LoyalGiraffe8499 Chris is 100% correct. The best way to think about is the original visa is issued by the Thai Embassy this is the equivalent Department of State (DOS) in the USA. The one year extension of stay is issued by your local Immigration Office in Thailand this is the equivalent of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Because the requirements of the income method for Americans is 12 monthly deposits from abroad in your Thai bank. You couldn't possibly meet this requirement because you have only been in Thailand a few months at that point. So for your first extension you must deposit a minimum of 800k in you Thai bank account. You must maintain that 800k for at least 3 months after that application. For the rest of the year the balance can't fall below 400k.

As others have said each immigration office will have slightly different requirements for the one year extension. This requirement is the same for them all.

Hope this explains things better.

Yaoyu Brancheau as an English man I couldn't possibly comment on the efficency or friendliness of Paris. 😂 😂

If you are thinking of claiming you live in the UK when you really live in Thailand so you can get the pension increases. The DWP have the right to interrogate all your UK bank accounts to see where you are actually spending your money. AI is able to search thousands of accounts and make a call where you are living. If caught you will have to pay the money back and may even face fraud charges.

Great job doing your first extension. It will be so much easier next year. The following year you will be giving others advice on this forum. 😊

Ray Low-On that is a great service at Blueport. 😊

Stephen Angel so you went to the agent dropped off your passport and paid 200 Baht. Then a few days later you went to the agent to pick up your passport.

This is better than just going to immigration and doing a 90 report and never being without your passport how?

@Stuart ********

great answer. 😊

As you have a bank account these are the general steps you need to take.

1. Get yourself an address and then go to immigration and complete the TM30 process. Your landlord may do this for you but you will need to go for step 2.

2. Ask immigration exactly what you need to do to a Non Immigrant O. Also ask what they need for the 1 year extension.

3. Depending on the area where you are living will determine whether you need 800k seasoned in a bank account for a period of time. The 800k will need to be sent from outside of Thailand.

2A if your money needs to be seasoned for 2 months you will need to apply for a 30 day extension on your visa exemption or tourist visa.

3. Apply for a Non Immigrant O based on being over 50. This can normally be done when you have 30 days remaining on your current stamp. In certain immigration offices this can be done 45 days early.

4. When you have days remaining on you Non Immigrant O stamp apply for a 1 year extension. Again ask at your immigration office for their requirements.

Keep in mind re-entry permits. Basically the rule is whenever you leave Thailand you need a re-entry permit.

Saowaros Sarakarnkosol great advice on the Non Immigrant O visa. It is also available at most Thai Consulates. The problem with trying to apply in Thailand is you can't open a bank account without a long term visa.

Kim Fargan you can never do an extension of stay online.