Redoubt

Please permit me to candidly share my recent tale of failure to acquire a 'Non O-A Long Stay Visa'; sought in the USA:

"Here is but one more true tale for the list:  An American sought to acquire a "Non O-A 'Long Stay' Visa" from the Thai Embassy in Washington, DC.  The professional services of a Thai company in Bangkok were commissioned to assist in the production of the application package.  This expat had made flight reservations during October 2019 to depart the USA on December 31st.  The completed application was mailed from Florida to the Embassy's Visa Section during early November.  On December 13th an Embassy staff member telephoned stating that the applicant failed to read the information on the Embassy's website, and did not include a new Foreign Insurance Certificate (FIC)(health insurance), and also did not qualify with monthly income.  Clearly the FIC was not included because the applicant knew nothing about the new requirement.  The applicant's medical / health insurance is perhaps one of the best available and would cover anything in Thailand.  However, although the applicant's three (3) months of bank statements show a monthly pension income well beyond and in excess of the amount the Thai government demanded, the applicant's end-of-month balance was below what the Thai official desired.  Following this unfortunate encounter, the applicant emailed the Embassy begging for the opportunity to remedy the problems.  Finally on December 30th a very kind official brought the then completed application package before the Embassy's Consular; and it was again denied only because the bank statement's end-of-month balance was "not enough".  So, even though the current Thai law pertaining to income requires a 'bank balance' "OR" a monthly qualifying income amount in excess, the Visa application was denied.  It apparently matters not if the applicant was purchasing 'gold', investing in a business or real estate, or acquiring valuable 'antiquities' at home, with his/her money from that very substantial pension.  Apparently what was actually demanded was that a 'minimum bank balance be in the bank' no matter what a "retiree" actually receives with their lifetime guaranteed pensions.  Footnote:  The required Passport for the next day's flight was sent by a very kind Embassy staff member, who graciously visited a local FedEx office on his lunch break to send it overnight via FedEx which the applicant happily paid $91.00 USD for; and the trip to the beautiful Kingdom did take place as scheduled."

For those with a desire to know what is factual, this "article" is full of holes.  It is so bloody distorted from the truth, that it is appalling.  Just do a little bit of investigating this case and you will know what the realities are.  In short order the truth will be revealed.  Stand by...

Few people outside of China are aware that the vast majority of Chinese People believe only in "Traditional Chinese Medicine".  This means that they do not believe that microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses actually cause illnesses and diseases!!  Thus, they do not use soap to wash hands, and will not seek modern medicines for inoculations or remedial drugs, etc.  This fact will certainly lead to the protracted term of misery this latest virus may visit upon the Chinese People of the PRC.

Few people outside of China are aware that the vast majority of Chinese People believe only in "Traditional Chinese Medicine".  This means that they do not believe that microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses actually cause illnesses and diseases!!  Thus, they do not use soap to wash hands, and will not seek modern medicines for inoculations or remedial drugs, etc.  This fact will certainly lead to the protracted term of misery this latest virus may visit upon the Chinese People of the PRC.

This is a very important fact to be aware of:  Few people are aware that the use of soap to wash hands in China is almost none existent.  Resources state that even most hospitals do not have soap available.  A "Five Star Hotel" is the usual exception.  How then do people not spread germs?  You can wear all the layers of masks in the world and still the hand-to-mouth, and hand-to-eyes will be the apparent loophole which will continue to spread the latest epidemic.  No one seems to ever bring this up anywhere.  Imagine all of the 'surfaces' that are touched by potentially infected individuals?

This is yet another major apparent 'objective' indicator of just what an excellent job the Executive Branch of the American Government is doing!  When the likes of that regime are squealing, the successes in thwarting evil and carnage are tangible indeed.

Few people are aware that the use of soap to wash hands in China is almost none existent.  Resources state that even most hospitals do not have soap available.  A "Five Star Hotel" is the usual exception.  How then do people not spread germs?  You can wear all the layers of masks in the world and still the hand-to-mouth, and hand-to-eyes will be the apparent loophole which will continue to spread the latest epidemic.  No one seems to ever bring this up anywhere.

My profound concerns for Thailand and her People are that the true realities of the effects of the coronavirus, which was apparently intentionally disgracefully and incompetently mismanaged by the Chinese Government's Top Leadership, will cause world travelers to not visit Thailand.  It is a near certainty that pending reservations are already being altered to curtail any visits here from western countries.  On the one hand the throngs of Chinese 'holiday travelers' were being welcomed for the potential opportunity to help Thailand's tourism industry, economy, etc., but the apparent dangers of importing human carriers of the new epidemic to the Kingdom have not yet apparently been realized.  One can reasonably predict that the downturn in international tourism to Thailand, other than Chinese revelers, will take a spiral of proportions few can imagine.  I so hope I am completely wrong; and that the wonderful People of this beautiful country will not suffer needlessly. 

Brilliant!  Thank you sir.  As a 'barefoot Pilgrim' in the Isaan Region I so appreciate your gifts.

VTY,

Robin

The perpetrator is a fool, among other things, if he thinks people will believe these ridiculous claims in view of his having a handgun with a silencer.  It negates these bogus claims; including the previous one that he hoped to be terminated.  His actions, before in preparation for, and then during the attacks alone, speak volumes of truth.

I am respectfully begging for the People of Thailand to be informed by their Government's Health Officials that the following simple practice will help to protect countless numbers of the population.  It is a medical / scientific fact that infectious virus / bacterial organisms commonly enter the human body through the eyes.  When a person rubs their eyes with their fingers the transfer occurs.  The capillaries of the eyes quickly afford a pathway into a person's bloodstream.  The current 'smog' pollution and sweat caused by heat, all contribute to the practice of rubbing one's eyes; this includes the mere handling of money, and handles / door knobs.  People must be made aware of this and urged to wash their hands with water and soap before touching their faces if at all possible.

Identify the slime ball and put Tang in his juice and launch him!  There is no place for a criminal representing our minority presence to be permitted to remain in this Kingdom.

Here is but one more true tale for the list:  An American sought to acquire a "Non O-A 'Long Stay' Visa" from the Thai Embassy in Washington, DC.  The professional services of a Thai company in Bangkok were commissioned to assist in the production of the application package.  This expat had made flight reservations during October 2019 to depart the USA on December 31st.  The completed application was mailed from Florida to the Embassy's Visa Section during early November.  On December 13th an Embassy staff member telephoned stating that the applicant failed to read the information on the Embassy's website, and did not include a new Foreign Insurance Certificate (FIC) (health insurance), and also did not qualify with monthly income.  Clearly the FIC was not included because the applicant knew nothing about the new requirement.  The applicant's medical / health insurance is perhaps one of the best available and would cover anything in Thailand.  However, although the applicant's three (3) months of bank statements show a monthly pension income well beyond and in excess of the amount the Thai government demanded, the applicant's end-of-month balance was below what the Thai official desired.  Following this unfortunate encounter, the applicant emailed the Embassy begging for the opportunity to remedy the problems.  Finally on December 30th a very kind official brought the then completed application package before the Embassy's Consular; and it was again denied only because the bank statement's end-of-month balance was "not enough".  So, even though the current Thai law pertaining to income requires a 'bank balance' "OR" a monthly qualifying income amount in excess, the Visa application was denied.  It apparently matters not if the applicant was purchasing 'gold', investing in a business or real estate, or acquiring valuable 'antiquities' at home, with his/her money from that very substantial pension.  Apparently what was actually demanded was that a 'minimum bank balance be in the bank' no matter what a "retiree" actually receives with their lifetime guaranteed pensions.  Footnote:  The required Passport for the next day's flight was sent by a very kind Embassy staff member, who graciously visited a local FedEx office on his lunch break to send it overnight via FedEx which the applicant happily paid $91.00 USD for; and the trip to the beautiful Kingdom did take place as scheduled.

7 hours ago, mosan said:

First of all, if you get a Non O-A (multiple entry) in the US you will be covered for up to two years--providing you exit and re-enter Thailand just prior to the expiration of the visa.  

 

Second, you cannot apply for a Non O-A inside of Thailand. Non Immigrant O-A visas are only obtained in your home country e.g. Thai Consulate, Washington, D.C.  However, what you will be doing here is applying for an "Extension of Stay" which will require 12 monthly deposits of 65,000 Baht or more. Then again, you'll also have the option of placing 800,000 Baht in your Thai bank account which will serve the same purpose--there are some additional requirements, but as you'll arrive on a Non Imm. O-A, no need to sweat the details on that just now. You'll have more than enough time to determine if you want to go that route.

Thank you very much.

8 hours ago, DogNo1 said:

Redoubt:  you are confused about the names of the visas.  An O-A visa can only be obtained from an embassy in your home country.  Depending on which visa you arrive with determines what you do next.  If you arrive on a 30-day visa waiver, you can convert to a 90-day Non-O visa at immigration, then apply for a one-year extension of stay (not a visa) before the end of the 90 days.  I imagine that the transfer of over 65,000 baht into your Bangkok Bank account each month, including the month of your arrival, will be accepted for your first one-year extension.  After that, it will have to be 12 monthly transfers (one each month.)  If you arrive on a visa waiver, you should apply for the conversion to Non-O 15 days after you arrive.  If you plan to arrive on a different status such as a tourist visa or an O-A visa please inquire further on the forum.  Welcome to Thailand.

Thank you very, very much.

7 hours ago, mosan said:

First of all, if you get a Non O-A (multiple entry) in the US you will be covered for up to two years--providing you exit and re-enter Thailand just prior to the expiration of the visa.  

 

Second, you cannot apply for a Non O-A inside of Thailand. Non Immigrant O-A visas are only obtained in your home country e.g. Thai Consulate, Washington, D.C.  However, what you will be doing here is applying for an "Extension of Stay" which will require 12 monthly deposits of 65,000 Baht or more. Then again, you'll also have the option of placing 800,000 Baht in your Thai bank account which will serve the same purpose--there are some additional requirements, but as you'll arrive on a Non Imm. O-A, no need to sweat the details on that just now. You'll have more than enough time to determine if you want to go that route.

Thank you very, very much.

8 hours ago, possum1931 said:

Not trying to put you off, but as things stand today, you are going to have a lot of problems when dealing with Thai immigration. You can do yourself a big favour by getting a reputable agent, most of them are, to handle everything for you.

Thank you very, very much.  I have contacted an apparently excellent firm to represent my interests.

6 hours ago, Suradit69 said:

If you keep over 800,000 in a Thai bank you can use the money in the bank method. Needs to be in the bank for at least two months before yOu apply for an extension of stay ( you're not renewing a visa). 

 

If if you were to apply using the MONTHLY income method you would need 65,000 or more per month with proof it was made using a foreign transfer. They won't average lump sums over several months.

Thank you.

6 hours ago, mosan said:

First of all, if you get a Non O-A (multiple entry) in the US you will be covered for up to two years--providing you exit and re-enter Thailand just prior to the expiration of the visa.  

 

Second, you cannot apply for a Non O-A inside of Thailand. Non Immigrant O-A visas are only obtained in your home country e.g. Thai Consulate, Washington, D.C.  However, what you will be doing here is applying for an "Extension of Stay" which will require 12 monthly deposits of 65,000 Baht or more. Then again, you'll also have the option of placing 800,000 Baht in your Thai bank account which will serve the same purpose--there are some additional requirements, but as you'll arrive on a Non Imm. O-A, no need to sweat the details on that just now. You'll have more than enough time to determine if you want to go that route.

Thank you very, very much.

Terrific information Rick.  I will be moving to Tailand from Florida, USA, during January 2020; and plan on residing in the Isaan Region.  I hope to open a Thailand Bank Savings Account prior to arrival if possible.  I also do hope to thereafter have one of my government (US) pensions deposited monthly into that account.  It shall exceed the 65,000 Baht requirement for monthly income.  I will most probably arrive in Thailand under a NON OA Retirement Visa.  Can you please kindly let me know the answers to some naive questions I have, as I truly am a pilgrim:  How many consecutive months of my account receiving these monthly deposits will probably be required before I can successfully apply for a O-A Retirement Visa?; At the time of applying for that desired appropriate visa in Thailand, how much money must be, or is required to still remain within the bank account?; Is there anything else my particular plans may require per your experience sir?  Thank you Rick for any assistance you may be able to render.  Sincerely, Robin

On 7/27/2019 at 11:18 PM, ubonjoe said:

If it was transferred into a Thai bank account every month from abroad it would be accepted. You have to show proof that it was done by a international transfer.

The minimum amount is 65k baht every month. If only one of your pensions were equal to or greater than that amount you would only need to prove that one as coming in.

Thank you very much!  Currently residing in Florida, USA, I do not know how to open an international Thai bank account before I physically return to Thailand.  If I could open an account now I certainly would do so to have one source deposited therein forthwith.

I am new, and this is a first posting of a question pertaining to an initial application for a Retirement Visa.

The specific question:  "Can a first time applicant submit evidence of monthly / yearly income derived from two (2) foreign government's pensions which demonstrates the applicant receives more than 154,000 Baht per month, and have it accepted by authorities in lieu of actually having 800,000 Baht sitting within a Thai bank at the time of application (and the few months prior per requirements)?"

It seems that a foreign applicant for this type of visa, who receives annual income of at least 1,800,000 Baht, clearly demonstrates that s/he is financially able to meet obligations, etc.  Thank you for any useful specific information pertaining to this issue.