an early extension on my visa which expires on May 13th. I need to leave the country around the 1st of April each year so I have routinely been applying 45 days early. If the change in policy is true, I should be able to renew my visa on April 1st with no problems this year. I've got my fingers crossed!

[blackman]

i have done it at Jomtien nearly 3 months early with an air ticket in hand to be in UK at xmas

[Jingthing]

i have done it at Jomtien nearly 3 months early with an air ticket in hand to be in UK at xmas

What year did you do that? At all RECENTLY?

Because Jomtien's policy USED to be unusually liberal, two months early with no excuse but then they changed back to the more normal one month.

[Chicken George]

We are always able to do it up to 6 weeks before here in Chiang Rai.. but its a horrible place to live... well the last 3 years Ive done it approx 6 weeks esrly. No loss of time either.. Takes a horrible long time to do as well! At least 30mins including re entry visa... must move somewhere else no fun uphere at all..

[Bpuumike]

Got a 1 year extension to O-A at CW yesterday 5 weeks ahead of expiry. I will be at work abroad at expiry date but no ticket asked for.

Incidentally, no bank letter offered nor asked for.

As usual, friendly and helpful service at CW Immigration.

[lopburi3]

You must have used just income letter? Bank letter is not needed in that case.

Sent from my i-mobile i-note WIFI3 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Bpuumike]

You must have used just income letter? Bank letter is not needed in that case.

Sent from my i-mobile i-note WIFI3 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Lop3, yes, an Embassy income letter.