jphasia

On 9/20/2023 at 6:16 PM, tomaway said:

Hi All,

 

Due to my job and the frequent travel abroad, the 1 year visa has always been the best option for me.

I just wanted to share with you my 2 last attempt to get a 1 year Non - O ME visa (Thai Spouse) in Vietnam.

 

My first attempt was in March in HCMC.

I started by sending them an email explaining what type of visa I was looking for. I wanted more explanation regarding the financial proof they expected. ( New to me as Pre Covid, they were asking for none)

They said that only a 3 month bank statement and another letter from the bank showing 20k Thb were enough....

I went there, first thing the employee checked was my bank statement (Just below 400k thb) and he told me that it was not enough for a ME visa as I needed at least 40k thb / month or 400k thb in my account. ( No mention of it on their website nor in their email....)

I ended up going back home with a 3 month Non - O visa......

Failed.

 

Second attempt was in June and this time I went to Hanoi.

Same thing, I send them an email and they were a lot more clear in their requirement. It made me feels confident that this time would be the good one....

4 days after dropping all my documents, I went back to the embassy to get my passport, I was only given a 3 month visa..... again.

The reason this time was: "We only deliver ME visa for people working in Vietnam...."

Despite the fact that they gave me back the change, 120$, I barely managed to keep calm! 

I left one more time Vietnam with a 3 month visa....

Failed.

 

I just applied for a 1 year extension on this second visa but unfortunately, I will have to leave the country before the end of the 1 month probation.... Not sure where I will go next time to apply for a new visa....

 

I hope my feedback can help people to prepare their trip to these embassy.

I had the same experience than you earlier this year.

I also live in Thailand, but working in SE Asia countries. I used to be on 1 year multi entries for years based on Thai child but the last one expired when I arrived in Vietnam in 2020. When the borders started to re-open end of 2021, I started travel again regularly (one a week) between Vietnam and Thailand on visa exempt (staying not longer than a weekend each time in Thailand) but i have been flag at the immigration and advised to get a proper visa.

I tried to get a multi entries visa in HCM and Hanoi, having all necessary evidences about my regular trips, having a work permit in Vietnam, TRC, having family in Thailand (Thai kid), necessary funds, incomes in Vietnam.... also over 50 years old... the best I could get was a 3 months visa.

I ended up proceeding for a 3 months Non O visa in Hanoi (applying for retirement purpose but got it based on Thai child...) and proceeded with 1 year extension in Thailand with multi re-entry permit. 

Apart having to keep 800k in the bank for the extension purpose, I am all good for all these frequent trips.

18 hours ago, Soondae said:

Usually when a new passport is issued the old one is cancelled with a hole punched through it making it invalid (that's what they do in USA). It's easy to have the stamps from previous passport transferred to new passport at immigration one simple form, 500 baht and 30 minutes. I just did it last November.

Yes, when a new passport is issued, the old one is cancelled but the valid visa on it remains valid.

As for French passport, the authorities can issue 2 valid passports. I never had 2 valid passports at the same time, but some of my colleagues have. 

36 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Great.

So what's your question.

When should you transfer info for old to new pp? 

 

Answer: Anytime prior to applying for next extension.

Could even do it same visit.

OR ...

You travel internationally with both passports and go to immigration when it suits.

 

My initial question was if it was mandatory to transfer the extension and re-entry permit to the new passport or not necessary.

As mentioned above, i was always on 1 year non O multiple and because my frequent travels, I was changing passport mostly every year. Example, prior to working in Vietnam, I spent 7 years in Myanmar with weekly trip to Thailand. I was always carrying 2 passports to show at the airport: the one full with the visa + the new passport attached on which they were stamping the entry and exit.

I was wondering if it could the same with a 1 year extension. I understand it is based on the replies.

In this case, I will simply keep the 2 passports until the new extension.

I am now 4 pages only left in passport. I will then start the process or getting a new passport and then carry 2 passports until June 2024. This is not an issue for me. Even better as I don't have much time to go to immigration.

7 hours ago, rwill said:

Also if you have Thai bank accounts you will need to go in with your passports and have them change to the new passport number.

Yes, I know that. I am banking with 4 Thai banks and everytime I renew my passport, I am updating the banks. Same for the Thai driving licenses.

My question was related to the 1 year extension and multi re-entry permit as this is first I am on extension. For years, I was on Non O 1 year multiple entries based on my son but this year, i went to the Non O retirement + 1 year extensiob as I am over 50 and my son is 24. The retirement option was more simple.

56 minutes ago, BritTim said:

Your immigration office will transfer your extension (and hopefully re-entry permit) from the old passport to the new passport, at which point you will only need the new passport for travel purposes. Until then, you will need both passports for the airlines and Thai airport immigration.

 

Presumably, you will need to do something at the Vietnam end also.

Thanks, clear. Yes for Vietnam, not sure how it will work but I will find out with my HR. The TRC card is link to the passport number so they might want to re-issue a card with the new passport number.

Hello,

I currently have a 1 year extension based on retirement valid until June 2024. I also have a Vietnam TRC ( Temp Residence Certificate) link to my passport.

I am travelling a lot (especially between Thailand and Vietnam) and my passport has only few pages left.

My passport is valid until 2025 and I can easily get it replace in the French Embassy (either Bangkok or HCMC). 

I know the Embassy will give me back the full passport after getting a new one (as the understand I have valid visa on it) but how will it work for the Thai extension? Will i need to get the extension transfer to the new passport or will I just show the 2 passports when travelling?

Thanks

12 minutes ago, BenStark said:

Take note, you will receive only 0.5% on the whole amount, not only on the amount above the limit, and it's 2 million

I have not heard anything about Thai banks being in trouble.

Ok. So as I reduced the balance on the MTD less than 2M but higher than 100,000b , i will get 0.9%. Not much but better than nothing...

It was easy to open the EZ account because I already have a standard saving account in SCB for years. Will try UOB too.

Not sure also about what I have seen in the news, it was about difficulties of the banks to get the loans repaid by the clients (as the economy is low).

On 7/13/2023 at 9:48 AM, BenStark said:

That is simply the worst account I can think about.

 

I get 1.25 and 1.50 on 2 accounts at SCB, 1.25 at UOB, 1.10 at TTMB, and 1.50 at LHB.

 

All normal deposit accounts that can be withdrawn at any time

I followed your advice from another thread when you mentioned about SCB EZ account. As I already have a Krungsri MTD with over the max 1M on it so with less interest (0.5 instead of 0.9).

I went to my SCB branch, open an EZ account and drop 2M on it, which is the maximum for the 1.5%.

As I mentioned in the other thread, I am not good at investment but lucky enough to generate a good amount of cash flow every month.

Another question: do you see a real risk to keep such amount in the bank as it's look like the Thai banks seems in trouble now (I read that on the news) and protection from DPA is only 1M per bank?

I might follow your advise again and open another account in UOB. I am also considering buying some gold which i believe is secure investment.

7 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Beyond you oops fund, just spend your money, as it's worth less tomorrow than today or yesterday.  No bank interest rate will keep up with inflation.

Yes but spend on what? Real estates? Gold? I am really bad on investment. 

16 minutes ago, BenStark said:

Yes you will get only 0.5% on the total amount in your MTD account.

 

I have moved funds to TTB bank No Fixed account. 1.10%  minimum 2 million, maximum 30 million. paid monthly

 

SCB Jad tem 1.25% maximum 3 million -  EZ savings 1.5% up to 1 million

 

LH Bank Pro fit account 1.5% up to 3 million (You may have to engage headoffice to get an account as foreigner)

 

UOB Stash account 1.25% up to 10 million. paid monthly

 

All interest rates are available on the web and I think they will increase next month.

 

Krungsri MTD account, once the most favourable, is now the worst one

Thanks for that. I will see first with SCB to drop 1 million at 1.5% as I have a saving account with them.

9 hours ago, BenStark said:

In the civilized world it would be prohibited for banks to publish the fake promotions they post

 

I have a Mee Tae Dai account with Krungsri, and you get 0.90% up to 2 million. Over 2 million the intertest goes down to 0.50%

 

Nothing to worry you would think, but here is the snake in the grass.

 

If you have 2000.001 baht in your account, the 0.50% is not only on the amount above 2 million, but on the whole amount.

 

I found out the hard way, because 2 years ago the limit was 5 million, and the branch manager encouraged me to deposit more, because over 5 million I would be a privileged client, which included a sugary cake on my birthday, and free use of airport lodge, among a few more useless benefits.

 

What she forgot to tell me is that interest on the whole 5 million would be lower, so in fact, the privilege cost me money.

 

https://www.krungsri.com/Krungsri2020/media/Banking-Rate/deposit-rates/en/deposit-rates-01052023-en.pdf

This is interesting. I also have a MTD account and notice that.

However, what would you advise if you have more that 2M to store in the bank?

At the moment, I have more than 2M in my MTD account. Same as you, the bank manager advise me to reach 5M to get the privilege....but yes, I don't see the interest of that too.

I have several account in Thailand in different banks. So I thinking to move the over 2M to Bangkok bank, SCB...but the interest will be still less than 0.9%.

Just to be clear, I am not arguing here. I am only not very good at where to store my extra cash, so I am open to advises.

I was in Krungsri bank last week and asked them advises. Fixed deposit...but they only told me that MTD is the best interest so far?

2 hours ago, transam said:

Thought immigration were closed on Public/Bank holidays....????

It was open on 1st May. It will be closed Thursday and Friday

2 minutes ago, skatewash said:

I believe you will be able to get a retirement extension of stay based on your Non-O visa as you say you meet all the requirements for that.  I do not believe that you will be able to get an extension of stay based on being the father of a Thai child due to the age of your child (24).  See the requirements for issuing that sort of Non-O visa from the Thai embassy in Sweden (https://oslo.thaiembassy.org/en/page/non-immigrant-visa-family-of-a-thai-national?menu=60bf6ada34d70606715b2542), emphasis added.
 

Non-Immigrant O

Visiting family

Family of a Thai national (Immediate family includes spouse and children)

Ordinary passport holders wishing to stay with a family who is a Thai national in the following circumstances can apply for the Non-Immigrant type O Visa.

• ● Spouse of a Thai national
• ● Children of a Thai national (age must be under 20 years old unless they are unable to support themselves due to mental or physical condition)
• ● Legally adopted child of a Thai national (age must be under 20 years old unless they are unable to support themselves due to a mental or physical condition)
• ● Parent of a Thai national Applicant has no age restriction in case that the child is under 20 years old. Applicant has no age restriction in case that the child is under 20 years old.

Thanks. That also what i inderstood. Child must be under 20 years old.

I don't understand why the Hanoi Embassy wrote that in my visa. 

6 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

My vote is that is correct.

 

You could changed to based on retirement from Thai child in the future, however for your first extension you would need to base extension on Thai child. 

 

If this is incorrect no doubt others will fix that advice up.

 

Not sure why you bothered with Vietnam.

You could have entered visa exempt and obtained non O retirement and subsequent extension. 

Thanks.

But what will be the requirements for the extension based on child?

About Hanoi, the reason is because i work in Vietnam and coming back to Thailand mosly the weekend. So it was not convenient to get the Non O from the visa exempt due to short time in Thailand.

On 3/3/2023 at 8:44 AM, jphasia said:

Just for the record, my request for the Non O application was based on retirement. However, when I called the Embassy before the appointment to enquire the supoorting documents required, explainig that I am 55 years old, working in Vietnam but travelling to Thailand. They first told me apply for a tourist visa...but asked me why i was travelling so much to Thailand...I said that my family was Thai. They said you can apply for marriage Non O... i said I am not married but have a 24 years old Thai son. They asked to provide copy of house blue book and a letter from my son certifying that we are living together with a copy of his Thai ID card...

I just found out that on the Non O that I got, it is written by hand in Thai " visiting Thai child" with the name of my son written.

I will still apply for the one year extension based on retirement when i will be in Thailand

Based on my post above, I managed to get a 90 days Non O from the Hanoi embassy. My target now is to go for the 1 year extension based on retirement. The 90 days Non O will expired on 7 June so I am planning to proceed the extension next week.

As mentioned earlier, I have all requirements for an extension based on retirement (55 years old, 800k in the bank...).

I have contacted an agent to support me for the extension application (as also stated, I have all requirements however, I am lazy to deal with immigration...). The agent quoted me 17,000b including multi re-entry permit. I believe it is fair. Again, don't tell that i could save money...doing it alone as I have all the requirements. This is my choice.

However, the agent found out that it is written by hand in Thai on my Non O "visiting Thai child" and the name of my son. He told then that it might not be possible in this case to apply for an extension based on retirement? Is it correct?

My point here is yes, I have a 24 years old Thai son. He is also the owner (on the blue book) of the house where we are living together. What would be the issue if I visit my son, live with him but also have the requirements for retirement extension. 

What they might ask me more in this case? 

On 2/4/2023 at 3:09 PM, couchpotato said:

Of course they do...Quick approval before check into room and a bit slower for the billing to come thru, but within 2-4 hours of doctor signing off that you can be discharged.

Had them over 20 years (before was Bupa, then Aetna and actually now taken over by Alliance) and never had a claim problem of any kind during that time.

Yes, I am with Aetna Thailand since 1999 (Bupa that time). I had very few health issues and never any problem when claim. As said, hospital is quickly checking approval before admission and approval for the exit. You sign some papers and they take care the bills

9 hours ago, nigelforbes said:

Exchange rate risk and inflation risk can reach unacceptable levels historically in Vietnam 

Yes agreed. But all depend on your tolerance to take the risk.

2 hours ago, how241 said:

I don 't have either of whose so I guess Vietnam won't work for me.  I wonder if the bank managers can 'rubber stamp'  the paperwork so you can get around these requirements ?

Maybe but I doubt. Only to open an account, they are very strict on paperwork. 

I have a fixed term deposit account in Vietnam.

But: you need to be "resident" in Vietnam. By "resident" I mean having a TRC (Temp Residence Card) that you obtain only if you have a work permit or married to local.

The fixed term deposit are in VND only and maximum duration can be only the validity of your TRC. For example, my TRC is 2 years so the maximum duration is 2 years for me.

You can choose duation from 3 months at 5% rate, 6 months 8.5% and up 12 months 9%. The minimim deposit is 1 BVND (appr. 40 KUSD). No taxations on the interest.

These are the conditions from the bank I am using (Standard Chartered). I am not sure about the other banks.

The main thing is that the money in and out (especially out the country) is strictly controlled but as long as you have evidences of the incomes you are fine.

I think the risk is the same as other countries. I took the risk because I am working in Vietnam, having my salary paid here in USD (I have accounts both in USD and VND). I am using Standard Chartered bank which is international bank anf easy to transfer money abroad having work permit and TRC here. As I live in Thailand (in Vietnam for work only), it is better for me to make my incomes and saving generating interest here than in Thailand where interest rates are really low.

On 2/22/2023 at 12:03 PM, Caldera said:

Thanks for your update, I'm sure that it will be helpful for others, especially those considering applying in Hanoi.

 

Another recent report from Hanoi, albeit for a tourist visa application, also portrays them as rather unfriendly (and unreasonable with regards to their requirements) nowadays.

Just for the record, my request for the Non O application was based on retirement. However, when I called the Embassy before the appointment to enquire the supoorting documents required, explainig that I am 55 years old, working in Vietnam but travelling to Thailand. They first told me apply for a tourist visa...but asked me why i was travelling so much to Thailand...I said that my family was Thai. They said you can apply for marriage Non O... i said I am not married but have a 24 years old Thai son. They asked to provide copy of house blue book and a letter from my son certifying that we are living together with a copy of his Thai ID card...

I just found out that on the Non O that I got, it is written by hand in Thai " visiting Thai child" with the name of my son written.

I will still apply for the one year extension based on retirement when i will be in Thailand

11 hours ago, hadock said:

a bit over a year ago i parked my car several times here, always between one and two weeks. 

 

https://goo.gl/maps/ie4AVPcrGZzwxoFs7

 

rate was 100 THB a day, not sure how much now, maybe price went up.

Parking places are coverd. Owner drive you to the airport, it is a short 5 minutes drive, and  pick you up also, you just have to call him after you arrived. Nothing to complain about.  

For the car, yes the 100b per day is still the same. I park my car there very often, at the international terminal as it is covered and secured.

For the motorbike, i did it once. Free parking at the domestic terminal. There is a security guard. However, i am not sure how safe it is. I am also considering to leave my motorbile there sometime as I travelling a lot but it's brand new bike so I am worry that it will be gone when i return

On 2/12/2023 at 7:02 AM, jphasia said:

Thanks. Yesterday, i stopped to brain storm as it is clear now that trying to get Non O + extension in 2 weeks is more than challenging.

I booked the first appointment available at the time consulate in HCM which is 20 March. It fall right during 2 weeks i was suppose to be in Phuket (13 March to 30 March) but that's ok, I will do a short trip to HCM during that period to get the visa. I have an apartment in HCM so not big deal after all.

I am not sure what the Thai consulate request for the application. I checked their website but they mention either Non O for volunteer, for spouse or accompany family or Non O-A.

It sounds that i actually eligible for the Non O-A. I don't know the difference between O and O-A. Except that O-A is 1 year. I have all financial they want, insurance...

Yesterday, I went to the bank here in Phuket and asked them to issue 6 months bank statements and a certify letter for the immigration. I got it in 20 minutes. If it is too early for my appointment on 20 March, i will just request another set the day before i fly back to HCM for my appointment on 20 March.

I think afterall, that the best solution for me.

Just an update for whom are interested.

As mentioned above, i booked an appointment in the Thai consulate at HCM for 20 March (the earliest available). However, last week I checked Hanoi consulate and got an appointment for last Monday 20 Feb.

I then came to Hanoi last Monday (I have an office there as well) and applied for the Non O based on retirement.

They are not really friendly and wheb I explained my situation, why I travelling a lot between Vietnam and Thailand, they asked me:

-6 months bank statements

-A letter from my son stating that we are leaving together and he support me.

- copy of the house blue book

- copy of my VN residence card (TRC).

As I had all with me, I applied.

They told me it will take 3 full working days.

Cost is 80 USD.

Yesterday, I got an email from the consulate informing me that the visa was ready. I will collect it this morning.

So, the Non O is settle now. Next step will be the 1 year extension in Thailand. I was told that i need to wait at least 45 days before applying for the extension.

On my next trip to Thailand, I will apply for the re-entry permit before coming back to VN.

4 minutes ago, phetphet said:

Don't know if this has been mentioned, as I haven't read the whole thread, but something else to consider seeing you are travelling a lot: Will they give your visa or extension straight away?

 

I renewed my extension last month here in Samui and was told to return to collect my passport eight days later.

Yes that's why in my latest post, I mentioned that i give up the idea of getting Non O + extension during my short stay next month (2 weeks) and i will proceed with Non O first in Thai consulate in Vietnam, get a re-entry permit and proceed the extension later during the 90 days (I think it is minimum 15 days before the expiration of the Non O). However, I was told few times that the extension can be done the same day or maybe the next day.

17 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Requires ongoing insurance for extensions based on retirement.

Ah ok. Actually not really an issue for me as I keep my insurance on yearly basis since 1999. I am with Aetna Thailand with a 5MTHB policy. I am not consodering to drop this insurance anytime soon