How easy is it to go through Retirment Visa process oneself

[Acharn]

For the love of all things holy, there is no such thing as a retirement visa. One misinformation post after another. Just amazing how you guys that have a retirement extensions are all over 50 and can't wrap your head that fact. Shameful.

Oh, pfui. This is a pedantic semantic quibble. This forum is to share information. In my Immigration Office (Nakhon Sawan) there is a sign in English referring to "extension of visa." There may be some specific terminology that is of interest only to lawyers and judges, but on this forum everybody knows what "retirement visa" means. So do the officers in Immigration, if they speak English (I still meet some who don't).

[chiang mai]

For the love of all things holy, there is no such thing as a retirement visa. One misinformation post after another. Just amazing how you guys that have a retirement extensions are all over 50 and can't wrap your head that fact. Shameful.

Should I ignore the fact that all my visa's have the word "RETIREMENT" stamped across the top of the visa!

[Singerman]

For the love of all things holy, there is no such thing as a retirement visa. One misinformation post after another. Just amazing how you guys that have a retirement extensions are all over 50 and can't wrap your head that fact. Shameful.

Should I ignore the fact that all my visa's have the word "RETIREMENT" stamped across the top of the visa!

Can you scan and post a picture of one of these "visas" with "RETIREMENT" stamped above it ?

[elviajero]

For the love of all things holy, there is no such thing as a retirement visa. One misinformation post after another. Just amazing how you guys that have a retirement extensions are all over 50 and can't wrap your head that fact. Shameful.

Should I ignore the fact that all my visa's have the word "RETIREMENT" stamped across the top of the visa!

Can you scan and post a picture of one of these "visas" with "RETIREMENT" stamped above it ?

Some non 'O' visas do get issued with 'Retirement' written/stamped on them but it's not common.

All extension of stays have the reason written or stamped on the permit to stay. So an extension of stay based on retirement would normally have "retirement' written/stamped somewhere. Sometimes it's hand written in Thai.

[bazza40]

20 - 30K for a retirement visa is a complete ripoff. I had an agent in Chiang Mai do it for 12,000 baht including the fees for the visa and a multiple re-entry permit.

You can save money by converting from the tourist visa to the non-immigrant "O" yourself.

Don't forget you need the 800,000 baht on deposit for three months before applying.

Agents save a lot of time; however, it's quite possible to do it by yourself if you don't mind waiting around.

[chiang mai]

For the love of all things holy, there is no such thing as a retirement visa. One misinformation post after another. Just amazing how you guys that have a retirement extensions are all over 50 and can't wrap your head that fact. Shameful.

Should I ignore the fact that all my visa's have the word "RETIREMENT" stamped across the top of the visa!

Can you scan and post a picture of one of these "visas" with "RETIREMENT" stamped above it ?

Yes I can, but I'm not too interested in doing it just to satisfy your curiosity, why not just ask anyone who has an O-A retirement visa, they're all the same.

[chiang mai]

For the love of all things holy, there is no such thing as a retirement visa. One misinformation post after another. Just amazing how you guys that have a retirement extensions are all over 50 and can't wrap your head that fact. Shameful.

Should I ignore the fact that all my visa's have the word "RETIREMENT" stamped across the top of the visa!

Can you scan and post a picture of one of these "visas" with "RETIREMENT" stamped above it ?

Yes I can, but I'm not too interested in doing it just to satisfy your curiosity, why not just ask anyone who has an O-A retirement visa, they're all the same.

Oh here:

IMG.pdf

[lopburi3]

20 - 30K for a retirement visa is a complete ripoff. I had an agent in Chiang Mai do it for 12,000 baht including the fees for the visa and a multiple re-entry permit.

You can save money by converting from the tourist visa to the non-immigrant "O" yourself.

Don't forget you need the 800,000 baht on deposit for three months before applying.

Agents save a lot of time; however, it's quite possible to do it by yourself if you don't mind waiting around.

Not true for first extension of stay for retirement the money must be in account 2 months not three - this allows you to enter and establish account within the 90 days of a non immigrant O visa entry and make application for extension - further extensions will require the 3 month time.

Agents save no time for most - it is just hand-holding. But some do prefer.

[elviajero]

Should I ignore the fact that all my visa's have the word "RETIREMENT" stamped across the top of the visa!

Can you scan and post a picture of one of these "visas" with "RETIREMENT" stamped above it ?

Yes I can, but I'm not too interested in doing it just to satisfy your curiosity, why not just ask anyone who has an O-A retirement visa, they're all the same.

Oh here:

IMG.pdf

Once again. That is not a visa. It is an extension of stay issued for the reason of retirement.

Whatever non immigrant visa you entered the country with has, no doubt, already expired and of no further use. If you had a single entry visa it would have been invalid as soon as you entered the country.

You no longer have a visa.

[Aussieroaming]

Which one is easier ,retirement or marriage visa ?

Retirement...simple and no need to be retired from work, just need to be over 50 with no intent to work in Thailand.

[Eclipse]

Which one is easier ,retirement or marriage visa ?

Retirement...simple and no need to be retired from work, just need to be over 50 with no intent to work in Thailand.

And more money in the bank or income

[Dumbastheycome]

Which one is easier ,retirement or marriage visa ?

Historically...

retirement and extension for stay.

Currently....

retirement less involved but increasingly prolonged and more scrutinized for extension.

[bazza40]

20 - 30K for a retirement visa is a complete ripoff. I had an agent in Chiang Mai do it for 12,000 baht including the fees for the visa and a multiple re-entry permit.

You can save money by converting from the tourist visa to the non-immigrant "O" yourself.

Don't forget you need the 800,000 baht on deposit for three months before applying.

Agents save a lot of time; however, it's quite possible to do it by yourself if you don't mind waiting around.

Not true for first extension of stay for retirement the money must be in account 2 months not three - this allows you to enter and establish account within the 90 days of a non immigrant O visa entry and make application for extension - further extensions will require the 3 month time.

Agents save no time for most - it is just hand-holding. But some do prefer.

I stand corrected - this 2 months/3 months on deposit is always confusing to me.

The difference between an agent and no agent at CM immigration is 15 minutes vs 3 - 5 hours. I have better things to do with my time. Perhaps your location is more user-friendly.

[Eclipse]

20 - 30K for a retirement visa is a complete ripoff. I had an agent in Chiang Mai do it for 12,000 baht including the fees for the visa and a multiple re-entry permit.

You can save money by converting from the tourist visa to the non-immigrant "O" yourself.

Don't forget you need the 800,000 baht on deposit for three months before applying.

Agents save a lot of time; however, it's quite possible to do it by yourself if you don't mind waiting around.

Not true for first extension of stay for retirement the money must be in account 2 months not three - this allows you to enter and establish account within the 90 days of a non immigrant O visa entry and make application for extension - further extensions will require the 3 month time.

Agents save no time for most - it is just hand-holding. But some do prefer.

I stand corrected - this 2 months/3 months on deposit is always confusing to me.

The difference between an agent and no agent at CM immigration is 15 minutes vs 3 - 5 hours. I have better things to do with my time. Perhaps your location is more user-friendly.

Yes it is but I would still not pay a bunch of crooks for something I could so easily do myself.

Why would you?

[chiang mai]

Can you scan and post a picture of one of these "visas" with "RETIREMENT" stamped above it ?

Yes I can, but I'm not too interested in doing it just to satisfy your curiosity, why not just ask anyone who has an O-A retirement visa, they're all the same.

Oh here:

IMG.pdf

Once again. That is not a visa. It is an extension of stay issued for the reason of retirement.

Whatever non immigrant visa you entered the country with has, no doubt, already expired and of no further use. If you had a single entry visa it would have been invalid as soon as you entered the country.

You no longer have a visa.

I think it is pedantic and incorrect to suggest that the visa expires the second it is used. When a persons O-A visa is initially issued it is valid for at least twelve months, based on timing it can be valid for almost two years, during that time the visa doesn't expire and the holder can come and go as they please. After an extension of stay the same remains true although according to you there is no underlying visa because it expired, the extension is therefore based on the fact that a person had what, a visa at one point in the past, I don't think so.

And when issued with an extension of stay, bearing in mind the visa has expired (so you say), the holder can leave and return to the country using what, an extention of something that has expired, again, I don't think so.

The fact is that each extension of stay is also a visa extension, a visa that is based on retirement.

[Eclipse]

The fact is that an extension is an extension of your temporary permision to stay.

It is not a Visa Extension.

[bazza40]

20 - 30K for a retirement visa is a complete ripoff. I had an agent in Chiang Mai do it for 12,000 baht including the fees for the visa and a multiple re-entry permit.

You can save money by converting from the tourist visa to the non-immigrant "O" yourself.

Don't forget you need the 800,000 baht on deposit for three months before applying.

Agents save a lot of time; however, it's quite possible to do it by yourself if you don't mind waiting around.

Not true for first extension of stay for retirement the money must be in account 2 months not three - this allows you to enter and establish account within the 90 days of a non immigrant O visa entry and make application for extension - further extensions will require the 3 month time.

Agents save no time for most - it is just hand-holding. But some do prefer.

I stand corrected - this 2 months/3 months on deposit is always confusing to me.

The difference between an agent and no agent at CM immigration is 15 minutes vs 3 - 5 hours. I have better things to do with my time. Perhaps your location is more user-friendly.

Yes it is but I would still not pay a bunch of crooks for something I could so easily do myself.

Why would you?

I thought I had already given the reason. Perhaps your obvious prejudice against agents prevented you from reading that part.

[Eclipse]

Yes it is but I would still not pay a bunch of crooks for something I could so easily do myself.

Why would you?

I thought I had already given the reason. Perhaps your obvious prejudice against agents prevented you from reading that part.

More like a prejudice against being ripped off.

[elviajero]

Oh here:

IMG.pdf

Once again. That is not a visa. It is an extension of stay issued for the reason of retirement.

Whatever non immigrant visa you entered the country with has, no doubt, already expired and of no further use. If you had a single entry visa it would have been invalid as soon as you entered the country.

You no longer have a visa.

I think it is pedantic and incorrect to suggest that the visa expires the second it is used. When a persons O-A visa is initially issued it is valid for at least twelve months, based on timing it can be valid for almost two years, during that time the visa doesn't expire and the holder can come and go as they please. After an extension of stay the same remains true although according to you there is no underlying visa because it expired, the extension is therefore based on the fact that a person had what, a visa at one point in the past, I don't think so.

And when issued with an extension of stay, bearing in mind the visa has expired (so you say), the holder can leave and return to the country using what, an extention of something that has expired, again, I don't think so.

The fact is that each extension of stay is also a visa extension, a visa that is based on retirement.

I was not being pedantic and everything I wrote was correct. To clarify and answer your misunderstandings,

• You posted a picture of an extension of stay and not a non 'O-A' visa. If that is your permit then you no longer have a valid visa.
• I specifically referred to single entry visa becoming invalid (used) upon entry. A non 'O-A' allows multiple entries so it remains valid, for 1 year, until midnight of the 'enter before' date. If someone made their last entry on the 'enter before' date the visa would be used and invalid upon entry. The IO would grant a 1 year stay and at the end of that year one can apply to extend that stay by a further year. The visa is no longer relevant and not being extended. The stay granted on entry is being extended.
• Extensions of stay are granted to extend a stay not extend a visa. No valid, current visa is necessary.
• Extensions of stay for the reason of retirement are granted as long as you entered the country with a non immigrant visa. So yes, you were granted an extension because you, at some point, entered the country with a qualifying visa.
• If someone, with an extension of stay, wants to leave and return they need to buy a re-entery permit. On re-entry the IO uses the re-entry permit and not the original visa.
• Re-entry permits are necessary for the very fact that you no longer have a valid visa.
• Extensions of stay are not "visa extension" they are extensions of the stay granted on entry.
• One could be issued a non 'O-A' and at the appropriate time apply for an extension of stay for any reason they qualify for. It doesn't have to be retirement.

[bazza40]

Yes it is but I would still not pay a bunch of crooks for something I could so easily do myself.

Why would you?

I thought I had already given the reason. Perhaps your obvious prejudice against agents prevented you from reading that part.

More like a prejudice against being ripped off.

Depends on how you value your own time, doesn't it?

[Eclipse]

Yes it is but I would still not pay a bunch of crooks for something I could so easily do myself.

Why would you?

I thought I had already given the reason. Perhaps your obvious prejudice against agents prevented you from reading that part.

More like a prejudice against being ripped off.

Depends on how you value your own time, doesn't it?

Depends on how you value your hard urned cash and also how you trust your ability to do simple tasks.

[RBOP]

Thanks all for your comments and discussions. So does anyone know what documents they will need at Thai Consulate in Vientiane for 90 day Non-O visas for me, wife and child?

[ubonjoe]

Thanks all for your comments and discussions. So does anyone know what documents they will need at Thai Consulate in Vientiane for 90 day Non-O visas for me, wife and child?

You will need your financial proof to get yours. Income letter or bank book or both totaling 800k baht. The money only has to be in the bank on the date you apply.

Marriage and birth certificates for your family. If not in English they must be translated to Thai.

[ubonjoe]

A post with a inflammatory comment attempting to instigate further bickering has been removed.

[RBOP]

Thanks all for your comments and discussions. So does anyone know what documents they will need at Thai Consulate in Vientiane for 90 day Non-O visas for me, wife and child?

You will need your financial proof to get yours. Income letter or bank book or both totaling 800k baht. The money only has to be in the bank on the date you apply.

Marriage and birth certificates for your family. If not in English they must be translated to Thai.

UbonJoe,

Thanks so your saying bring the bank letter to Vientiane Thai Consulate to support getting the 90 day Non-O visas?

[ubonjoe]

Thanks all for your comments and discussions. So does anyone know what documents they will need at Thai Consulate in Vientiane for 90 day Non-O visas for me, wife and child?

You will need your financial proof to get yours. Income letter or bank book or both totaling 800k baht. The money only has to be in the bank on the date you apply.

Marriage and birth certificates for your family. If not in English they must be translated to Thai.

UbonJoe,

Thanks so your saying bring the bank letter to Vientiane Thai Consulate to support getting the 90 day Non-O visas?

You will need your bank book to prove the 800k baht balance. You can get a bank letter to show also if asked for it.

I mentioned all the financial options because I was not sure which option you were using.

[RBOP]

Thanks all for your comments and discussions. So does anyone know what documents they will need at Thai Consulate in Vientiane for 90 day Non-O visas for me, wife and child?

You will need your financial proof to get yours. Income letter or bank book or both totaling 800k baht. The money only has to be in the bank on the date you apply.

Marriage and birth certificates for your family. If not in English they must be translated to Thai.

UbonJoe,

Thanks so your saying bring the bank letter to Vientiane Thai Consulate to support getting the 90 day Non-O visas?

You will need your bank book to prove the 800k baht balance. You can get a bank letter to show also if asked for it.

I mentioned all the financial option because I was not sure which option you were using.

I'll probably do both (bring bank book and letter from bank confirming balance) just to cover all the bases. Thanks.

[ehw200]

retirement extension not given at jomtien if less than 12 months validity on passport I asked and got a firm no, and no extension valid to expiry either so maybe others will waiver be careful.

I just got a retirement extension in Jomtien with my passport expiring on May 20, 2016 (less than 6 months)

they gave the extension only to the date of my passport expiry date and it will not transfer to my new passport

so I need to apply for a new extension again in May

this was just last week

only problem is that I have no passport for 3 weeks while the reissue of my passport is being handled at my Embassy

had to do it in this order or I would have been overstay

Had I had an ounce of sense I would have applied for my new passport a month before my retirement visa was due for extension

regards