'How To' - Requirements for visa extensions etc

[Scout]

Well two friends in the last month arrived with tourist visas then wanted to go for a retirement extension and were flatly refused. Both told they need OA visa first, which requires going out of the country and going to a Thai embassy. I was only speaking to one ot them about this yesterday.

There have been numerous people in several posts that have converted tourist visas to non-immigrant "0" visas. They still had to comply with the financial requirements, which you have not mentioned. You cannot obtain a "retirement extension" off a tourist visa, only off a non-immigrant visa of whatever flavour.

Yes, you need to obtain an "0-A" visa in your country of residence, information which has been posted many times. Maybe they asked for the wrong visa.

To convert a tourist visa to a non-immigrant "0" visa it needs to have 21 days remaining validity, and I suspect it was the same with the 30 day visa exempt entry. There is one post somewhere where immigration themselves have told somebody to do exactly that.

Nereus is 100% correct. Both of my parents entered Thailand in 2018 on 30 day visa exempt entries (commonly called 30 day tourist visas), then immediately applied for Non-immigrant O visas at Hua Hin immigration. Once they obtained the Non-immigrant O visa it was good for 90 days. 45 days prior to its expiration they applied for and obtained a 1 year extension of their permission to stay. My sister-in-law is doing exactly the same thing right now, she came in on a 30 day tourist exemption, is currently about 30 days into her 90 day Non-immigrant O visa and will apply for her 1 year extension in about 2 weeks time (when she gets within 45 days of the expiration date of her current visa). This is also the exact same process the IO suggested for me, last week, as an alternative to buying health insurance required to support my annual extension since my original visa was Non-immigrant O-A.

[Scout]

I have 2 questions:

1. Is it possible after entering Thailand on a 30 day visa exempt stamp to convert to a visa allowing the applicant to stay in Thailand based on retirement?

2. Can a dependent child 'piggy back' on a retiree's visa, i.e. without having to have its own separate visa?

Thanks for any advice you may have.

1. Yes, apply at local Immigration office for “Non-immigrant O” visa.

2. Yes, BUT. The Hua Hin Immigration Officer will use the word “follow” instead of “piggy back” and you will need to ask them about your specific scenario. This year we are switching my wife’s permission-to-stay so that it “follows” my visa, previously we each came into Thailand on separate Non-immigrant O-A visas. We are switching so we only have to have 1 person meet the financial requirement. I have discussed this extensively with immigration, a couple of times, as well as with other married expat couples already doing this, so I’m fairly certain of how it works but will know for sure in about 2 weeks. However, it doesn’t work in all scenarios. My brother and sister-in-law intended to enter on 30 day tourist exemption, then have her convert to Non-immigrant O (based on retirement, with the financial requirement) and have him “follow” (piggy back) on her visa. Immigration explained this was NOT allowed as it would be his “step 1”. The solution is for them to each get the “Non-immigrant O” visa, each separately meeting the financial requirement, then each get the 1 year extension of permission to stay. In year 2 one of them can convert to “follow” the other (only one person needs to meet the financial requirement), as this would be “step 2”. We confirmed my wife and I will be OK because we will each be at “step 2”, having previously obtained 1 year extensions for many years now. So your question #2 is a bit complicated, yes it can be done but best to discuss with immigration as there may be additional steps required.

[Midsman]

My retirement visa is due for renewal 28th Feb. What is the leaway past that date please ?

Regards in advance.

[Dannie Boy]

My retirement visa is due for renewal 28th Feb. What is the leaway past that date please ?

Regards in advance.

Nil after, supposedly up to 45 days before though

[barrys]

Thanks a lot for all your replies - so not sure what to do.... looks like the best thing is to show up with my 2-year old daughter on a visa exempt stamp first. That way, I haven't committed her to the continuing visa route. Then go to immigration and ask what the options are. We want to stay for at least 6 months. Or does anyone have a better idea?

By the way, we are travelling overland from Cambodia, if that makes any difference!?

[PJG]

Just successfully completed Non Imm "O" visa annual retirement extension using monthly income method. Previously used British Embassy letter to prove income but this year had to show monthly international transfers above B65000 for 12 consecutive months.

Was remarkably easy once all the required income proofs were assembled. On 2nd visit was in and out of Immigration in 30 minutes.

For proof of income provided :-
12 months Bank Statements
12 months Bank Credit Advice
Letter from Bank detailing International Transfers
Letter from Bank certifying Bank account and balance

My first visit the application was rejected as as did not have the statements but did have 12months credit advice and Bank letter detailing International transfers. The Bangkok Bank Manageress could not understand why these were not sufficient but happily supplied the statements, though with a 6 day delay as had to come from head office. On re-submission Immigration were happy.

I asked if next time just statements would be sufficient but was told next year must submit all the same documentation. Who wants to go green and save paper anyway.

For information all transfers were done through Transferwise GBP to Bangkok Bank. All transfer were shown as International, using Thai Immigration Long Stay as purpose for transfer.

That's me done for another year

[Scout]

Just successfully completed Non Imm "O" visa annual retirement extension using monthly income method. Previously used British Embassy letter to prove income but this year had to show monthly international transfers above B65000 for 12 consecutive months.

Was remarkably easy once all the required income proofs were assembled. On 2nd visit was in and out of Immigration in 30 minutes.

For proof of income provided :-
12 months Bank Statements
12 months Bank Credit Advice
Letter from Bank detailing International Transfers
Letter from Bank certifying Bank account and balance

My first visit the application was rejected as as did not have the statements but did have 12months credit advice and Bank letter detailing International transfers. The Bangkok Bank Manageress could not understand why these were not sufficient but happily supplied the statements, though with a 6 day delay as had to come from head office. On re-submission Immigration were happy.

I asked if next time just statements would be sufficient but was told next year must submit all the same documentation. Who wants to go green and save paper anyway.

For information all transfers were done through Transferwise GBP to Bangkok Bank. All transfer were shown as International, using Thai Immigration Long Stay as purpose for transfer.

That's me done for another year

Do you recall what fee Bangkok Bank charged for all these documents ?

[Scout]

PJG, One additional question, you list “Letter from bank certifying bank account and balance”. Was your balance less than 800,000 baht ?

[PJG]

Scout, fee for each set of documents was B100.

Yes my balance was less than 800k and as the balance has nothing to do with proof of income I have not the foggiest idea why Immigration need it other than to waste more paper.

The letter is valid for 7 days so had to get another for the re-submission. Another B100 and more wasted paper.

All in all I had to provide 27 pages of documents all of which was outlined in the Bank's single page letter detailing monthly International transfers.

God help the environment.

[Edmin]

As others have already experienced and reported, I took the following:

1. Photocopies of relevant passport pages (details page, the latest extensions over the past 6 years and the departure card). They weren't interested in anything from the old passport, including the original visa from Penang 11 years ago.

2. A copy of my tenancy agreement and hand drawn map to the house.

3. One passport photo

4. Application form

5. 1,900 THB

Then stuff from KBank:

1. A bank letter confirming that the account was mine and active. The letter also stated my balance although that wasn't strictly necessary as I wasn't doing things by savings. The letter was some 10 days old which wasn't an issue. (Cost 200 THB at the bank)

2. Bank statements from July 2018 run off by the bank (cost 100 THB)

3. Credit advices going back to July 2018 (free, at least this time)

4. Bank book


That was it. Interestingly, although I had a TM30 form in my passport, it was put there 3 years ago and there was no mention of why I hadn't updated it as I've been out of the country probably 6 times since then with my last re-entry to Thailand being mid last month.

Maybe I got lucky? And I had some extra cash with me in case I got fined. But it was no problem.

I'm wondering if blue book and copy of landlord's passport (or ID card if Thai) have been ever asked to submit? Lawyer told me I need this.

[sateeb]

Never been asked for that neither have I heard of anyone I know being asked for it. A copy of the signed lease agreement is sufficient. ( 15 years here).

[Edmin]

Never been asked for that neither have I heard of anyone I know being asked for it. A copy of the signed lease agreement is sufficient. ( 15 years here).

Thanks Sateeb. I remember they had photo service there. Can I still get that passport size photo there when I go to apply for extension?

[Scout]

Never been asked for that neither have I heard of anyone I know being asked for it. A copy of the signed lease agreement is sufficient. ( 15 years here).

Thanks Sateeb. I remember they had photo service there. Can I still get that passport size photo there when I go to apply for extension?

Yes, you can get photos and copy service at the little office just behind the main Immigration office.

[Meerkat]

Just successfully completed Non Imm "O" visa annual retirement extension using monthly income method. Previously used British Embassy letter to prove income but this year had to show monthly international transfers above B65000 for 12 consecutive months.

Was remarkably easy once all the required income proofs were assembled. On 2nd visit was in and out of Immigration in 30 minutes.

For proof of income provided :-
12 months Bank Statements
12 months Bank Credit Advice
Letter from Bank detailing International Transfers
Letter from Bank certifying Bank account and balance

My first visit the application was rejected as as did not have the statements but did have 12months credit advice and Bank letter detailing International transfers. The Bangkok Bank Manageress could not understand why these were not sufficient but happily supplied the statements, though with a 6 day delay as had to come from head office. On re-submission Immigration were happy.

I asked if next time just statements would be sufficient but was told next year must submit all the same documentation. Who wants to go green and save paper anyway.

For information all transfers were done through Transferwise GBP to Bangkok Bank. All transfer were shown as International, using Thai Immigration Long Stay as purpose for transfer.

That's me done for another year

@PJG - am I correct in assuming you went to the main Bangkok Bank branch on Phetkasem Road, and not the one adjacent to Market Village?

[Robert williams]

Requirements to renew retirement visa. I note that immigration asked for twelve months of bank statements in addition to the other paperwork. Presumably these statements are the ones that show money in and money out of the account etc? Did the poster also take copies of all the pages of his bank book as was required Previously? If so the request from immigration makes little sense.I
If he did not take copies of the pages of his bank book then possibly he misunderstood the requirements.