Dear editors,
I have struggled through the visa files but I have not been able to find the answer to this. I was able to extend my non-immigrant 0 visa a year ago for another year until August 15, 2016.
My question from which date can I go to Jomtien Soi 5 again in this case to extend my visa extension again? Can the date of August 15 be exceeded and if so by how many days?
Thanks for the info.
Regards,
Piet
Dear Pete,
You can request a new extension from 30 days before the end date of your last extension. Just like with your first renewal. In your case that is 30 days before August 15, which is Monday July 18 if I count correctly.
Some immigration offices accept applications as early as 45 days before the due date. I don't know if Jomtien uses the 30 or 45 day period, but that doesn't really matter. On whichever day (within that 30 or 45 day period) you submit the application, the renewal will always follow your previous one. You don't win or lose anything by submitting it earlier or later in that period.
In principle, you may not exceed the end date, in your case August 15. After all, you are in the country illegally. The exception is when your last day (August 15 in your case) falls on a day that immigration is closed due to WE or public holiday. In that case you can still request the extension on the next working day without this having any consequences. Second working day is too late.
I have also read that there are those who went after an extension later than their end date. After they had paid the “overstay penalty”, they still received their extension. That depends on the immigration officer, but I wouldn't count on that anyway.
Just go early, waiting until the last day is never a good idea. You never know what might happen.
Regards,
RonnyLatPhrao
Disclaimer: The advice is based on existing regulations. The editors accept no responsibility if this is deviated from in practice.
There is a new chief in chonburi immigration in pattaya. It is, as is whispered in the corridors, not as smooth as the previous ones.
They don't have a counter for overstay for nothing these days!
With the 90-day notification, you are already warned if your renewal is approaching and it is said that you can do that already now or they indicate on your 90-day note that you must renew.
In Immigration Sakon Nakhon they use at least 30 days before the expiry date of the visa.
In this case, before July 18.
Well…. First I hear about it too.
Their explanation for this is that you run the risk of having to start the whole procedure again and that is only possible in Laos.
My visa expires on August 16, 2016. We will arrange that on July 12.
You have to explain that to me because this makes no sense.
Dear RonnyLatPhrao,
Maybe I haven't been clear.
My wife (we are married) is very well educated by Thai standards.
2 weeks ago she called Immigration Sakon Nakhon to inquire about this.
The answer was that we have to sign up for the extension at least 30 days before the end date.
She asked if we come to report between 30 days and the end date, what the consequences will be.
She was told that a fine must be paid for each day of the 30 days.
So registering 20 days before the end date means paying a fine of 10 days.
My wife didn't want to believe this and called Immigration Nong Khai.
There she was told the same thing.
For us, that means prevention is better than cure.
This isn't possible, sorry. This is nonsense.
I'll leave it at that because it doesn't make sense.
I'll definitely investigate it further.
So far I can't find any mention of it anywhere.
If so, I'll definitely come back.
I'm also curious about the fine.
Dear Chandler,
I have submitted your answer to someone from NongKhai.
Coincidentally, he had to be at immigration this morning for other matters, and he immediately asked the question there.
Their answer is that the application may be submitted from 30 days before the end date of the extension. That's like most immigration offices (some 45 days before)
They themselves say that 14 days before the end date is more than enough time.
It is therefore not the case that the application must be submitted at least 30 days before the end date, and that a fine will follow per day within those 30 days.
If you happen to have to submit your 30-day notification a few weeks before those 90 days, you may submit that notification and the extension together. You don't have to come back just weeks later for that extension. An extra favor.
As far as NongKhai is concerned, that story is therefore not correct.
As for Sakon Nakhon
I don't immediately know people there with whom I can inquire and I'm still searching.
So far I can't find any confirmation of what you write anywhere.
I'll keep looking, but let me know in advance when you're going on July 12.
Of those at least 30 days I could still somewhat understand.
Sometimes they have very special rules, but I don't think it is possible for me to get a fine on top of that. How high would that fine be, and based on what, because you are not late at all. You are legally in the country until the end date.
Do not understand any of it
Maybe it was a misunderstanding between your wife and Immigration and she mis-phrased the question as she apparently got the same answer from NongKhai to her question, but it turns out that's not the case.
I will continue to follow up.
Dear RonnyLatPhrao,
Does the end date of the visa or the end date of the period of stay apply in connection with the extension?
fr.g. Els
Dear Els,
You cannot extend the validity period of a visa. Never.
It is always the period of stay, which you have obtained with that visa, that is extended.
It is therefore the end date of that period of residence that is important.
The fact that a period of stay has a later date than the validity period of your visa does not matter and is quite normal
Don't be fooled by the name "Retirement visa" or "Thai marriage visa". This concerns an annual extension of a period of stay obtained with a Non-immigrant visa.