randerson79 wrote:Just an update on my quest for a "retirement visa"....
I spent the night in Bangkok Sunday the 21st. I had searched the internet for the answers and everyone has answers. Very few were correct!
I down loaded many forms lots and lots of forms. Filled them all out and was ready for anything. I got out of bed Monday morning early.
07:20 Arrived at USA Embassey:
Big long line! I stand in the line thinking this going to take all day! Sweet little lady walks up to me and askes me "where you come from". I'm thinking this is a great time for a pick-up line. What next she going to ask me next? where I go tonight? I say the USA. The next thing she says "Sir you are in the wrong line American Citizen services are over there".
Walk right in. I was the 2nd person to take a number. Nice man takes my forms. Income affidavit, drivers license affidavit and new pages for my passport. He informed it thake about an hour for my new pages. Wait about 30 minutes. I get called back to the counter. The nice young man asks me if my affidavits were true and correct. Has me sign them and a stamp and I'm on my way.
08:30 enroute to Bangkok Immigration
09:30 Arrived at Immigration
Walked straight to the number counter no wait. Smiling Lady asked what I wanted. I tell her I just turned 50 and would like a retirement visa. She smiled asked "sure you 50 you not look 50". Check my visa and paper work. She informed me it takes 10 days to process a retirement visa. And I only had 4 days left on my tourist visa. She gave me a number and sent me to the visa extension department with a form TM.7. Called my number. Talked with another nice Lady. She took my passport and 1900 baht asked a couple questions and sent me back to wait. Recalled my number took my photo. Easy as pie a 30 day extension! Finished.
10:30 Back at number counter.
Same lady gives me a number for the Change of Visa Department. Waited about 20 minutes and my number was called. Sat at a desk of a young grumpy man. No smile. No eye contact. But If you had seen what had just left his office you would be grumpy too! If you have ever watched Austin Powers and remember the "Fat Bastard". :-& This was his twin brother! Come on guys, is it that had to take a shower, shave, put on some deoderant, comb you hair and put on some clean clothes? And his attitude was as nasty as his looks. Anyway back to my visa. The man looks at my passport. I give him my application for change of visa form TM.86 with photo attached, income affidavit form and copys of my passport. Asks from 2000 baht. He then studies my copies for awhile. I had copied them before my 30 extension. He wanted copies with the extension. He told me to go down stairs and get new copies. I told him I would be fast. He smiled and said take your time no problem. Came back from the copy shop, winded and out of breath. The young man smiled took my new copy. Handed me my passport and a receipt with a return date of Dec 3. Told me there would be no problem. He also asked why I came to Bangkok to get my visa and that all Immigration points can do this.
11:30 enroute to Hotel!!
I go back Dec 3 for my stamp. I enjoy going to Bangkok so it is no problem for me. Barring any problem, not a hard process. I think Stan hit it spot on. Thanks!!
