Seraphina

very possible; I'll check with the Embassy again. When I said OA they told me O. Let's see what the agent says.

lkv, you are assuming a person watches a forum for 10 years? I'm new to this forum and to blogging. I'm also old: and by the way the 'entry' stamp DOES carry the word 'visa' on it. For those new to the forum, here's a simple summary:

What is the difference between the Visa on Arrival and the Visa Exempt stamp? http://www.thai-faq.com/thailand-visa/

These two are often confused but are basically the same thing. If you are coming to Thailand for tourist purposes and hold a citizenship from 48 specific countries you do not need to get a visa in advance and you can show up at the border and receive either a stamp that allows you to stay for either 15 or 30 days depending on if you show up at a land crossing or at an international airport.

The visa on arrival is the same thing but available for citizens of 19 different countries. You also must have 2 recent photographs and pay a 1000 Baht fee. The full list of countries can be found on the Thai Immigration website.

(perhaps we could have done with this from the beginning?)

Tony Joh has interesting things to say about red stamps on re-entry.

Hi RnG, I'm applying for a one year O visa and I'm only 53. It's better to have the one year for two reasons:

1. It's a multiple entry. The three month visa is a single entry visa.

2. If you leave Thailand for any reason, when you come back, you get another one year, so you can leave a few days before it expires and get a second year for no extra cost (well, cost of reentry permit)

3. You still have three monthly reporting whichever one you choose, but with the one year, you don't get smacked each quarter for an extension!

Let us know how you get on!

Thanks, will persist.

I was a bit worried about the state pension part as I'm too young to draw on a UK pension and not eligible in France (as I haven't contributed long enough in France), but you may remember my mentioning the requirements for an O visa in France are slightly different than for applicants going through the London Embassy....I've crossed checked the English and French requirements which are a pdf document and the main difference is actually the pension part. Here, there's no need to prove you're on a pension. They give a lot of weight to the bank balance attestation, possibly because the social security system here is so very different. Who knows? The French are a law unto themselves.

In any case, the agent hasn't asked for any such paperwork. She's stuck to what's on line. I'm double checking she knows whats she's doing as she automatically assumed I wanted the three month version for 60 euros even though I said one year. Both of those O visas have a three month reporting duty. Wish me luck. I've just got some criminal record stuff int the post...just doctor's stuff to do now. Signing off now until I get it sorted!

Thanks for your support, input and challenges!

OK OK I'm convinced! Thanks. I'll read it now!

The website you've quoted does not mention the words, "Visa on Arrival" so you haven't quite convinced me yet nor have you explained the difference or your source. Perhaps redirect me to a website with a full link?

Furthermore, whenever I go to the UAE, Qatar or Oman, which also have reciprocal arrangements with the UK, they do call it "A Visa on Arrival". Not sure why Thailand should call it something different?

Similarly, Korea, Hong Kong, Egypt and Taiwan also gave me visas on arrival. Thus, I didn't have to apply for a visa prior to travel. For Australia, you have to apply for an electronic visa, but Australians pay nothing to enter the UK so I'm told.

Strangely enough, UK citizens pay nothing to enter Bahrain on an 'entry stamp' or whatever you choose to call it, but I still have to pay - even WITH a British passport! There are special reasons for this, essentially, there is a hierarchy of passports.

@johnatong The agent WAS wrong (see table below). you will see that there are two O visas for 50 plus year olds (see numbers 7 & 8). Therefore, she completely missed the one year multiple entry visa. There is a visa for 50+ year olds and one for 60+ year olds. The paperwork for each is different. For my category/ 50 plus year olds, the applicant must be aged 50 years and over / is allowed to stay in Thailand for 1 year./ strictly prohibited from working (number 8). The O-A category includes other applicant profiles as well .

Below is a copy from the Royal Thai Embassy webpage on the different TYPES of visa (http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/44) so that you can see in summary what is available. I will promise to photocopy my one year visa in my passport when I get it unless I decide to go for the 3 month version...the paperwork for which is far less stringent, no bank references, no medical, no criminal record check.

Visa Type

1. Transit (3 months validity/single entry)

(£) 20

2. Tourist (3 months validity/Up to 60 days/Single)

(£) 25

3. Tourist (6 months validity/Up to 60 days/Multiple Entries)

(£) 125

4. Non-Immigrant (3 months validity/Single Entry/up to 90 days)

(£) 50

5. Non-Immigrant (1 year validity/ Multiple Entries)

(£) 125

6. Non-Immigrant (3 year validity/ Multiple Entries)

(£) 250

7. Non-Immigrant O (3 months validity/ Single Entry/Up to 1 year)

(£) 50

8. Non-Immigrant O (1 year validity/ Multiple Entries/Up to 1 year)

(£) 125

I think yo'all are younger than me which is why you're not so familiar with the Non-Immigrant O visas.

Regarding the Visa on Arrival (VOA), this is essentially a G7 exemption visa: read and be enlightened....http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/188

Tourist Visa Exemption: Since 20 December 2013,Nationals of (G7) the following countries who enter via a land crossing or enter via an airport will be entitled to a 30 day visa exemption , UK, U.S.A, Canada, Italy, Germany, Japan, France

The O-A category includes other applicant profiles as well .

@johnatong I will promise to photocopy my one year visa in my passport when I get it unless I decide to go for the 3 month version...the paperwork for which is far less stringent, no bank references, no medical, no criminal record check.

Below you will see that there are two O visas for 50 plus year olds (see numbers 7 & 8). The O-A category includes other applicant profiles as well . Below is a copy from the Royal Thai Embassy webpage on the different TYPES of visa (http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/44) so that you can see in summary what is available,

Visa Type

Fee (£)

1. Transit (3 months validity/single entry)

20

2. Tourist (3 months validity/Up to 60 days/Single)

25

3. Tourist (6 months validity/Up to 60 days/Multiple Entries)

125

4. Non-Immigrant (3 months validity/Single Entry/up to 90 days)

50

5. Non-Immigrant (1 year validity/ Multiple Entries)

125

6. Non-Immigrant (3 year validity/ Multiple Entries)

250

7. Non-Immigrant O (3 months validity/ Single Entry/Up to 1 year)

50

8. Non-Immigrant O (1 year validity/ Multiple Entries/Up to 1 year)

125

I think yo'all are younger than me which is why you're not so familiar with the Non-Immigrant O visas. There is a visa for 50+ year olds and one for 60+ year olds. The paperwork for each is different. For my category, Applicant must be aged 50 years and over / is allowed to stay in Thailand for 1 year./ strictly prohibited from working (number 8).

And yes the agent WAS wrong. According to the above, taken from the Royal Thai Embassy website (http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/188), she completely missed the one year multiple entry visa. Regarding the Visa on Arrival (VOA), this should really be called, G7 exemption visa. Do read and be enlightened...

Tourist Visa Exemption Since 20 December 2013,Nationals of (G7) the following countries who enter via a land crossing or enter via an airport will be entitled to a 30 day visa exemption , UK, U.S.A, Canada, Italy, Germany, Japan, France

Let’s not be calling each other stupid before doing the basic research….

@Unbonjoe Thanks for pointing this out. I did indeed miss this fact! I await confirmation from my contact in the UK at the Thai Embassy/Consulate for insider information - if they would just pick up the wretched phone!

@ Caron 2311

I think you're being unduly pessimistic. Not ALL people are trying to CHEAT the system as you have assumed. I simply wish to enter by land and 25 years ago, this was meant the usual automatic 30 visa was reduced to 15 days. I know the rules changed in 2014. but didn't know if it affected my O visa of which there are two types. I would have to pretty stupid not to check and cross check any new information. And this is what I'm doing....

Moreover, I'm not talking about an 0-A visa as this is a CATtegory, not a visa type! I'm only interested in the Non-Immigrant O visa.

It is NOT called, as you suggest, a "NON-O visa"..... if you want to be pedantic. In English, this would be a highly misleading lable as the prefix 'non' is, indubitably, a negative.

There is also another retirement visa for the 60+ year olds which is yet another category. I don't know which country you live in; but I live in France and we retire at 50 for femailes and 55 for males so there are slightly different paperwork requirements. So, while I'm using the UK as a base line, I do not come under their rules. There are less stringent rules, in fact.

Try not to be so UK-centric! The G7 consists of 7 countries not just the UK! And while I hold a UK passport,not all UK citizens reSIDE there - and in my case, until recently, I had not lived in Europe for more than 30 years. You will, I hope, understand if I'm a little out of touch with the current rules for UK citizens and residents of other European countries.

I can, however, advise you on work visas for Australia if you're earning over 100,000 Australian dollars and legal ways to reduce your 50% tax burden. It's horses for courses mate!

@johnatong

I regret to inform you that you are 100% wrong. There is indeed a 60 day visa for G7/G8 country passport holders. I don't know which passport you hold, but mine is from a G7 country and I've cross checked this fact on both the French AND UK websites. The 60 day visa is a single entry one and costs 25 pounds.See number 2 @ http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/76.

The agent wasn't wrong, She just didn't realise I wanted the other one year O visa. If you're not in this category, you may not be aware of the different conditions. If you are in the 50+ category wishing to stay on an extendable tourist visa; then you need to do more research/ Check out the same website number 8, one year multiple entry for 125 pounds.

Note: you canNOT extend a 30 day visa on arrival. Perhaps you're getting confused?

Wow! These documents are substantial and well laid out. It'll take me a while to get through both, but that you ever so much.

I'm in a worse situation being in the south of France with only Paris as my nearest Embassy. I don't think Consulates can issue the O-A visa, but a Lyon agency is telling me differently, but there are two O visas for the 50+ year olds. They are recommending the 2 month one with a the one month extension (60 euros). Not quite sure how that pans out to one year..... The one I'm actually pursuing is the one year, with a 90 day reporting.(150 euros)

I think with the latter, you have to have a Thai bank account to renew. I'm sure you've already got that sorted.

Good luck with it all. Hope things go smoothly!

@ thailandsgreat

Yes, but the point is, I think you can get your electronic ticket-cum boarding pass and electronic 'splodge'* on smart phone - no printing - before your actual date of travel (someone had sent you can only get the reentry permit at the airport on the date of travel because you need to present your boarding pass).

* I don't know what the technical term is but for both flights and trains now, I book online and receive a square splodge on my phone which the powers that be have to scan before I can board. I suppose it's a replacement of the old bar code? People without baggage go sraight to the boardng gate without having to queue to check in at the main desk. Indeed, they actually check in at the gate! Maybe that's just Australia and France?

@Lookme

After all the problems you've had so far, it will be interesting to know how you get on. Are you saying that you're going on a 60 day visa which is extendable by 30 days (=90) and then going to apply for a one retirement visa while you're actually in situ? If that's possible, then I might follow your lead. Would you be applying for an over 50 or over 60 retirement visa though?

I understand there are two O visas for the age 50+ category, one which costs 60 euros and one which costs 150 euros (matches their UK equivalents).

I'm thinking of going through an agent. The cost of getting to the embassy and back + overnight stay in a hotel due to the visa section only being open in the morning is making the agency fee look good value!

Quick question for the savvy: I understand that one can obtain re-entry permits at some airports such as Chiang Mai, apparently there are desks close to the emmigration area. Someone has said, it has to be done on the day of travel because you need a boarding pass. Is this true because surely we have smart phones and e-tickets which remove the need for the old-fashioned boarding passes?

I've been to at least one airport in Australia where I picked up my inbound boarding pass at the same time as my outbound boarding pass for a day trip! Not sure if that's arrived in Asia yet....

Hmmm, yes, that website says, 'Thai Embassy', but looks suspicious!

Here's one that looks like an agency, but it's dated April 2016. http://www.thaivisaservice.com/visa-rules,

If you don't have a valid visa for 60 or 90 days, this is what it says:

Anyone with the time and energy to cross-check this from Thailand..... Phone: 081-815-4803

Hey guys, you're using so much jargon that I can barely understand what yo'all are sayin'.

For those who thought I was scaremongering, can you please read this link: http://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand/new-visa-rules.php (I have pasted the first para for the lazy )

It is entitled: New Rules for Visa on Arrival

30-day Visas now Down to 15

Border runs have been cut short due to the very recent change in rules regarding overland entry by Thai immigration. Foreigners entering Thailand via border posts at Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Malaysia without securing a prior visa will now be granted only 15 days of stay in the country as opposed to the previous Visa on Arrival, which was valid for 30 days.

Before you talk about scare-mongering; why don't we see what travellers experience. We would have to assume that most of them watch this forum.

@Newbie I have never heard of mis-stamping before, though I'm sure it's possible and would certainly explain the problem. However, if there's an internal memo somewhere, and we've all seen those in our own work, it wouldn't surprise me either!

Yes, G8 countries normally have the right of an automatic 30 days stay.* That doesn't mean they will always give it to you.

What the person at the Embassy said was they have the right of refusal - just as a restaurant can refuse you entry because they don't like your face: and secondly, they are clamping down on visa runs. He said Penang was a case in point, but I'm expecting to go overland. My contact mentioned flights from Penang, but let's see if your members have noticed a difference.....

*I specifically asked about the length of stay by land from Malaysia because 20 years ago,if you entered via Malaysia by land, you were reduced from an automatic 30 day visa to a 15 day visa like everyone else. I asked if this had changed knowing that it had last year. He replied, "What is happening right now is unconfirmed (i.e. not in writing), but we know it's happening."

I used the word, 'agent' to protect the person who told me.

Yes that's correct but few people talk about the G7 - I think that's the G8 now. I can only tell you what was said.

The person who told me actually WORKS at the embassy/consulate*. He/she* also said that they had 'unconfirmed' reports; regarding visa runs, that what's official and what is currently being practiced on the borders are not the same!

*using this to protect the wicked...! For the smart ass who commented on the 'agent', I was trying to protect that person's identity.

I can only tell you what was said.

For other types of visas, applicants can post their forms 'formulaire) to the consulate in Lyon. They must use the French form as it's different to the English one!

Sadly, the Thai Consulate in Marseilles closed last year.

There is also a Consulate in Monaco which is listed under on the Thai Embassy and Consulates website, but I'm not sure how that works. I suspect it works for French citizens only, but I'll let you know if I find out differently.

FYI, one of the Consulate agents told me today that the automatic 30 day visa re-entry to Thailand by land or air has been reduced to 15 days for UK and US passport holders.

FYI, I spoke to a Consulate in the UK today who told me that officially the 30 days applies to those entering Thailand by land on UK and US passports, but this is NOT SO in practice!

@ tireticker

no, a print out of your bank account is NOT acceptable as it can soooooo easily faked. I could do it in 10 minutes.

You need to ask your bank to print the staements and then sign and stamp them OR ask a notary to do it.

The easiest thing to do, as I said to Lookme is to ask your bank to write an attestation letter. See my notes above!!!

I will cross check the pension part of what I said above. I was told this by someone iinside the Embassy. However, I will challenge it because it is NOT what is outlilned on the website you're talking about. It simply indicates that if you don't have a pension, your bank deposit needs to be far higher, but in reality, it's not that high.

Agree however, that a bank attestation need not be notarised, but your personal bank statements needing notarising: it's is a bit woolly because it combines several things. However, I would never expect to get a bank attestation notarised as it has its own clout, far more powerful than a notary's stamp in fact! At least here in France.

I wouldn't complain too much because while the pension problel isn't mentioned in my requirements; I have additional papers to submit.

Sorry, I mean the bank stamp on the attestation letter.