When can I apply for a new visa extension in Thailand if I have to leave the country before the current one expires?

visa extension Thailand immigration NON-O visa re-entry permit Chiang Mai immigration office family emergency visa issues bank requirement for visa

Nov 8, 2022

2 years ago

Brian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I might have to go to the US soon to deal with an unexpected family medical matter. I am a US citizen with an extension to a non-O based on marriage to a Thai. My current year extension ends on November 24. I'm using the 400,000b in the bank method to meet the income requirement and the money has been seasoning since September 14. My immigration office is Chiang Mai. 

Questions:

- How far in advance of Nov. 24 can I apply for a new extension? The money won't be fully seasoned until Nov. 14, of course. 

- Can I leave Thailand during the provisional period? The intended scenario would be to buy a re-entry permit and return to Thailand in time to get the stamp for the full extension. One concern is the potential home visit. Immigration did visit for the last two extensions so I think it is likely they would visit again. 

- If not, or if I am unable to return in time for the stamp, what would make best sense for getting a new visa?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A US citizen with a non-O visa extension based on marriage to a Thai is facing an unexpected trip to the US for a family medical matter. Their current extension expires on November 24, but the funds in the bank for the visa requirement will not be fully seasoned until November 14. The main questions are about when to apply for the new extension, the possibility of leaving Thailand during the provisional period, and what to do if unable to return in time for the stamp.

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James ********

2 years ago

Ana ************************

Brian Minsk I always bring my Statement from the day before, but then they sent me back to the bank on the day I apply to deposit a small amount

2 years ago

Ana ************************

Chiang Mai need a Update bankbook same day

2 years ago

Brian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ana ***********************

Exactly. What CM has posted just says "updated bank book" and does not indicate it must be updated same day showing a balance with the same day's date.

[Please forgive me steering this thread off course, admins]

2 years ago

Reply to

Brian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@James *******

This may be specific to Chiang Mai, I am not sure, but for my last two extensions, both of which used the 400k banked method, they have asked me for documentation showing my account balance on the day I applied. A passbook will show your balance at your last transaction, which is not necessarily the current balance on the day of application. When I applied two years ago CM immigration asked me to go to the bank, make an ATM transaction and bring back the ATM receipt (which would then show the balance on that day). Or, you can make a bank transaction on the day you apply and, after, update your passbook, which is what I did last year.

2 years ago

Tod *********

@Brian ******

most offices require you update your bank book the day you apply to show the balance. MOST will let you have a bank letter that's no older than 7 days

BUT some want the letter the day you apply for the extension too

AND

some want the letter AND the bank balance update to MATCH as far as dollar values 😮

Crazy but true..

2 years ago

James ********

@Brian ******

you need to do whatever the Chiang Mai Thai immigration office asks you to do. The requirements may vary from year to year.

The only way to know what they REQUIRE now is to ask.

2 years ago

Brian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@James *******

One of the reasons I mentioned this CM requirement (which may have just been something that the particular immigration officers I was dealing with wanted?) is that it is NOT in the list of requirements posted at the office.

2 years ago

Tod *********

@Brian ******

offices are famous for having hand outs (or in Chiang Mai's case having it posted on the wall) information that is NOT complete and then you show up and are missing something 😕 I hate that part 🙁

2 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

Bcause you didn't get the funds in the account until Sept 14 the earliest you can apply would be the 14 of Nov 🙁 <- that is a problem of your own making sadly because in Chiang Mai you can apply when you have 45 days or less left on your current stamp so had you had the funds seasoned the requisite time you could have applied any time after Oct 10th 😕

You're talking about the 'under consideration' stamp they give you (which is actually the first month of your new yearly extension). You can leave during that time but you'd need a re-entry permit to get back in and you'd have to be back BY the date the under consideration stamp runs out.

If you're going to apply before you leave, TALK to them, let them know you have to leave the country ask if you can get a longer under consideration stamp (they have been known to be accommodating in some cases).

If you can't get back before the u/c stamp runs out you lose the whole thing and start all over from scratch.

Come in visa exempt, apply for the 90 day Non-O for 2000baht at the immigration office, wait the 20 day review period, then wait until you have 45 days or less left on the new Non-O and 90 day stamp to apply for the year extension for 1900baht.

2 years ago

Brian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks

@T**

. Yeah, I wasn't expecting that Immigration would budge on the funds seasoning time but I had no idea that I could apply that far in advance.

For future reference, if I were to apply, say, 45 days in advance would the extension start the day I apply or from the end of the existing extension?

2 years ago

Tod *********

@Brian ******

they always add extensions for the same reason (marriage to marriage, retirement to retirement) to the expiration date of your current stamp

2 years ago

Brian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

Excellent to know - thanks.

2 years ago

Reply to

Brian *******