Retirement Visa

[willyumcr]

I am an American here on a non-O visa based on age. Today I went and got the income letter from Embassy. My stamp in my passport says I have to leave by 01/13/15. Normally I would do the Visa run to Cambodia but now wish to get extension of stay at Jomtien Immigration. I have all the necessay paperwork but my question is: When will my extension of stay start? Will it be on 01/13/15 or if I went in tomorrow would my 90 days start from tomorrow date 12/19/14? I wish to leave on April 10,2015 so if I apply now for the extension do I also apply for the Exit stamp now? Thanks.......Willyum

[partington]

It will start from the end of your current permission to stay, that is 01/13/15. If you are applying for an extension on the basis of retirement you get a one year extension: it is not 90 days. (You have to report your address to immigration whenever you have stayed more than 90 consecutive days in Thailand, but this is nothing to do with your extension or keeping your stay alive, it is simply a report you are obliged to do.)

You can apply for the re-entry permit as soon as you get your extension approved, as you will need a photocopy of the extension stamp in your passport to do this (it is not an exit stamp, and is not called that-it is to allow you back in with your extended permission to stay period intact). You also need a passport photo.

They ask on the re-entry permit form when you intend to leave and return, but you are not held to these dates, so you can put anything down for this. You can get a single re-entry permit for 1000B, or if you want to make an unlimited number of trips, a multi re-entry permit for 3800B.

[ubonjoe]

If you were tp apply for the one year extension of stay (it is not a visa) today it would start from the 13th of January.

You are confusing reports of staying longer than 90 days in the country with extensions. Your first 90 day report would be due 90 days from the 13th of January. If you leave on the 10th of April you would not need to the report.

You can apply for a re-entry permit on the same day you apply for the extension. A single re-entry permit costs 1000 baht and multiple re-entry permit costs 3800 baht. Both would be valid until your extension ends or in the case of the single re-entry permit until you use it. When you enter the country with one it will give you a permit to stay equal to the date your extension ends.

[willyumcr]

Thanks Partington and Ubonjoe. I think I finally understand it all. You are a big help.

[willyumcr]

Well, good day. Got up and left Pattaya by taxi at 6am and went to USA embassy. Had pages added to passport and got the income letter. Total time in embassy 25 minutes. Returned to Pattaya by 11am. At 1:30pm decided to go to Jomtien immigration. After getting copies and photo went into Immigration. Gave them all paperwork and they collected 1,900 baht and told to return tomorrow after 10am to pick up passport. Total time in Immigration, 1/2 hour. Will know tomorrow if accepted. Very productive day. Thanks for the help

[ubonjoe]

Certainly a productive day.

You will have your extension stamp done when you pick up. Once they take your money it means it will be approved.

You could apply for your re-entry permit when you go back to pick it up. Just decide whether you want a single or multiple entry.

[willyumcr]

Again thank you. Not near as bad as I would have guessed. I will probally go for the single as I only leave twice a year for three week visits.

[willyumcr]

One last question. When I go to immigration to pick up passport, is there any paperwork I need to get the reentry permit for my April 10th departure?

[ubonjoe]

You will need to complete a TM8 form and attach a photo to it. http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/download/pdf/tm8.pdf

You will also need copies of you passport photo page, visa, entry/permit to stay stamp, your extension of stay stamp and TM6 departure card.

[willyumcr]

Ubonjoe, I read somewhere else on the forum that it is easier to do at the airport when you leave. Is this so? I have until April.

[ubonjoe]

it can be done at the airport not sure about easier other than the time needed to do it.

[willyumcr]

If you were tp apply for the one year extension of stay (it is not a visa) today it would start from the 13th of January.

You are confusing reports of staying longer than 90 days in the country with extensions. Your first 90 day report would be due 90 days from the 13th of January. If you leave on the 10th of April you would not need to the report.

You can apply for a re-entry permit on the same day you apply for the extension. A single re-entry permit costs 1000 baht and multiple re-entry permit costs 3800 baht. Both would be valid until your extension ends or in the case of the single re-entry permit until you use it. When you enter the country with one it will give you a permit to stay equal to the date your extension ends.

Big problem. I went in and got my passport and received the 1 year extension of stay until 13 January, 2016. The problem is I have to report by 15 March. She told me the 90 days starts from December 18 when I applied and not January 13 when originally was due. I even went back after reviewing this and she told me same thing. So I am leaving on April 10th but have to report on March 15. Not so good.

[ubonjoe]

Some offices do it from the date you applied. Apparently Jomtien is one.

You will just have to the report on March 15. You can do it up to 15 days early or 7 days after the report date including the report date in the count.

Then do the next one 90 days after the date you re-enter the country.

[willyumcr]

OK. What do I need to take with me besides passport when doing the 90 day report?

[ubonjoe]

Since it will be your first report you should fill out a TM47 form and have a copy of your passport photo page, visa, entry/permit to stay stamp, extension stamp and TM6 departure card.