Retirement Extension, when?

[okitsme]

I am currently staying in the kingdom on a multi entry O type Visa.

I want to apply for a 1 year retirement extension but I'm unsure when to do this.

My O Visas expiry date is 20th November but my last entry stamp gives me permission to stay until 20th December.

I have sufficient seeded bank funds etc so can apply now, however my wife's about to give birth so would appreciate a little more time.

Basically can I apply up to the last entry stamp or only whilst the actual Visa is valid.

Any advice or help very much appreciated

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[PoorSucker]

Anytime during the last 30 days of your permission to stay.

So before 20th December, go early as you will not loose any days, the extension will start the 20th of December anyway.

[okitsme]

So it doesn't matter that my O Visa has expired provided my permission to stay stamp is current. Thanks PoorSucker, that's great

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[Lite Beer]

Your O Visa expired on the day you used it to enter Thailand.

It is the permission to stay that is important.

[Jingthing]

Current info is that 45 days early is accepted at both Bangkok and Jomtien. Generally, the national standard has been 30 days, with some local variances.

[Suradit69]

Current info is that 45 days early is accepted at both Bangkok and Jomtien. Generally, the national standard has been 30 days, with some local variances.

Just to confirm ... it's back to 45 days at Jomtien??

I thought recent comments said it had been pulled back to 30 days at Jomtien. Since mine is coming up and I'd prefer to get it done sooner rather than later, the confirmation would be appreciated.

[Suradit69]

Current info is that 45 days early is accepted at both Bangkok and Jomtien. Generally, the national standard has been 30 days, with some local variances.

Just to confirm ... it's back to 45 days at Jomtien??

I thought recent comments said it had been pulled back to 30 days at Jomtien. Since mine is coming up and I'd prefer to get it done sooner rather than later, the confirmation would be appreciated.

Sorry in reading through the thread I lost track of the OP's situation and just realized that his question was in reference to the first application for the extension of stay while in the country on a permission to stay granted on a Non Imm O rather than the annual extension renewal, which I assume is still only allowed up to 30 days early at Jomtien.

[Jingthing]

Recent report posted here says 45 days early acceptable for retirement extension applications at Jomtien. Yes that was changed from 30 days. Whether this is still in effect cannot be guaranteed. I don't see why there would be any difference between first or subsequent extensions for this. There is for money seasoning but that's not what we're talking about.

[NeverSure]

I read in the law that you have to wait until 30 days, but not fewer than 15 days remain on the permission to stay. So even if the 45 days is working, I still wouldn't wait until fewer than 15 days remain.

[Jingthing]

I read in the law that you have to wait until 30 days, but not fewer than 15 days remain on the permission to stay. So even if the 45 days is working, I still wouldn't wait until fewer than 15 days remain.

That is NOT true about 15 days. You can apply for an extension up until the date of expiration of your current permission to stay. In other words, the LAST day, why would you want to? (Stress!)

As far as the "law" about 30 day limit, well, Jomtien was welcoming applications as early as TWO MONTHS for a few years (not now). Most of the nation, 30 days is in effect now, but reportedly Bangkok and Jomtien, 45 days, until further reports of another change.

[Suradit69]

Recent report posted here says 45 days early acceptable for retirement extension applications at Jomtien. Yes that was changed from 30 days. Whether this is still in effect cannot be guaranteed. I don't see why there would be any difference between first or subsequent extensions for this. There is for money seasoning but that's not what we're talking about.

I read in the law that you have to wait until 30 days, but not fewer than 15 days remain on the permission to stay. So even if the 45 days is working, I still wouldn't wait until fewer than 15 days remain.

That is NOT true about 15 days. You can apply for an extension up until the date of expiration of your current permission to stay. In other words, the LAST day, why would you want to? (Stress!)

As far as the "law" about 30 day limit, well, Jomtien was welcoming applications as early as TWO MONTHS for a few years (not now). Most of the nation, 30 days is in effect now, but reportedly Bangkok and Jomtien, 45 days, until further reports of another change.

"Jomtien was welcoming applications as early as TWO MONTHS ..."

Yes , and when that was in effect I was one of those who used the full two months. Never have had any problems whatsoever, but always work on the assumption that if something can go wrong it will (anywhere, not just in Thailand). So I just like to have it all settled as soon as possible. I'd be a "basket case" if I left it to one or two days before expiration.

Money seasoning isn't a problem (or shouldn't be). I have sufficient monthly income per embassy letter, but bring along the bank letter anyway. I also have documented proof for the amount claimed on the embassy affidavit. I believe in overkill.

This year it just happens to have worked out so that if I could do the renewal 45 days early I could also do the 90 day report and kill both birds with the same appearance. Not a big deal either way, but in the December-January time period Jomtien Immigrations is rather chaotic and I've reached the point in life when chaos has lost its appeal.

I may just give it a try. If I'm told to come back later for the renewal, it'll just mean getting a fresh bank letter, so it's only a Baht 100 gamble.

[OJAS]

Recent report posted here says 45 days early acceptable for retirement extension applications at Jomtien. Yes that was changed from 30 days. Whether this is still in effect cannot be guaranteed. I don't see why there would be any difference between first or subsequent extensions for this. There is for money seasoning but that's not what we're talking about.

I read in the law that you have to wait until 30 days, but not fewer than 15 days remain on the permission to stay. So even if the 45 days is working, I still wouldn't wait until fewer than 15 days remain.

That is NOT true about 15 days. You can apply for an extension up until the date of expiration of your current permission to stay. In other words, the LAST day, why would you want to? (Stress!)

As far as the "law" about 30 day limit, well, Jomtien was welcoming applications as early as TWO MONTHS for a few years (not now). Most of the nation, 30 days is in effect now, but reportedly Bangkok and Jomtien, 45 days, until further reports of another change.

"Jomtien was welcoming applications as early as TWO MONTHS ..."

Yes , and when that was in effect I was one of those who used the full two months. Never have had any problems whatsoever, but always work on the assumption that if something can go wrong it will (anywhere, not just in Thailand). So I just like to have it all settled as soon as possible. I'd be a "basket case" if I left it to one or two days before expiration.

Money seasoning isn't a problem (or shouldn't be). I have sufficient monthly income per embassy letter, but bring along the bank letter anyway. I also have documented proof for the amount claimed on the embassy affidavit. I believe in overkill.

This year it just happens to have worked out so that if I could do the renewal 45 days early I could also do the 90 day report and kill both birds with the same appearance. Not a big deal either way, but in the December-January time period Jomtien Immigrations is rather chaotic and I've reached the point in life when chaos has lost its appeal.

I may just give it a try. If I'm told to come back later for the renewal, it'll just mean getting a fresh bank letter, so it's only a Baht 100 gamble.

If you already had an Embassy affidavit, could you not still use it if you were told to come back (assuming, of course, that it was no older than 6 months by then)?

[ubonjoe]

You could still use it.

[OJAS]

Upon re-reading post #11 I suspect that the poster might still prefer to obtain another bank letter in any event on a "belt-and-braces" basis. His choice, of course.

[Jip99]

This will look like the most stupid question Ihave ever asked. Yes, I am fully conversant with the English language and familiar with terms like 'sell by date' and 'best before' date.

i will ask the question anyway because the timing is crucial for me.

My Non Imm O visa states "Enter before 5th July".

Does that literally mean by Midnight on the 4th July ?

Please don't flame, because if I get it wrong by a day I will not be able to do the retirement extension that I want to do in September 2014. Not only that. I will only get a 30 day stamp

[Suradit69]

I read in the law that you have to wait until 30 days, but not fewer than 15 days remain on the permission to stay. So even if the 45 days is working, I still wouldn't wait until fewer than 15 days remain.

That is NOT true about 15 days. You can apply for an extension up until the date of expiration of your current permission to stay. In other words, the LAST day, why would you want to? (Stress!)

As far as the "law" about 30 day limit, well, Jomtien was welcoming applications as early as TWO MONTHS for a few years (not now). Most of the nation, 30 days is in effect now, but reportedly Bangkok and Jomtien, 45 days, until further reports of another change.

"Jomtien was welcoming applications as early as TWO MONTHS ..."

Yes , and when that was in effect I was one of those who used the full two months. Never have had any problems whatsoever, but always work on the assumption that if something can go wrong it will (anywhere, not just in Thailand). So I just like to have it all settled as soon as possible. I'd be a "basket case" if I left it to one or two days before expiration.

Money seasoning isn't a problem (or shouldn't be). I have sufficient monthly income per embassy letter, but bring along the bank letter anyway. I also have documented proof for the amount claimed on the embassy affidavit. I believe in overkill.

This year it just happens to have worked out so that if I could do the renewal 45 days early I could also do the 90 day report and kill both birds with the same appearance. Not a big deal either way, but in the December-January time period Jomtien Immigrations is rather chaotic and I've reached the point in life when chaos has lost its appeal.

I may just give it a try. If I'm told to come back later for the renewal, it'll just mean getting a fresh bank letter, so it's only a Baht 100 gamble.

If you already had an Embassy affidavit, could you not still use it if you were told to come back (assuming, of course, that it was no older than 6 months by then)?

"it'll just mean getting a fresh bank letter,"

It's not the embassy letter I would need to replace with a fresh copy, it's the bank manager's letter which usually has to be no more than a day old and match the current bank passbook balance.

As I said before, I get both the bank manager's letter and the embassy affidavit. The latter is probably all I need, but since the bank is on the way to Immigrations and I like to have all bases covered, I bring along the letter, the affidavit and supporting documents for the affidavit.

[OJAS]

This will look like the most stupid question Ihave ever asked. Yes, I am fully conversant with the English language and familiar with terms like 'sell by date' and 'best before' date.

i will ask the question anyway because the timing is crucial for me.

My Non Imm O visa states "Enter before 5th July".

Does that literally mean by Midnight on the 4th July ?

Please don't flame, because if I get it wrong by a day I will not be able to do the retirement extension that I want to do in September 2014. Not only that. I will only get a 30 day stamp

Yes, it does. Indeed, I believe that the experts here might advise you to err on the side of caution and enter before midnight on 3rd July.

[lopburi3]

Actually it does not - the accepted meaning is until midnight on the date indicated but our advise would be to arrive on the day before as in the past those that knew English well could read it that way. In no case would midnight on the 3rd ever be considered the meaning. Unless your meaning is to do it a day early in case of delay.

[Suradit69]

This will look like the most stupid question Ihave ever asked. Yes, I am fully conversant with the English language and familiar with terms like 'sell by date' and 'best before' date.

i will ask the question anyway because the timing is crucial for me.

My Non Imm O visa states "Enter before 5th July".

Does that literally mean by Midnight on the 4th July ?

Please don't flame, because if I get it wrong by a day I will not be able to do the retirement extension that I want to do in September 2014. Not only that. I will only get a 30 day stamp

As is always the case, it really doesn't matter what people on TV tell you, it matters what the Immigrations officer to whom you hand your passport tells you and it's better to assume the strict interpretation of the wording. Since most people would take "before" to mean exactly that, better safe than sorry.

It would seem that the wiser/safer thing to do would be make sure you enter on or before the 4th.

[Jip99]

Thanks for the (gentle) replies.

My daughters are coming over next year and one choice is to go to Cambodia on 2nd July. I really wanted to have 3 nights in Siem Reap, returning on the 5th July.

I could just stay 2 nights - or implement my fall-back plan of getting the extension in June before they arrive.

[lopburi3]

You should always get the extension early (you lose no time) - then get the re-entry permit on the same day and be all set for visit and not have to worry about last day application or a car accident delay.

[ubonjoe]

Thanks for the (gentle) replies.

 

My daughters are coming over next year and one choice is to go to Cambodia on 2nd July. I really wanted to have 3 nights in Siem Reap, returning on the 5th July.

 

I could just stay 2 nights - or implement my fall-back plan of getting the extension in June before they arrive.

You can do your entry on the 5th but It is always best to plan on the day before the last day just in case something went wrong.

It seems you have a multiple entry visa. You can do your extension during the last 30 days of any of your 90 day entries. You don't have to wait until your visa expires.

[Suradit69]

Upon re-reading post #11 I suspect that the poster might still prefer to obtain another bank letter in any event on a "belt-and-braces" basis. His choice, of course.

We seem to be using "embassy affidavit" and "bank manager's letter" interchangeably. Actually they're not the same thing. The bank charges Baht 100 for a letter to take to Immigrations. My embassy charges $50.

The embassy letter is, at least in theory, good for 6 months.

The bank manager's letter and corresponding copies of the bank passbook usually have to be dated on the day of application or the day before to pass muster at Jomtien. Anything more than 24 hours old is likely to be rejected unless the officer checking it is feeling especially mellow.

And I wasn't actually seeking advice on either, having successfully survived 7 extension-of-stay applications. My only question was whether or not Jomtien was currently allowing renewals up to 45 days before the current one expires. It had been reduced to 30 days, but now it seems that's up in the air again.

[Jingthing]

No, that is not true. At Jomtien a bank balance letter can be about a week old. Obviously, the fresher the better. Same day is DEFINITELY not required. Also definitely acceptable is a Friday letter before Monday or similar gap due to a holiday.

[Suradit69]

No, that is not true. At Jomtien a bank balance letter can be about a week old. Obviously, the fresher the better. Same day is DEFINITELY not required. Also definitely acceptable is a Friday letter before Monday or similar gap due to a holiday.

"about a week old"

About??

Well, I've heard stories to the contrary, but then there are no shortage of people claiming one thing or another on TV, so it's always difficult to separate what's policy from what's a one-off experience for some individual.

Certainly in Bangkok they're less accommodating, but I'm pretty sure I've heard of people applying at Jomtien getting sent back for a fresher letter than the one they produced.

Anyway I always get it no more than a day in advance and the only thing I really was asking about was the matter of how many days before expiry one could apply for a renewal.

[Jingthing]

This other issue was brought up so we might as well supply ACCURATE information, yes? I believe this to be the truth for JOMTIEN only (obviously).

http://www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com/expats/docs/ExtendingStay.pdf

2. If you are using all or a portion of funds on deposit in a Thai Bank to qualify, you will

need:

a. Original Letter from your Thai Bank certifying your account and showing your balance

(the letter should be dated within the last 7 days – most Expats obtain the day before

applying).

[sometimewoodworker]

Your O Visa expired on the day you used it to enter Thailand. -snip-

no it didn't. The OP has a multi entry visa.

[Suradit69]

This other issue was brought up so we might as well supply ACCURATE information, yes? I believe this to be the truth for JOMTIEN only (obviously).

http://www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com/expats/docs/ExtendingStay.pdf

2. If you are using all or a portion of funds on deposit in a Thai Bank to qualify, you will

need:

a. Original Letter from your Thai Bank certifying your account and showing your balance

(the letter should be dated within the last 7 days – most Expats obtain the day before

applying).

a. Original Letter from your Thai Bank certifying your account and showing your balance

(the letter should be dated within the last 7 days – most Expats obtain the day before

applying).

Well Pattaya City Expats club is a reliable but not infallible or always up-to-date source of information. I guess it's comforting to see "most Expats" seem to go for the "day before applying" approach that I use.

It was you who mentioned the 45 days and I was wondering how ACCURATE that was since no one else seems to have agreed or disagreed with that assertion, which is why I said it's often hard to separate rumor/or one-off experience from current policy. I assume there's nothing on Pattaya City Expats Club that supports the 45 day rumor??

[Jingthing]

It's based on a credible first person report here and I think I recall another poster confirming that info as well RECENTLY. The moment someone credible goes and is told differently and reports that here, then THAT will be the current information. Right now, FOR right now, it is reasonable to believe the 45 day information is indeed CURRENT policy, but that's up to you. Really, there is no further need for further comment on this unless someone has new information. There are no guarantees about anything, things can change on a dime.

[Jip99]

Thanks for the (gentle) replies.

My daughters are coming over next year and one choice is to go to Cambodia on 2nd July. I really wanted to have 3 nights in Siem Reap, returning on the 5th July.

I could just stay 2 nights - or implement my fall-back plan of getting the extension in June before they arrive.

You can do your entry on the 5th but It is always best to plan on the day before the last day just in case something went wrong.

It seems you have a multiple entry visa. You can do your extension during the last 30 days of any of your 90 day entries. You don't have to wait until your visa expires.

Perhaps I was trying to be too greedy.

Enter on the last day of my visa (say, 5th July) and get permission to stay 90 days (say, 3 October) and then go to immigration early September for extension.

To save any undue risks I can go late May/early June to do the extension and get a multiple reentry permit at the same time. I need to complete everything either before my daughters arrive on 21 June.