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I am looking to “kill off” my O-A and have received excellent feedback and advice from this forum to my previous post. I was looking at leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit and re-entering Visa exempt then applying for a Non-Immigrant O and extending on basis of retirement. This latest post got me thinking that I might be better off applying for a Non-Immigrant O via the evisa portal on a visit to the U.K. and then applying for an extension on basis of retirement within Thailand. This approach saves time and avoids the “under consideration” period applying for the Non-Immigrant O within Thailand and the need to make three trips to Immigration. I can just go to Immigration once 30-45 days from expiry of my Non-Immigrant O to get my annual extension on basis of retirement. A few questions regarding the evisa on-line application: Can you submit the same bank statement for both current location and financial evidence? Or if not, provide a U.K. credit card statement under current location and bank statement for the ฿800,000 £ Sterling equivalent both showing the same U.K. address? Can you show ฿800,000 in a Thai bank account Instead of £ Sterling equivalent in a U.K. bank account? The bank statement will show the address I will be staying at in Thailand. My U.K. address is a correspondence address (a street address provided by my on-line mail handling company) not where I will be staying whilst in the U.K. which will be airbnb accommodation. I have a U.K. driving licence but as it was last renewed 8 years ago it has a different address to my U.K. correspondence address. Just a bit concerned about uploading several documents with different U.K. addresses and potentially a Thai address too.

Thanks for that. I recommended them to a friend a while back and they used them successfully. I had forgotten the name of the company so thanks!

Really helpful feedback. Thanks for outlining your experience and the timeline.

Thanks for flagging onward flight. Something I definitely need to consider.

I will be flying out of Suvarnabhumi.

Thanks for your reassurance Dr Jack. I wish I had switched a long time ago but I have been a bit concerned about compulsory medical insurance being introduced for O Visas too as it seems the next step. But I will switch and cross that bridge if it ever happens. Appreciate your feedback. You and others like Liquorice are doing a fantastic job supporting us all with your expertise through what can only be described as a minefield 🙏

I have a global medical insurance policy (excluding USA) with £1 million of annual in-patient cover (policy issued in the U.K.) so over 100 times the ฿400,000 in-patient requirement being re-introduced for OA annual extensions. I have a high excess to keep the premiums down so self insuring to an extent but know I am covered if I have a serious accident or major health issue. As it is not issued by one of the Thai panel insurers and I have no outpatient cover it is not accepted by Immigration. Completely bonkers in my opinion which is why I am ditching my O-A Visa. Having taken this policy out as a continuation policy of my employer scheme when I left employment many years ago I have no pre-existing conditions. If I tried to get medical insurance now with a new insurer I would have several exclusions. Buying an annual Thai medical insurance policy with a huge excess and medical exclusions makes it worthless as I will never claim on it.

Apologies, I misunderstood your comment as you replied 1st November 2019 in response to Dr Jack saying he couldn’t recall the date your non-OA had to be issued for grandfathering to be possible. I understand now.

Thanks Dr Jack that is really helpful 🙏

I think you are correct and it was Phuket only who were grandfathered.

My O-A Visa was issued in September 2014. There was no grandfathering when the compulsory medical insurance requirements for the O-A came in - well not for me at Hua Hin Immigration. Do you have a link/document where this date is mentioned as it would be very useful to see what it says. I seem to recall, this grandfathering applies only to those on original O-A Visas in Phuket and nowhere else.

Thanks for your feedback. Can I go to Immigration and apply for a Non-Immigrant O Visa almost immediately after entering Thailand on 60 days Visa exempt or do I have to wait until later during my 60 day Visa exempt period?

After having completed 9 annual extensions as outlined in my post I think I know I am on extension of stay. The OA Visa requires compulsory medical insurance the O Visa does not. Whilst the original O-A visa has expired it still dictates the medical insurance requirement at every annual extension.

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After 9 annual extensions from my original Non-Immigrant OA Visa I have decided to switch to a Non-Immigrant O Visa. Just wanted to check my understanding is correct. The ฿800,000 is already seasoned. Leave Thailand without a re-entry permit so my Non-Immigrant O-A is cancelled. With my U.K. passport re-enter Thailand visa exempt and get stamped in for 60 days. Over the next few days after re-entry into Thailand go to Immigration (Hua Hin) main office and apply for a Non-Immigrant O Visa valid for 90 days. Fee ฿2,000. 30 to 45 Days before expiration of that Visa go to Immigration (Hua Hin) main office and apply for my annual extension Fee ฿1,900. The thing I am not sure about is 3. above, and whether I can go to Immigration and apply for a Non-Immigrant O Visa almost immediately after entering Thailand on 60 days Visa exempt or I have to wait until later during my 60 day Visa exempt period? I know I can apply for my Non-Immigrant O Visa much later during my 60 day Visa exempt period but for various reasons want to apply as soon after re-entering Thailand as possible. Does the annual extension start from the date I visit the Immigration office and apply for my annual extension or from the day after my Non-Immigrant O Visa 90 days expires? Thanks in advance for your help.

The letter they email confirming your appointment states “a full colour photocopy of the entire passport (including blank pages)”. I also did my Thai Driving Licence photocopy in colour too.

Recently collected my new British passport (renewal) from the VFS HMPO office in Chiang Mai. The overall service was excellent. It took 2 weeks and 2 days from my first appointment until my new passport arrived at their office. I received an email advising my passport had arrived followed by a phone call a few minutes later. One thing to note is despite still stating on their web site passport application appointments are on Tuesday and Thursday / 08:30 - 14:00, after my initial email requesting my appointment, I was told they only offer appointments between 13:00 and 14:30 hours. I don’t know if it is still Tuesday and Thursday only as they didn’t say. Not a problem but something to be aware of. Perhaps they change the days and times based on the volume of applications they receive. The following link takes you through the process of overseas British passport applications and contains a link to the application form, other documents you need to complete and prices etc: https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports The email address to book an appointment is: [email protected] Provide them with your full name, Date of Birth, contact phone number and your preferred date and time for your appointment. They responded promptly by email with the appointment date and time and what I needed to complete/bring and information about the appointment. At the appointment I had to provide: 1. A completed application form 2. A completed payment form 3. 2 new and identical colour photos* * there are detailed notes on what is required in the “HMPO Overseas Guidance Booklet Applying Outside the U.K.” This includes size of the photos etc. and the size (a range) from the top of your head to your chin. The person sat next to me had their photos rejected as they did not meet these requirements. The staff sent them off to Maya to get their photos re-done. 4. Proof of address - I used my Thai Driving Licence (the address on the back is in both Thai and English). You have to provide a colour photocopy of all documents provided. 5. Current British passport and a full photocopy of the entire passport (including blank pages). I included both front and back covers too* * after applying for your new passport you will not be able to travel on it but you are able to keep it for identity purposes. The office is located opposite Maya at: No.191 Siripanich Building 6B Floor Huay Kaew Road Suthep Chiang Mai 50200 On both occasions I took a Grab car and on all 4 rides the GPS navigated them 30 metres down the road past the actual office. No idea why. On entering the building go through the doors on the left and take the lift to floor 6. I arrived 10 mins before my appointment and understandably the office was closed for lunch. The office opened promptly at 13:00 hours and I went to the first of two passport application desks. 25 mins later the appointment was completed. To pick up your passport you need to go between 14:00 and 16:00 hours Monday to Friday. Just need to take your current passport and the receipt they issued at your first appointment. They cut off the corner of your old passport and hand over your new passport. It took no more than 5 minutes. All in all a first class service!

Thanks for your feedback. I bank with SCB and they don’t appear to give the option to choose Thai or English when requesting a downloaded statement. My statement has my address in Thai. The address was loaded on to the SCB system by their staff when opening the account. However, I have just updated my address (identical address) using the app and downloaded another statement and the address is now shown in English! So I think I am good to go. Hopefully VFS Chiang Mai will accept this bank statement and not point me to the list saying it isn’t included.

Thanks for your feedback. Struggling a bit with “Name and address and/or residency” docs as the only docs I have with my address on are bank statements and Thai driving licence and these are both in Thai and neither are on the list of accepted documents. I seem to remember someone saying on here in the past they used a bank statement as proof of address but it is not listed below. The HM Passport Office Guidance Notes state: Please provide one of the following: • visa or resident permit (or colour photocopy) • tax record (for example, a letter from a tax authority) • educational record (for example, a school report) • employment record (for example, an official letter from your employer) • letter sent to you from a central, regional or local government department • medical/health card • voter’s card • immigration documents. So, my options would seem to be - visa or resident permit (or colour photocopy) - immigration documents. But I have no idea what these documents are - my original visa is from 2014. And none of my current immigration documents have my address on it apart from my TM30 where it is handwritten by Immigration in Thai back in 2015. Even if I got the Certificate of Residence it will be in Thai so would need to translated and must be signed and stamped by a translator who is a member of a recognised professional organisation to prove it is genuine. The only source of official help VFS have given me is the U.K. Passport office and a U.K. telephone number. Are they really going to know what Thai Immigration documents are required? A bit puzzled.

Looking to renew my U.K. Passport (at) VFS Global, Chiang Mai. As a straightforward renewal I understand I need to take my original passport, completed passport application form, 2 x photos (no counter signing required), bank card to pay the fee. I will use a U.K. bank card. A few questions hopefully someone with recent experience can answer: 1. How far in advance can you book your appointment with VFS Chiang Mai? 2. When emailing HMPO.CM(at)vfshelpline.com how many dates/times do you need to provide. The web site information seems to imply you only need provide one date/time but I have read others saying you have to provide three dates and times. I understand Tuesday and Thursday only between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. but not between mid-day and 1:00 p.m. 3. Which pages of your current passport do you need copies of e.g. passport photo page, current annual extension, TM30, latest 90 Day report? 4. On receipt of new passport I appreciate I must go to the Immigration office to get my stamps transferred. After this do I need to submit a new TM30 updating my passport number? As a condo owner I have access to the TM30 system. 5. Does the next 90 Day Report following receipt of my new passport need to be done in person? I do my 90 Day Reports using the on-line system. Thanks in advance for any feedback that will help me through the process.

As of two week’s ago, Bangkok Hospital, Chiang Mai were offering Pfizer Comirnaty - ฿2,500 including vaccine, doctor’s fee and hospital fee.

I completely misunderstood the question. Sorry for my inappropriate response. I would have deleted it if I could but there is no option.

That sounds very difficult to prove Sheryl. Appreciate not want you want to hear but maybe the best route is for your mother to obtain a Non-Immigrant O in the U.K. and apply for an extension of stay based on retirement within Thailand. This would at least avoid the need for compulsory health insurance if she went down the Non-Immigrant O-A route. It does require ฿800,000 in the bank or the ฿65,000 monthly income method (or the help of an agent to get round this requirement). But sounds more feasible than trying to meet the list of eligibility factors of the U.K. Adult Dependent Relative Visa which appear almost impossible for an applicant to qualify.

Anyone know how to get hold of bahtSOLD other than through support(at)bahtsold.com or via the bahtSOLD Contact Support option on the bahtSOLD member portal? I have placed a property ad with them which worked well and subsequently paid for an ad upgrade. The payment has been taken via a mobile banking payment by their payment partner OMISE CO., LTD but the ad has not been upgraded by bahtSOLD. The payment has been showing as “Pending” on bahtSOLD’s payment system for several days even though the money came out of my bank account instantly at the time of payment. Despite being told a Customer Service Representative will be in touch within 24 hours and chasing them several times since they are just ignoring me. I have spoken to SCB Bank and they said as the payment was made by mobile banking and not by debit/credit card payment there is nothing they can do.