bttao

Is this  acceptable as a reason for TM.86 Conversion  application?

"I Wish to apply for a non-immigrant visa

to permit me to apply for an extension to stay in the Kingdom, for Retirement."

thanks for the help everybody.

I was looking to find and download TM.86 Form (Conversion)

But got this WARNING:

5 hours ago, BritTim said:

That is about right, though there is probably no reason to extend your original tourist entry if going for the conversion. Just apply for the conversion about, say, 25 days before your original 60-day entry expires. Also, you actually get a bit more than 15 months, as the conversion cancels your original entry, giving you a fresh 90-day entry before the one-year extension. With the timing I suggest, you receive a little more than 16 months. With the tourist entry extension you posit using, it would be a little over 17 months, but at an additional cost of about $60.

.

Thanks  Tim, that's good to know, that there is no need to extend the 60 day Tourist Visa... and the cost drops down to $190 for 17 months (less than the Non-O - $200  if applied at DC Embassy for just 365 days) :

60 days for TR visa + 90 days for Non-O Conversion visa + 365 days for Non-O Extension... for a total of 515 days (unless they cancel the remainder of the 60 days when I apply for the Non-O Conversion).

How long can you stay out of Thailand, If and when you need to go to the US or anywhere... do you buy 1 Entry for 1900 baht the day you're leaving?

Do they make you buy a Thai Health Insurance, even if you have a US BCBS which can be used overseas?

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

Requirements I posted in #5. https://www.immigration.go.th/content/service_80

The income affidavit will be accepted by all offices but a few may want the consular officers signature on it verified by the department of consular affairs.

The requirements I posted are for Bangkok immigration. You cannot do it there unless you have an address for Bangkok.

Thanks  ubonjoe.

Now at least i can navigate the maze... unless there are changes on the Thai part.

Cost rounding estimates in $:

$40 for the initial Tourist Visa + $30 outbound ticket to show Honorary Consulate and discard.

$60 for the Tourist Visa extension  to 90 days

$60 Conversion of the Tourist Visa to Non-O

$60 for the 1 year extension/renewal

For a total of $250 to start... for 1 year+90 days  or total days: 365+90=455 days

and $60 each year thereafter at the present rate.

Since I may have to do eventually the "conversion" from Tourist Visa to a Non-O; may I ask what are the requirements and documents/forms needed here?

(It is better to be prepared than be caught off guard at the last minute).

Can the embassy  affidavit be accepted  rather than the 800-K ( or it depends on the office you are dealing with... I gather from the comments that the  Bangkok Immigration office is more professional than  some of the provincial ones)?

I rather use the affidavit (which I can document if needed),  than shuffling money from place to place.

41 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You can extend your 60 day entry for 30 days without a problem.

You will need a completed TM7 form with a 4 X 6 cm photo attached. Copies of your passport photo page, visa, entry stamp and TM6 departure card. The fee is 1900 baht.

Thanks ubonjoe... that's what  I needed.

I still have an issue with the out of Thailand ticket:

I was planning on buying an AirAsia  (BKK to KL outbound ticket for 1000 baht/$30 )) to satisfy the honorary consulate in Miami and then discard it... but I saw that a fare by train/bus cost a lot less if I can buy one here from the US (again to show the Miami office and discard).

I really appreciate it if anybody knows such a place where i can order it from...

3 hours ago, candoman89 said:

Great news.  Thank you very much.  I new about the "must do it with 15 days remaining thing"  but wasn't sure how that would affect my length of stay.

 

 

 

Do you mind  sharing how you got the extension to 90 days... did they ask for any document?

I am planning on doing the same :  60 day- Tourist TR Single entry and Bangkok.

Thanks

On 10/30/2017 at 9:08 PM, ubonjoe said:

If you have a valid visa for entry to the country there is no requirement for you to have a return or onward ticket.

Only those without a visa are required to have a ticket out of the country within 30 days of arrival.

For the 60 day Tourist TR ($40)  , they require a return ticket or they wouldn't give you a Visa in Miami... Go figure...

"4. A copy of flight confirmation/reservation, showing going from US to Thailand and leaving from Thailand (The name of the applicant must indicated clearly)"

Goofed here: It's not NON-O it should read Tourist TR Single Visa (1 entry) $40

3 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

A single entry non-o visa allows a 90 day entry and the fee is $80 for it.

A single entry tourist visa allows a 60 day entry and the fee is $40.

sorry... I have no idea how i got mixed up again .

1 hour ago, JackThompson said:

That is for the Non-O-A - a 1-year multiple-entry visa, which would not be part of the "Agent in Thailand" scheme. 

 

Be aware, if things go sideways, you will "on the hook" with Thai authorities, regardless of the fact you let a Thai lead you down the path.  Even if an Immigration Officer makes a mistake in your stamps, it is "your problem" including applicable fines, etc - and "Agents" are not even officials. 

 

Therefore, if you do the agent route, be sure to do it 100% legally - which means you need to know the rules, and not permit them to short-cut anything, as was suggested.  That would work like this (and I'll list the DIY fees, so you get an idea):

 

Step 1. Conversion to Non-O 90-days with money in a Thai bank, and proof you transferred the money from abroad and/or an income-letter from your embassy ($50 from USA Embassy for the income-letter, if using it). 

 - DIY = 2000 Baht (~$60), w/ 2 trips to immigration.

 

Step 2. 60+ days later (not before), but before the 90-days runs out, apply for a 1-year extension, with your funds "seasoned" in the Thai bank for 60-days before application. 

 - DIY 1900 Baht (~$58) w/ 1 (usually) trip to immigration (possibly 2).

 

If you do it this way, and assuming you get legit-stamps (not forgeries) from the agent (pick one that has been around a long time) you will be 100% legit.

 

If you can get a Single-Entry Non-O at a US Honorary Consulate before coming to Thailand (cheaper + doesn't require police-check or medical), that will save you the most difficult part (the conversion to Non-O - Step #1, above), and would also cut down significantly on the agent-fee, if you choose to use one once here, for the 1-year extension step.  It cannot hurt to try.

.

.

Thanks Jack for the advice :

The Single-Entry Non-O at a US Honorary Consulate is appealing: It is for 60 days max and stamp fee of $40... it's the only one they provide I think.

Please clarify if this the one you are referring to?

Is this the one that can be converted?

I found one such Honorary Consulate  near Miami at 330 miles from me (Tampa Bay).. it beats dealing with Embassy over 900 miles away.

For $40  I might try it.

http://www.thaiconsulatemiami.com/tourist_visa.html

.

I found out that they assign each State to either Embassy in DC or NY Consulate or LA consulate or Chicago juridiction:

http://thaiembdc.org/visas/

On 11/6/2017 at 6:12 AM, bkk6060 said:

Do you have 600 bucks in your life?  I think you do since you have the 800k.

 

Simplify things.  I suggest you come here as you did in October and go to an agency.  They can get you the first year 3 months, then 12 month retirement visa in a couple hours.   No hassle with police or medical checks in Thailand.  

 

Well worth the investment.

Good luck.

 

Yes the more I read/ try to navigate the maze the more confused one gets...

Does the $600  thing include the $200 Visa/immigration  stamp/fee?

I don't see anything illegal for using them: They are Thai businesses (corrupt maybe), but they use their trade openly, helping confused foreigners to conform to "Thai Laws Maze" .. and it's for the local authorities to shut them down if they are "breaking" Thai laws.

On 11/5/2017 at 1:45 AM, fellig said:

...

I did find the requirements at the consulate:
http://www.thaiconsulatela.org/service_visa_detail.aspx?link_id=48

 

 

Re: the VISA Application Form

The Thai Embassy in DC has a different form, where it asks for 

References with their address and phone numbers in both US and Thailand:

http://thaiembdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Visa-Form-2015.pdf

http://thaiembdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Additional-Application-Form-For-Non-Immigrant-O-A-Long-Stay-Only.pdf

How does  one know the date of his trip/ airplane Ticket... or reserve a place where to stay;  if he doesn't know if he will get a Visa or not.

What if the  lodging/plane ticket are not refundable?

I think their whole set up is ridiculous.

Does anybody know if you can apply at any location  Consulats or Embassy by mail, from anywhere in the US?

Very interesting discussion about all "flavors" of Visas... but honestly it is more confusing  to know which path to follow.

Let's say if I want to spend 7-8 months in Thailand which visa  should I seek.

If the above is not feasible because you need to live in Thailand year round, then I could  maybe just go to Malaysia and get a 90 days visa with no questions asked or Fees (so they say... or I may have to provide  proof of Income? ) , then go to Thailand for 30 days, and again return to Malaysia for another 90 days, and again 30 days in Thailand;  and then go back to the US for the rainy /typhoon season.  (for a total of 180 days in Malaysia /60 days in Thailand)

In  which case i do not have to deal with all the headaches of the extensions, 90 day immigration reporting,  the various fees and Income verification?

53 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You pay nothing to get the blank affidavit you complete.

You only pay the $50 or 1750 baht for the consular officer to notarize it.

Thanks ubonjoe ,

I goofed, I guess... I thought the "certified copy" referred to the Affidavit:

• Notarial (per notarial seal):  $50
• Certified Copy:    $50

3 hours ago, Grumpy Duck said:

It is ฿65,000 gross a year. They accepted my letters of income along with the $50 notarized statement from the US Consulate in Bangkok. In fact barely even looked at them. 

One award letter from Social Security showing $xxxx income a month

One award letter from my Union Pension Office Showing $xxxx income per month. Monthly income letters accompanied by the notary letter were accepted in lieu of any bank statements. I hope this is adequate clarification 

Thanks to you and ubonjoe for the clarification... I think I got it now:

the 2 letters could be helpful if there is any doubt in the mind of the immigration agent... .

So one still has to pay $50 for the affidavit, and another $50 to have it notarized by the US consulate.

What the heck! what is   ฿3,300 when all of the sudden you're swimming in millions of  ฿ ...?

.

1 hour ago, Grumpy Duck said:

Gross. I used letters from my pension and social security

Grumpy  Duck: what do you mean by "used letters from pension and social security" ?

Do you mean immigration accepted those letters as sufficient proofs...  and you didn't have to get an  affidavit notarized by  US consular service ?

I would be very grateful if you would elaborate.

I was checking earlier  my pension website, and discovered  that they will even give  a verification of income "personalized" if so desired: that means that they will address it (on paper),  to whatever entity requesting it.

Thanks to all those who answered my inquiry.

Does anybody know if the 65K amount set by Thai Immigration, net after deductions; or 65K Gross income?

37 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

As BritTim stated, Immigration could ask for further documentation of proof of income.

SCHWAB may offer free ATM withdrawals, but the exchange rate you receive is set by Visa, not SCHWAB. Around 0.25% lower than forex exchange rates, which is still excellent.

 

You can download an affidavit form from here;

https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/notaries-public/income-affidavit/ 

No proof of income required.

Make an appointment to have your affidavit notarised here;

https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/notaries-public/

Thanks  Tanoshi... I got a better idea now of what is involved...

The US embassy cost $100 for the affidavit + notaries  ( I read somewhere that Thai banks also charge a  hefty Fee to get a bank statement for immigration)... every year!

I guess there isn't any other choice.

For the ATM , my Credit Union told me a few weeks ago that Visa charges a 1%  commission for any Foreign withdrawal ... since both Credit Union and SCHWAB bank Debit/ATM card are from Visa,  there is no way around it... unless  we carry cash instead, which could be a costly mistake if lost.

2 hours ago, BritTim said:

You make an attestation at the US Embassy (or consulate, or one of the outreaches) and your attestation is dated and witnessed. Each year, when you do your extension of stay, you must present an attestation no older than 6-months old. The official can demand further documents, but in practice they rarely do. There is no need for any deposits into a Thai bank. Apart from at the time of your extension of stay, you will not be queried about your income.

Thanks .

So then you don't need a Thai Bank account or deposit any monthly amount anywhere ?

I would rather live on  free ATM withdrawals (SCHWAB Bank) indefinitely than deal with a Thai bank.

What does the US Consulate require to deliver the "Attestation": A retirement System monthly/yearly document / W "R" Tax form?

Finally how do you get the "Attestation" dated and witnessed? at the consulate?

(sorry I haven't been  to Thailand yet... so I am kind of lost here)

On 10/31/2017 at 8:43 AM, ubonjoe said:

If you can meet the 65k income requirement there is no need to have the 800k baht in the bank to apply for an extension of stay at immigration.

You can only get a one year extension of stay at at immigration here. You can apply for the extension of stay during the last 30 days of any of  the 90 day entries from your the visa you have now.

The 10 year non-ox visa at this time can only be applied for at a embassy or official consulate in your home country. Requirement are here. http://www.consular.go.th/main/th/other/7395/80939-Non-–-Immigrant-Visa--“O---X”-(Long-Stay-10-years).html

What do they require as proof of having a pension/income  worth 65K a month and more ?

They don't seem to trust anything other than  a note from the US embassy in BKK.... DO THEY?

and how often do you need to show/give  them the proof ?

Do you need to deposit  65K every month at a Thai bank?

Please explain if you know.... thanks.

If 800K is deposited in a Thai bank, and for some reason one doesn't get the OA- Retirement Visa: How easy  Can he/she be able to export those 800K and at what cost?

Thanks  for any help...