omta

Thanks everyone ( Will B Good, Pattaya57, Peabody, DrJack54, BritTim ) for your kind replies. Seems very clear - I'll have to start at step one again. At least now I know all the docs needed etc. I'll try the online Non Imm O before I leave Europe.

Hi I am one month into the 90 days of my first Non O (retirement) Visa. My need for a 12 month extension will come up on about 4th December, but I need to go home to Europe for a few months (family member quite ill). Can the 90 day 'clock' be paused while I am away (requesting permission to leave etc) or will it run out while I am away. If I apply for my extension in mid November, will I need to remain here until 4th Dec to get it in my passport. Any ideas, suggestions, info greatly appreciated. Many thanks. Omta

Many thanks to all who replied. Dear DrJack54 - I am not a 'troll' for sure .,,, I am going through the process of trying to get my first retirement visa. Sorry, but I'm not going to give detailed info about the office, amount etc as that would identify me and most likely would jeopardize my attempts to stay long-term. "Cowardice" you may say, but I seriously must consider my future. I fought a long battle once in India against corruption (so I did stand up once, at serious danger to my life, (as I was told by many) and at my age don't have the energy to devote many hours/days/weeks to change the 'system' in Thailand. Full marks and admiration to you Patriat - you are doing a great service to all who come after you (and ultimately to the people of Thailand) - so I say: Bravo - total admiration!

Hi all hope someone can help me with info about my first application for change of visa (Tourist to Non-Immigrant O for retirement). I have every doc required and all financial requirements fully ready, but my local imm office is being very 'difficult' ('Extra' requirement for help offered ... very large 'extra' requirement). Can I go to BKK and apply at CW using my rural country address, or must it be a BKK area address? (I have contract, TM30, house reg copy, landlord ID .... everything) thanks in advance for any advice

Thanks Ojas, that's exactly what I need - great find.

Thanks Flexomike, Dr Jack 54 and Steve 187 .... very helpful replies. I'm Irish so maybe still possible to get income letter certification from Embassy in BKK. I'm still weighing up the options of either of Non-OA, and go for the insurance, or arrive and go for the Non-O visa. The last option does seem best, especially if I can get the income letter. Many thanks.

Thanks Scubascuba, appreciate your reply. To be honest, I'm trying to avoid the need on the O visa to have the 800k in the bank. I have a certified letter showing my income greater than the 65,000 thb monthly requirement but won't have many months of lodgements to my Thai bank account, so I'm not sure if it will be accepted (I see people here writing about having 12 months of 65,000 lodgements certified etc...). Is it true that only 800,000 thb lodged to my bank savings account will suffice for the O visa income requirement?

Hi, I'm planning to arrive in Thailand mid March and am trying to decide whether to go for non-immigrant OA retirement visa (online at evisa) or go to Thailand on 45 day exemption and apply for non O after arrival. My questions are: 1. If I get the OA visa online before arrival (on the basis of 65,000 THB monthly income) can I continue on with that visa after year 1, and keep extending it in subsequent years, or must I change to an non-imm O visa for year 2 (with the 800k in bank requirement?). ie: Can I avoid the requirement for 800k THB held in bank account, and go forward annually with 65K THB monthly income? 2. Am I correct to assume that the health insurance requirement ($100,000 cover) is only needed for the OA visa got abroad and not for the O visa got in Thailand? Would the same health insurance requirement be needed in year 2, 3 etc on extensions to OA visa? Many thanks for all help appreciated.