12 mos renewal/extension of existing Non Immigrant "O" Visa

[Soi88]

Gents am being lost a bit, hence any form of advise is highly appreciated:-

I have gotten a Non-Immigrant "O" Thai marriage Visa valid incl. a multiple entry for 12 months, when applying in Singapore. Visa is valid from 5th Jan 2012 to 4th Jan 2013 and I have been travelling regularly in and out of Thailand.

Went to Immigration in Hua Hin on 6th of Dec to renew/extend the Visa for further 12 months (which understand can only be done 4 weeks before expiry of same). However, I got turned away, as I have recently been out of the country and got an entry stamp/permission to stay until 21st February 2013. Immigration was telling me, that I will only be able to apply 4 weeks before the 21st of February 2012...

I just can't believe, that an extension follows the latest entry stamp and not the actual visa.

To make it more complicated and if what I have been told at Immigration is true, I will leave for Christmas holidays and only return on 4th January 2013 (last day of my actual visa) and then probably once again receive a 90 days permission to stay until 4th of April 2013. I will then only be able able to renew/apply for renewal by 5th of March 2013 and what puzzles me, won't be able to leave the country between 4th January 2013 and the day on which I'll get a new Visa, which would ground me here for two months, which is a bit tricky, as I'll regularly have to leave.

If the information given was wrong though, I will only return on 4th January 2013 and not be able to extend the Visa before it falls due and will have to go through the process of getting a completely new Non-Immigrant "O", which I was told last year can't be applied for within Thailand, but only at an outside embassy...

Apologies for the rather long explanation, but am left a bit in limbo...any ideas or past similar experience?

Thanks very much guys.

[lomuamart]

First off, I'm afraid Imm are correct. You can apply for the annual extension within the last 30 days of any permitted to stay stamp. The 30 days before dosn't start from your visa expiry date.
Secondly, be careful with your re-entry in January. Look very carefully at the visa itself and the wording about expiry. Some will say "utilise before" and if that's the case with your's then the 4th Jan (expiry date of visa) could be too late and you'll only get a 30 day visa exempt stamp.
The way around this is to get a re-entry permit from Imm before you go away at Xmas. This keeps your permitted to stay stamp of 21st Feb 2013 alive and you'll be stamped in until then when you return.
If you do get the extra 90 days on re-entry, then again apply for a re-entry permit before traveling again. That way you'll always be stamped back in until 90 days after 4th Jan 2013 - until you reach the final date.
Doing it this way will hopefully allow you to apply for the extension within Imm's prescribed 30 day rule and won't have to go through the bother of getting a new visa.
NOTE: as long as your permitted to stay stamp is still current it dosn't matter that the visa itself has expired when you go for the extension.
Re-entry permits cost 1,900 THB for single and 3,800 THB for multiple. Painless to get,

[Nereus]

Rentry permits cost 1,900 THB for single and 3,800 THB for multiple. Painless to get,

1,000 Baht for a single.

[lomuamart]

Correct, thanks. 1,900 for the extension.

[Soi88]

Gents,

thanks very much for bringing light into the tunnel!

Visa says "enter before 4th January 2013", guess the best under the prevailing circumstances will then be to go to Immigration again this week, apply for a single/multiple entry at THB 1000/3800, to keep the 21st Feb 2013 alive before leaving on 15th Dec 2012 and to then return on 4th Jan 2013. Then going again to Immigration after being back and within 4 weeks before the 21st Feb 2012 in order to extend for a further 12 months incl multiple entry...and I should be good.

Thanks very much for your help.

Cheers.

[lomuamart]

That's the way to do it, Soi88.

[Dannie Boy]

What form do you have to complete for the one year extension, is it a TM7? Thanks

[Nereus]

What form do you have to complete for the one year extension, is it a TM7? Thanks

Yes.

[Dannie Boy]

What form do you have to complete for the one year extension, is it a TM7? Thanks

Yes.

[Bernard]

I apologise for being really thick, but; I have looked through the forum to try and work out what I need do to extend my retirement visa. I understand that I need to complete form TM7 but what else must I do please.

Thanks in advance and sorry for asking what you probably consider an oft repeated request.

[Dannie Boy]

I apologise for being really thick, but; I have looked through the forum to try and work out what I need do to extend my retirement visa. I understand that I need to complete form TM7 but what else must I do please.

Thanks in advance and sorry for asking what you probably consider an oft repeated request.

Apart from completing TM7 you need to provide proof that you have sufficient funds (800,000 baht in a Thai bank for at least 3 months, or income of 65,000 baht month) - a letter from the bank to confirm the balance and copy of your bank book, or confirmation from your Embassy regarding the monthly income.

Proof of address - copy of yellow or blue book, or letter from the police or immigration if you are renting a property.

Copy of your passport details page, last entry stamp, copy of your departure card and copy page of your original visa.

Recent 4x6 cm photo.

Make sure you have the originals of your bank book as well as the copy.

Pretty sure that's it other than the visa fee which is 1900 baht.

[Big Boy]

I did mine yesterday . I needed:

- TM7
- Passport
- 1 4x6cm photo
- Fee 1900Baht
- Me
- Finacial Statement (letter from bank, and bank book to prove I had sufficient funds)
- House Registration

Regarding photocopies, I simply give everthing to the nice lady outside at the 'copy' desk, and she copied exactly what I needed (no guesswork that way) - cost 25 Baht.

I went in at 1300hrs, and was on my way home at 1330hrs, which included a short delay because the boss had been delayed during his lunchbreak.

Excellent service

[Bernard]

Thank you for your replies. That makes it a lot easier for me.

[PET]

I apologise for being really thick, but; I have looked through the forum to try and work out what I need do to extend my retirement visa. I understand that I need to complete form TM7 but what else must I do please.

Thanks in advance and sorry for asking what you probably consider an oft repeated request.

Apart from completing TM7 you need to provide proof that you have sufficient funds (800,000 baht in a Thai bank for at least 3 months, or income of 65,000 baht month) - a letter from the bank to confirm the balance and copy of your bank book, or confirmation from your Embassy regarding the monthly income.

Proof of address - copy of yellow or blue book, or letter from the police or immigration if you are renting a property.

Copy of your passport details page, last entry stamp, copy of your departure card and copy page of your original visa.

Recent 4x6 cm photo.

Make sure you have the originals of your bank book as well as the copy.

Pretty sure that's it other than the visa fee which is 1900 baht.

Just as a matter of my own experience when I was renting a property, I did not require any letter from the police ( you also say immigration ? ) all I needed was a copy of my rental contract and a map showing the location of the property.
I still need a map showing the location.

[Dannie Boy]

I apologise for being really thick, but; I have looked through the forum to try and work out what I need do to extend my retirement visa. I understand that I need to complete form TM7 but what else must I do please.

Thanks in advance and sorry for asking what you probably consider an oft repeated request.

Apart from completing TM7 you need to provide proof that you have sufficient funds (800,000 baht in a Thai bank for at least 3 months, or income of 65,000 baht month) - a letter from the bank to confirm the balance and copy of your bank book, or confirmation from your Embassy regarding the monthly income.

Proof of address - copy of yellow or blue book, or letter from the police or immigration if you are renting a property.

Copy of your passport details page, last entry stamp, copy of your departure card and copy page of your original visa.

Recent 4x6 cm photo.

Make sure you have the originals of your bank book as well as the copy.

Pretty sure that's it other than the visa fee which is 1900 baht.

Just as a matter of my own experience when I was renting a property, I did not require any letter from the police ( you also say immigration ? ) all I needed was a copy of my rental contract and a map showing the location of the property.
I still need a map showing the location.

I thought I had read before that people had been asked to provide a letter confirming their residence if they don't have a blue or yellow book, but if you have renewed yours with a rental agreement, then I go with your experience (I have a yellow book which was fine). I had forgotten about the map of where you live, which I also provided.