Does the Visa Amnesty Apply to Expired Retirement Visas Until July 31st?

Jul 3, 2020
4 years ago
Georgios *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
If a retirement visa holder expires

This month does the visa amnesty apply as Well till July 31st ?

Or need to go to immigration right away ( my moms visa expires next

Week )
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the implications of a retirement visa expiring during the visa amnesty period in Thailand. It confirms that if a retirement visa holder's extension expires, they are covered under the amnesty until July 31st, allowing them to apply for a new extension. It suggests that it's advisable to apply for the yearly extension while there is still time left.
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Nick **********
3 weeks ago I did my yearly extension of stay for purpose of retirement, 3 days before my 1 year would expire. I live in Phuket and was at immigration less than 30 minutes.
Tod *********
While she would be covered on the amnesty if her extension expired and could apply for a new one as long as she did it before the amnesty period runs out.

GO and get apply for the new yearly extension of stay like normal.

There is NO reason to wait until it's almost running out and most offices allow you to apply for a new extension when you have 30 days or less left on the current one. You don't lose any time going early as they add the next year extension to the expiration date of this one.
Benjamin ******
What's a "retirement visa"? Is this an extension of stay based on being over 50 years old?
Scott *******
Just re-new the extention of stay . There is not a problem for obtaining a renewal . Life goes on in Thailand . The amnesty is for people that are on over stay
Marco *****************
@Scott ******
Almost all tourists are now on overstay.
Michael ********
Amnesty is basically a pardon for overstay, which is normally illegal.
Georgios *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
yes my mom carries this visa for the last 7 years
Benjamin ******
@Georgios ********
1. An extension of stay is not a visa

2. It is this group's belief that extension of stays should continue being acquired as normal. Have your mother go to immigration to get an extension of stay based on retirement as normal.
Georgios *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
yes I’m

Sorry I should call it extension of stay , so there is no amnesty here , we should follow the expiry date on her passport
Marco *****************
@Georgios ********
From what I have been hearing, including from immigration officers, the amnesty isn't actually extending your visa in any way at all.

The amnesty only waves overstay fines. So technically if your stamp runs out you are on overstay.

And it is difficult to get anything done from an overstay situation. Try to avoid that.

PS This is not a fact and could change at any time, but it is how I understand it.
Bobby ********
@Marco ****************
. I agree. The problem is there appears to be no concrete guidelines on the "amnesty". The amnesty replaced the embassy letters which were issued to people with expiring visas and no way of getting home. These letters were causing mayhem at immigration offices, so Thai immigration just gave everyone the amnesty extension. The gurus in this group have always suggested if you are eligible for an extension, go get in now, because nobody knows how each office interprets the amnesty, and whether extensions are possible from it. I say play safe and do it before your visa/extension expires. Nobody really knows what will happen on July 31
Benjamin ******
@Georgios ********
That is correct, follow the date that is on the stamp. Now is the perfect time to go to immigration and get the extension of stay
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