Retired in Thailand, how long can you visit home country?

[defib]

If retired in Thailand with the required money in Thai bank and doing the 90 day visits to immigration office, how long can you return for a family visit to the UK or home country, and still keep your retirement in Thailand status? Or on each return, do you have to get a new visa to return to Thailand? I would like to return each year to UK, but am worried about possible hassle. Can anyone help explain the rules please! Thanks.

[partington]

If you are on a retirement extension of stay, you can leave the country for as long as you like, providing you get a re-entry permit before you leave, and return before your 'permission to stay until' date.

If on a multi-entry O-A visa, you can leave at any time , for as long as you like, providing you return before the visa expiry date, and you will get a 12 month permission to stay each time you enter, providing you enter within the validity period of your visa.

[defib]

Thanks Partington. So a month or two return every year to UK is fine, as long as you get a re-entry permit. Sounds okay, thanks.

[Lite Beer]

Yes. With a Re Entry Permit it is up to you what you do as long as the Permit is still valid.

[crazygreg44]

If you are on a retirement extension of stay, you can leave the country for as long as you like, providing you get a re-entry permit before you leave, and return before your 'permission to stay until' date.

If on a multi-entry O-A visa, you can leave at any time , for as long as you like, providing you return before the visa expiry date, and you will get a 12 month permission to stay each time you enter, providing you enter within the validity period of your visa.

I think this is wrong information. Upon re-entry into Thailand, you are permitted to stay just until the date when your visa or extension of stay expires. Not any longer. A re-entry does not automatically set you back to a START of another 12 months.

It just sets you back to zero regarding the 90 day report. From the date of re-entering, the 90 days start again, given they are within the validity date of your visa or extension of stay.

[IMA_FARANG]

I want to make it clear just so anyone doesn't misunderstand.

If you are on a retirement "visa" (it's actually an extension of your visa until a date stamped in your passport) because of your retirement status.

That date is when you need to renew your retirement extension.... and effectively when your current extension ends.

Now if you want to leave the country for a holiday you buy yourself a reentry permit.

That reentry permit is valid until the expiration date of your extension .... if you fail to return before that extension renewal date stamped in your passport .... BOTH your extension and that reentry permit are no longer valid

So, short answer, your reentry permit is valid only as long as your extension is valid.

Until that date you can legally reenter the country with no problem because of that reentry permit.

[ubonjoe]

If you are on a retirement extension of stay, you can leave the country for as long as you like, providing you get a re-entry permit before you leave, and return before your 'permission to stay until' date.

If on a multi-entry O-A visa, you can leave at any time , for as long as you like, providing you return before the visa expiry date, and you will get a 12 month permission to stay each time you enter, providing you enter within the validity period of your visa.

I think this is wrong information. Upon re-entry into Thailand, you are permitted to stay just until the date when your visa or extension of stay expires. Not any longer. A re-entry does not automatically set you back to a START of another 12 months.

It just sets you back to zero regarding the 90 day report. From the date of re-entering, the 90 days start again, given they are within the validity date of your visa or extension of stay.

For an extension of stay you correct.

For any multiple entry visa you get what ever entry (OA visa one year) the visa allows until the visa expires (enter before date).

[partington]

If you are on a retirement extension of stay, you can leave the country for as long as you like, providing you get a re-entry permit before you leave, and return before your 'permission to stay until' date.

If on a multi-entry O-A visa, you can leave at any time , for as long as you like, providing you return before the visa expiry date, and you will get a 12 month permission to stay each time you enter, providing you enter within the validity period of your visa.

I think this is wrong information. Upon re-entry into Thailand, you are permitted to stay just until the date when your visa or extension of stay expires. Not any longer. A re-entry does not automatically set you back to a START of another 12 months.

It just sets you back to zero regarding the 90 day report. From the date of re-entering, the 90 days start again, given they are within the validity date of your visa or extension of stay.

Absolutely correct, a re-entry permit just allows you back in, preserving your "permission to stay until date". It does not change the date you have to leave and I did not mean to imply otherwise. Sorry if this wasn't made clear in my post

[OJAS]

And don't forget that the 90-day clock for trips to Immigration for address reporting purposes stops ticking the day you leave Thailand and is reset to zero (or, actually, 1) from the date your passport is stamped back in at BKK. In other words, there is no need for an address report 90 days after your previous report if you happen to be in the UK then!

[HatYai2]

I have a retirement visa obtained in South Africa

Double entry. Issued on 19 Feb 2013

Enter before 18 Feb 2014

1^st entry in March 2013 departed for SA in Dec2013.

Thanks to TV, I learned that if I got back by 17 Feb 2014 I would get another year permission to stay.

Done. Now the visa will last until I depart in November.

Do I get the next extension in SA on the same basis as retirement visa or must it be arranged here before I leave? How?

Many Thanks

[ubonjoe]

I have a retirement visa obtained in South Africa

Double entry. Issued on 19 Feb 2013

Enter before 18 Feb 2014

1^st entry in March 2013 departed for SA in Dec2013.

Thanks to TV, I learned that if I got back by 17 Feb 2014 I would get another year permission to stay.

Done. Now the visa will last until I depart in November.

Do I get the next extension in SA on the same basis as retirement visa or must it be arranged here before I leave? How?

Many Thanks

You will need to get a re-entry permit to keep your one year entry valid you just got if you want to travel. A single is 1000 baht and 3800 baht for a multiple that will be valid for the length of you current permit to stay,

Prior to the date your current permit to stay runs out you will either need to get an extension of stay at immigration here or go home and apply for a new OA visa.meeting the same requirements as the first one.

For the extension here you will need to have 800k baht in a Thai bank or proof of 65k baht income or a combination of the two totaling 800k baht.

[Slinky1958]

Does this also apply to a non imigrant o m visa

[ubonjoe]

Does this also apply to a non imigrant o m visa

I assume you mean multiple entry non immigrant O visa that gives you a 90 day entry, You don't need a re-entry permit.

With this visa you could apply for an extension of stay at immigration during the last 30 days of any of your 90 entries. Once you got an extension of stay you would need a re-entry permit.

[Suradit69]

I want to make it clear just so anyone doesn't misunderstand.

If you are on a retirement "visa" (it's actually an extension of your visa until a date stamped in your passport) because of your retirement status.

That date is when you need to renew your retirement extension.... and effectively when your current extension ends.

Now if you want to leave the country for a holiday you buy yourself a reentry permit.

That reentry permit is valid until the expiration date of your extension .... if you fail to return before that extension renewal date stamped in your passport .... BOTH your extension and that reentry permit are no longer valid

So, short answer, your reentry permit is valid only as long as your extension is valid.

Until that date you can legally reenter the country with no problem because of that reentry permit.

"it's actually an extension of your visa until a date stamped in your passport"

Except that a visa issued by an embassy or consulate cannot be extended. The extension of stay is granted by immigrations. You can get extensions of stay annually from Immigrations based on retirement, but the visa will only be of historical interest showing how you initially entered the country. It is not being extended and is no longer valid for anything other than reference.

[Suradit69]

If you are on a retirement extension of stay, you can leave the country for as long as you like, providing you get a re-entry permit before you leave, and return before your 'permission to stay until' date.

If on a multi-entry O-A visa, you can leave at any time , for as long as you like, providing you return before the visa expiry date, and you will get a 12 month permission to stay each time you enter, providing you enter within the validity period of your visa.

I think this is wrong information. Upon re-entry into Thailand, you are permitted to stay just until the date when your visa or extension of stay expires. Not any longer. A re-entry does not automatically set you back to a START of another 12 months.

It just sets you back to zero regarding the 90 day report. From the date of re-entering, the 90 days start again, given they are within the validity date of your visa or extension of stay.

I think Partington was speaking of the non-imm O-A long stay visa (usually called a retirement visa). They are multiple entry visas for the first year and if you leave and return before the use-by-date you will indeed get another 12 month before you need to go to immigrations for an extension of stay. During the second year, if you want to leave and return to Thailand you will need a re-entry permit or you will lose your permission to stay. Doing it this way you can get two years out of the O-A before you need to get an extension of stay.

[HatYai2]

Thanks ubonjoe

[mrfaroukh]

No problem, if you a year retirement visa and have re-entry visa you can come back on the same visa, no time limit.

[The Deerhunter]

I want to make it clear just so anyone doesn't misunderstand.

If you are on a retirement "visa" (it's actually an extension of your visa until a date stamped in your passport) because of your retirement status.

That date is when you need to renew your retirement extension.... and effectively when your current extension ends.

Now if you want to leave the country for a holiday you buy yourself a reentry permit.

That reentry permit is valid until the expiration date of your extension .... if you fail to return before that extension renewal date stamped in your passport .... BOTH your extension and that reentry permit are no longer valid

So, short answer, your reentry permit is valid only as long as your extension is valid.

Until that date you can legally reenter the country with no problem because of that reentry permit.

Always apply for a retirement visa with a multiple entry permit. Then you can com & go for up to the 12 month date of original entry stamp. On mine, I came on the 18th and my permit says i may stay for one year till the 17th. The "may remain in Thailand until" date that was stamped in your passport when you arrived is real important!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ubonjoe]

No problem, if you a year retirement visa and have re-entry visa you can come back on the same visa, no time limit.

if you had a visa you would not need re-entry permit because it would be a multiple entry more than likely.

If you have an extension of stay (it is not a visa) based upon retirement you would need a re-entry permit to keep your extension valid.

[crazygreg44]

If you are on a retirement extension of stay, you can leave the country for as long as you like, providing you get a re-entry permit before you leave, and return before your 'permission to stay until' date.

If on a multi-entry O-A visa, you can leave at any time , for as long as you like, providing you return before the visa expiry date, and you will get a 12 month permission to stay each time you enter, providing you enter within the validity period of your visa.

I think this is wrong information. Upon re-entry into Thailand, you are permitted to stay just until the date when your visa or extension of stay expires. Not any longer. A re-entry does not automatically set you back to a START of another 12 months.

It just sets you back to zero regarding the 90 day report. From the date of re-entering, the 90 days start again, given they are within the validity date of your visa or extension of stay.

I think Partington was speaking of the non-imm O-A long stay visa (usually called a retirement visa). They are multiple entry visas for the first year and if you leave and return before the use-by-date you will indeed get another 12 month before you need to go to immigrations for an extension of stay. During the second year, if you want to leave and return to Thailand you will need a re-entry permit or you will lose your permission to stay. Doing it this way you can get two years out of the O-A before you need to get an extension of stay.

Ah well, this clarifies that I was indeed wrong ! So it is possible to get another 12 months permission to stay upon re-entry as long as the Visa is still not expired or extended.

Only when the Non Imm O/A has been changed to an extension of stay, based on whatever (marriage, retirement, family reunion) this is not longer possible.

[thepool]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

width=20 alt=rolleyes.gif> I want to make it clear just so anyone doesn't misunderstand.

If you are on a retirement "visa" (it's actually an extension of your visa until a date stamped in your passport) because of your retirement status.

That date is when you need to renew your retirement extension.... and effectively when your current extension ends.

Now if you want to leave the country for a holiday you buy yourself a reentry permit.

That reentry permit is valid until the expiration date of your extension .... if you fail to return before that extension renewal date stamped in your passport .... BOTH your extension and that reentry permit are no longer valid

So, short answer, your reentry permit is valid only as long as your extension is valid.

Until that date you can legally reenter the country with no problem because of that reentry permit.

Always apply for a retirement visa with a multiple entry permit. Then you can com & go for up to the 12 month date of original entry stamp. On mine, I came on the 18th and my permit says i may stay for one year till the 17th. The "may remain in Thailand until" date that was stamped in your passport when you arrived is real important!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where did you obtain a "retirement visa" in Thailand ?

Open the passport and if a "visa" is found please scan and post so that we may all learn!

[GOLDBUGGY]

No problems as long as you get a Re-entry Visa. I chose Multi Re-entry Visa as I leave and come back quite often. Just a couple important points.

If you leave without a Re-entry Visa you will have to reapply for your Retirement Visa once you return. So be sure to get that before you go. They like you to get it a few days before you leave but I was able to do that earlier with a smile and some family connections.

With a Re-entry Visa your Retirement Visa would be good for the whole year. The only thing that changes is your Reporting Periods. It starts as soon as you return. So technically, if you left Thailand every 60 days with a Multiple Entry Visa, and returned 2 weeks later, throughout the year, you would never have to do the 90 Day Reporting.

[ubonjoe]

No problems as long as you get a Re-entry Visa. I chose Multi Re-entry Visa as I leave and come back quite often. Just a couple important points.

If you leave without a Re-entry Visa you will have to reapply for your Retirement Visa once you return. So be sure to get that before you go. They like you to get it a few days before you leave but I was able to do that earlier with a smile and some family connections.

With a Re-entry Visa your Retirement Visa would be good for the whole year. The only thing that changes is your Reporting Periods. It starts as soon as you return. So technically, if you left Thailand every 60 days with a Multiple Entry Visa, and returned 2 weeks later, throughout the year, you would never have to do the 90 Day Reporting.

There is no retirement visa done here in Thailand.

Only extensions of stay based upon retirement are done at immigration. You apply for re-entry permit which is also not a visa.

Your post will only confuse people especially the part where you called a multiple re-entry permit a multiple entry visa.

[stoli]

If you are on a retirement extension of stay, you can leave the country for as long as you like, providing you get a re-entry permit before you leave, and return before your 'permission to stay until' date.

If on a multi-entry O-A visa, you can leave at any time , for as long as you like, providing you return before the visa expiry date, and you will get a 12 month permission to stay each time you enter, providing you enter within the validity period of your visa.

I think this is wrong information. Upon re-entry into Thailand, you are permitted to stay just until the date when your visa or extension of stay expires. Not any longer. A re-entry does not automatically set you back to a START of another 12 months.

It just sets you back to zero regarding the 90 day report. From the date of re-entering, the 90 days start again, given they are within the validity date of your visa or extension of stay.

Absolutely correct, a re-entry permit just allows you back in, preserving your "permission to stay until date". It does not change the date you have to leave and I did not mean to imply otherwise. Sorry if this wasn't made clear in my post

I am not sure if you changed your position. If so, you did not need to do so. You were correct in your original statement. Many people don't realize that with their first O-A it can last for up to two years. An additional one year is correct if you re-enter before the expiration date.

[lopburi3]

As said the original post was totally correct - poster questioning it had read to be about re-entry permit return (which is only valid until previous permitted to stay - first paragraph) rather than a O-A multi entry visa use (which is a new one year stay on each entry - second paragraph).

[kdrayong]

In case you aren't able to make your extension of stay, because you are away from the country in this period, but still have the requirements, like 800k and proof of address. What is the best and cheapest way to return to Thailand and apply for a new extension?

I couldn't find this topic in another thread yet. Okay, just tried for 30 minutes

TIA

[ubonjoe]

In case you aren't able to make your extension of stay, because you are away from the country in this period, but still have the requirements, like 800k and proof of address. What is the best and cheapest way to return to Thailand and apply for a new extension?

I couldn't find this topic in another thread yet. Okay, just tried for 30 minutes

TIA

If you are in your home country and it has a honorary Thai consulate you could get a single entry non-o visa for being 50 or over. If not in home country you could get the same visa from a embassy or official Thai consulate. Then apply for a new extension.

If not able to get a non-o visa then a single entry tourist visa would be next best option. The you could do a change of visa status at immigration to get a 90 day non immigrant visa entry based upon qualifying for an extension of stay based upon retirement by showing the money in bank. You could also apply for the same visa entry with a 30 day visa exempt entry. For either of these options you would need to have 15 days remaining on your entry. You could then apply for the new extension during the last 30 days the 90 day entry you get.

[kdrayong]

ubonjoe,

Perfect answer, no more questions from my side.

Thank you so much!

kd

[OJAS]

If not able to get a non-o visa then a single entry tourist visa would be next best option. The you could do a change of visa status at immigration to get a 90 day non immigrant visa entry based upon qualifying for an extension of stay based upon retirement by showing the money in bank. You could also apply for the same visa entry with a 30 day visa exempt entry. For either of these options you would need to have 15 days remaining on your entry. You could then apply for the new extension during the last 30 days the 90 day entry you get.

However, the OP should check with Maptaput Immigration (which I assume from his username to be his local office) whether they could process the visa status change, or whether a trip to Bangkok Immigration would be required for this purpose. As far as I know, it's more likely the latter.