jphasia

1 hour ago, BritTim said:

Stay away from the Non O-A visa! I think @ubonjoewill be able to list the requirements for a Non O visa (retirement) in HCMC.

Just for my understanding, why stay away from O-A?

48 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

It is no longer shown on their website. 

https://hochiminh.thaiembassy.org/en/page/cate-7425-announcement-|-thông-báo-mới-nhất-về-thị-thực?menu=5d80ab3215e39c2fe800a722

 

Thanks. I got that but they mention only Non O for accompanying thai spouse and family member. I don't see specifically for retirement.

I guess it would be basically the same except marriage certificate. I am not married (divorced). My son is 24 years old now. I always have with a copy of his Thai birth certificate, his Thai ID card, copy of the house blue book (my son is the official owner of the house where we live). 

As mention earlier, I am not about the finance evidences required but i will have 6 months bank statements + letter from Thai bank and additionally 6 months bank statements from Vietnam account where my salary is paid (in USD)

10 hours ago, BritTim said:

Two weeks is completely insufficient to get a "conversion" Non O visa plus extension, whether you use an agent or not. The "under consideration" period for the visa will be at least two weeks, probably longer, and the duration cannot even be guaranteed.

 

If you already have a Non O visa, an agent may be able to get the one-year extension plus re-entry permit the same day if the agent has the right contacts. Thus, you could give the agent the passport with your 90-day permission to stay from entry with the visa at 8:00 am Monday morning, receiving your passport back with the on-year extension by 4:00 pm. It is more likely that this will be possible if you have informed the agent well ahead of time, allowing the agent to make an appointment in advance with his friendly official.

 

My suggestion is to (i) look for a suitable agent, confirming their ability to do what I outline, but without yet fixing dates; (ii) make an appointment to get the Non O visa in HCMC, and get the visa; and (iii) fix with the agent a Monday within 90 days of the visa being issued when you will be available to give him the passport either early Monday or over the weekend, receiving the passport with the extension by 4:00 pm Monday, and planning to take an evening flight back to HCMC.

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.

7 hours ago, Caldera said:

A benefit of using Phnom Penh might be that you don't need an appointment and would be able to use an agent there. But you'd need to check if they issue non-immigrant visas to foreigners not resident in Cambodia. Their processing time also tends to be long. 

Yes, at least in Vietnam, i am resident with work permit, local labor contract and TRC. 

I came to Phuket yesterday. This time, at the immigration, i have warned by the immigration officer. She was nice and polite. I explained her my situation, working in Vietnam and having my family here. She told me that in the fact there are no chance to be denied entry but i will face more and more questions at the airport due to all my short trips. I can speak Thai so I believe that help because she really understood my problem. She advised me to manage my time to do the Non O and extension.

I was expecting that to happen actually. No surprise for me.

I think my best option remain to get a non O outside Thailand, either in HCM, Hanoi or Phnom Penh where I am frequently.

13 hours ago, oldcpu said:

Back in October last year, in Phuket, I applied for a 90 day Type-O Visa on 18 October.  I didn't obtain the Visa until 7 December. All my paperwork was in order. It's just took time. Phuket immigration are very busy. 

 

I don't believe you will be successful  in two weeks.

 

I doubt even an agent can do such in that timeframe in Phuket.

 

Thanks. I also doubt now that 2 weeks will be enough. I also asked some agents and none of them can confirm it

6 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

read my previous post 
Please try and stay focused>  

Oups! Got it. Long working day....lost the focus ????

thanks again for that.

5 hours ago, Red Phoenix said:

Having entered Thailand Visa-Exempt and then applying for the 90-day Non Imm O Visa for reason of retirement at the local Immigration Office of the Province where you are residing, is a relatively simple process. 

And from what you wrote you will meet all the requirements, i.e.: 

- Your passport, with at moment of application at least 15 days left on the Permission to stay date that was stamped into your passport when you entered Thailand;

- Proof of the address where you are residing and which needs to be in the Province where you do the application (this will become your 'official address' for Immigration purposes)

- A recent Bank Statement confirming that you have a personal Thai Bank-Account, and a statement by the Bank that the Account has at least 800.000 THB at the moment of application for the 90-day Non Imm O Visa for reason of retirement (bringing your updated Pass-book with you confirming the latter is also advised)

- Two recent pass-photos in correct format

That's basically it, and there is NO need for any health-insurance policy when applying for the Non Imm O Visa, or later for extending it.

= = = = =

But from what you wrote there is one PRACTICAL issue, being that you have a routine of being max 2 weeks in the country and then will be leaving again.

The issue here being that your 90-day Non Imm O Visa application needs to be approved by Divisional Headquarters and that can take 2 weeks. 

So if you apply on the first day that you re-entered Thailand, and all your documents are OK and approved by the Phuket Imm Office, they will provide you with a Note stapled in your passport when to come back to get the actual Non Imm O Visa and 90-day Permission to stay stamped in your passport. 

So in your case that would be very close to the day of your departure again.  But if you explain to the Imm officer handling your application WHEN you would be leaving Thailand again, they would be able to mark it URGENT so that it gets 'fast-tracked' and that the Divisional Approval of your application is in your Phuket Imm Office's possession before your day of departure, so that you can come collect it before leaving Thailand again. 

= = = = =

NOTE that you would NOT be able to use an Agent to collect the 'approval' when you are abroad, as he will not have your passport.

And as the process is relatively simple (and you clearly did do your homework) there is actually no need for making use of an agent.  When it stresses you out and you absolutely dread to go to Immigration, you can engage an Agent for a 'hand-holding' service, which will consist of him checking beforehand whether your documents are correct and complete, and him going with you to the Imm Office and 'doing the talking'. 

= = = = =

Cheers and success!

Thanks for the details.

Yes, I am quite familiar with Thailand most processes. I am sure I can handle that without agent. However, as said, i really hate spending time at immigration office as it is always crowded, need to wait and be patient. I would be ready to pay the service of agent to do it on my behalf. But i can also make the effort if no other choice

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Some folk prefer to do it at immigration.

It's also bullet proof at airport.

 

At BKK airport you obtain the reentry permit after security check and prior to immigration.

Zone 2 office left hand side.

They provide service to fill in TM8 and photo etc for 200baht if you want 

At DMK the reentry permit office is just other side of immigration. 

 

Quick easy process 

 

There are doing it in Phuket airport?

9 hours ago, zzzzz said:

 + tm 30  and the link i provided allows you to book an appt for PHUKET town as well

FYI; for the Thai Embassy in Cambodia ( for Laos it needs be in a Thai Bank)  to obtain a NON O visa you need show 800,000 in a bank account OR the equivalent in any account> 
Vietnam:  https://hochiminh.thaiembassy.org/en/page/cate-7425-announcement-|-thông-báo-mới-nhất-về-thị-thực?menu=5d80ab3215e39c2fe800a722

But the link you provided is for HCM consulate, not phuket immigration

9 hours ago, skatewash said:

These are the requirements for applying for a Non-O Visa from Phuket Immigration:

http://piv-phuket.com/long-stay-extensions/changing-visa-visa-exempt-to-local-non-o-visa-for-retirement/

Not sure what requirements are in effect at Savanakhet.

Thanks. Your link was very useful for me as I can see exactly the requirement for the conversion from visa exempt to Non O.

As I meet all requirements, i will follow the advise of Dr. Jack and proceed the conversion when i will come next month for 2 weeks. I will try and ask if they can proceed the extension at the same time. If not, i will do the extension later and exit with a re-entry permit.

Is it easier to buy the re-entry directly a immigration or at the airport?

11 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

Blue tree isn't, was in there tuesday  ????
and if you want avoid the crowds, get a appt>
https://www.immigration.go.th/?page_id=19960

arrive on a visa exempt, go to immigration next day , apply for an get the non o valid for 90 days, get a re entry permit,

go where you want to go an when u return after a month or so apply for the 1 year extension 
OR use an agent


 

Oh thanks! I don't know blue tree. I will check then.

9 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

You have covered the requirements in your post.

Your time frame is ambitious.

 

You can apply for the non O retirement as soon as you enter Thailand.

 

That gives a 90 day stamp.

Since your funds are already seasoned you could try and apply for extension.

 

Normally that would be done 30/45 days prior to expiry of the 90 day stamp.

Thinking immigration will accommodate your request.

Explain and also show your flight to Vietnam. 

 

Fall back plan would be to meet the financial requirements as you outline and deal with agent to expedite the process. 

Dear Dr Jack54, 2 more questions:

1/ when you apply for a Non O based on retirement at consulate / embassy, do they require the bank statements showing the mini balance requirements for the last xx months or this is only for the extensiob application of the extension in Thailand?

2/ i am focussing on HCM Thai consulate because I am based here for my work. It is difficult for me to schedule an appoitment with them for the visa application. Do you know if appointment is required also in Hanoi and Phnom Penh Thai consulate / embassy?

My point is that as said in my original post, no issue for me for the requirements for retirement. I can get bank statements in my bank tomorrow for example as i will be in Phuket and keep with me until i get a chance to go to an Embassy.

I am based in HCM but travelling a lot, especially to Hanoi and Phnom Penh. I am focussing on Vietnam to apply a Non O because I am resident here, have a work permit, labor contract, local ban accounts... so it would make sense to the Embassy to aply in VN. But if it is easier in Hanoi or Phnom Penh, no appointment required... I can get it done there during my business trips if it match my timeline. Then i will only proceed the extension later when i am in Thailand

33 minutes ago, Qman said:

I entered visa exempt and did the conversion to Non-O and then retirement extension.  I recall it took a bit over two weeks at the Jomtien immigration and this was in June while things were quiet with few visitors in town.  Your two week stay may be insufficient to do the Non-O conversion and the retirement extension will take some additional time although maybe only a day or two.  If your immigration office is busy things may take longer at present.

Thanks. Phuket immigration is very busy now. I was there 2 weeks ago

7 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

You have covered the requirements in your post.

Your time frame is ambitious.

 

You can apply for the non O retirement as soon as you enter Thailand.

 

That gives a 90 day stamp.

Since your funds are already seasoned you could try and apply for extension.

 

Normally that would be done 30/45 days prior to expiry of the 90 day stamp.

Thinking immigration will accommodate your request.

Explain and also show your flight to Vietnam. 

 

Fall back plan would be to meet the financial requirements as you outline and deal with agent to expedite the process. 

Thanks. So the visa conversion can't be done at the same time as the extension.

I am ok to go through agent to do it for me as my time is counted. Of course it will cost me more but i will pay a service. I really hate going to the immigration office. It is always crownded and you spend your day waiting. I was in Phuket immigration office about 2 week ago to the "certificate of residence" for the renewal of my driving license and I spent half day there only waiting. I am not blaming them, they are busy. Just that i would prefer someone to do it for me.

I don't know any agent. I contacted one last night that i found on google. He replied to me that the visa conversion will take 3 to 5 days. And once I have the non O, i will have to proceed the extension 90 days later (at the end of the Non O). This doesn't help much.

I will be in Phuket tomorrow (I am in HCM now) until Sunday. I might try to ask how long would take to do the conversion. I might consider to do in 2 steps (visa conversion first - re-entry permit and later the extension)as the agent said

I am sure it has already been asked but can't find it so here my question.

Location: Phuket

I am French, 55 years old.

I am actually working in Vietnam (since 2020). I also live in Phuket (20+ years). I am travelling a lot with SE Asia for work and I am back to Phuket at least 2 times per month.

I have no issue to enter many time in Thailand on visa exempt because i am always doing short trip and justify easily my short trip (working in Vietnam/ family in Thailand).

I would like to proceed with a visa Non O based on retirement, then extension with multi re-entry permit.

I was considering obtaining the Non O in HCM where i work and then get the extension when i am back to Phuket.

The problem: I need appointment for the Thai consulate in HCM but it is difficult to make it happen with my working schedule. When I am back to Phuket for short trip, it is weekend so immigration is closed.

I will have 2 weeks free time in Phuket next month and i am thinking to use this opportunity to proceed with the retirement extension. But the first appointment available in the Thai consulate in HCM is end of March which is too late for me.

I am considering then to enter on Visa exempt and convert to Non O then proceed the extension (and re-entry permit.

I believe i meet all requirements:

- 800k in a Thai bank account for me than... 3 or 6 or 12...months (I checked with my bank branch 2 weeks ago and they can proceed to issue bank statments as required by immigration within 2 hours)

- more than 50 years old

- address registered in Phuket

- not sure if it is required but i have Thai insurance valid covering Covid with coverage up 5MTHB

So, if I prepare that plus the usual passport copies, entry stamps... will it work and how will it take?

I will return to Vietnam after these 2 weeks in Phuket.

I also have a Thai/French son but he is 24 years old now. We live together

Thanks

5 hours ago, scorecard said:

I suspect there are special provisions re WP for Myanmar staff because our maid is from Myanmar, and she does have a WP.

 

We live in Chiang Mai, my Thai son asked her if she's employed by a Thai company then allocated to our house or similar.

 

Her answer 'NO.' She says she went to a labour office in CM with her Myanmar passport and she got a Thai WP. She had done this before so knew where to go, what documents etc.

 

She says she's aware there's some special situation re WPs for Myanmar people but doesn't know the full details.

Thanks. We will investigate.

5 hours ago, ChaiyaTH said:

Yeah usually in the south they work wherever and for anyone, and they do have some sort of a visa thing setup. But then again many are here also illegal, I guess that is something your wife could easily find out. I do not think it is a big issue, and yes, hard to find any Thai down south.

 

Sometime it is not about having a company or papers, or even money, but just about knowing the right people or being a original local there, to be able to do XYZ too.

Thanks. That's what i was thinking too. Yes, she is really struggling to find Thai staff but she want stay in the right side of the law. I also suggest her to ask my previous Myanmar staff how they are doing when they find a job in a business without company.

1 hour ago, Longwood50 said:

I have not had it fail to pay but some months ago, loading the app and running transactions took several minutes.  I would stand by an ATM to do a withdrawal or pay as I checked out at the supermarket.  I also maintained an account at SCB and their SCB easy was instantaneous.  So I stopped using Bangkok Bank for my digital payments.  

Yes, glad that I have SCB and Krungsri as well when it happened.

1 hour ago, lopburi3 said:

I do not use but would check that limit has not changed (an update perhaps causing a new limit?).  I did note son had to wait excessive time for simple bank balance using BBL app yesterday so they may be having communications issues.

Yes the first thing i checked was the daily payment / transfer limit but it is still way above what i need. As said, it didn't work for payment such as 200 or 300baths

55 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

Obviously they would need a work permit officially, or they work illegal for you. Or you pay the right people. No company = no official employees either.

Well, I am not sure about that. I understand that work permit = company. But i also hear that Myanmar has special treatment in Thailand as migrant or neighor country? I am travelling a lot within Thailand and see small Thai business having Myanmar staff. I doubt they have a company. Maybe I am wrong

Well, i did not get any feedback from this thread so as I was in Phuket last week, i went to the driving license office and asked.

They requested the usual "residence certificate" from the immigration, medical certificate and usual passport copy with copy of the entry stamp. 1 set per license.

I got all the next day and went back to the Driving license office. They checked my paperworks, approved and stamped. They give me an appointment on 18 April and QR code to watch a video before the appointment (I did it already).

This would be my 3rd 5 years renewal. My concern was that at this time, I don't have visa (i am visa exempt) so I was worried that they accept to renew for 5 years. But they confirmed that they will and it is stated on the appointment paper (5 years renewal).

My Thai wife is running a coffee shop / restaurant in Phuket which is getting and more popular and busy (good...). However, as most business, she is struggling to get Thai staff.

The business is on her name only, not under a company and I am not involved at all in the business.

We are wondering if and how it would be possible for her to hire Myanmar staff under business. As said, she doesn't have company. However, she has been inspected by the taxes authorities at the opening and she is paying some annual taxes (I am not sure based on what but the amount is not significant)

Does anyone is facing the same issue as me:

It's starting last month was I was on vacations in Kop Lipe. I am usued to pay in shops / restaurant by scanning the QR code (promptpay). While i was in Lipe, it failed to work. I mean I could scan the QR code, enter the amount to be paid but unable to click "next" to proceed the payment.

Glad that I am also using Krungsri and SCB as backup for payment. I first thought that there might be network issue in Lipe but when I came back to Phuket where I live, I had the same issue. 

I went then to my Bangkok Bank branch. They tried and it was working! Right after my visit to the bank, i went to have food in a restaurant and it works! So i thought problem solved.

Later on, i went for dinner and it didn't work again. As my Krungsri saving account was low on balance, i decided to transfer some cash from my Bangkok bank account to my Krungsri account. Same problem. I can enter the amount but can't click next. I tried to transfer to my wife SCB account but same issue.

The bank told me that there is no issue. Each amount I was trying to pay are small (less than 1,000b) so way below the limit I setup. Of the course the balance in the account is sufficient.

I fail to understand.

I need to renew my 5 years driving licenses (both car & motorbike) this year in Phuket.

I heard that the process changed (you need to make apointment online?). 

If someone has recent experience doing so in Phuket, I would be glad to know the latest requirements to renew 5 years driving licences in Phuket.