What I think is interesting here, apart from the terminology debate, is the fact that we've had three different posters -- including one in CM and another in Chonburi -- talking about renewing retirement extensions by paying visa agents for the service, and not themselves having to appear in person.

My understanding was that Immigration rules required you to appear in person when doing a retirement or marriage extension at Thai Immigration. And that's been discussed a lot, in situations where the person is disabled or frail and would have a hard time traveling to Immigration and/or waiting. And my recollection of the advice given was, they'd still have to go -- short of something like being hospitalized.

But based on the several posts here, it certainly appears that at at least some Immigration offices, there are ways to do retirement extensions without having to appear in person. This being Thailand, I guess it shouldn't be surprising that most problems can be solved through the doling out of a sufficient amount of money.

If one is truly old and infirm, and a picture, the age itself (and maybe a doctor''s certificate...thou I've never been asked for one) supports it, a retirement extension can be done by a close friend or relative without the actual extendee having to appear. At least that's the case at Jomtien because I've processed a relative's retirement extension there for the past several years without them appearing in person. No extra gratuities required.

Edited March 28, 201412 yr by OMGImInPattaya

OMG, in these instances, I don't believe the prior posters here talking about having agents handle the renewals for them were in fact particularly elderly or infirm. They just didn't want to personally deal with the hassle of having to deal directly with Immigration. So their accounts would seem to be a bit different.

But in the case of your relative, whom it sounds like is really elderly, did the Jomtien Immigration office require a doctor's certification, or they were willing to settle for less in letting you handle the renewal?

Thanks.

Despite the fact that Thai immigration choose to call the visa endorsement in my passport an extension of stay, it seems that every dictionary available defines "visa" as more or less being " an official document or mark in a passport that allows you to enter or leave a country for a specific purpose or period of time".

On that basis, I have a Retirement Visa as far as I'm concerned. Just because the word "visa" does not appear on the actual document does not alter the fact that it is for all intents and purposes, a visa as defined by common usage in the English language.

Despite the fact that Thai immigration choose to call the visa endorsement in my passport an extension of stay, it seems that every dictionary available defines "visa" as more or less being " an official document or mark in a passport that allows you to enter or leave a country for a specific purpose or period of time".

On that basis, I have a Retirement Visa as far as I'm concerned. Just because the word "visa" does not appear on the actual document does not alter the fact that it is for all intents and purposes, a visa as defined by common usage in the English language.

Allows you to enter for a specific period of time. Once you enter you are permitted to stay for a period of time.

You are no longer on a visa after you enter you are on a permit to stay and that is what you extend.

Despite the fact that Thai immigration choose to call the visa endorsement in my passport an extension of stay, it seems that every dictionary available defines "visa" as more or less being " an official document or mark in a passport that allows you to enter or leave a country for a specific purpose or period of time".

On that basis, I have a Retirement Visa as far as I'm concerned. Just because the word "visa" does not appear on the actual document does not alter the fact that it is for all intents and purposes, a visa as defined by common usage in the English language.

Allows you to enter for a specific period of time. Once you enter you are permitted to stay for a period of time.

You are no longer on a visa after you enter you are on a permit to stay and that is what you extend.

Not in my world I'm not. You and others like you are hung up on a word technicality.

My credit card doesn't have the words "credit card" printed on it. It doesn't change the fact that it's a credit card. My shoes don't have the word "shoes" written anywhere on them. They are still "shoes".

The English language defines the word visa satisfactorily enough - for all intents and purposes, we all have visas of one sort or another issued by Thai immigration. The Australian and New Zealand visas in my passport do not have the word "visa" on them either, but they're still visas.

Ironically, the visa stamp issued by Thai Immigration upon entry has the words "Visa Class........" on it. And the big blue sign below is proudly displayed at Swampy. So even the Thais understand the word "visa".

Edited March 28, 201412 yr by Gsxrnz

Despite the fact that Thai immigration choose to call the visa endorsement in my passport an extension of stay, it seems that every dictionary available defines "visa" as more or less being " an official document or mark in a passport that allows you to enter or leave a country for a specific purpose or period of time".

On that basis, I have a Retirement Visa as far as I'm concerned. Just because the word "visa" does not appear on the actual document does not alter the fact that it is for all intents and purposes, a visa as defined by common usage in the English language.

Allows you to enter for a specific period of time. Once you enter you are permitted to stay for a period of time.

You are no longer on a visa after you enter you are on a permit to stay and that is what you extend.

Not in my world I'm not. You and others like you are hung up on a word technicality.

My credit card doesn't have the words "credit card" printed on it. It doesn't change the fact that it's a credit card. My shoes don't have the word "shoes" written anywhere on them. They are still "shoes".

The English language defines the word visa satisfactorily enough - for all intents and purposes, we all have visas of one sort or another issued by Thai immigration. The Australian and New Zealand visas in my passport do not have the word "visa" on them either, but they're still visas.

Ironically, the visa stamp issued by Thai Immigration upon entry has the words "Visa Class........" on it. So even the Thais understand the word "visa".

another stupid post, a visa is an endorsement on a passport indicating that the holder is allowed to enter, leave, or stay for a specified period of time in a country. once you enter the country and the visa runs out, you go and get a extension to you permit to stay, not your visa, your visa is finished. if you can not understand that well you have no hope, keep wearing the blinkers and stay in your world, nobody want to know.

Despite the fact that Thai immigration choose to call the visa endorsement in my passport an extension of stay, it seems that every dictionary available defines "visa" as more or less being " an official document or mark in a passport that allows you to enter or leave a country for a specific purpose or period of time".

On that basis, I have a Retirement Visa as far as I'm concerned. Just because the word "visa" does not appear on the actual document does not alter the fact that it is for all intents and purposes, a visa as defined by common usage in the English language.

Allows you to enter for a specific period of time. Once you enter you are permitted to stay for a period of time.

You are no longer on a visa after you enter you are on a permit to stay and that is what you extend.

Not in my world I'm not. You and others like you are hung up on a word technicality.

My credit card doesn't have the words "credit card" printed on it. It doesn't change the fact that it's a credit card. My shoes don't have the word "shoes" written anywhere on them. They are still "shoes".

The English language defines the word visa satisfactorily enough - for all intents and purposes, we all have visas of one sort or another issued by Thai immigration. The Australian and New Zealand visas in my passport do not have the word "visa" on them either, but they're still visas.

Ironically, the visa stamp issued by Thai Immigration upon entry has the words "Visa Class........" on it. So even the Thais understand the word "visa".

another stupid post, a visa is an endorsement on a passport indicating that the holder is allowed to enter, leave, or stay for a specified period of time in a country. once you enter the country and the visa runs out, you go and get a extension to you permit to stay, not your visa, your visa is finished. if you can not understand that well you have no hope, keep wearing the blinkers and stay in your world, nobody want to know.

Why did you post this picture? This is for a VOA, a "real" Visa.

Problem (for you) is that most people here (European, American,...) can't get a VOA.

Despite the fact that Thai immigration choose to call the visa endorsement in my passport an extension of stay, it seems that every dictionary available defines "visa" as more or less being " an official document or mark in a passport that allows you to enter or leave a country for a specific purpose or period of time".

On that basis, I have a Retirement Visa as far as I'm concerned. Just because the word "visa" does not appear on the actual document does not alter the fact that it is for all intents and purposes, a visa as defined by common usage in the English language.

Allows you to enter for a specific period of time. Once you enter you are permitted to stay for a period of time.

You are no longer on a visa after you enter you are on a permit to stay and that is what you extend.

Not in my world I'm not. You and others like you are hung up on a word technicality.

My credit card doesn't have the words "credit card" printed on it. It doesn't change the fact that it's a credit card. My shoes don't have the word "shoes" written anywhere on them. They are still "shoes".

The English language defines the word visa satisfactorily enough - for all intents and purposes, we all have visas of one sort or another issued by Thai immigration. The Australian and New Zealand visas in my passport do not have the word "visa" on them either, but they're still visas.

Ironically, the visa stamp issued by Thai Immigration upon entry has the words "Visa Class........" on it. And the big blue sign below is proudly displayed at Swampy. So even the Thais understand the word "visa".

visa-passport-stamp-from-thailand-21882286.jpg thailand_visa_on_arrival.jpg

You are making yourself look foolish now.

OMG, in these instances, I don't believe the prior posters here talking about having agents handle the renewals for them were in fact particularly elderly or infirm. They just didn't want to personally deal with the hassle of having to deal directly with Immigration. So their accounts would seem to be a bit different.

But in the case of your relative, whom it sounds like is really elderly, did the Jomtien Immigration office require a doctor's certification, or they were willing to settle for less in letting you handle the renewal?

Thanks.

No MD cert required in my case. Yes, my relatives age is quite advanced, easily seen from their passport, and no questions were asked about their not appearing in person. I would imagine such cases are handled on an individual basis with some general guidelines for the immigration staff to follow. For a younger person who nonetheless had an infirmaty I could see them asking for a medical cert.

Glad to hear, that off in the future assuming I make it that far, I won't have to worry about drooling on the Immigration officer's desk.

Advertisement on Thai Visa :

http://www.speedy-visa.com/Retirement-Visa.html

Advertisement on Thai Visa :

http://www.speedy-visa.com/Retirement-Visa.html

illegal

Advertisement on Thai Visa :

http://www.speedy-visa.com/Retirement-Visa.html

illegal

Apparently the extension stamp isn't.

The issue is the remote possibility that such practices cease.

Frankly, there is too much 'black money' in play here for anyone in authority to crack down on it.

people?

do you get anything with the O-A extension, or just some slip of paper?

i want to say TM7 is the extension paperwork? doesn't look to complicated

I don't care what a sign says in immigration. They probably do that because are so many people that would never understand a sign that says extensions of stay based upon retirement because of the incorrect terminology often used.

All I can say is people should please post a stamp in their passport that says they have a retirement visa.

Or the form you fill out that says retirement visa. You can look here and see if you can find it: http://immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/base.php?page=download

Non imm 'O' 'A' visas if multi entry are usable up to the expiry date on the visa, each entry into Thailand will give a 1 year permission to stay stamp,

I only post this in case you were not aware.

Edited March 29, 201412 yr by steve187

Advertisement on Thai Visa :

http://www.speedy-visa.com/Retirement-Visa.html

illegal

Apparently the extension stamp isn't.

The issue is the remote possibility that such practices cease.

Frankly, there is too much 'black money' in play here for anyone in authority to crack down on it.

A visa or extension obtained by fraudulent means, if caught will be null in void. Would like to know how you can say, that there is no one in authority to crack down these illegal practices, Are you in law enforcement.?

Advertisement on Thai Visa :

http://www.speedy-visa.com/Retirement-Visa.html

illegal

Apparently the extension stamp isn't.

The issue is the remote possibility that such practices cease.

Frankly, there is too much 'black money' in play here for anyone in authority to crack down on it.

A visa or extension obtained by fraudulent means, if caught will be null in void. Would like to know how you can say, that there is no one in authority to crack down these illegal practices, Are you in law enforcement.?

A typically pompous post from you, totally lacking in practical knowledge.

Caught by whom ?

Physicians are not good at healing themselves in Thailand.

You don't need to be in law enforcement to understand that there are thousand of such extensions in existence. Remember, an entry/extension stamp is entirely at the discretion of an immigration officer so you can pontificate all you like about fraud.

The likelihood of the practice stopping in the near future is very remote.

Glad to hear, that off in the future assuming I make it that far, I won't have to worry about drooling on the Immigration officer's desk.

I'm not worried about drooling (only72) - I'm worried about getting up the stairs at Phuket Immi next extension time.

Glad to hear, that off in the future assuming I make it that far, I won't have to worry about drooling on the Immigration officer's desk.

I'm not worried about drooling (only72) - I'm worried about getting up the stairs at Phuket Immi next extension time.

I was talking about a far off into the future ME!

My post about Speedy Visa was not about the legality or not, up to ThaiVisa if they allow the advertisement or not,

it was about the names they use in their advertisement :

"Thai Retirement Visas"

" Thai Retirement Visa - First Time Application"

" Thai Retirement Visa - Annual Renewal "

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

My post about Speedy Visa was not about the legality or not, up to ThaiVisa if they allow the advertisement or not,

it was about the names they use in their advertisement :

"Thai Retirement Visas"

" Thai Retirement Visa - First Time Application"

" Thai Retirement Visa - Annual Renewal "

The advert panders to the wealthy ignorant who would rather spend ,<=>10,000Bht on something which actually costs 1900Bht

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

My post about Speedy Visa was not about the legality or not, up to ThaiVisa if they allow the advertisement or not,

it was about the names they use in their advertisement :

"Thai Retirement Visas"

" Thai Retirement Visa - First Time Application"

" Thai Retirement Visa - Annual Renewal "

The advert panders to the wealthy ignorant who would rather spend ,<=>10,000Bht on something which actually costs 1900Bht

As pool states they are pandering to the ignorant, the ignorant think that extensions of stay are visa's, which they are not, you do not believe because they say visa, that is correct, boy you have a lot to learn. A fool and his money are soon parted.

Edited March 29, 201412 yr by MikeandDow

Maybe interesting for some :

"We can provide the funds needed"

but at what price ?

Better to contact discretely the immigration, some officers in some offices, provide the funds as well.

Maybe interesting for some :

"We can provide the funds needed"

but at what price ?

Better to contact discretely the immigration, some officers in some offices, provide the funds as well.

which is illegal, therefore if found out, extension will be null in void, pandering to the ignorant. And what you are suggesting is not allowed on this forum.

Does it mean that my suggestion is not allowed, but the advertisement is.

Does it mean that my suggestion is not allowed, but the advertisement is.

The advert is from Google and TV has no control over them.

We allow a discussion of them because it is good to inform people of the fraudulent aspect of the service they provide.

Fair enough, end of discussion for me.

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

My post about Speedy Visa was not about the legality or not, up to ThaiVisa if they allow the advertisement or not,

it was about the names they use in their advertisement :

"Thai Retirement Visas"

" Thai Retirement Visa - First Time Application"

" Thai Retirement Visa - Annual Renewal "

The advert panders to the wealthy ignorant who would rather spend ,<=>10,000Bht on something which actually costs 1900Bht

Wrong, it panders to the 'potless' who cannot evidence the required financial criteria.

Whilst I know a small number of people who will pay 12,000 Baht just to avoid "the hassle of dealing with immigration" most of the clients of these agents simply do not have the required income or bank deposit.