jphasia

I have actually the same case. Not me but my sister. I have another thread about it. My sister who didn't have the 800k available last year used an agent with the same method you described here. The extension renewal this year (August) was difficult but finally got it. I told her to avoid this method, I will transfer her 800k to her account for next year renewal that she will do without agent. I did it but only few weeks later, so she will have gap between on the first month. I was told that in case, she will need to restart from scratch next year by getting a new Non O but the 800k will have to come from abroad. So I transfered another 800k from abroad to her account and she transfer back 800k to my Thai account. Not sure it will work for her but at least she has now 800k+ from abroad on her account to get a new Non O in case...

Thanks Dr Jack54 and no problem for mis reading my original post. Your last post is very clear and actually very informative for me! I never knew that you can apply for a re-entry permit for a 90 days non O. That solve part of my problem. I believe i have all the requirements mentioned in the attached post even it is about renewal extension while for me will be 1st one. Anyway the 800k in the bank has been there more than a year already and was transfer from abroad (Vietnam as this is where I am working). Regarding the Non O 90 days with the re-entry permit (multi), does it mean that i can do it several time in the raw in case i don't have the time to proceed the extension within the first 90 days Non O? (Most of the time I am landing in Phuket on Friday and back to Saigon on Monday) I mean after the first 90 days, re-apply for another Non O... Thanks

Thanks. I know all these points already but that was not my point. My point is getting a Non O single 90 days in Embassy, enter Thailand with it and go straight to the immigration office and apply for the retirement extension, having in hand a Thai bank book with required funds and any other requirements. How long can i expect to get back my passport with the extension on it? Also, preferably done in Phuket as i leave there unless it is faster in CW... Thanks

Maybe someone can confirm me: - getting a Non O retirement in Embassy: already above 50. Having the necessary funds (800k) in Thai Bank account long enough (years). Address registered in Thailand. 1/ can you apply for the 1 year extension right after landing in Thailand (let's say within the 1st few days)? 2/ how long it will take to get the extension and multi re-entry permit? That would in Phuket. The reason of my questions is that I am actually working abroad (Vietnam), going back to Thailand very often (mostly every 2 weeks) for short period (weekends) so I can't afford to stay too long period in Thailand. But of course, i know it can't process during a weekend. So trying to define the minimum stay in order to complete this process. Of course, been thinking of Non O multi entries but last time i went to the Thai consulate in Saigon, they told me they are doing only single entries Thanks

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has experience on that: I am French, living in Thailand but currently working in Vietnam for a French group as C level position. I haven't been to France for more than 20 years. My company has requested me a business trip in France in the head office for 3 days (in December). I live in Thailand long time. My girlfriend is Thai. We have been living together for 18 years. We are not married and we don't have kid together. My business trip to Paris is of course fully paid by my company (flights, accomodations...). My girlfriend has never been to France. I would be happy if she can enjoy this trip with me to see France for the 1st time. But I have no clue about the visa requirements for such short tourist trip for her. Would it be even possible? What would be required? Thanks

Oh! Then it might be an issue if the immigration is picky. The extension of my sister was due on the 12 August. As the renewal was finally secured by the agent, i transfered 400k to her bank account around 20th August and another 400k first week of Sept. So she might need to get a new Non O next year and I might have to transfer 800k from abroad instead at least 2 months before?

Thanks!

Thanks for the clarifications

I have a question related to using a agent for an extension this year and not using an agent next year for the renewal? I am been asking advises in another thread before about my sister: she has been using an agent for the last few year to get her retirement extension from her initial Non O because she didn't have the 800k. Last time, about few months ago, the agent first told her that it might not possible this time to get her extension renewed due to some changes in Phuket immigration. I was ready to transfer 800k in bank account and arrange a trip for her in Vietnam to apply for a Non O and have a fresh restart. However, at the last minute, the agent confirmed that the issue was solved and she know have a new extension. For matter of precaution, i did transfer anyway 800k to her bank account and advise her that next year, she should proceed directly with immigration for her extension (I am concerned about eventual crackdown on agent). My questions are: - she has now already 800k in her bank account that will remain untouched for the purpose of extension. Will she need anyway to re-apply for a Non O in an Embassy? - the 800k was transfered from my account in Thailand to her account in Thailand. Is it a problem? Does it need to come from abroad? Thanks

Yes, I actually went to the Thai consulate last May to enquire for visa for myself and they didn't allow me to enter. They show me the circular that appointment is now require and you must go to their website to request appointment. I then proceed appointment few day later (end of May) and the first available date was beginning of July. I proceeded it but later cancelled it as I had other obligations for my work.

I will. What i know so far is appointment is required now in Thai consulate in Saigon to apply for visa.

Yes, especially since the borders reopen after pandemic and they put back the direct flight Saigon-Phuket.

Yes, that's what my siste used to do. But it seems that something change in Phuket immigration and the agent said it won't work this time

Thanks. Yes I work and live in Saigon (when i am not in Phuket)

Understood. If i put 800k in her bank account, it will remain there "forever"

I see. So her solution could be that i put 800k in her bank account now. She exit Thailand to Vietnam for example (as i work in Vietnam), then apply for a new Non O in the Thai Embassy, return to Thailand and within her Non O period apply for a new extension?

Hello, my sister who lost her job one year ago, so lost her work permit, change for 1 year extension based on retirement. She used an agent who could manage the 800k on her behalf...(don't ask me details...). Now, her time extension renewal come (12 August) and she was about to use the same agent. However, the agent just came to her saying that it won't work this time (this is in Phuket). As she doesn't have 800k, she is stuck. There is a solution: I have 800k and can transfer to her account anytime but I understood that the 800k will need to be 2 months before the application date and as her current extension expired on 12 August, i believe it work. What solution if she has to wait 2 months before applying for the 1 year extension? Thanks

Thanks. I also think so but better hear another source. I will do a visa whenever i can anyway. My best option is retirement visa as i am over 50 and have the financial riquerement. My son is 23 years old now so might be to complicated. I am divorced.

Sorry to pop up in this thread but is there any limit of entries on visa exempt by air? I used to have 1 year multi non O based on my Thai child before but the last one expired during Covid period. I am working in Vietnam now and coming back very often to Thailand since the travel become easier. I usually come now back to Thailand every 2 weeks for a long weekend. Only by plane as they are direct HCM-Phuket now. I have not been asked anything yet by the immigration. Only 2 times they can see on their system that i used to have a Non O visa and said they can't find a new visa on my passport now. And i believe they see all the visa exempt stamps already. I won't mind to apply for a proper visa but i don't have much time and the visa section of the Thai consulate in HCM is only by appointment now and i understood they are not issuing multi entry visa. I could of course apply for a single Non O (I am over 50) but i would need enough time in Thailand to get the 1 year extension with multi entries re-entry... Any advise?

I landed in Thailand (Phuket) on Friday 1st July from Vietnam. TM6 form were distributed on the plane. I filled it as usual. I asked the immigration officer who told me still not cancelled, waiting official confirmation. I was asked for vaccine certificate at check in by the airline but not on arrival in Thailand.

I am in Vietnam now. Been working here since 2020. I can confirm that Vietnam is fully re-open now. What i mean by fully re-open is no quarantine, no test whatsoever. They are not even ask for vaccination certificate. In Vietnam, no limitation whatsoever. Mask is required outside and places like indoor malls but much relaxed. As for visa, I don't know the details as I am on work permit and residence card but i understood it's back to pre-covid. Check with Embassy. After my arrival in Oct 2020 (that time difficult and 2 weeks quarantine in hotels), i went back to Thailand in Nov 2021 and on my return in Jan 22, I had a quick test a the airport and 3 days self quarantine at home. Went to Cambodia in Feb 22 for business trip and on my return, no more test and quarantine. Been back to Thailand few time since beginning of May and no covid requirements to come back to VN. The "small" difficulty was more on Thailand side where i had to do test and go and Thai pass until now. Going to Thailand this Friday 1st July, no more Thailand pass.

Thanks.

Yes. I have 2 Credit Cards with Bangkok Bank and 1 Amex Gold. All are real Credit Cards (I mean with monthly statments, no money tight in a bank account for it). I got the first Bangkok Bank and Amex when i was under WP in 2000. I stopped work in Thailand in 2002 and been under various type of visa since (working outside Thailand) but kept getting my Credit Cards renew automaticaly until now. Bangkok Bank even give me a 2nd Credit Card in 2016. I got the Amex directly from AMEX Thailand, not through the bank. I believe it is at the discretion of the banks, depending of your financial situation. As long as you pay your statments...

Do you know if for the Thai passport they give also only 15 days visa exempt now or 30 days visa exempt like it was pre-covid?

Thanks. But that doesn't explain me about the other visa (I think LTR) requirements. I believe my options in terms of visa are ok as I am above 50 years old, have sufficient incomes, have a Thai child ( even if he is 23 years now) but i wondered about the LTR visa. I have not been to my original country for more than 20 years. Still working but mostly in neighboring countries (Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar..). At the moment in Vietnam and as travel get easiers now, i am back to Thailand more often now. Actually, i am my way to Thailand today. I was back from Thailand on 8th May. I don't have visa at the moment, so entering on visa exempts. But i know that i might be soon question at immigration. I am considering to first go for a Non O "retirement" with 1 year extension and re-entry permit. But i need to find ths time for that.