I am wondering is there is any advantage of applying for a new Extension of Stay vs. applying for a Retirement Visa during a planned return trip to the U.S.

I am a retired American. My current Extension of Stay expires on February 10th, 2015. I had planned to apply for another Extension of Stay. I'll be taking a trip to the U.S. in early February for roughly 3 months before returning to Thailand.

Is there any reason for me to apply for the Extention of Stay before leaving Thailand vs. a new Retirement Visa while I'm in the U.S.

Your insights/guidence would be greatly appreciated.

Getting an extension of stay and a reentry permit before you go is the easiest. If you apply for an O/A visa in the US you'll have to have a police check and medical check and will have to deal with the requirements at the embassy/consulate where you apply.

I assume you mean getting a OA long stay visa when you wrote retirement visa not getting a multiple entry non- o visa.

Whether there would be any advantage to getting the OA would depend upon the financial proof you use for the extension of stay. There would be no advantage if you are using income for it. If using the 800k baht in the bank option you would not need to move funds for that from the states since you can use money you have in the bank in the states.

There is one disadvantage, you reset the clock again on your Visa, so if you wanted to apply for permanent residence, you would have to wait three years from when you entered the country on your new visa. However I think I read somewhere that you could not get a permanent residence on retirement extensions, so it might be a moot point.

There is one disadvantage, you reset the clock again on your Visa, so if you wanted to apply for permanent residence, you would have to wait three years from when you entered the country on your new visa. However I think I read somewhere that you could not get a permanent residence on retirement extensions, so it might be a moot point.

Correct, you can't because one has to be working, and earning very good.

Edited January 1, 201511 yr by paz

Without knowing all the specific details of your case, I reckon if you already are set up with the financial requirements IN THAILAND to continue to get annual extensions (by whichever of the three options: income, bank, or combo) then probably continue with the extensions and be sure to always protect them with reentry permits.

That said, an advantage for anyone who starts with a new O-A visa is that you can basically make it work for about two years before needing to apply for another extension. Perhaps that is something that would be useful to you. If not, I'd pass on it.

Edited January 2, 201511 yr by Jingthing

Without knowing all the specific details of your case, I reckon if you already are set up with the financial requirements IN THAILAND to continue to get annual extensions (by whichever of the three options: income, bank, or combo) then probably continue with the extensions and be sure to always protect them with reentry permits.

That said, an advantage for anyone who starts with a new O-A visa is that you can basically make it work for about two years before needing to apply for another extension. Perhaps that is something that would be useful to you. If not, I'd pass on it.

Pretty much this though I'd add that in addition to the "two year" deal - and it's probably obvious - another advantage is that a new O-A visa is multiple entry so you wouldn't need a re-entry permit for the first year.

I keep reading post where members state how "difficult" it is to get a police check and a medical check but I found it to be relatively simple. Two forms to fill out, two local visits. You're likely aware of the degree of difficulty in your own situation since you've apparently obtained an O-A visa previously.

Thank-you all- your replys have been very helpful...