Retirement Visa Renewal Question-Timing

[mtw1000]

I have a retirement visa that expires January 2, 2016. I will be leaving Thailand for christmas on December 17, 2015 and returning January 1, 2016.

Can I renew my retirement visa prior to my leaving on December 17? I don't want to worry when I return, and it seems that I should be able to renew it now. I am hoping someone with more experience on this topic can give me some advice.

Thanks!!! This is a great forum!

[elviajero]

I assume you have a 1 year extension of stay that ends Jan 2nd. In which case you can renew that at your local immigration office at anytime between now and Jan 2nd. You can renew 1 year extensions up to 30 days early (45 days at some offices). The new extension will apply for the end of the old one regardless of when you apply.

You will need to buy a re-entry permit (1,000 baht) when you go on your trip.

[ubonjoe]

You could of done it already. You can do it up to 30 days early.

[likeke]

You can renew your extension of stay before you depart up to 30-45 days before expiration depending upon your particlar local immigration office.

[mtw1000]

Thanks guys! Really appreciate the help.

[Eclipse]

Always a good idea to apply for extensions of stay as early as possible in case of any problems.

[petermik]

Always a good idea to apply for extensions of stay as early as possible in case of any problems.

Just make sure that you finances are in place early enough also.

[blazes]

I am not an expert in these matters, but you mention "renewing" your visa. As far as I know, you cannot renew a visa. You need to apply for an extension of stay. This would require proof of income from your embassy or consulate. Also, you would need (as #2 respondent here said) a re-entry permit.

If for some reason you can't do the paper work for an extension between now and the time you leave, you could still enter the country and obtain a visa on arrival and get that extended in that one month you are in the country. (Needless to say, I stand to be corrected on this opinion.)

[laislica]

I am not an expert in these matters, but you mention "renewing" your visa. As far as I know, you cannot renew a visa. You need to apply for an extension of stay. This would require proof of income from your embassy or consulate. Also, you would need (as #2 respondent here said) a re-entry permit.

If for some reason you can't do the paper work for an extension between now and the time you leave, you could still enter the country and obtain a visa on arrival and get that extended in that one month you are in the country. (Needless to say, I stand to be corrected on this opinion.)

Ah, the old terminology problem

I expect UJ will correct any mistakes I may have made in the following.

The OP has been a TV member since may 2011, is in Thailand for retirement.

At some point he will have had a Non Imm O Visa which got extended before it expired.

At this point the original O Visa is dead.

When asked on various forms for the Visa number, use the extension stamp's number.

30-45 days (some offices allow 45 days as mentioned before that Extension expires it can be renewed.

Again when asked for your Visa number use the current Extension stamp's number.

Every time you wish to leave the country, you must purchase a re-entry permit (1000B).

Failure to do this will kill your Extension (permission to stay in Thailand).

I believe that the OP would then need to obtain a new non imm O Visa and start the whole process again.

If you plan to do a lot of touring other countries in the area and will exit and re-enter more than 3 times,

it would be more cost effective to buy the Multi re-entry permit 3,800B, then you can border hop as many times as you like.

(There might be visa costs to consider in the countries you visit)

As to the financials;

One can provide proof of monthly income in an outside country to one's Embassy or Consulate

and, usually for a fee - which may be quite large,

they will create a letter certifying that there are adequate funds.

Immigration will keep the original of the letter.

or

you have 800,000B in a bank in a "Liquid account", one where you can easily get your hands on the money.

For the very first extension, this money must have been in your bank for a min of 60 days (seeding)

For subsequent extensions it must be there for 90 days.

You update the balance by adding say 1,000B, update the book and ask the bank for a letter to certify

that your funds are really as shown in your bank book and have been there for at least the time period needed.

The fee is usually very small.

You give Immigration a copy of the book and show the original.

Once you have the extension, you may spend the money - or not, as you wish.

Please remember that the Immigration officers are overloaded, as they are in many countries,

therefore, it makes sense to get everything 100% correct when you make your application for the extension.

In my home country, UK, if there is the slightest problem with the application one is likely to have it rejected and lose the fees and time.

Then apply again, with more fees.....

Thus, leaving the application to the very last day is not a good idea!

[DogNo1]

Blazes: It depends on his nationality but without a visa or re-entry permit, he would probably be getting a 30-day visa-exempt entry. Only a few nationalities must do the 15-day Visa on Arrival.

[jacko45k]

I assume you have a 1 year extension of stay that ends Jan 2nd. In which case you can renew that at your local immigration office at anytime between now and Jan 2nd. You can renew 1 year extensions up to 30 days early (45 days at some offices). The new extension will apply for the end of the old one regardless of when you apply.

You will need to buy a re-entry permit (1,000 baht) when you go on your trip.

Be careful you make it back before the first extension expires. I recall some issue with someone having a re-entry based on the prior/expired extension.

[Crossy]

I assume you have a 1 year extension of stay that ends Jan 2nd. In which case you can renew that at your local immigration office at anytime between now and Jan 2nd. You can renew 1 year extensions up to 30 days early (45 days at some offices). The new extension will apply for the end of the old one regardless of when you apply.

You will need to buy a re-entry permit (1,000 baht) when you go on your trip.

Be careful you make it back before the first extension expires. I recall some issue with someone having a re-entry based on the prior/expired extension.

If he renews his extension before his trip he will need a new re-entry permit too. The old one dies with the extension it refers to.

[UTH001]

Always a good idea to apply for extensions of stay as early as possible in case of any problems.

Also note the approval for the extension can take 30 days at some Immigration offices (like Udon Thani)!

[jpinx]

I am not an expert in these matters, but you mention "renewing" your visa. As far as I know, you cannot renew a visa. You need to apply for an extension of stay. This would require proof of income from your embassy or consulate. Also, you would need (as #2 respondent here said) a re-entry permit.

If for some reason you can't do the paper work for an extension between now and the time you leave, you could still enter the country and obtain a visa on arrival and get that extended in that one month you are in the country. (Needless to say, I stand to be corrected on this opinion.)

Ah, the old terminology problem

I expect UJ will correct any mistakes I may have made in the following.

The OP has been a TV member since may 2011, is in Thailand for retirement.

At some point he will have had a Non Imm O Visa which got extended before it expired.

At this point the original O Visa is dead.

When asked on various forms for the Visa number, use the extension stamp's number.

30-45 days (some offices allow 45 days as mentioned before that Extension expires it can be renewed.

Again when asked for your Visa number use the current Extension stamp's number.

Every time you wish to leave the country, you must purchase a re-entry permit (1000B).

Failure to do this will kill your Extension (permission to stay in Thailand).

I believe that the OP would then need to obtain a new non imm O Visa and start the whole process again.

If you plan to do a lot of touring other countries in the area and will exit and re-enter more than 3 times,

it would be more cost effective to buy the Multi re-entry permit 3,800B, then you can border hop as many times as you like.

(There might be visa costs to consider in the countries you visit)

As to the financials;

One can provide proof of monthly income in an outside country to one's Embassy or Consulate

and, usually for a fee - which may be quite large,

they will create a letter certifying that there are adequate funds.

Immigration will keep the original of the letter.

or

you have 800,000B in a bank in a "Liquid account", one where you can easily get your hands on the money.

For the very first extension, this money must have been in your bank for a min of 60 days (seeding)

For subsequent extensions it must be there for 90 days.

You update the balance by adding say 1,000B, update the book and ask the bank for a letter to certify

that your funds are really as shown in your bank book and have been there for at least the time period needed.

The fee is usually very small.

You give Immigration a copy of the book and show the original.

Once you have the extension, you may spend the money - or not, as you wish.

Please remember that the Immigration officers are overloaded, as they are in many countries,

therefore, it makes sense to get everything 100% correct when you make your application for the extension.

In my home country, UK, if there is the slightest problem with the application one is likely to have it rejected and lose the fees and time.

Then apply again, with more fees.....

Thus, leaving the application to the very last day is not a good idea!

Not nit-picking, but the "visa number" issue needs a little more clarity. If you have re-entry permit, on your return the "visa number" you enter on the arrival card is actually the number on the re-entry permit. Caught me out first time, saved by a happy and helpful immigration officer

[Liquorice]

Which is the number of the entry permit?

I have a re-entry stamp, with two separate lines of numbers

First 304/2558

Second 0337 - 04

[Suradit69]

I am not an expert in these matters, but you mention "renewing" your visa. As far as I know, you cannot renew a visa. You need to apply for an extension of stay. This would require proof of income from your embassy or consulate. Also, you would need (as #2 respondent here said) a re-entry permit.

If for some reason you can't do the paper work for an extension between now and the time you leave, you could still enter the country and obtain a visa on arrival and get that extended in that one month you are in the country. (Needless to say, I stand to be corrected on this opinion.)

The O/P refers to his retirement visa, but the assumption is that he means his extension of stay based on retirement. Unfortunately confusing "visa" and "extension of stay" sometimes causes more misunderstandings, but generally people try to figure out what is meant by the context of the question. Some people seem to think distinguishing the two is petty and pedantic, but there are numerous posts involving moaning & gnashing of teeth when the poster finds himself with neither visa nor extension of stay because of the misunderstanding (and usually tries to blame immigrations for making a "mistake.").

Not many nationalities are able to apply for visas on arrival. For most who arrive without a visa, a visa exempt entry is allowed. "Visa Exempt Entry" and "Visa On Arrival" are another set of terms often confused and misused.

[jpinx]

Which is the number of the entry permit?

I have a re-entry stamp, with two separate lines of numbers

First 304/2558

Second 0337 - 04

That first "number" looks like the date

[Suradit69]

Which is the number of the entry permit?

I have a re-entry stamp, with two separate lines of numbers

First 304/2558

Second 0337 - 04

That first "number" looks like the date

Yes 2558 is the current year, so 30/4/2558 would be April 30th 2015 ... probably the date it was issued.

[ubonjoe]

Which is the number of the entry permit?

I have a re-entry stamp, with two separate lines of numbers

First 304/2558

Second 0337 - 04

That first "number" looks like the date

Yes 2558 is the current year, so 30/4/2558 would be April 30th 2015 ... probably the date it was issued.

The number 304 means it is 304th file created in the year 2558.

I don't recall there being a 2nd line of numbers. The re-entry permit number is at the top of the stamp.

[elviajero]

Which is the number of the entry permit?

I have a re-entry stamp, with two separate lines of numbers

First 304/2558

Second 0337 - 04

That first "number" looks like the date

Yes 2558 is the current year, so 30/4/2558 would be April 30th 2015 ... probably the date it was issued.

Or more likely the 304th permit issued that year.

[jpinx]

Mine has a part of the stamp clearly titled "Number" and a handwritten number which bears no resemblance to a date -- but I suppose it's possible that different immigration offices do it differently

[laislica]

I am not an expert in these matters, but you mention "renewing" your visa. As far as I know, you cannot renew a visa. You need to apply for an extension of stay. This would require proof of income from your embassy or consulate. Also, you would need (as #2 respondent here said) a re-entry permit.

If for some reason you can't do the paper work for an extension between now and the time you leave, you could still enter the country and obtain a visa on arrival and get that extended in that one month you are in the country. (Needless to say, I stand to be corrected on this opinion.)

Ah, the old terminology problem

I expect UJ will correct any mistakes I may have made in the following.

The OP has been a TV member since may 2011, is in Thailand for retirement.

At some point he will have had a Non Imm O Visa which got extended before it expired.

At this point the original O Visa is dead.

When asked on various forms for the Visa number, use the extension stamp's number.

30-45 days (some offices allow 45 days as mentioned before that Extension expires it can be renewed.

Again when asked for your Visa number use the current Extension stamp's number.

Every time you wish to leave the country, you must purchase a re-entry permit (1000B).

Failure to do this will kill your Extension (permission to stay in Thailand).

I believe that the OP would then need to obtain a new non imm O Visa and start the whole process again.

If you plan to do a lot of touring other countries in the area and will exit and re-enter more than 3 times,

it would be more cost effective to buy the Multi re-entry permit 3,800B, then you can border hop as many times as you like.

(There might be visa costs to consider in the countries you visit)

As to the financials;

One can provide proof of monthly income in an outside country to one's Embassy or Consulate

and, usually for a fee - which may be quite large,

they will create a letter certifying that there are adequate funds.

Immigration will keep the original of the letter.

or

you have 800,000B in a bank in a "Liquid account", one where you can easily get your hands on the money.

For the very first extension, this money must have been in your bank for a min of 60 days (seeding)

For subsequent extensions it must be there for 90 days.

You update the balance by adding say 1,000B, update the book and ask the bank for a letter to certify

that your funds are really as shown in your bank book and have been there for at least the time period needed.

The fee is usually very small.

You give Immigration a copy of the book and show the original.

Once you have the extension, you may spend the money - or not, as you wish.

Please remember that the Immigration officers are overloaded, as they are in many countries,

therefore, it makes sense to get everything 100% correct when you make your application for the extension.

In my home country, UK, if there is the slightest problem with the application one is likely to have it rejected and lose the fees and time.

Then apply again, with more fees.....

Thus, leaving the application to the very last day is not a good idea!

Not nit-picking, but the "visa number" issue needs a little more clarity. If you have re-entry permit, on your return the "visa number" you enter on the arrival card is actually the number on the re-entry permit. Caught me out first time, saved by a happy and helpful immigration officer

Thanks for the clarification, just the job.

The point I was trying to make was that when the original Visa expires or is extended it is dead. The permission to stay in thailand is the extension which has a number and yes, if you use a re-entry(s) they have a number which is the "Visa number"

I noted that when anything extends or allows re-entry, the stamps before it get marked USED, ie Dead.

[Liquorice]

Which is the number of the entry permit?

I have a re-entry stamp, with two separate lines of numbers

First 304/2558

Second 0337 - 04

That first "number" looks like the date

Yes 2558 is the current year, so 30/4/2558 would be April 30th 2015 ... probably the date it was issued.

The number 304 means it is 304th file created in the year 2558.

I don't recall there being a 2nd line of numbers. The re-entry permit number is at the top of the stamp.

After a little research I found that the first line is indeed the 304th issued re-entry permit in 2558 from Amnat Immigration.

The second line is the receipt number and the book number. Receipt 0037 from Book 04.

There are no other numbers, so the question is which number do you put on a new arrivals card as your Visa number.

The old expired Visa with which I originally entered Thailand, which begins A568____, or a number that many suggest as the re-entry number that seems illusive to all but a few?

[ubonjoe]

I would use 304/2558 in the visa number.space since that is the re-entry permit number.

[jpinx]

After a little research I found that the first line is indeed the 304th issued re-entry permit in 2558 from Amnat Immigration.

The second line is the receipt number and the book number. Receipt 0037 from Book 04.

There are no other numbers, so the question is which number do you put on a new arrivals card as your Visa number.

The old expired Visa with which I originally entered Thailand, which begins A568____, or a number that many suggest as the re-entry number that seems illusive to all but a few?

Comparing it to mine -- the stamp is clear enough ,, there's more "peripheral information" than on mine, but the location of the number within the boundary of the stamp is clear.

[Liquorice]

The number within the peripheral boundary of the stamp is the same (abbreviated) number given below.

304/2558 - 304/58.

Unless I am only the 304th expat to apply for a re-entry permit by mid July, I fail to see how that reference number links me to my Immigration office or address in Thailand, or is that just a reference number to my permission to enter Thailand.

I should still complete my full address on the TM6?

[ubonjoe]

The number within the peripheral boundary of the stamp is the same (abbreviated) number given below.

304/2558 - 304/58.

Unless I am only the 304th expat to apply for a re-entry permit by mid July, I fail to see how that reference number links me to my Immigration office or address in Thailand, or is that just a reference number to my permission to enter Thailand.

I should still complete my full address on the TM6?

304/58 or 314/2558 is the same for all intents and purposes.

You may well be the 304th person to apply for one. They can look at your extension stamp to see what your permit to stay date is.

[laislica]

Guys, when scanning your passport to post on the internet to explain a detail on a forum,

may I suggest that you crop the id number off the bottom.

Too much personal detail which could aid identity theft?

[Liquorice]

Guys, when scanning your passport to post on the internet to explain a detail on a forum,

may I suggest that you crop the id number off the bottom.

Too much personal detail which could aid identity theft?

Thanks for your concern laislica, but I feel your being a bit pessimistic.

There is nothing in a passport number to reveal a name, nationality, DOB, or address, it is just one of millions of numbers contained on passports.

I'd be more concerned about the personal photocopies that we frequently have to supply to various government departments and banks, that do contain all our personal details, that are neither shredded, burnt or destroyed, but inevitably end up on a waste tip somewhere in Thailand.

Now that's a worry!

However, I get your point.

[laislica]

Guys, when scanning your passport to post on the internet to explain a detail on a forum,

may I suggest that you crop the id number off the bottom.

Too much personal detail which could aid identity theft?

Thanks for your concern laislica, but I feel your being a bit pessimistic.

There is nothing in a passport number to reveal a name, nationality, DOB, or address, it is just one of millions of numbers contained on passports.

I'd be more concerned about the personal photocopies that we frequently have to supply to various government departments and banks, that do contain all our personal details, that are neither shredded, burnt or destroyed, but inevitably end up on a waste tip somewhere in Thailand.

Now that's a worry!

However, I get your point.

When I first joined TV, a member warned me about not giving too much away. He told me my real name and other stuff (I've forgotten what he he).

The point is that just remember the simple crop.

The scan has to be cropped anyway, so no big deal.

Just sayin LOL