Is 5 weeks enough time to apply for a one-year extension of my retirement visa in Thailand?

NON-O Visa Retirement Visa Visa Extension Thailand Immigration Re-entry Permit Thai Bank Account Long-term Visa Options

February 21, 2024

7 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I applied for and received a 90-day non-immigrant O retirement visa from the NY consulate. The visa is valid until May 18, 2024. 

I plan to travel to Thailand in April but only for 5 weeks until May 6, 2024. Will that be sufficient time to apply for a one year extension?

What will I need to accomplish this? I do not yet have a Thai bank account. 

Thanks.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The individual, who holds a 90-day non-immigrant O retirement visa, seeks to understand if a 5-week visit to Thailand is sufficient to apply for a one-year extension. Responses indicate that while 5 weeks is not enough for applying, the individual can return on a re-entry permit before the initial 90 days end. They will need to establish a Thai bank account, maintain funds for two months, and have documentation of their residence to successfully apply for the extension.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

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James ********

I believe that the OP has the answers needed for his question.

Comments Closed

7 months ago

Ellie *******

If you are staying for only 5 weeks, it wouldn't be enough to apply for a 1-year extension, unfortunately. But if you are going to be back in Thailand within the first 90 days, you can re-enter on the same stamp with a re-entry permit that you will get before you leave Thailand after 5 weeks, and continue your procedure for a 1-year extension.

When you enter Thailand on that visa, you will be stamped for 90 days (until around late June or early July) on the arrival day as Day 1.

1. You immediately get a bank account in Thailand to transfer your funds internationally. And go to the local office to get the latest handout for requirements for an extension based on being over 50.

(extra -1: get a re-entry permit before you leave Thailand.

extra-2: return to Thailand on re-entry permit within the first 90 days, before the end of June)

2. When your funds are in your bank account for two months or more AND your stamp remains less than 30 days (45 days in some provinces such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket) you go to the local immigration office to apply for a 1-year extension.

3. Get the lease or whatever document for your address in Thailand before you apply for an extension.

This is general information for an extension based on being over 50. You may need more documents at your local office.

7 months ago

Michael *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

so, I should purchase a reentry permit at the airport when I leave Thailand? And once I have the reentry permit how long do I have to reenter? You said “within the first 90 days”, when is that measured from?

I plan to be back in Thailand in June. Assuming I get the reentry permit, coming back in mid-June should be okay, right?

7 months ago

Ellie *******

@Michael ****

right, you need to apply for a single re-entry permit before you leave Thailand in May to keep your entry stamp on Non-O retirement visa 'alive'. The 90-day count starts when you arrive in April. As long as you will be back in Thailand with enough working days to apply for your extension, being back in Thailand in the middle June would be okay.

7 months ago

Michael *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

much appreciated thank you

7 months ago

Reply to

Michael *****

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