What is the current process for renewing a retirement visa in Thailand?

Question

Has anyone had a retirement visa renewal done recently 
Are there any new problems

Ask Thailand · Answer

Recent experiences with renewing a retirement visa in Thailand indicate that the process remains relatively straightforward with no significant new problems reported. Many expats have successfully completed their extensions without issues, though it is advised to check with local immigration offices for specific requirements. Some offices now require additional forms and thorough documentation, including a year’s transaction history to verify bank funds. For those in larger cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, making an appointment in advance is recommended, and applicants can submit their extension requests as early as 45 days before expiration.

Tod ********* · Answer

Just so people know, MOST if not all the "problems people experience is self inflicted :O. A simple trip to the immigration office BEFORE you are going to apply for your next extension, asking for the hand out, asking if there is anything not listed on it that you need, and if anything changed since last year can go a LONG way to avoiding multiple trips to your office to get your extension..

I'd say there's not much reason to keep this topic open. Good Luck to the O/P.. And just as an aside, seeing as there are more than 70 immigration offices IF you're asked what immigration office you use answer the question ;)

I'd say there's not much reason to keep this topic open. Good Luck to the O/P..  And just as an aside, seeing as there are more than 70 immigration offices IF you're asked what immigration office you use answer the question ;)

Tod ********* · Answer

Nope, nothing out of the ordinary.

As people pointed out, IF you're in Bangkok (or Chiang Mai) make an appointment as you don't need to do anything but get there about 15 minutes before your appointment.

Also remember IF you're using banked money method MANY offices are requiring you have a years worth of transaction history printed out. That is to prove you kept 800K baht in your account 3 months after the extension was granted and then the balance never went below 400K baht for the rest of the year. Also the legal requirement is that the 800K baht be in your account for 2 months BEFORE you apply for your new extension (so if an immigration office is saying it's 3 months they're wrong).

In Chiang Mai you can apply for your new extension when you have 45 days or less left on your current one and you don't lose any time going early because they add the new extension to your expiration date.

Here's the website of the Chiang Mai appointment booking;

[url redacted]

Mike ******** · Answer

Appears he is in Chiang Mai (Doi Saket).  Friend just did his in Chiang Mai, his first extension based on retirement, with no problem.  He just followed the list from them.  Took him only an hour as it is not very busy here now.

There are 3 new short forms to fill out but they are for everyone doing extensions.  1 for requesting permission of stay, 2nd is list of penalties and 3rd don't remember.  About 5 minutes to do them.