Jump to content

Listen to Pattaya FM105

View New Content  

Switching From Retirement To Tourist Visa


  • Please log in to reply
33 replies to this topic

#1 AfterLOS

AfterLOS

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 47 posts

Posted 2009-12-28 10:59:48

Will be leaving LOS within 6 months.  My retirement visa expires in about a week.  Cannot renew it because don't want to deposit the 800k minm. requirement no more.  So  need to switch to a tourist visa.

(1) Can I get a 3-mo. tourist visa from Immig. without leaving the country? (have held retirement visa for 6 years continuous)

(2) What's the longest duration tourist visa I can get?  (US national)

(3) Best visa run option for a chiangmai resident?

Thanks

#2 lopburi3

lopburi3

    Star Member

  • Global Moderators
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 41,532 posts

Posted 2009-12-28 11:53:15

1.  No
2.  60 days - can be extended 30 days.
3.  Vientiane.  Two entry tourist visa is available and free.  That will cover your six months with one border crossing/return required (plus the visa issue trip).

#3 ballbreaker

ballbreaker

    Super Member

  • Advanced Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,044 posts

Posted 2009-12-28 19:20:54

Instead of 800k in bank can you obtain letter from your embassy stating you have 65k a month income and go for retirement extension?  Or perhaps a combination of the two.

Edited by ballbreaker, 2009-12-28 19:21:57.


#4 lopburi3

lopburi3

    Star Member

  • Global Moderators
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 41,532 posts

Posted 2009-12-28 19:37:59

If you have such income you can - but poster seems to have no need for another retirement extension of stay if only remaining six months.

#5 Searat7

Searat7

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 67 posts

Posted 2009-12-28 19:52:51

Another option- Why not do a border run and then apply for a re-entry permit ?

#6 lopburi3

lopburi3

    Star Member

  • Global Moderators
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 41,532 posts

Posted 2009-12-28 20:56:57

His extension of stay expires in days.  A re-entry permit would have no effect on that.  And a border run will only give him a 15 day visa exempt entry.

#7 AfterLOS

AfterLOS

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 47 posts

Posted 2009-12-29 12:59:27

View Postlopburi3, on 2009-12-28 11:53:15, said:

1. No
2. 60 days - can be extended 30 days.
3. Vientiane. Two entry tourist visa is available and free. That will cover your six months with one border crossing/return required (plus the visa issue trip).



Thanks.

#8 AfterLOS

AfterLOS

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 47 posts

Posted 2009-12-29 13:18:39

View Postballbreaker, on 2009-12-28 19:20:54, said:

Instead of 800k in bank can you obtain letter from your embassy stating you have 65k a month income and go for retirement extension? Or perhaps a combination of the two.


Thanks BB.   Don't want to go the 65k route.  Actually I've been on an extended holiday for 10 yrs, LOS just being the last & best country I've lived in.  But I'm going back to work and have no idea how long I'll be gone or whether I'll be coming back.  Hence the 6 months to clear all loose ends and leave with zip.  If I return, I'll start with visas from scratch.

#9 AfterLOS

AfterLOS

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 47 posts

Posted 2009-12-29 13:27:54

Thanks to everyone for help/suggestions.

While I follow-up with reading the board on the Vientiane suggestion, I wouldn't mind anyone posting travel/hotel ideas for Chiangmai to Vientiane - go with visarun outfit or drive myself, or fly there, overnight stay reqd., etc., no problem making the trip a mini-holiday.  :)

#10 AfterLOS

AfterLOS

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 47 posts

Posted 2010-03-05 11:15:00

updating .....

did some travel and got a 2-entry tourist visa for LOS from Thai consulate in Mumbai on Jan 5, 2010 - exp. July 4, 2010.

LOS re-entry stamp on Jan 8, 2010, admitted until March 8, 2010.

(Keeping Vientiane for next time)

still fuzzy on this whole visa stuff  ...  some questions ...

(1)  I'm going to get the 30-day stamp directly from Chiangmai Immigration on Monday, March 8, i.e. 3 days from today and pay 1,900 Baht.  Is this the correct thing to do?

(2)  What happens after the above mentioned 30 days are over?  Go to Vientiane and come back into LOS right away for an additional 60 or do I need a whole new tourist visa?

Thanks much   :)

#11 Lite Beer

Lite Beer

    L.B.

  • Admin
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 26,542 posts

Posted 2010-03-05 11:48:41

View PostAfterLOS, on 2010-03-05 11:15:00, said:

updating .....

did some travel and got a 2-entry tourist visa for LOS from Thai consulate in Mumbai on Jan 5, 2010 - exp. July 4, 2010.

LOS re-entry stamp on Jan 8, 2010, admitted until March 8, 2010.

(Keeping Vientiane for next time)

still fuzzy on this whole visa stuff  ...  some questions ...

(1)  I'm going to get the 30-day stamp directly from Chiangmai Immigration on Monday, March 8, i.e. 3 days from today and pay 1,900 Baht.  Is this the correct thing to do?

(2)  What happens after the above mentioned 30 days are over?  Go to Vientiane and come back into LOS right away for an additional 60 or do I need a whole new tourist visa?

Thanks much   :)

You can go on Monday. Personally I would have gone this week.
The last day of the 30 days extension or the day before exit and return to activate your 2nd entry 60days. Just make sure that your Visa is still valid when you re enter. That can also be extended for 30 days at Immigration . 1,900 Baht.

#12 lopburi3

lopburi3

    Star Member

  • Global Moderators
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 41,532 posts

Posted 2010-03-05 13:08:49

As long as you have a visa entry you do not have to go to Vientiane - you can cross the border into Burma from Chiang Mai on a day trip and return with the new tourist visa entry.

#13 AfterLOS

AfterLOS

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 47 posts

Posted 2010-03-10 11:33:38

View PostLite Beer, on 2010-03-05 11:48:41, said:

View PostAfterLOS, on 2010-03-05 11:15:00, said:

updating .....

did some travel and got a 2-entry tourist visa for LOS from Thai consulate in Mumbai on Jan 5, 2010 - exp. July 4, 2010.

LOS re-entry stamp on Jan 8, 2010, admitted until March 8, 2010.

(Keeping Vientiane for next time)

still fuzzy on this whole visa stuff ... some questions ...

(1) I'm going to get the 30-day stamp directly from Chiangmai Immigration on Monday, March 8, i.e. 3 days from today and pay 1,900 Baht. Is this the correct thing to do?

(2) What happens after the above mentioned 30 days are over? Go to Vientiane and come back into LOS right away for an additional 60 or do I need a whole new tourist visa?

Thanks much :)

You can go on Monday. Personally I would have gone this week.
The last day of the 30 days extension or the day before exit and return to activate your 2nd entry 60days. Just make sure that your Visa is still valid when you re enter. That can also be extended for 30 days at Immigration . 1,900 Baht.


Thanks LB.

updating  ...  filled the form, paid the 1,900 Baht and got the 30-day stamp at Immigration, CM.  No problems encountered, in and out quite fast.

#14 AfterLOS

AfterLOS

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 47 posts

Posted 2010-03-10 11:35:15

View Postlopburi3, on 2010-03-05 13:08:49, said:

As long as you have a visa entry you do not have to go to Vientiane - you can cross the border into Burma from Chiang Mai on a day trip and return with the new tourist visa entry.



Thanks boss, things are getter much clearer now.    :)

#15 AfterLOS

AfterLOS

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 47 posts

Posted 2010-04-05 08:45:22

View Postlopburi3, on 2010-03-05 14:08:49, said:

As long as you have a visa entry you do not have to go to Vientiane - you can cross the border into Burma from Chiang Mai on a day trip and return with the new tourist visa entry.


re: cross the border into Burma

did you mean cross at Mae Sai, boss?  If so, at the present moment is this still a good rec?  Aiming to do this tomorrow or day after.  

Is there some sort of unspoken time one must spend on the other side before crossing back into LOS?

Thanks very much

#16 lopburi3

lopburi3

    Star Member

  • Global Moderators
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 41,532 posts

Posted 2010-04-05 09:13:52

Any legal border crossing can be used and there is no requirement to spend any time in the other country once you get your stamp.

#17 AfterLOS

AfterLOS

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 47 posts

Posted 2010-04-05 22:17:36

View Postlopburi3, on 2010-04-05 10:13:52, said:

Any legal border crossing can be used and there is no requirement to spend any time in the other country once you get your stamp.


Thanks.   :)

#18 AfterLOS

AfterLOS

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 47 posts

Posted 2010-04-07 08:57:30

View PostAfterLOS, on 2010-04-05 09:45:22, said:

View Postlopburi3, on 2010-03-05 14:08:49, said:

As long as you have a visa entry you do not have to go to Vientiane - you can cross the border into Burma from Chiang Mai on a day trip and return with the new tourist visa entry.


re: cross the border into Burma

did you mean cross at Mae Sai, boss? If so, at the present moment is this still a good rec? Aiming to do this tomorrow or day after.

Is there some sort of unspoken time one must spend on the other side before crossing back into LOS?

Thanks very much



updating   ......


crossed the border into Burma at Mae Sai, got stamped out of LOS and then stamped into Burma for a fee of 500 Baht.  Requested immediate stamp out of Burma (they were surprised I didn't want to shop, but were extremely courteous and friendly) which was granted.

Walked back into LOS, got my Thai visa marked "USED" with a line thru' it and a 60 day permisssion to stay stamp.

The entire operation was as smooth as silk.   No hassles, no qts about how much money etc., etc.

Question:   When these 60 days are over, can I still get the local 30-day extension for 1,900 Baht at CM Immigration Office like I did before, despite my 2-entry Visa now being marked as USED?  

Thanks very much   :)

#19 lopburi3

lopburi3

    Star Member

  • Global Moderators
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 41,532 posts

Posted 2010-04-07 09:11:42

Yes.

#20 AfterLOS

AfterLOS

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 47 posts

Posted 2010-06-29 23:58:09

My first 6-month tourist visa is now almost over.  I've decided to go to Cambodia instead of Laos to get a new 6-month double-entry tourist visa for LOS.  Taking the bus with a buddy from Bangkok to Poipet, then to PP  ....

Is getting a cambodia visa at the border a problem (US passport)?

Any latest updates on problems re: double-entry TV for LOS at thai consulate in PP?

much obliged

:)

#21 tropo

tropo

    Titanium Member

  • Advanced Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 9,682 posts

Posted 2010-06-30 13:26:01

View PostAfterLOS, on 2010-06-29 23:58:09, said:

My first 6-month tourist visa is now almost over.  I've decided to go to Cambodia instead of Laos to get a new 6-month double-entry tourist visa for LOS.  Taking the bus with a buddy from Bangkok to Poipet, then to PP  ....

Is getting a cambodia visa at the border a problem (US passport)?

Any latest updates on problems re: double-entry TV for LOS at thai consulate in PP?

much obliged

:)

I doubt you'll get a double entry tourist visa in Phnom Penh, especially now that they're free. I know of one agent who organises visa runs from Pattaya that appears to be successful getting double entries, but I have not tried them personally.

If I was you I would go to Vientiene where you chances are high.

#22 tropo

tropo

    Titanium Member

  • Advanced Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 9,682 posts

Posted 2010-06-30 15:44:10

There's something else I should have mentioned. If you get a double entry in Vientiane (or Phnom Penh) it will only be valid for 3 months so you will have to carefully time your 2nd entry.



#23 AfterLOS

AfterLOS

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 47 posts

Posted 2010-07-01 00:08:20

View Posttropo, on 2010-06-30 15:44:10, said:

There's something else I should have mentioned. If you get a double entry in Vientiane (or Phnom Penh) it will only be valid for 3 months so you will have to carefully time your 2nd entry.





Thanks tropo.   I'll keep Vientiane for next time as I heard its too boring there, Cambodia being more fun, so a holiday is possible.  Will report the results here.

#24 Jimi007

Jimi007

    Still A Beach Bum

  • Advanced Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,454 posts

Posted 2010-07-01 00:36:07

Sounds like you should have got an earnings statement six months ago and extended your retirement visa for 1,900 Baht. Oh well, too late now. The earnings statement is only $30 or 900 Baht and a photo 100 Baht. You even have a US consulate in Chang Mai. Of course a re entry permit is another 1,000 Baht, but much better than visa runs in my opinion...

Best of luck, Jimi

#25 AfterLOS

AfterLOS

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 47 posts

Posted 2010-07-26 08:07:19

View PostJimi007, on 2010-07-01 00:36:07, said:

Sounds like you should have got an earnings statement six months ago and extended your retirement visa for 1,900 Baht. Oh well, too late now. The earnings statement is only $30 or 900 Baht and a photo 100 Baht. You even have a US consulate in Chang Mai. Of course a re entry permit is another 1,000 Baht, but much better than visa runs in my opinion...

Best of luck, Jimi


Thanks Jimi, wish I knew that before, it is the easier way.



 


Sponsored by...

Quick Navigation   View New Content Site search: