Sceptict11

Thanks. No, that is definitely without any doubt a VISA. Looks very, very similar to the single entry Non O visa I got in the USA. It says Non-Immigrant VISA. How is this in doubt? Nobody is saying this conversion to visa is used to enter Thailand. It isn't. It can't be. It's not needed for that. But that IS a visa. I don't see how anyone can really say that is not a non-immigrant visa. What is the benefit here of stirring the pot, adding to the confusion, of asserting a stamp like that which clearly says VISA is not really a visa? I really don't get the point of that. I also don't get the point of qualifying it with quotes. It is simply a Non Immigrant visa you get in Thailand when doing a conversion for purposes of doing a first time retirement extension application.

If you cannot notice the very significant differences between the image I have posted and whatever you were given in the States you either in need of spectacles or being perverse for the pleasure of being argumentative.

Enough

Yes the issuing office and dates different, the issuing in Thailand different, but the VISA part of it identical. Sorry. If the intent was to convince me that these conversions are not actually visas, the result was the exact opposite. I am now even more confident that they ARE visas. I am not being argumentative for sport. A challenge was put up on this thread to long standing language here, from myself and a number of others. I wanted this to get fully clarified. My conclusion is -- those are visas. My apologies if this exchange has annoyed you (your emotional reaction to my persistence is out of my control), but this was a totally sincere query on my part.

Look again !

Did your "visa" have to be used immediately ?

Look carefully !

Look for the significant differences all there for those who wish to see

Thanks. No, that is definitely without any doubt a VISA. Looks very, very similar to the single entry Non O visa I got in the USA. It says Non-Immigrant VISA. How is this in doubt? Nobody is saying this conversion to visa is used to enter Thailand. It isn't. It can't be. It's not needed for that. But that IS a visa. I don't see how anyone can really say that is not a non-immigrant visa. What is the benefit here of stirring the pot, adding to the confusion, of asserting a stamp like that which clearly says VISA is not really a visa? I really don't get the point of that. I also don't get the point of qualifying it with quotes. It is simply a Non Immigrant visa you get in Thailand when doing a conversion for purposes of doing a first time retirement extension application.

If you cannot notice the very significant differences between the image I have posted and whatever you were given in the States you either in need of spectacles or being perverse for the pleasure of being argumentative.

Enough

Can someone supply an IMAGE of what Thai immigration puts in the passport when you do a change of status in this way?

I would really like to see that.

Thanks.

I actually still think it's useful to call this conversion a visa.

That is because the "visa" or "not a visa but used as a visa" in this case is used as a REQUIRED first step before the retirement extension.

Not only any visa. MUST be a type of O visa. A tourist visa wouldn't cut it which is why some people CONVERT from a tourist visa to the O. Many people of course have entered with an O visa obtained abroad or an O-A visa. They don't need the conversion.

This insistence that there is only one possible strict definition of "visa" doesn't quite seem fully credible to me yet. I get that the people doing the conversion have already entered some other way. I still don't get why this conversion thing still isn't a visa just one that is NOT ever used for entry (not needed for that in this case) but IS used as a retirement extension preliminary requirement.

Seeing an image might help clarify this.

Anyway, many times over many years now people have asked here can people get a visa in Thailand and MANY times the answer has been: Yes, in the case of the two step process, first step CONVERSION from entry stamp or tourist visa to O and second step retirement extension. So yes I have "corrected" many people who say you need a visa from abroad to do retirement extensions because you DON'T. Sorry I am still not convinced the same language shouldn't continue to be used. The key question people are asking is do they need an O visa or O-A visa FROM abroad to get into the retirement extension system in Thailand. The answer is no. Again, is not this conversion result considered the same as an O visa from abroad for the purpose of meeting the requirement of having an O visa to begin in the retirement extension system. Seems to me nothing has changed in that regard.

If I've been wrong about this (for years now) my apologies in advance but I'm still not convinced I'm wrong. Feel welcome to convince me. A PICTURE of a conversion might help.

Here

Note the significant differences from a normal "visa"

Note also the extension of stay done on the same day .

I have no idea that tourist holding a tourist visa will be able to get a re-entry permit I thought only the foreigner who legally residing in Thailand.

Yes entirely possible.

Is it possible to get your visa in vientiena and flight the same day from udon on 17:05 ?

Not possible.

Request visa in the AM on day one. Pick up passport on day two. At least one overnight stay is required.

I mean I ask a visa in day 1 and day 2 I pick it up and go fast to udon.

BTW Thanks for quick response

No problem !

Guess it all depends on how fast you can run and the flight schedule !

You with a bit of luck might just make it !

Good luck

Is it possible to get your visa in vientiena and flight the same day from udon on 17:05 ?

Not possible.

Request visa in the AM on day one. Pick up passport on day two. At least one overnight stay is required.

If you have no pages left in the passport the only place you can go is home !

On what basis are you currently staying in Thailand ?

7 days what?...Sceptic11 said 30 days, surely I wouldn't just get 7 days when I return.

Sceptic11 said you would receive a 30 day VISA EXEMPT ENTRY.

Such an entry is only extendable for 7 days.

Unless you qualify for a retirement or marriage visa.....

There are no such beasts as " retirement or marriage visas" only extensions of stay ----------however off topic and a totally different issue !

7 days what?...Sceptic11 said 30 days, surely I wouldn't just get 7 days when I return.

Sceptic11 said you would receive a 30 day VISA EXEMPT ENTRY.

Such an entry is only extendable for 7 days.

Sounds as though you received good advise.

The only possible long term problem would be an entrapment of the peroneal nerve. (symptoms of which include tingling of the shin and top of the foot)

Take the advise given act upon it and do not worry !

A re-entry permit will cost 1000 bht .

You must decide if it is worth the money . The re-entry permit will not add any days to the permission to stay date in your passport.

You will receive a 30 day visa exempt entry on return unless you can get another tourist visa.

For 90 day report there are no documents required other than the form and your passport.

I also did mine today and handed them the form and passport, no problem. (Lopburi)

I normally get a form to take home to fill in for the next report but this time they did not have any and said that they will now print a form from the computer, I wait to see how this works next time.

I have been using the electronic form for years. Each ninety days all I have to do is change the date, the month and the year, all done in less than a minute. You do of course need to have the right software for this to work.

What software do you use?

MS Word works with the downloaded forms

You will not get a single entry without a work permit application at any nearby location. Penang will do a multiple entry if you have a work permit with at least 7 months validity.

Thanks Joe for adding to my previous post which did, indeed, lack detail.

i mean without traveling, my 1st entry is valid til Jan 27th

so possible just to activate the 2nd way in the immigration at the airport .. or i have to fly out and come back

You can leave by any means you wish , land, sea or air !

But yes you must leave , enter another country and then return for your second entry to be validated .

Looks like the Hull Thai Consulate website has decided to update their downloadable links and they have now removed the link I attached talking about one way tickets into Thailand.

But a quick look on the here

http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/188

I found this below.

Foreigners entering Thailand by any means under the Tourist Visa Exemption category are required at the port of entry to have proof of onward travel (confirmed air, train, bus or boat tickets) to leave Thailand within 30 days of the arrival date (otherwise a tourist visa must be obtained).

I imagine the Emerites staff are getting confused with Tourist Visa Exemption and a Tourist Visa.

That web page clearly has not been updated for some considerable time.

There are a number of misleading inaccuracies.

Come here on a tourist visa and check out these possible employers, then if you can get full time work, you can get the appropriate visa when necessary...

Go for interviews and tell them that you will relocate here when you have the job.....Or make like you are living here now and see if that makes a difference.....

You work in Italy, but what country/color are you? Thais are biased towards blacks, and others, No offence meant.

when you say '

biased towards', do you mean Thais are for, or against, 'blacks', etc...?

All ignorant and unwarranted comment(s) which should be removed by the MODS

The only reason why the government wants an evidence of residence is to know exactly where you are!!

Before they had no control of their overseas citizens and didn't know where they were.

Another act of freedom robbing.

Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated

Maybe they after trying to catch the dole scroungers,and pensioners,claiming heating allowance,etc etc,whilst staying in Thailand for winter

Something I would support 100%.

I still pay tax in the UK and resent every pence which lands in the lap of workshy benefit scroungers/forgers.

Who in their right mind would still pay taxes to HM while living in another country? hahaha

I am talking about people who have no ties with the motherland at all anymore so that means also not needing their shitty dole or pension.

What about people who are totally self-sufficient but need to renew their passport every now and again?

What about travellers who have decided to go travelling for a long periode of time?

Stop sticking your necks out for a government that doesn't give an iota about you! Wake up oldtimer

So pleased to learn that some are independently wealthy !

I pay tax because my occupational pension derives from the UK and exceeds the tax threshold by many thousands of pounds.

Being "self sufficient" ( what does that mean ?) and needing assistance from the UK government for a passport renewal is a fact of life if one is British.

If you somehow believe the service to be substandard posting here will not secure any change .

Oh ---------and less of the "old timer" abuse please.

With the correct paperwork a "B" visa will be issued by any nearby Thai consulate

If you have a double entry tourist visa then it must be "activated" whilst still valid at a Thai airport or border.

The only reason why the government wants an evidence of residence is to know exactly where you are!!

Before they had no control of their overseas citizens and didn't know where they were.

Another act of freedom robbing.

Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated

Maybe they after trying to catch the dole scroungers,and pensioners,claiming heating allowance,etc etc,whilst staying in Thailand for winter

Something I would support 100%.

I still pay tax in the UK and resent every pence which lands in the lap of workshy benefit scroungers/forgers.

From the previous post:

What I have not done is write rather stupid comments on a forum which may make the poster feel smart but will do little to secure change.

Yet you have written to 2x Govt Offices, 3x Ministers and an MP causing considerably more man hours to be lost that the folly you have allegedly ridiculed?

You might want to google the word "Claymore" (everyone gets a bit!)

So from that unremarkable comment I gather that if something displeases one the thing to do is not complain but to post an inane comment on a forum !

Stand by that nonsense and change the world !

I bought mine at the medical supply shop in Bumrugrad Hospital. They had a pretty big selection so you should be able to find what you're looking for their.

Or even "There" !

I am unhappy with the service now provided by British Embassies/ Consulates.

I also dislike the web site which is difficult to navigate.

I have registered complaints with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Home Office, William Hague and Theresa May .

All complaints have also been copied to the Prime Minister and my previous MP.

What I have not done is write rather stupid comments on a forum which may make the poster feel smart but will do little to secure change.

"I got my retirement visa a couple of years ago and have been able to extend it the past two times without any problems."

You now have an extension of stay based on retirement !

You DO NOT have a "visa" which in any case are never "extended"!

Ones " permission to stay" may, if requirements are met, be extended.

I fail to understand why so many have difficulty in comprehending the basis on which they are allowed to remain in Thailand.