Unanswered4 months ago
Can I extend a Non-O retirement visa while outside Thailand?
One of the reasons for me to choose for DTV and not for non-o retirement was that I am not always in Thailand at the moment the yearly extension of non-o is necessary.
I asked at Immigration office if that extension needs to be done in person or if was possible to do remote when I am in my home country.
The answer was that I need to be physically at the office.
Christopher Kilcourse, a user here that more often spreads misinformation is telling the extension for non-o can be done remotely through an agency, but he cannot provide any proof of this.
Can somebody here tell if there are LEGAL possibillities to extend a non-o while not in the country?
I asked at Immigration office if that extension needs to be done in person or if was possible to do remote when I am in my home country.
The answer was that I need to be physically at the office.
Christopher Kilcourse, a user here that more often spreads misinformation is telling the extension for non-o can be done remotely through an agency, but he cannot provide any proof of this.
Can somebody here tell if there are LEGAL possibillities to extend a non-o while not in the country?
Summary so far
The discussion revolves around whether it's legally permissible to extend a Non-O retirement visa while not physically present in Thailand. The consensus among several commenters is that physical presence at the Immigration office is required for a legitimate extension, making remote processing through an agent illegal. Some users mention that agents might attempt to facilitate an extension without the individual's presence, but this is considered a violation of the regulations. Users also suggest alternatives like allowing the visa to expire and entering Thailand on a tourist exemption as a potential workaround.
39 repliesnewest first
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Muri *****
If you're not in Thailand not any Agent can extend. Only if you inside Thailand
Jos *******
what happens if u are not in thailand at the end of the year renewal date. If it ends in October, and I am in Thailand until September, can I renew it myself in September while in the country, then travel abroad in October and come back in March next year for example?
Ivan ************
@Jos ******
it depends on the immigration office. I think 30 days in advance is the most common baseline but it can be shorter or longer. Chiang Mai for example, you can do it 45 days in advance. So if it expires October, yes you can do it in September, but not necessarily start of August.
James ********
That is NOT possible....you must be in Thailand and visit your local Thai Immigration office for a one year extension of stay as retired.
Ja***
If you are not in the country at the time of the renewal you can just let it expire. Then enter on a tourist exemption when you come back. Then go to immigration and do an in-country conversion to the non-o. Shouldn't be any problem assuming you already have the bank account and required funds deposited.
Luit *****************
OP@Ja***
Will this also work without funds but with visa affidavit from your countries embassy?
Chris *******
Short and simple.
NO
NO
Piyanuch *******
*************************************
please reach out
Dca *****
All Thai Immigration Offices will run and do a PIBICS Search for any and all Extension of Stay Applications and the results of a PIBICS Search will clearly show that the Passport in question did not make Entry into Thailand
Also, for a practical matter, would anyone mail a passport to Thailand, unless the "Agent" in question provides VVIP service with a "Courier" who would travel outside of Thailand to bring back into Thailand someone else's Passport book??
As there are only ink stamp Extensions of Stay and also that quirky sticker for the « E–Extension » from Thai Immigration Offices, the Passport Book would need to be stamped for an Extension
Also, for a practical matter, would anyone mail a passport to Thailand, unless the "Agent" in question provides VVIP service with a "Courier" who would travel outside of Thailand to bring back into Thailand someone else's Passport book??
As there are only ink stamp Extensions of Stay and also that quirky sticker for the « E–Extension » from Thai Immigration Offices, the Passport Book would need to be stamped for an Extension
Sefton ********
An agent can potentially obtain an extension without your presence, though that is most definitely a violation of the rules.
However if you were out of the country at the time this was attempted that would not work, they need your passport to put the stamp in, they would see you were not in country due to entry exit stamps, etc etc..
Basically no that wont work.
However if you were out of the country at the time this was attempted that would not work, they need your passport to put the stamp in, they would see you were not in country due to entry exit stamps, etc etc..
Basically no that wont work.
Luit *****************
OP@Sefton *******
Thank you for the info, then my criteria for getting DTV and not non-o retirement were correct.It would be a major upgrade for non-o and other visa when they would make extensions possible online,.
Christopher ***********
Luit van der Linde Incorrect. Here is the information via email I requested; Retirement Extension Renewal (under non immigrant O)
The fee is different if you have non immigrant OA.
12 months retirement extension fee - 16,000 THB
If you need re-entry permit, multiple re-entry is 4,000 THB, and a single re-entry is 1,200 THB.
Requirements:
- Passport
- Lasted 90 days report (not expired) or lasted entry stamp within 90 days
- Thai bank saving book under your own name
- 4 photos size 3 x 4 cm
- 1 digital photo of yourself sending in line/email
There is additional 2,000 THB penalty fine from immigration bureau if your 90 days report is overdue or did not do 90 days report in time.
The process will take around 3 - 5 working days after get the full requirements and payment.
You do not need to keep 800,000 THB in your account or attend immigration office. You only need an active Thai bank account, and we will handle the sponsorship service for you.
Terms and Conditions:
- You will not be on overstay, as your status will be updated in the system immediately after we submit your application.
- Full payment (cash or local bank transfer) is required upfront after we receive your document.
- The visa will not be issued from Bangkok, Samutprakarn, or your local immigration office, but from the immigration office we coordinate with.
Document Collection and Return:
- Bangkok Residents: Our messenger can collect your documents from your address with one day's notice.
- Other Provinces: You can send your document to us by mailing express service
The fee is different if you have non immigrant OA.
12 months retirement extension fee - 16,000 THB
If you need re-entry permit, multiple re-entry is 4,000 THB, and a single re-entry is 1,200 THB.
Requirements:
- Passport
- Lasted 90 days report (not expired) or lasted entry stamp within 90 days
- Thai bank saving book under your own name
- 4 photos size 3 x 4 cm
- 1 digital photo of yourself sending in line/email
There is additional 2,000 THB penalty fine from immigration bureau if your 90 days report is overdue or did not do 90 days report in time.
The process will take around 3 - 5 working days after get the full requirements and payment.
You do not need to keep 800,000 THB in your account or attend immigration office. You only need an active Thai bank account, and we will handle the sponsorship service for you.
Terms and Conditions:
- You will not be on overstay, as your status will be updated in the system immediately after we submit your application.
- Full payment (cash or local bank transfer) is required upfront after we receive your document.
- The visa will not be issued from Bangkok, Samutprakarn, or your local immigration office, but from the immigration office we coordinate with.
Document Collection and Return:
- Bangkok Residents: Our messenger can collect your documents from your address with one day's notice.
- Other Provinces: You can send your document to us by mailing express service
Dany ********
@Christopher **********
how do you think the extension stamp will find its way into your passport when you are outside the country (for which you need a passport)? 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️and this „you dont need money in your account, we will handle it for you“ is also an illegal activity. even if there is no crackdown on that yet. It will most likely get enforced in the near future. same as these agencies told you how to use nominee structures to buy real estate ;)
Christopher ***********
@Luit ****************
I've told you the agent who offers remote extensions with no funding requirement or need to attend immigration office. If you believe that's unlawful you should be making efforts to get their website closed down.Luit *****************
OP@Christopher **********
I asked you for official information for your claim in your next post, I don't see it, so you FAILED, period!By all means, go ahead and continue with your nonsense babbling, I'm not listening anymore.
Christopher ***********
Luit van der Linde To confirm, your statement about agent funded visa/extension holders being deported and banned from the Kingdom is nonsense because it hasn't ever happened. It is clear that as visas/extensions are issued by the Immigration Office they must be lawful. If you insist otherwise, you should be making complaint that foreigners are staying inside Thailand using bogus paperwork. Your village head man/woman would be your first point of contact as your local representative.
Luit *****************
OP@Christopher **********
I wonder if you believe the nonsense you again put here, but read other comments for what is legal and what is not.I think everybody here knows that circumventing the financial requirements by agents not is legal.
Do you really believe yourself when you say that Immigration Office wouldn't have issued a visa for somebody not eligible for a visa when the agent has good contacts with a certain officer?
And trusting a visa agent over instructions of Immigration Offices?
I know some have good contacts making illegal things possible, but looking at all the answers here, you are the only one telling met that my fears that it is illegal are imaginary.
I would you ask kindly to stop this useless arguing, you seem to like it, it is just trolling, and unless in your NEXT reply you show OFFICIAL information that your claims are true, I consider it again as misinformation posted by you.
It is up to you if you want to have reliable image or not.
Also Thai legal companies state you have to VISIT an Immigration Office.
****************************************************************
Christopher ***********
Luit van der Linde I'm not aware of anyone ever being deported and banned from the Kingdom for possessing an agent funded visa/extension. If, as you state, the applicant wasn't eligible the Immigration Office wouldn't have issued the visa/extension in the first place. You believe that risk exists (although might not be too high) in obtaining remote extensions providing you meet the funding requirements yourself. Yet you can't point to any regulation that states an applicant needs to be physically present in an immigration office for an extension to be issued. Regarding obtaining an extension whilst outside Thailand nobody appears to have done so (including myself). Probably because they believe it wouldn't be possible hence they've never tried. You appear to be saying you couldn't believe whatever a Visa Agent told you to be correct and it wouldn't help 'when you get in trouble'. However, as this hasn't ever happened your fears are completely imaginary.
Luit *****************
OP@Christopher **********
The 3 issues you mention can at the moment not be solved legally within Thai Immigration regulations.When 1) is an issue you just are not eligable for the visa, that it can be solved in an illegal way I know, but it will always come at a risk.
At any moment you can just be deported with a ban.
The risk of 2) I cannot calculate, as long as you comply to all visa requirements the risk might not be too high.
3) for sure cannot be done legally, you exit with a reentry permit, then somehow you have to be back administrative on that re-entry permit before the end date to extend your stay, get the stay extended, exit administrative with a re-entry permit and finally re-enter physically.
A lot might be possible to arrange, but as long as there is no real option to extend just online, it is tricking the system in a way that just is not worth the risk.
I can ask an agent for assurances, but when I get in trouble because I got my visa extention illegal, that assurance might not help.
Christopher ***********
Luit van der Linde According to yourself and others there are multiple issues; 1) Funding provided by agents, 2) Remote extensions with no need to attend immigration office, 3) Remote extensions whilst outside Thailand. We already know 1) and 2) are possible. Why not ask about 3) and also for assurances that you would remain within the framework of Thai Immigration regulations?
Luit *****************
OP@Christopher **********
I know that for you it is totally unimportant if something is legal, so you welcome extra illegal options, just like you suggest to fraud creditcard companies when it gives you advantages.Your suggestion that I am the only one here that sees legality as important is just sick.
I not prefer arguing, but I try to find out what is possible to do legally.
Christopher ***********
@Luit ****************
That is your opinion only. The more options the better. Nobody is forcing you to do anything. You appear to prefer arguing instead of finding out what is possible.Luit *****************
OP@Christopher **********
From the beginning on I stated that being in the country at the moment I need an extension is the problem, when in the country the visit to an Immigration is not that difficult, so I did not divert anything.Even the simple fact that the fee is 16,000 THB for a 1900 THB extension and the fact that you don't need to comply with the financial requirements is a clear sign this is just not a legal option.
Christopher ***********
Luit van der Linde Your original question was whether Non-O extensions can be obtained remotely without need to attend Immigration Office? The answer is yes as you can see from the email. It was you who then diverted onto wanting to renew whilst outside Thailand. I told you who the Visa Agent is. Why not ask them?
Luit *****************
OP@Christopher **********
This does not show an option when you are not in the country, it only shows BangkokResidents an Other Provinces as an option, apart from that I highly doubt it is LEGAL
Peter ********
A friend sent me this today..said an extension can be done for 1900 baht with an agent. But I haven't tried them yet
********************************
John **********
Even an agent can't get you an extension based on retirement if you're not in the country. To get an extension requires a passport to place an extension stamp in and your passport will have left the country along with yourself.
Christopher ***********
@John *********
That's why we have Post Offices (known as Royal Mail in United Kingdom).
Chris **********
It's a bit rich you calling someone out for spreading misinformation mate 😉
Knowledgeabl************
Hahah 🎤 dropped
Luit *****************
OPKnowledgeableRaccoon5198 Thank you for the very helpful response
Christopher ***********
KnowledgeableRaccoon5198 Said his 'sock puppet' account.
Knowledgeabl************
Any time Luis
Luit *****************
OP@Chris *********
Explain please.
Ian **********
An agent can extend your permission to remain, but it is not legal. Many people use agents because they do not have the necessary funds
Luit *****************
OP@Ian *********
Is this extension by an agent possible while I am not in the country?When it is not legal it might give problems reentering the country I suppose.
Andi ***********
@Luit ****************
Agents often extend non-Os, i have not heard anyone denied entry via an agent renewal. It can not be done while you are overseas with your passport though.Andi ***********
@Luit ****************
i deleted my DTV comment as i misread. Can not be done remote at the moment but THIM in future is expected to offer that option. Japan has the option to extend your visa online so it is only a matter of time it is in Thailand and elsewhere.Luit *****************
OP@Andi **********
It is not about DTV extensions, it is about non-o extensions.I would like to know if it was possible to get a non-o retirement after I stop working and not have the hassle of an in country extension every year at immigration office.
I was quite sure that was not possible, but in another post here
@Christopher **********
claims my info is wrong and it should be possible through an agent, but he does not come up with proof.It is not urgent for me now, because I will have my remote job for some time.
I hope by then they have made it more easy, TM30, TM47 and TDAC are already online, they launched THIM, so who knows what is next.
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