Answered5 years ago

Can I apply for a Non-O visa in Phuket and then get an extension in Chiang Mai?

Non-O Visa Visa Extension Thailand Immigration Phuket Immigration Office Chiang Mai Immigration Retirement Visa

asked Oct 19, 2021

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I have arrived in Thailand from USA VISA exempt via the Phuket Sandbox. PreCovid I lived in Chiang Mai on a retirement VISA. Is it possible to get the Non-O VISA in Phuket and then to do the one year extension in CM or do both need to be done in the same office?

I’m sure this has been previously addressed but I did not find it in the topics. 

Thanks for the help!

Answer summary

The user, who arrived in Thailand from the USA under the Phuket Sandbox and previously held a retirement visa in Chiang Mai, inquired about the possibility of applying for a Non-O visa in Phuket and subsequently obtaining a one-year extension in Chiang Mai. The responses indicated that while it’s generally advised to apply for the Non-O visa at the immigration office of one's primary residence, they could check with Phuket's immigration about their specific case. However, it was suggested that applying for everything in Chiang Mai might be more prudent due to residency rules and the need for a minimum of 21 days left on the current visa to apply for the Non-O.

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David **********

Thanks for the rapid and detailed response! Very much appreciated guys.

I agree it’s not ideal and maybe not even possible in the end however needing 21 days now instead of the 14 it was previously

5 years ago

Wannikea *********

@David *********

extend your exempt entry with 30 days standard extension as soon as you get to CM, then apply for the Non O. plenty of time.

5 years ago

David **********

@Wannikea ********

thank you breathing a lot easier now! So did you go down this path yourself?

5 years ago

Wannikea *********

@David *********

you can ask CM immigration and get the handout on what's needed for retirement extension when you go for your 30 day extension on your exempt entry.

5 years ago

Wannikea *********

@David *********

no, I have a non B and work permit extensions for 7 years volunteering at a local government school.

5 years ago

Tod *********

I would say that you're just asking for a problem doing the 90 day Non-O visa in Phuket and then moving back to Chiang Mai to do the year extension.

Even though the rules don't prohibit it I think you're way better off doing everything once you get back to your place of primary residence (Chiang Mai)

Remember though, in C/M you need a minimum of 21 days left on your current stamp to apply for an in country 90 day Non-O visa (because it goes under review for 20 days before you go back and get the Non-O visa and a new 90 day stamp inked in)

5 years ago

Kevin ***********

I’m doing exactly that. Just get a 30 day extension.

5 years ago

David **********

Sorry accidentally posted before done writing!

Previously it was 14days left on the Entry stamp correct? At what point did this change. Just in CM?

Pretty much makes it impossible to enter VISA exempt into the Sandbox and get the retirement VISA anywhere else as they are only giving 30 days again. What a mess. Seriously hope I don’t have to go back to the USA and start over!

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

@David *********

>Previously it was 14days left on the Entry stamp correct? At what point did this change. Just in CM?

Different immigration offices have different requirements. For CM, to get an in-country Non-O visa based on retirement, you need 21 days remaining on your existing stamp.

>Pretty much makes it impossible to enter VISA exempt into the Sandbox and get the retirement VISA anywhere else as they are only giving 30 days again

A person can get a 30 day extension of stay based on tourism anywhere in the country (where the TM30 is filed), and then get an in-country Non-O visa based on retirement where they live.

My advice would be, when you arrive to Phuket, go to the immigration office and request a 30 day extension of stay based on tourism. Then, after the sandbox, go to CM and get an in-country Non-O visa.

5 years ago

David **********

@Benjamin *****

Thanks again for getting me confidently in the know guys. Very much appreciated!

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

@David *********

> was my previous understanding that you could not be on an extension of any sort when applying for NonO.

Not true 🙂 A person can go from a 30 day extension of stay based on tourism to a 90 day in-country visa

5 years ago

David **********

@Benjamin *****

Thanks so much for the input sir. It was my previous understanding that you could not be on an extension of any sort when applying for NonO. Very happy to be wrong!

5 years ago

James ********

Usually you apply for the Non O visa for retirement in the same immigration office where you live.

This is unusual but you can ask Thai Immigration in Phuket if you could do as you plan.

Make sure you have a TM30 on file with Phuket immigration...

5 years ago