Visa Extension
Do you have a Visa or an Extension?
It is critical to understand how Thailand Immigration deals with the validity on visas by using two separate but related concepts.
Initial Visa Duration
How long your visa is good for before you have to leave the country to go home or obtain a new one in a Thai Embassy in a neighbouring country
Extension Duration
Let's try to clear this up, An EXTENSION is NOT a visa. It's an Extension of Stay based on a visa you obtained. For example, you can extend a Tourist Visa by requesting an Extension of Stay at your local immigration office. The most they'll grant you in this instance is 30 days.
Technically your Tourist visa will have expired at the 60 days from entry point, but your newly acquired Extension of Stay is now valid for 30 more days. It is this Extension of Stay that people are referring to when they inaccurately say; “I got a 1 year Retirement Visa”.
It's just their way of saying in a simple manner how long they get to stay. People say it like this not to intentionally confuse others, but because it's a bit complicated and maybe a bit fastidious to try to explain the difference between a Visa and an Extension of Stay.
Most of the confusion you see in online expat forums on the subject arises from blurring, obfuscating or otherwise failing to clarify this one critical distinction in terminology.
Aside from being not up to date information in most instances, this can be the case with all Internet based retirement related information that's written online by amateur visa experts. The more time you spend going back & forth with well-meaning non-experts increases the chances you'll hear even more conflicting information.
Therefore, it is wise to speak with us directly.
If you have any questions about a Visa or an Extension, please don't hesitate to contact us directly on +66 (0)87 941 0081
If you have any visa problem in your life, we are here to help you!
Are you over 50? We can help you secure your Thailand Retirement Visa or Extension. Our Speedy visa application service is quick and efficient.
