What should I do if my renewal application for a NON-O visa in Thailand is taking too long?

Non-Immigrant Visa O Visa Extensions Immigration Process Visa Delays Expat Experiences

May 3, 2023

2 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I had a 78 day wait for my non-imm O based on marriage for my annual extension. Finally got my yearly extension today. Been getting extensions now for 10 years with no issues. Anybody else with this issue?

Once my temporary 30 days wait for approval had run out, I made a trip to immigration just prior to then and then couple times afterwards to check status. Was sternly told I must wait for them to call me and told not to worry, it’s in process and if I’m checked in the mean while not to worry. The police will call them to verify I’m not an overstay and visa extension is in process. Maybe from jail 🤣🤣

But what if I needed to leave Thailand for some sort of emergency back at my home country? I couldn’t get a reentry because my visa had run out. Going through immigration at the airport would probably have run up an over 30 days overstay. And then again leaving would void my application for annual extension. 

Anyways, I’m now legal again. 😜

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user shares their experience of waiting 78 days for a NON-O visa extension based on marriage, highlighting challenges faced during the waiting period and the lack of communication from immigration authorities. They express concerns about potentially needing to leave Thailand during the process without reentry options due to the expiry of their visa. Other commenters recount similar delays in processing visa extensions, indicating that long wait times may be a common issue.

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.
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Nigel *********

Happened to me 2 years in a row... 45 days and 50 days. Phang Nha and Phuket offices

2 years ago

Andy *********

65 day for me this year - same challenges - not uncommon it seems from the various forums this year

2 years ago

Mike **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Andy ********

thanks. Just wondering if this is a new normal to prepare for or if I’ve just been lucky so far.

2 years ago

Mike **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Haha. Yep, I stayed well under the radar as not to be calling immigration from a jail cell 🤣

2 years ago

Andy *********

@Mike *********

my previous 5 were all in schedule - seems to impact offices out in the sticks - no reason given only fb theories about more checks required or workload increased now covid ended and not enough staff - just relieved to get it finally done and not be in no man’s land for a few weeks

2 years ago

Phil ********

@Andy ********

more checks required has, indeed, come down the ranks, innit?

"newer" supervisors flexing their muscles ; spreading their wings; or stretching their legs as the case may be...

cheers 🍺

2 years ago

Reply to

Phil ********

Mike **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Oh, and I must add, that I just showed up today just to check and thinking they might just fuss again I came in without the phone call. The extension had been approved over a week ago.

No one had called me.

2 years ago

Reply to

Mike **********

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What should I do if my Non-O retirement visa application is still pending and my exemption visa is about to expire?

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