Short Extension on 1-Year Retirement Extension: Possible?

[NanLaew]

I have a 1-year Retirement extension that expires end of January 2015. The UK passport holding this extension is full although it does have about 4 years validity remaining.

Due to current travel out of Thailand, the Christmas and New Year holidays and the need to renew the above passport before applying for the new extension, I think I may be really pushed for time getting it all in place.

Is there any short-term extension that I may qualify for that allows me the 7-10 days breathing space to ensure I have all my ducks in a row... and the new passport for the new Retirement filing? I doubt that 'waiting for new passport' will curry any favours at Jomtien Immigration or any other office for that matter.

If not, I assume that obtaining a new Non-O back in the UK would need to be considered.

Thanks,

NL

[paz]

You should be able to obtain a new passport even in one day in the UK.

Then you will just need a re-entry permit and be back before the extension validity to extend. There is no additional short time extension you can obtain.

If you can't do that then you can come back visa exempt, convert to a non-imm 'O' in Bangkok, and then apply for the extension as usual.

[NanLaew]

You should be able to obtain a new passport even in one day in the UK.

Then you will just need a re-entry permit and be back before the extension validity to extend. There is no additional short time extension you can obtain.

If you can't do that then you can come back visa exempt, convert to a non-imm 'O' in Bangkok, and then apply for the extension as usual.

Thanks for the response; the same-day passport in the UK is a well-researched option but I should have mentioned I wished to make that a last resort. The appointment for such a renewal needs to be made at least 3 weeks in advance so it's another ticking clock in that regard. Still an option though if I commit to it before Christmas.

Otherwise, I would reckon having the passport renewal submitted at VFS around 16th December if all goes smoothly (it hasn't so far!). Recent intel suggests people currently getting their new passports back between 14 and 17 days after submission at VFS. However, I have the holidays to consider and as of 2 weeks ago, HMPO help-line could not advise what was a working day and what was a holiday.

Your second suggestion may be a better option (definitely cheaper).

Since I am also married to a Thai, how about getting a single-entry Non-O in Savanakhet based on that and then converting it to retirement extension? Do all such conversions have to be done in Bangkok? That's another day trip I would like to avoid.

Thanks,

NL

[steve187]

I renewed my passport in one day at Peterborough this year, made a phone call for an appointment and was at the office at 8.30 the following day, together with a friend that had also got the appointment for the next day, they make about 20 appointments for half hourly intervals, at 12.45 I had the passport in my hand a jumbo size 130.00GBP.

Could you not get a 60 day extension to visit Thai wife, at the end of the month, which would give 90 days to allow for passport application within Thailand.

If you did get a non 'o' you would not have to make a trip to Bangkok, as no conversion would be required

[NanLaew]

I renewed my passport in one day at Peterborough this year, made a phone call for an appointment and was at the office at 8.30 the following day, together with a friend that had also got the appointment for the next day, they make about 20 appointments for half hourly intervals, at 12.45 I had the passport in my hand a jumbo size 130.00GBP.

Could you not get a 60 day extension to visit Thai wife, at the end of the month, which would give 90 days to allow for passport application within Thailand.

If you did get a non 'o' you would not have to make a trip to Bangkok, as no conversion would be required

Excellent and up-to-date info, thanks. The HMPO website states the 3 week appointment lead time but that would probably be for the benefit of the London main PO which I imagine would be very busy and next-day options non-existent. I had been eyeballing Durham as it's closest to where I will spend a bit of time and will possibly be quiet and quick like Peterborough.

I don't think I can extend the Retirement extension on grounds of having a wife, can I? I changed from a Marriage extension to Retirement extension last year for the more painless renewal process. They may wonder why I want to re-introduce my married status in the conundrum beyond the simple reason of being convenient and expedient while my new passport gets issued.

The primary aim is to maintain the current Retirement extension rollover option and the ease of renewal. Worst case scenario would be breaking that chain and getting the new Non-O visa in Savanakhet and starting over.

Thanks,

NL

[wayned]

Get a reentry permit. IF you come back with the new passport after New years before the extension expires, take the new and old passport to immigration and have the stamps transferred (might require a letter from your Embassy/Consulate in Thailand). At the same time aplly for 1 60 days extension, "thai wife". It will cost 1900 baht but will give you time to get your ducks in a row for your next retirement extension, another 1900 baht.

I doubt the Immigration will issue you the extension before you leave, but it worth a try!

[NanLaew]

Get a reentry permit. IF you come back with the new passport after New years before the extension expires, take the new and old passport to immigration and have the stamps transferred (might require a letter from your Embassy/Consulate in Thailand). At the same time aplly for 1 60 days extension, "thai wife". It will cost 1900 baht but will give you time to get your ducks in a row for your next retirement extension, another 1900 baht.

I doubt the Immigration will issue you the extension before you leave, but it worth a try!

I am out of Thailand at present and already have a multiple re-entry permit for the expiring Retirement extension in the 'old/full' passport. I pretty much have the old/new stamp transfer procedure sussed out if I either A ) go get the new passport in the UK and come back, or B ) if I manage to get the new passport back in time via the VFS renewal route. Option A ) involves long flights and more expense for a very short stop in crap weather versus B ) a rush job if the holidays adds to the passport turnaround time from HMPO.

So it is possible to get the 60-day "visit Thai wife" extension in the 'old/full' passport with the expiring Retirement extension? If affirmative, that's more than enough time for my 'mail order' new passport to get here via VFS and less rush in the last week of January.

Thanks,

NL

[wayned]

As long as there is enough room for the extension stamp,. Unfortunately I think that it is the same size as the stamp used for the retirement extension, only stamped "Thai wife" instead of "retirement" So if there's no room for the retirement extension stamp there won't be enough for the 60 day stamp either. I had one years ago in an old passport, just looked, and it took up 1/2 page just like the retirement extension.

[NanLaew]

Thanks for that; rules out that option. I think I will bite the bullet and submit my renewal application at VFS on 16th.

I will however enter Thailand on my other passport with the 30-day visa exempt stamp so that I can still pop out on local business while the new passport gets processed. Hopefully it will get here around 19th January and give me a leisurely 8 working days to get the cats herded.

I originally had a VFS appointment for 12th December but then this bloody typhoon came along! I did send an email last Thursday requesting a move to the 16th December but with the long weekend, they may ignore the date I sent the request change and when I don't show up on 12th, blackball me from resubmitting for 2 months.Then it's defo Plan B and off to the UK in January and do a walk-in renewal.

All the suggestions and options given are greatly appreciated.

NL