sandyf

It is not a problem. I came back into Thailand a month ago from Malaysia with no clear space left. The Thai Immigration did not bat an eyelid, just squeezed the stamp into the largest space overlapping the adjacent stamp.

This is bad advice, get a new passport or pages, do not give the immigration office an excuse to deny entry

It was not intended as advice, just a comment that it is not something to get unduly wound up about.

We do not all have the luxury of additional pages or a replacement from the embassy in a few days.

So I can get a bank statement from my thai bank, in English, with my current Thai address, and that will do for Residence Evidence?

I am currently on a Visa on Arrival extension

Yes, but may be easier said than done. A straight printout will most likely show your address in the Thai language so you would need to request a translated printout which may be a problem.

Not something else,!! all his bills are in his Late Wifes name. Don't tell me ive got to get His Electric Bill translated into English.

That is what I had to do. Had it done in Trendy in an hour but it cost 700 baht, it would have been 300 baht if I came back 4 days later, better to do it beforehand.

The place on the left as you go in would not do express but if you go up to first floor and go to the left, about 25 yards on the right a company called MCT will do it.

Are you from a country whose citizens can get "visa on arrival? (actually not a visa but a 30 day visa exempt permission.)

Yes the 800k has to be in a Thai bank.

I'll tell you what I did about 3 years ago, but you either need the visa exempt status or get a visa in your country.

I arrived on visa exempt for 30 days, rented a place and went straight to immigration to convert to a non-o visa. That gave me 90 days and the right to open a bank account. You would immediately do that and deposit the 800k. There were some hoops to jump through such as getting a medical (at that time for that immigration officer) but getting the non-o was easy with the complete docs.

With the non-o I had to wait until not more that 30 days but not less than 15 days was left on my visa. Then I went to immigration and got my multi-entry extension of stay for retirement purposes.

I believe that using this process the seasoning time for the money is less. Check it out. There's enough time if you go that way.

Others will be along to tell you what's current.

Despite what others may say, it is fairly obvious that you mean an extension of stay and a re-entry permit.

It is not a problem. I came back into Thailand a month ago from Malaysia with no clear space left. The Thai Immigration did not bat an eyelid, just squeezed the stamp into the largest space overlapping the adjacent stamp.

THAILAND: Political tension is expected to further dampen the Thai tourism...

THAILAND: Political tension is expected to further dampen the Thai tourismsector, including the upcoming annual shopping festival Amazing Thailand GrandSales, with the Tourism Council of Thailand again revising down the number ofarrivals expected, The Nation reports. Air bookings to Thailand have seen a fallsince the military took power and declared curfews last month. The tourismcouncil estimated that 1.2 million tourists would avoid traveling to Thailandover the next few months due to security concerns.

Source: Market News International (MNI) – A Deutsche Börse company

3. June 2014 06:42:09

I am confused.

Which side was Thailand on???? in 1941?

I cannot imagine for one second that they allied themselves to those NASTY Japanese! and allowed them free passage into northern Malaya and Burma

Please don't talk about the war!

Let us pretend it did not happen

Maybe the big bomb was a big mistake?

OOOPS, I remember now, they changed sides in 1945 , but we are not allowed to talk about that.

Labour on the Burmese railway gives a clue.

Americans 700 Deaths 355

Australia 13000 Deaths 2710

Dutch 18000 Deaths 2830

British 30000 Deaths 6540

Locals 200000 Deaths 80000

If you are stridently opposed with dealing with the Thai immigration offices for an "extension".

Your only other option is to periodically apply for new Non-Imm-O's from neighbouring countries.

But as Ubonjoe posited it is actually more hassle, requiring 90-day-border-runs and an annual aquisition of a new visa (assuming it's multipl-entry).

Where as the "extension", although laborious at times, allows you to reside in thailand, report every 90 days at immigration, and renew annually without the need to exit thailand.

Sent from my iPhone 6

"Hassle " is a bit like beauty, in the eye of the beholder. If you regularly leave Thailand, border runs are not an issue. There are sometimes other factors that come into play that get overlooked. My medication would be 130 baht a day in Thailand but I get 6 monthly prescriptions from the UK, worth about 22K baht a time. I have to see the doctor once a year to keep the prescription going, the 44K saving pays for the airfare.

Extensions are not just 1900 Baht, I would also require the income letter and reentry permit.

I a few years back I thought that I would have to get an extension to get my container into the country but fortunately it wasn't necessary, no customs involved.

There may come a time when extension is the only option but until then, each to his own.

So what a is the purpose of you topic, You posted info that is only applicable to the UK.

"- In the case of UK Pensioner(Non-immigrant "O"): a copy of State Pension.

This is not new, the following is from the 2013 documents.

or

5) Visiting Thailand as Pensioner aged 65 and over.

Evidence required:

a) Bank Statement or Pension Statement showing receipt of State and/or Private Pension.

Either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances."

Some members seem confused.

If a visa is not available in certain countries,that does not mean it does not exist.

Thanks for that. I'll reword my question then. What are other people being charged in courier fees?

I was charged 19.86 in courier fees (110.86 total). That figure is broken down as follows:

Return of passport - 9.70

Return of supporting documents - 10.16

I put 114.01 GBP on the payment form but my credit card was charged 110.86 GBP.

I have no supporting documents to return, there was only the passport copy and proof of address.

I am from the USA and the best would be the retirement Visa with multiple entry (for you) I don't know about your wife. My wife and I just entered and we both have those visas and at the Thai embassy in NYC they told us that is the best way to go. But continue to check as this seems to be a fluid situation.

There are two "retirement" visas.

Non-Immigrant O (retirement) available to persons over 65 with state pension and can be single or multiple entry.

Non-Immigrant O-A retirement visa available to persons over 50 and subject to financial,medical and police criteria. This is effectively a single entry visa for 12 months and subject to 90 day reporting similar to visa extension.

there is only 1 type of retirement visa and that is O-A this poster does not know what he is talking about,

Category "F" To perform official duties. Category "B" To conduct business, to work, to study teaching course, to work as an English teacher, to take scuba diving or boxing lessons, to work as a sport coach, to do an internship, to work as a film-producer, journalist or reporter for a short period. Category "IM" To invest with the concurrence of the Thai Ministries and Government Departments concerned. Category "IB" To invest or perform other activities relating to investment, subject to the provision of the established laws on investment promotion. Category "ED" To study, to come on a work study tour or observation tour, to participate in projects or seminars, to attend a conference or training course, to study as a foreign Buddhist monk. Category "M" To work as a film-producer, journalist or reporter. Category "R To perform missionary work or other religious activities with the concurrence of the Thai Ministries or Government Departments concerned. Category "RS" To conduct scientific research or training or teaching in a research institute. Category "EX" To undertake skilled work or to work as an expert or specialist. Category "O" To visit Thai spouse, children, parents, voluntary job, Retirement (with State Pension)

Category"O-A" To applicants aged 50 and over who wish to stay in Thailand for an entended period without the intention of working.

I don't think there are 30 or 90 day tourist visas.

"I am qualified for the Non-Immigrant O-A, Retirement or Marriage Visa's"

The multiple entry OA Visa would work for you, as would multiple entry Non Imm O based on either retirement or marriage.

The OA would give you a year on every entry, and if you re-enter just prior to the visa expiring, you could get almost two years out of it. After the visa expires, you'd need a re-entry permit to keep the permission to stay date alive if you leave the country and want to return.

You'd need to do 90 day reporting to your local immigration office if you stay in the country 90 days. If you leave before 90 days, no report required. The days start counting the day you return.

The Non O, which you refer to incorrectly as retirement or marriage visas, is good for 90 days per entry. A multiple entry allows you to enter as many times as you want while the visa is valid (1 year), giving you 90 days each time. No 90 day reporting required.

I suggest you read the pinned topics at the top of the forum. There is a lot of good information there that helps explain and answer a lot of questions.

Good luck.

Terry

Why all the nit picking.

I would read the OP statement as he could qualify for a Non-Immigrant O-A visa or a Non-Immigrant (Retirement) visa or a Non-Immigrant (Marriage) visa, but I was educated in the UK not the US.

Strikes me that posters are more concerned about correcting descriptions than providing information

nobody is nit picking,they are stating the facts,just go along to immigration and ask for a yearly visa and you will get the same answer that we are all saying,dont mix a visa and an extension.

Can the OP go along to immigration in Florida?

I am from the USA and the best would be the retirement Visa with multiple entry (for you) I don't know about your wife. My wife and I just entered and we both have those visas and at the Thai embassy in NYC they told us that is the best way to go. But continue to check as this seems to be a fluid situation.

There are two "retirement" visas.

Non-Immigrant O (retirement) available to persons over 65 with state pension and can be single or multiple entry.

Non-Immigrant O-A retirement visa available to persons over 50 and subject to financial,medical and police criteria. This is effectively a single entry visa for 12 months and subject to 90 day reporting similar to visa extension.

Anyone else get an email about a 10.16GBP REFUND? Applied for a jumbo.......

-Filled in the form, as told, for 114.01GBP

-Payment declined as card not activated

-Email from them requested 110.86GBP (I queried this but was told Thailand had it wrong)

-Over the phone virtual card debited 110.86GBP -Thought the payment was sorted

With this refund (which I have to get with a phone call to Southport as they don't now have the card details) I make it that the application sent to Liverpool is free but a DHL courier fee of 9.70GBP to return it. Total 91GBP+9.70GBP=100.70GBP

My process started on 25th March. Thailand and UK both got the price wrong. My emails were responded too outside the customer target of 20 working days.

Oh, and my visa is up on the 21st June and my less than 3yr old passport is full. Crap service.

It is the GOV.OK website that has it wrong and it looks like it is to do with the courier fee, the 91.00GBP seems consistent.

You’ll have to pay a fee for your passport and a courier fee of £23.01. The courier fee pays for your passport to be sent securely to the UK Visa Application Centre where you applied for you to collect.

Fill in a ‘Paying by credit card or debit card’ form for each passport you’re applying for and submit it with your application. Your credit or debit card will be charged in sterling.

You can use Mastercard, Visa, Electron, Diners Club and JCB.

I don't think there are 30 or 90 day tourist visas.

"I am qualified for the Non-Immigrant O-A, Retirement or Marriage Visa's"

The multiple entry OA Visa would work for you, as would multiple entry Non Imm O based on either retirement or marriage.

The OA would give you a year on every entry, and if you re-enter just prior to the visa expiring, you could get almost two years out of it. After the visa expires, you'd need a re-entry permit to keep the permission to stay date alive if you leave the country and want to return.

You'd need to do 90 day reporting to your local immigration office if you stay in the country 90 days. If you leave before 90 days, no report required. The days start counting the day you return.

The Non O, which you refer to incorrectly as retirement or marriage visas, is good for 90 days per entry. A multiple entry allows you to enter as many times as you want while the visa is valid (1 year), giving you 90 days each time. No 90 day reporting required.

I suggest you read the pinned topics at the top of the forum. There is a lot of good information there that helps explain and answer a lot of questions.

Good luck.

Terry

Why all the nit picking.

I would read the OP statement as he could qualify for a Non-Immigrant O-A visa or a Non-Immigrant (Retirement) visa or a Non-Immigrant (Marriage) visa, but I was educated in the UK not the US.

Strikes me that posters are more concerned about correcting descriptions than providing information

What was your visa based upon? I assume M.C. means marriage certificate.

-----------------------

God point.

I assume that it should be possible to get a multi entry one year Non O based on retirement in London if you met the reqirements?

Or would it be a 90 day single entry ..... and do the one year extension in Thailand?

The embassy will only do OA visas for retirement. No non-o's for being over 50.

I have heard that the UK wont give these out until 65 also.. Someone I know tried for an over 50s retirement and was denied.. He was giving Tourist visa double instead.

I think it was a case that they wouldnt accept a non state pension or something but he was pretty vague on the details of his denial.

2 separate visas.

You can get a Non Imm O, single or multi, if you are over 65 with a state pension, no level on the pension.

The OA is only available at the embassy and you need financials, medical and a police report.

Non-Immigrant Type O-A

• Proof of income with a minimum of £1,400.00 per month or £1,400.00 or £16,500 anuually for those who have been issue category O with multiple entries
• Medical Record
• Criminal Record check

Which bank ??

It is TMB. It is not a branch issue the email came from head office in which they said I had not submitted the correct documents when I opened the account. Only submitted what they asked for, and that was over 4 years ago.

I have been down to the branch today and as it happens saw the the same lady as when I opened the account. She was unaware of any changes and could not get hold of anyone at head office that knew anything about the email. Said she would try and find out and let me know.

There is something in the pipeline as they now say on the website that the limit on Internet banking transfers would be raised from 50K baht to 500K baht from 1st July.

Buy the house in her name and get the 30 year lease. The simple solution in my opinion, I've done it myself. My wife also took my surname and has been no issues whatsoever.

All depends on how you view "issues". When I built my house it would have probably cost 25 to 30 percent more if my wife had a farang name. She did all the negotiations with drawings, materials, builder and authorities. Even Thais have to put money in envelopes to get things done, they just need smaller envelopes.

My wife has had my name since the day we got married and has had no such experience.

That only happens if somebody lets it happen.

You really believe that if they are aware that a farang is involved that everything will still be "Thai price"?

Each to his own.

Buy the house in her name and get the 30 year lease. The simple solution in my opinion, I've done it myself. My wife also took my surname and has been no issues whatsoever.

All depends on how you view "issues". When I built my house it would have probably cost 25 to 30 percent more if my wife had a farang name. She did all the negotiations with drawings, materials, builder and authorities. Even Thais have to put money in envelopes to get things done, they just need smaller envelopes.

I think it means having an extension of stay that has at least 9 months remaining on it.

What is it for?

If you are right, it may well mean that in due course online banking is only available to people with extension of stay or work permit.

Good News for the Old Brit.Downloaded all his Forms. Took him to BKK Bank,showed them the Payment Form, and they upgraded an old Deposit Acc Card to work on VISA only,and tested it so it works for Him. Nice one BKK BANK. In and out in 25 Mins.... alt=biggrin.png>

If you can hold the debit card in your hand (including activated for use on the VISA network) it probably won't work. It is too easy to be lost or stolen (in their eyes) and be used frauduently. The account numbers used for the virtual card are more secure as they can only be accessed through ebanking. It is included free with Kasikorn ebanking. The numbers of the virtual card are different to the numbers on the card you can hold in your hand. (By default the limit is set to 0 and has to increased by the user themselves in their ebanking a/c). Mail order purchases such as a passport renewal (HMPO) are not the same as an online purchase. Thai banking branch staff do not understand the difference. Thanks again to the Oldgit for the toptip!

This is extremely worrying for those of us without Kasikorn accounts who want to try a BKK Bank debit card that has been activated to be verifiable by VISA.

My only other option would be to get my brother to make the payment via his UK card. It seems this should be possible according to the payment form OS_Payment__Instruction_07.13.pdf downloadable from:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overseas-passport-creditdebit-card-payment-authorisation

It has separate sections to fill in for both Applicant's Name and Card Holder's Name, so hopefully it would be OK. Then there are the obligatory problems: other than applicant's name and date of birth all other details relate to the card holder, such as address, which in the current climate would be no surprise if that didn't cause problems; and then there is the practicality of getting the card holder's signature onto the form, impossible without first sending it back and forth between the UK and Thailand, wasting even more time.

This really is an awful predicament HMPO are putting us through, it doesn't seem to have been thought through on any level. The fact some people will have to travel 1000s of kilometers to go to Trendy just goes to show how little UK bureaucracy gives a damn about its expats.

You are right in that it will not be a problem. I used my UK credit card so the cardholders address was a UK address as opposed to my Thai address. For all they knew the applicant and cardholder could have been 2 people with the same name, no problem with payment.

Real problem is in obtaining the signature. Best bet would be that they download,sign and courier to you. You could risk a scan but may be detected as a non original signature.

Sounds like a banking requirement. Just try a different bank - or even a different branch of the same bank -- they apply their "rules" somewhat haphazardly

The way that requirement is written demonstrates yet again the misconception that you stay in Thailand because you have a visa. Not so - you enter with a visa and may (or may not) be given a "Permission to Stay" based on tourism, work, marriage, retirement, education, whatever. This can be extended up to a maximum of one year depending on type and/or circumstances.

Not an option.

I have had the account for about 15 years and the online banking for the last 5 years. The bank is planning to introduce a new version of the online banking in July and have asked that I visit a branch and have my data updated before the 27th June. The OP was an extract from the email which was obviously a mass mail.

The account was originally opened on visa exemption and when I went to online banking there was no visa check, it was done on Tabian Baan. Looks like they are doing a visa check on all foreign users of online banking.

No problem with the account service, that will remain as normal even if I lose the online banking.

What would be required to satisfy this requirement.

2. For Customer with no Work Permit but possessing a visa for long-term stay:
You can bring your passport to branch but please make sure your visa is a type that allow for minimum stay of 9 months.

i'm now a week into my 2 month single entry, no plans to leave for a while, so with only 1 clear page ( + 2 pages with 1 and 2 stamps, the rest full). i was planning on applying for a new passport,, now after looking on this thread i'm having 2nd thoughts.. it sounds like this new "system" is having severe teething problems... going over to Laos/Cambodia means getting a whole stamped page before you get the Thai whole-page stamp.. the only thing i can think of now is now waiting till the end of this visa then go to Malaysia (not a whole page entry stamp) before either applying for a new passport there or just getting another Thai visa in Penang/KL...

any thoughts would be appreciated.. it just doesn't seem to be a good time to apply for a UK passport in Thailand

The Malaysian stamp has grown in size but still a lot smaller than a visa. When you enter Malaysia they put a sticker in your passport and stamp over it. The sticker has a tail and when you leave the country they pull the tail off, leaving part of the sticker with the stamp.

When I went I only had half a page left but the Malaysian put the stamp right in the middle so when I came back there was no room for a clear stamp. No problem, just stamped in the biggest space and overlapped the adjacent stamp.