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What are the best options for obtaining a quick visa extension or retirement visa in neighboring countries after experiencing issues with immigration in Thailand?

Thailand immigrationVisa extensionNon O visaRetirement visaVisa agencyBrushing up on Thai visa regulationsImmigration office experienceExpat adviceTravel to Thai embassies
Jun 21, 2023
a year ago
Terry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So I got kinda screwed over today. Went in to do my 1 year retirement extension. I had all the correct documents, including my bank stuff.

Got shut down.

After working 4 years in China, when I came back, I used a lawyer (agency) to move things along. They changed my visa to a non o and then at about 75 days after that, had immigration change it to a Non O retirement. I did all my 90 day reports everything was cool. That was done in Phetchaburi btw.

I’ve since moved to Bangkok I went in today and the immigration officer told me they have nothing on me ! My OA and extension don’t exist in their computers. I’ve basically been here for the last 15 months illegally.

He was cool though and knew right away what had happened between the agency and Phetchaburi immigration. I guess he didn’t also want to raise a stink on my local IO. So he told me I need to leave the country, get either a new OA or a tourist visa and then CW will change it to the one year extension (legally.)

So now I’m looking at flights around Thai embassy cities.

Any recommendations on the least painless, most simple Embassy to get a quick in and out ?

I used to go to Vientiane all the time , but that’s been many moons ago.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user faced issues at the Bangkok immigration office regarding an extension based on their retirement visa, which reportedly did not exist in the system. They were advised to leave the country and apply for a new non-O or tourist visa to reset their status. In the comments, expats shared their suggestions for the easiest nearby embassies for quick processing, with mentions of Vientiane, Penang, and Yangon as potential options for acquiring the necessary visa, while also discussing the pros and cons of using visa agencies versus handling immigration paperwork independently.
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.
Guido **********
Penang

Royal Thai Consulate General

+60 4-226 9484

***********************
a year ago
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Andy **********
You don't need any visa to get onto a retirement extension. You can do it from a visa exempt.
a year ago
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Chulala **********
Same as my clients he got the same situation with his previous agency, don’t have his name on the system but have visa on his passport, recommend Vientiane but you need to book the schedule to the embassy, I believe Monday will be full schedule.
a year ago
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Jackie ********
Penang is easy
a year ago
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Terry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jackie *******
 , yeah, I’ve already booked my air to Penang 😀
a year ago
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Yiba *******
@Jackie *******
 not really. Vientiane is better
a year ago
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Yiba *******
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Gordon *********
Expose the agency
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@Gordon ********
 that's illegal
a year ago
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Terry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 agreed. The only thing I would mention is that it was in Hua Hin.

Anyone who uses an agent should properly do due diligence, and even then, it’s still hit and miss
a year ago
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Gordon *********
@Terry *******
 you take care m8
a year ago
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Gordon *********
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Gordon *********
@Brandon ***********
 not you payed a company to work for you save other people going down the same road lol
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@Gordon ********
 can still get sued and arrested for it as many have.
a year ago
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Brandon ************
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Janin ******
And still a lot of people recommend an agency! Now a bunch of people also in problems with different agencies!
a year ago
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Todd *********
@Janin *****
 agencies are great. That’s why. Sure beats importing 800k and standing in line at your bank and immigration every year
a year ago
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Janin ******
@Todd ********
 , did it myself from day one, nothing special if you inform yourself
a year ago
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Todd *********
@Janin *****
 nothing special at all. But i don't like standing in line. And no reason to tie up 800k baht
a year ago
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Janin ******
@Todd ********
 you don’t have to wait for one minute if you make an appointment!
a year ago
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Todd *********
@Janin *****
 lol. U sure about that? How long did you wait at the bank? How long to drive to both bank and immigration. If you have 800k tied up, it’s a total waste of time and money
a year ago
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David ********
@Todd ********
 same here will never q for a bacon sandwich all day in the 40c heat lol they should have listened at school 😂😂😂 👍🏻
a year ago
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Todd *********
@David *******
 hahaha. Yes! Exactly
a year ago
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Todd *********
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Julane *******
I used Penang to get my O 90 day visa. Very easy. And flights are reasonable.
a year ago
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Yiba *******
Vientiane, Laos
a year ago
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Terry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Yiba ******
 that’s where I’m leaning towards
a year ago
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Terry ********
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Maxim ***********
First of all, you are NOT on overstay. A lot of awful misinformation going on in the comments. What happened is that you used an agent last time, so you are bound to use the same agent + same immigration this time around too. It's the downside of using an agent, you are stuck with them for future extensions because they way you obtained said Non-O last time was illegally obtain but the stamps are legit. To erase that, you need to leave the country and apply for Non-O in neighbor country. So when you come back in u will be able to extend for a year no problem.
a year ago
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Paul ******************
Me and my friend just did it at the Thai Embassy in Manila, Philippines. Stayed at the St. Giles Hotel near the embassy in the district of Makarti. Went into the embassy on a Tuesday, got the 3 months (2 months with an extension for a 3rd month) tourist visa on the Friday. They are a quick embassy I’ve heard compared to others. Just over 3 hours flight from Bangkok Don Mueang airport on Air Asia.
a year ago
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John *******
Don't know the answer here maybe a law firm or agency but sounds like that's what screwed you already as I see it now you are here on 15month overstay can't believe immigration let you walk out and stay in the country I've known people to get thrown in the bin for much less you need to buy a lottery ticket chohk di getting back in you going to need it with that record
a year ago
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Terry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Those who suggested a good embassy to go to as I requested in my OP, Thank you very much
a year ago
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Garrett ***********
So what did the officer give you? They let you walk out of their office on a 15 month overstay? How are you going to leave the country?
a year ago
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Maxim ***********
@Garrett **********
 He is not on overstay. But because he used an agent a year ago, he is stuck in using them again with that same immigration. That's the downside of using an agent, unless you leave the country and come back with fresh stamps you have to re-use the agent forever.
a year ago
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Terry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maxim **********
 I’m not on an overstay. It is a legal stamp from an immigration office, with all 90 day reports. It’s just not in CW’s computer. I don’t pretend to know any immigration offices mindset, nor do I care to. I’m just doing as the boss says
a year ago
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David **********
@Terry *******
 yes if you leave your visa will be cancelled. I know of similar situations. But this seems to be clearly a problem with immigration if yiu havr a genuine stamp. Surely the offices can talk to each other. It doesnt make sense.
a year ago
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David **********
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Todd *********
@Maxim **********
 I simply don’t think that is true at all anymore. I shifted from agent to LTR in country. No issues at all. No mention of it. Walked into immigration in BKK and they stamped in the 10 years. When I had the agent visa, it was seen and discussed at length when samui immigration. They even helped me register my residence on Samui in the system
a year ago
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Chris ************
@Todd ********
 do you know, when is it the case at LTR

that you get 5 years and have to extend one time for the next five years

and actually you got the 10 years stamp?
a year ago
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Todd *********
@Chris ***********
 yes, you actually do receive a ten year visa stamp in your passport. But each time you enter, you will receive the earliest date of either the 5 years or your passport expiry. Whichever comes first
a year ago
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Chris ************
@Todd ********
 thx for the answer. It may be different with an LTR for purpose of working from Thailand (remote work)...

i guess, yours is for retirement?
a year ago
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Todd *********
@Chris ***********
 it’s possible but should be the same. My stamp is 27 Oct 2032, but they add a validity stamp for the 5 years or if your passport will expire first. And they don’t know yet what will be required for the 5 year reset 😂🤷‍♂️
a year ago
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Chris ************
@Todd ********
 I see. This is what I don't quite understand:
a year ago
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Todd *********
@Chris ***********
 even the BOI doesn’t understand at this point. They are unsure of what the actual requirement will be. But they did promise that is will be less onerous that the initial standard. There is no intent to not Re qualify people. I expect for my retiree LTR, will simply have to show income meets requirement. Send a bank statement and get the other 5 years
a year ago
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Chris ************
@Todd ********
 ok. Thx for your thoughts, Todd. Appreciate.
a year ago
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Chris ************
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David ********
@Garrett **********
 it’s BS all immigration department have a cage in the rear straight in it and on next plane
a year ago
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David ********
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Michel *************
Penang
a year ago
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Roy *********
I just got a new non o based on retirement in Savannakhet today, was so easy and smooth.

Much better than Vientiane.
a year ago
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Albert *******
All that time and money you spent, you could have simply gone to a visa agency. Let them deal with all the paperwork bureaucracy, while you enjoy the country
a year ago
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Adrian ******
@Albert ******
 probably because he got burned by last agency & wants to be totally legal this time
a year ago
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Albert *******
Adrian Hide and you see , THATS where talking on groups like this can help to give advice on really good agencies . And when you use an agency you’re actually MORE protected than when you do things solo . Money talks like it or NOT
a year ago
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Albert *******
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Dave *********
I’d try Penang
a year ago
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Marc *******
@Dave ********
 Me not....
a year ago
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Terry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marc ******
 why not Penang ? Experience ?
a year ago
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Marc *******
@Terry *******
 Compare to Laos a Pain in the As. Look at the website.
a year ago
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Marc *******
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Todd *********
Have you gone back to the 'lawyer'? I still think Vientiane maybe your best answer, no visa required for entry. KL or Penang, Singapore, Yangon, Phnom Penh, HCMC. Will be interesting to see what happens on your return. But if you are truly on overstay, you are suspended for 3 years once you pay your 20k fine on exit. Best of luck
a year ago
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Terry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Todd ********
 I may be stupid ( lived here 20 years now) but the IO didn’t mark anything in my passport and I believed him. Didn’t ask or hint for anything and gave very helpful suggestions with both the tourists visa and the OA and then returning to CW for the extension or converting the tourist.
a year ago
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Todd *********
@Terry *******
 it's definitely an odd situation. The issue that looms large is what happens when you stamp out of Thailand?? If truly 15 month overstay, the fine is 20k and a 3 year ban.
a year ago
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Terry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Todd ********
 I don’t suspect it will be any future problems. My current “extension “ expires 9 July He gave me his business card and said to have border call him if there were any problems as well
a year ago
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Todd *********
@Terry *******
 This is a bit confusing overall. Were you in the country 'illegally' as you mentioned? Or on an extension? The outcomes are very, very different. It sounds like you haven't been illegal at all.
a year ago
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Terry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Todd ********
 chaeng Wattana did not actually say I was illegal. They just said they couldn’t extend this extension and I needed to go out and basically do a reset.

I think it is hushed because they don’t want to rat out their own
a year ago
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Todd *********
@Terry *******
 they likely didn't say illegal, as clearly you were not illegal at all. Fair enough. Nothing to 'rat out' as there is nothing to rat out. Stand down folks, nothing to see here. Have a nice flight to the nearby RTE of your choice Terry, there will be no issue. Consider a reputable agent next time. Enjoy!
a year ago
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Terry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Todd ********
 great ! That’s what felt anyways.

As to the agent, in 20 years I’ve always done everything myself. I just got a little jammed up this once coming back from China just after the CoVid
a year ago
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Terry ********
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Werner ************
@Todd ********
 live stress free like Todd lol 🤦🏼‍♂️
a year ago
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Werner ************
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Russell *******
Wait a few months for better exchange rates
a year ago
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Tony *******
18 months overstay, r u sure they'll let you back in?
a year ago
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David ********
Tony Goeds he will have a stamp in his passport relating to dates 555 and 800k bht in a bank account……or skint and moaning lol
a year ago
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David ********
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Kool *******
The Thai Embassy in Yangon Myanmar is good, and not busy at all, and I'm not being sarcastic. It is the place to go now if you are flying.
a year ago
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David ********
Just return on a tourist visa you have your 800k in a Thai bank account still it only costs 1900 bht at immigration or go through an agent to save time about 10k bht no drama
a year ago
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Frank **********
@David *******
 lol. He went through an agent before.
a year ago
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Kool *******
@David *******
 umm, that's what caused his current drama, using an agent...lolol.
a year ago
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David ********
@Kool ******
 it’s bull shit pal stamps in passports lol …..90 day check in you need to put visa exp dates and entry dates ummmmm 555
a year ago
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Andy ********
@David *******
 I get that same smell also.
a year ago
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Andy ********
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Adrian ******
You don’t really need a Thai embassy city just leave return on tourist then extend & convert to O in country. But I would get exact details from immigration as time line etc. I did this a few years back changing from a O/A to a O flew to Nong Khai jumped on a bus & zipped over & back no problem
a year ago
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Albert *********
@Adrian *****
No airport at Nong Khai
a year ago
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Adrian ******
@Albert ********
 your absolutely right my miss explaining Udon Thani & shuttle bus to border in Nong Khai
a year ago
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Adrian ******
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John **********
You're very lucky they didn't mark you as being on a 15 month overstay
a year ago
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Miles ***********
Laos
a year ago
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Ross ********
Play monkey games ..win monkey prizes
a year ago
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Werner ************
Yea that’s the issue with fixed agency visas - your stuck when you want to go legit or stop using them etc
a year ago
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Jin *******
PM sent
a year ago
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Brandon ************
Sounds like you got screwed a year ago, not today. Today you were lucky.
a year ago
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Terry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 maybe that came across wrong. The agency and IO down there screwed me. CW IO was very cool
a year ago
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Maxim ***********
@Terry *******
 In brief, it's bribery. The bribery in Phetchaburi is not recognized in BKK, and vice-versa. Went you pay an agent good money to help you, the agent pay IO and more down the chain of command. Only a fraction actually stay in the agent pocket.
a year ago
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Maxim ***********
@Terry *******
 Nobody screwed you. Agent are all illegal. But your stamps are legit. Your stamps won't be recognize by BKK because of how you got said stamps elsewhere. Not a single agent could have prevented what happened to you today. The recommendation you got from CW IO today is what everyone does went they want to extend without using an agent they previously used. You need to leave the country like he said and apply again.
a year ago
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Maxim ***********
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