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How did I successfully extend my stay in Thailand during the amnesty period?
Thailand Elite VisaRetirement VisaVisa ExtensionAmnestyImmigration ProceduresPoliteness in ThailandVisa TypesForeign Embassy Assistance
Oct 17, 2020
6 years ago
Bim *******
ORIGINAL POSTERSorry for the long post but hope it at least helps someone.
I have lived in Thailand 7 years mainly on Thailand Elite and was originally due to change over to a retirement visa in July that can't be issued inside the country unless on a tourist visa so a border bounce was due.
Unfortunately I ended up in Amnesty but I eventually got a letter from the British Embassy that allowed me to be stamped in until 26th October. I did this on 3rd September and got the stamp on the 17th.
When the new current amnesty was announced they stated that those who got the stamp like myself could be stamped in for free until 30th November. Unfortunately I went three days ago to be told by local immigration that it wasn't possible as I applied too early but could apply for 60 days before the current amnesty ended on the 31st October without the need for a further embassy letter.
I was so frustrated but as they have known me many years I remained courteous and polite throughout and left leaving my phone number in case anything changed.
The next day they phoned me at home to say they have reviewed my request at a special meeting and if I came in the next day they would change my stamp to November 30th and allow me to apply for another 60 days taking me until the end of January.
I guess the moral of the story no matter how frustrating it can be dealing any kind of government department in any country my polite and calm demeanor paid off.
Ironically that same day there was a foreigner in there being angry and rude and they eventually asked him to leave.
I have lived in Thailand 7 years mainly on Thailand Elite and was originally due to change over to a retirement visa in July that can't be issued inside the country unless on a tourist visa so a border bounce was due.
Unfortunately I ended up in Amnesty but I eventually got a letter from the British Embassy that allowed me to be stamped in until 26th October. I did this on 3rd September and got the stamp on the 17th.
When the new current amnesty was announced they stated that those who got the stamp like myself could be stamped in for free until 30th November. Unfortunately I went three days ago to be told by local immigration that it wasn't possible as I applied too early but could apply for 60 days before the current amnesty ended on the 31st October without the need for a further embassy letter.
I was so frustrated but as they have known me many years I remained courteous and polite throughout and left leaving my phone number in case anything changed.
The next day they phoned me at home to say they have reviewed my request at a special meeting and if I came in the next day they would change my stamp to November 30th and allow me to apply for another 60 days taking me until the end of January.
I guess the moral of the story no matter how frustrating it can be dealing any kind of government department in any country my polite and calm demeanor paid off.
Ironically that same day there was a foreigner in there being angry and rude and they eventually asked him to leave.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A resident of Thailand for 7 years shares their experience with the visa extension process during the amnesty period. They initially faced difficulties transitioning from a Thailand Elite Visa to a Retirement Visa, requiring a border exit. After receiving a stamp from the British Embassy and later being informed by local immigration about the correct procedure for extending their stay, their polite approach led to a favorable outcome where they were able to extend their visa until the end of January. The post emphasizes the importance of maintaining a courteous demeanor when dealing with immigration officials.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Ken ******
any reason to change from elite visa to retirement.visa which require health insurance?
Bim *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ken *****
neither a Non O for retirement nor Thailand Elite require health insurance. Although I have had insurance for the past 6 years. I got TE to take me to retirement age.Reply to
Bim *******
Reply
Steve **********
Seldom fo you SEE an angry or rude Thai official.
Namfon *********
All foreigners should learn from this lesson. This is the right way to deal with the Thais. We have rules and regulations. But in the end, emotions and feelings play the important part when you deal with the Thais in person. Deal with them with politeness and respect. Say nice things and praise them with their works if you can and be humble. They would be flexible with your cases if you have problems. They would even try to help you out. Angers and complaints do not work when you deal with authorities. This is an advice from a Thai person and we do practice the same too. ☺
Anna **************
very wise! i like yr post and happy for yr good news. 😊
Steve **********
Dont understand problem with your retirement visa, and having to leave. Have been on one 16 years and just renewed. Is this a Provincial, or Covid, or I didnt understand ?
Bim *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve *********
if you are switching from one type of visa to another you have to leave in most circumstances unless you're on a tourist visa in order to convert. They won't do it inside the country.Steve **********
@Bim ******
ok, misunderstood. Am always leery of friends leaving , and forgetting they cant get back. Had friend leave for Dubai thinking she could come back at will. Now in Shanghai waiting for opening. What was a 2 wk trip, ended with 4 mo's.Reply to
Steve **********
Reply
Juanda ****
attitude matters.
Sua ********
Awesome lesson. Nobody's entitled to anything. Entitled folks deserve the boot. Great lesson and reminder. 👏🤗
Bo ***********
Long story but helpful
Austin *******
Awesome! I'm glad to hear of your good news.
Oliver ********
so true. politeness goes a long way here. i've seen so many westerners, like the guy you mentioned, losing their temper and just making things worse.
Shelley ********
I find krabi Immigration too be very kind and sympathetic. But then I have always gone in with the right documents and attitude too. The guy who served me is apparently famous for being horrible but I had quite the opposite experience.
Nick *******
@Shelley *******
totally agree about the Immigration office in town, but quite the opposite about the immigration boss at the airport. What he did to me made only the 2nd half of a smiley and courteous response possible, fighting off tears of despair, pleading with him to reconsider jailing me in a room with no bed or bedding, just a mouldy sofa and an equally mouldy curtain someone had ripped off to use as a blanket, and then deporting me... all while recovering from dengue fever (with a doc's note) after a full day's visa run. The reason? He made a record when I told him "for now I'm just traveling but when I have a longterm plan for staying here I will get a proper visa" on my previous arrival. I had spent only 7 months in the country in the last 5 years, all as a tourist. Every single other member of staff was on my side but the big boss was determined to punish me. Moral being that a polite and courteous attitude improves your chances but if you get the wrong person on the wrong day, they can still throw a nonexistent book at you (I had broken no rule or law, it was purely at his discretion - I later discovered the code he wrote in the red deportation stamp represents working illegally. I've never worked in Thailand, I was just trying to enjoy a sabbatical and recover from a breakup of a 7 year relationship, taking my time, spending my money here, harming nobody. If I had responded rudely I would get it, but I was reduced to a sobbing, groveling mess (I bought a condo here and within a couple of months it seemed I was barred from entry, for no reason, with all my worldly possessions still in there) and he was completely unmoved.I now have to avoid using my local airport every time I want to come home...
Nick *******
sorry I ended up writing so much (not intended but quite therapeutic). Main point I'm glad the polite approach worked for you but people shouldn't expect it to always make a difference. But it can't hurt to be graceful.
Shelley ********
@Nick ******
that sounds terrible! What a awful experience! What a mean guy!! Unfortunately being the nicest person you can be dosnt always work if you're dealing with something like that! Are you back now or did the blacklist you? Nick *******
@Shelley *******
back now, entered by land and started learning Thai on an Ed visaReply to
Nick *******
Reply
Steven **************
Shouldn't have asked British Embassy for a 30 day extension. I asked Embassy for a letter to get a new non b from amnesty from a non b that expired in April. Immigration will do what foreign embassies ask of them but be specific. Not ..oh I want a 30 day extension... From amnesty you can get any type visa. Just be honest
Bim *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steven *************
my letter stated specifically for a Non immigration Visa but they still stated it cannot be issued inside the country Steven **************
Everyone got that. Get the letter explaining why... They do issue it you just have to ask.. sorry mate I can't post it
Steven **************
Same letter
Steven **************
They even have my arrival date wrong by 6 years.
Bim *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steven *************
yes my arrival date was incorrect also Steven **************
@Bim ******
my in country new non b from an amnesty. No agent.. me and the schools HR dept rep. My actual visa ran out April 30th along with my work permitJohn **********
@Steven *************
yah I just got one done too. Reply to
John **********
Reply
Steven **************
@Bim ******
same letter I got. But I wrote back to British Embassy asking for a follow up letter explaining my situation. ( Standard letter cuts no grass) they wrote back explaining my personal situation on why o needed a non b... Nakhon Phanom Gave it to me within the hour..well there at 8 am out before 10 amBim *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steven *************
they looked to be being flexible on Non B visas but not Non O. I did the same. Things may change though. More than happy to do a border bounce if they open the borders. Reply to
Bim *******
Reply
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