Thread: Extension Based on Retirement

I got my second one year extension based on retirement yesterday. Did it at Korat Immigration. Of course, Ms. B called first to find out what documents were required. We were surprised when they asked for a few things not mentioned on the phone:

- My old passport. Since the original visa is in the old passport they wanted a copy of that. I don't see why since everything in the old passport was transferred to the new passport. Am I going to have to bring in the old passport every year now for the rest of my life? Luckily, I had a copy of the old passport and visa, and that was sufficient.

- Bank book. Not mentioned on the phone. Again, luckily I had a year-old copy of a Bangkok Bank savings passbook. The immigration officer didn't examine it carefully and didn't seem to care what the balance was.

- Ms. B's Thai ID card. We are not legally married. We are not even registered in the same house. I have no idea why they needed this.

Some things to note:

- They have a photocopy service in the office now. I think it's 3 baht per page.

- Only one copy of the application form and documents is required. (At Kap Cheong they wanted two of everything.)

- After the extension was stamped in to the passport we had to make, and pay for, a copy of that page which they kept.

My six month old passport is now half full of Thai immigration stamps. I'll need additional pages before the year is out and I don't even travel that much. Too bad the US doesn't issue the 48 page passports any longer.

^^

Well, at least you are now covered for the next year!

This new deal for a new letter every year gonna run the price up for us yanks, BBK immig wanted a new letter every year, then I started to go to CM and they said I didn't need a new one as it says payed for life on my letters, and it is the $30 notary fee that hurts, plus the going to the consulate or Embassy every year.

Originally Posted by blackgang

This new deal for a new letter every year gonna run the price up for us yanks

Well, Korat didn't ask for a new letter. I used the same one as last year at Kap Cheong. In fact, they told me then that I could use it again.

But in the new rules posted by DD it said that you will have to have a new one every year, maybe you didn't see that tho. so pobly next year I will have to go the consulate in CM. I will not go to BKK.

Originally Posted by buad hai

I have no idea why they needed this.

neither do they, relax

I had to go to Kap Cheong earlier this year to have my last extension copied over to a new passport. They had to retrieve the paperwork from the previous extensions. Sure enough, everything was there. It's a rather small Immigration office but they have dozens and dozens of file cabinets....

Now you know why the roads are so jammed with all those AA trucks.

^they never checked anything when I did the same at Bangkok, just got out a stamp and transferred across to my new passport.

I think it is an immigration rule that when applying for an extension you must show your original entry stamp.
They probably never thought about expiring passports

Every year I have to show a photocopy of my first entry stamp

Just what I love; consistency....

Originally Posted by Thetyim

I think it is an immigration rule that when applying for an extension you must show your original entry stamp. They probably never thought about expiring passports

Doesn't happen when I extend my visa with a work permit. They've never asked to see my old passport.

^ Amazing
I was never told to keep my old passport but every year they ask for the same page as if it was very important.
I even keep 6 copies of that page handy

It just shows that different offices and different officers in the same office seem to apply the rules differently and make up a few of their own as they go along. I think it helps for different people to post what they did and what they were asked for so that those about to apply will have a better idea of what sort of surprises to expect.

While we were waiting I overheard a German guy talking to the officer at the next table. He had just moved to Korat after living in Bangkok for 11 years. He told the officer that during those 11 years he had never made a 90 day report. Claims Immigration in Bangkok told him to just come in once a year for an extension. He seemed unaware of and genuinely surprised at the 90 day reporting rule. He was not fined.

I read in a translation of an official document the the extension is granted at the discretion of the interviewing officier and he can ask for any additional documents that he deems relevant

Sorry I don't have the source

guy in CM told me that he had got in contact with the ministry and asked about the different rules at different offices and was told that each office and officer can ask for and require any thing he wants and that each one is autonomous and written rules need not apply, so seems like we are dealing with individuals instead of a legal org.

Can anyone tell me the truth about the amount of money you must have in the bank or coming in from via pension.......

I hear that you need 800000bht in your account for a year as from Oct 1st.

New rule apparently.

Originally Posted by Luckydog

Can anyone tell me the truth about the amount of money you must have in the bank or coming in from via pension.......

I hear that you need 800000bht in your account for a year as from Oct 1st.

New rule apparently.

If you're over 50 and single applying for a 12 month retirement visa it's 800,000. If you're married it's 400,000. If you're over 50 and married with a Thai child you can get a 12 month visa based on the child supporting you and no money in the bank. Or have they changed it again ?

^^ Would someone please confirm or refute that?

well if you raise hell and bad mouth the police there then you can not expect to get much from them except what you leave there.
But anyway here is the only number I have for info 02213-2556 and I did send an Email inquiry and if and when they answer I will post what info I get about the new rules.
When I got my extension last month it was easier and quicker and when we commented on it, the officer said that it would be even easier next year, now what that means I have no idea.

Originally Posted by Luckydog

I hear that you need 800000bht in your account for a year as from Oct 1st.

Source? Link ?

Originally Posted by Ivor Biggun

If you're over 50 and single applying for a 12 month retirement visa it's 800,000. If you're married it's 400,000. If you're over 50 and married with a Thai child you can get a 12 month visa based on the child supporting you and no money in the bank. Or have they changed it again ?

Incorrect information

Originally Posted by Thetyim

Originally Posted by Ivor Biggun

If you're over 50 and single applying for a 12 month retirement visa it's 800,000. If you're married it's 400,000. If you're over 50 and married with a Thai child you can get a 12 month visa based on the child supporting you and no money in the bank. Or have they changed it again ?

Incorrect information

Which part is incorrect, I don't mind being corrected ? As far as I'm aware all I wrote, is correct. I'll gladly appologise if I'm wrong. Sorry the last sentence maybe incorrect, you may not need to be married to have Thai children and be supported by them. The new law came out October last year. It's well documented on TV.

Firstly are you really talking about a retirement visa ?
Thats when you apply in your home country at a thai embassy or consulate.
When you apply at an immigration office inside thailand then it is an extension of stay and a visa is not involved.