julot

For Chiang Mai, no copies needed, I had to hand out:

- original passport + TM6 card

- filled in TM47 form

that's it.

Stopped by at Chiang Mai immigration at 11AM today to see if I could do my 90-day report that was due end of May.

I could not file online on time and saw that immigration granted them automatically during the visa amnesty.

They setup a nice drive-through lane for 90-day report. I was asked to walk to the back of the main building.

There was absolutely no queue. I filled in the TM47 form and gave my passport. No questions asked, my next report is due in 90 days from today. 

I recommend everyone who didn't file on time to use the drive through in next 10 days before it gets crowded. I would not wait until August because I think you would be fined for late filing (end of amnesty) 

3 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

You can apply for a 90 day non immigrant visa (category O) entry at a immigration office. And then a one year extension of stay (it is not a visa)  based upon retirement during the last 30 days of the 90 day entry from the visa.

1. Yes but some offices want more than 15 day remaining on your entry or the 30 day extension of it.

2. To apply for the visa the 800k baht only needs to be in the bank on the date your apply along with proof it came from a abroad.

Then for 2 months on the day you apply for the one year extension.

@ubonjoe Really? So you are saying you can convert a visa exempt to a 90 day non-o and then 1 year extension without leaving Thailand? I always thought only a real visa (like tourist visa) could be converted into another visa type. Does this also apply to non-o based on marriage?

I am re-entering Thailand in September on visa-exempt and was initially planning to get a non-O visa based on marriage in HCMC but if I can do the process in Chiang Mai why bother flying out..

EU citizen, < 50 years, married to Thai wife. I have cancelled by non-B visa and left Thailand for a couple of months of travels and visiting my family in Europe.

Was planning to get in Europe a 1-year NON-O Multiple Entry visa before restarting 1-year extension process (in process of moving to Chiang Mai with wife so prefer 1-year option over 90 day),

however my embassy now only issue single entry visa and may not be worth the hassle & cost (family is far so must use agent to deliver/pickup/mail passport, embassy asking now for stamped bank letter, more delays, my time there is too short so might not get visa on time)

So my plan-B is to re-enter Thailand visa exempt and take a trip 30 days later to a neighboring country to obtain a 1-year Non-O.
I will have 600 euros on me and my wife will be with me re-entering Chiang Mai airport immigration, so I plan to explain I could not get visa on time but will go to XXXXX in 30 days. 

So my question is, as of July 2019, what are the embassies/consulates that still deliver 1-year NON-O ME visa?
Preferably easy flying access from Chiang Mai, not requiring appointment/overcrowded (vientiane/savanakhet), with or without financial requirements..

Are Hanoi, HCMC, KL still good choices?

On 7/4/2019 at 8:21 PM, dtag said:

As I mentioned, the work permit was voided while I was in PP, as my job was over.

@dtag Re-reading this thread and found this statement weird.

When leaving a job in Thailand, Work permit and visa/extension of stay must be voided/cancelled at immigration office in Thailand, and possessor must leave country the same day or can apply for a 7-day extension. Not doing this can lead to future immigration problems.

A work permit cannot be "voided" abroad (in PP as you stated). So have you or not cancelled your WP in Thailand before leaving?

So how many days did you get? I am also planning to terminate my job and I am also told I have to leave withing "20 days".

anyone? will I be able in CM to cancel extension that was given in BKK (BOI) and apply for 60-day extension same day without proof of residence?

Hello folks, looking for clarification on the following topic:

I am currently on a NON-B 1 year extension and planning to terminate my employment contract in the next months. Upon cancellation, I am planning to get a 60-day extension based on Thai wife. 

The company is in CM, but the NON-B extension was obtained in Bangkok (chamchuri sq, BOI) when we were based around BKK. Few months ago, we have moved to Chiang Mai and we are staying at a friend's resort (no rental agreement).

I know the normal process would be to cancel non-b 1-year extension and apply for 60-day extension on the same day at CM immigration, but does anyone see any problems with my circumstances? 

Much appreciated!

7 minutes ago, Trujillo said:

I'm just curious what the fundamental reason is to pay what I think anyone would say is an astronomical cost for very little return.

Ok. I have reported these posts before as off-topic but they keep coming back ???? so I will try to answer this once for all:

- someone who cannot access non-immigrant visa (no thai kids, wife and below 50) and who would like to stay in TH long-term   

- someone who is tired of dealing with non-immigrant 1 year extension and new requirements coming up every year (witnesses for marriage, financial for retirement... and wait.. there will be more..)

- someone who works offshore and cannot plan to be in Thailand for the extension period (especially marriage visa with 1-month consideration). 

- someone who wants simply hassle-free guaranteed visa for next 5/20+ years. high position in government likely going to stay a long time and they clearly are interested in quality tourists and residents, and I expect they will make it harder and harder for low-income residents to stay (already did with new financial requirements, talks of health insurance ongoing..). Thailand is developing, the cost of living will keep going up. Financial requirements will increase and I assume elite fees might too.  Having a long-term visa will give many a peace of mind.

- someone who travels often on business trip (especially from bangkok) and would appreciate the use of limo rides, departure/arrival lounges, and fast track lanes.

Personally, I am married to a Thai wife but for many of the reasons above (below 50, offshore work, financially secure, in Thailand 2-4 months max at a time, cannot plan marriage extension dates, tired of changing requirements) I am considering getting an elite visa in a few months. In 20 years, I won't be working anymore and leaving TH so often, so if the retirement visa is still around and easy to renew, I will use it instead. 

While 50K THB/year (1M for 20y visa) may seem an outrageous amount for some. For others, it may be a small amount that gives long-term hassle-free visa and peace of mind, and may be well a good "investment". 

34 minutes ago, Trujillo said:

So actually, you have to make TWO trips to the immigration office for the 90-day report, whereas we plebeians can get it done on the spot. 

that's not true. you still have the same options as others, do it yourself in person at immigration (same day), or send it by mail or try it online. Affitionally, Elite provides free service for drop off/pick up at an agent (not immigration) in downtown CM but I agree, I do not see any much value here unless living nearby.

I am changing provinces and moving to Chiang Mai and considering purchasing Elite visa (20-year for 1M).

I would much appreciate hearing from CM's TE visa holders on following topics (elite bashers/haters stay away :)

a) Driver License renewal: I am holding a 2-year DL, would I be able to get a 5-year renewal in CM?

b) International Driver License: anyone able to get it in CM? 

c) Certificate of Residence from Immigration: anyone able to get it from immigration in CM while on TE?

d) 90-day report: anyone able to do it online while in CM? PS: I am aware they can be done free of charge with StarVisa with dropoff/pickup service but why bother if it can be done online?

e) TM30: I assume these are not needed (yet) for TE renewal or 90 day report in CM. Correct?

f) CM Airport: if flying international, anyone able to use immigration fast-track and departure lounges at CM airport?

2 hours ago, gk10002000 said:

And one has to still get the extension to stay every year for the current 1900  baht price.  I believe that is in the fine print and often overlooked.   So one still has to deal with a one year extension just as other people do. 

1

That's not correct. Only if you plan to stay longer than 1 year on any entry. And I am pretty sure most people who can afford this visa are taking regular trips abroad. For the 20 years extension though, you must pay 1900THB for each of the 4 renewals. That's a small 0.76% extra cost.

On 12/10/2018 at 10:23 AM, JayBird said:

3) 90 day report in person is done so quickly I sometimes don't need to sit down.

Since the Elite application form does not ask for a local address in Thailand:

Can you do the 90-day report in any provinces if you don't always stay in the same place?

On 12/10/2018 at 10:23 AM, JayBird said:

2) Banks, immigration, government offices, police, etc, are happy when they see a 5 year visa in your passport.

1

Sounds good! Any experiences with:

- driver license and international driver permit? 

- chinese visa and other embassies that usually only allow non-immigrant visas holders to apply?

- certificate of tax residence and annual tax return (for those spending 180+ days per calendar year)

On 12/10/2018 at 12:58 AM, MehrK said:

"Also, the investment returns you can achieve on the other 1/2MM for the first 6 years makes a huge difference." Makes a good case for the 5+1.

How does the renewal process work for the 20 years membership? I understood that you are entitled to four 5-year renewable multiple-entry visas (not 20-year validity). Could you extend up to 24 years by re-entering just before the 5 year expiration and renew an additional 5 years at the end of the sixth year? 

16 minutes ago, Birk said:

We're both eligible yes, we live here full time! We're already covered in Denmark but just need this doc from the Danish tax authorities signed in Thailand to confirm our presence here.

Great. Then it should be straightforward. Your local tax office is the place to go. 

If you need to talk to a lawyer, I would definitely look for someone back in Denmark (or a Danish national in Thailand) since you need to prove your non-tax residence to your passport country and every western countries have different and sometimes complex rules regarding tax liability.

To claim tax residence in Thailand, you need to be present in Thailand a minimum of 180 calendar days per year. Are you both eligible? 

6 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

If you have gotten a new passport since you last entry that is why you get the message.

You could the report in person at any time now.

You are right, I forgot I received the new passport after last entry and not before the last exit. I will do it in person. Thanks @ubonjoe!

My first notification of stay is due Feb 19. I will be out ouf the country on Feb 23.
I tried to applied online today (Feb 5, 15-7 days prior window) but I get the same error as everyone else. Since it's a new passport, new visa and my first 90 day report, should I expect I must go in person any days now before I leave? 

19 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

That would be enough.

sounds good! thanks ubonjoe

5 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

It can be done at any immigration office if you have proof of residence within that offices area of responsibility.

Ok. So would a short-term rent lease would be sufficient? We are planning to be based this winter in a different province and it would be nice to avoid coming back home just for the extension...

Is it possible to do a 60 day extension (thai spouse) on a non-o single entry visa in a different province than my wife province? 

can someone please confirm the same applies for Don Mueang ? (after security, next and before immigration booths, 24hr...)

as usual thanks ubonjoe!!