thebestman36

Last week I arrived on a 30 day, with plans on getting my retirement visa. I have done it once before, so I had some clue as to what to expect.

I first went to the side office and gave them the chore of filling out my paperwork. I prefer knowing that everything is in order before going in to office #7. I remember years ago, that tips were optional at the side office. Then 2 years ago i was asked to pay 200 to have them do my paperwork. Now this time I was charged 600. Low season surcharge maybe. The same guy from Nepal, there in charge. It seems that he offers everyone a second option of quick approval with his help. I was quoted 21000 to speed along my application. Even though I qualify already. I saw him ask another guy for 38000, to help him get a visa for his farang wife.

I found out I needed more documents. Had to return next day with them. Even then, they werent happy with my landlords ID card, and I had to fix that. 

 I have heard some guys here say that its silly to bring along a thai gf to help at immigration, but I have found it to be of great help. It seems clear that the staff prefers when a thai gf is there to help them with any problems.

Entering office#7, I was a bit wary, hearing the stories of how she is trying to grab extra cash to assure visa guarantee. However. it turned out excellent. Im pretty sure she remembered me from the past. She was all smiles and we had a nice chat. She was curious as to why I let my last retirement visa expire. I told her that I had to return home to do chemo for cancer. She told me about some natural remedy that a family member of hers had taken. She insisted that I come in the next day, so she could give me some of it to take myself. I did return, and she did remember to bring it. 

My paperwork was fine, as expected. I paid the 2000 and asked to come back on last day of my 30 days. Same as the OP. They gave passport back to me. So it gets stamped in jomtien upon return? I thought it remained with them. But maybe im thinking of when I go back for the OA.

I recently paid 30ish for state background check at local govt office. I assumed it was the type I needed. But it was rejected because no signature. 

So i sent in to Washington and just received back. Was denied. They didnt like my background check paperwork. Even though it was a state background check that I went and did with the state BMV and issued by state of Ohio. But there was no signature on the paperwork. Which seems to be the crucial thing. But thats not how they are issued. It says on paper that it is from the Ohio attorney general. But didnt qualify apparently.

I guess I will be testing out the Jomtien lady and seeing how lucky I am there.

Update.......I got my medical form and background check. However I cant get either of them notarized as requested by Chicago. I live in Ohio. So I can try and send them to Washington, where apparently they dont need to be notarized, however they do require a letter of guarantee from the bank. Not sure how easy it is to get a bank to do one of those here.

My other option is that when I go to buriram to see gf, I can cross border nearby into Cambodia and get an O visa and then easily get my OA in Jomtien.

18 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

You cannot apply in Bangkok without a address for there.

How difficult it will be to do it in Jomtien will depend upon the financial proof you are using.

My financial proof is fine. Ive had the 800000 in my thai bank account for over 2 years now. Its the lady working the back room that Im worried about. That if not bribed, she wont approve. Two years ago when I applied for my first O visa, she asked for 15000 and I said no thanks and she went ahead and processed it . Dunno if its still the same now.

1 hour ago, elviajero said:

You would be entering under the visa exempt scheme, then applying for a non-immigrant visa as a prerequisite for a 1 year extension of stay. You would not be applying for an ‘O-A’ anything.

 

Yes you can apply for the non-immigrant visa in Bangkok without a Bangkok address. You would then apply for the 1 year extension of stay in Jomtien.

Thanks so much. I thought I saw an old post where someone was denied getting the non immigrant O in jomtien, and then denied in Bangkok because his address was pattaya, so he was told he had to apply jomtien.

Sorry...last question...Can I apply for an O visa in Bangkok, if jomtien doesn't want to be cooperative?  Or do i need to reside in Bangkok? I would be going from a 30 day on arrival, to an O to be later used for an O-A

I just got through to speak to someone in chicago. They said a regular notary stamp would suffice.  And that a simple copy of recent bank statement would do. However he said that the police records needed to be state and not local.

I see where a state police check takes up to 30 days to be completed and sent out. Geesh, can none of this be easy?

On 4/17/2018 at 2:55 PM, onera1961 said:

No. Which consulate? I called a bunch of them and everybody said no. Ended up getting OA long stay from Washington embassy.

Non OA is to get if you can show money in a bank. I guess a Thai bank will also work. I showed my savings account from Ally bank

Walked into the county office and they issued a police record for free

Went to an immigration doctor and he looked at me and signed the embassy health certificate for $90.

After a week I had my OA visa

Sent from my BND-L34 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

I managed to land a signed medical report. So i am hoping to now apply for an OA. Now just undecided on sending it to washington or chicago. Im in ohio. Im a bit confused on the small details required. Chicago requiring that all documents must have certify true signature of the notary republic by the secretary of state. What does that mean??? Police record demanded by chicago is from local records only. Where as washington requires state or federal records. Then what kind of bank statement is accepted? simply a recent copy of account, or it needs to be some sort of special copy provided by bank, like they do in thailand?.

I gave Portland a call. They said walk ins only.

16 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

The embassy and the 3 official consulates in the states will not issue a non-o visa for being 50 or over for retirement. They will only do the OA visa.

You should check with one of the honorary consulates about getting one. See: http://thaiembdc.org/royal-thai-honorary-consulates-general-in-the-u-s/

Thanks. I called an honorary consulate and they said walk in applications only. Looks like I'll have to do a tourist visa and do all the rest in Thailand and hope that can do all in Jomtien.

14 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Where are you going to apply for the visa at? 

Most embassies and official Thai consulates will not issue a non-o visa for being 50 or over for retirement. They will only issue a OA long stay visa.

Im sending in application here in america to Washington DC office.

So i decided on the non immigrant O Visa. Or so I thought... Im just getting ready to fill out forms now to send in. Im still a bit confused on what documents of proof is required of me to qualify. Considering that im not married to a thai or any thai "family" and no work. Is it just considered as "other", with no documents needed?

1 hour ago, tryasimight said:

I sort of flicked through the white noise ...did anyone actually answer the OP? 

Yes. It certainly sounds like the non imm O is the best choice for me.

I had been living in Pattaya for 2 years arriving at age 50. I originally arrived with a 60 day tourist visa and was able to do the entire process in Jomtien. I was asked by the top lady if I wanted to pay 15000 to speed up and guarantee my approval, however I declined and nothing else was said about it.

Arriving with a non imm O this time would seem to simplify things.

Also no need to book a departure ticket if i am arriving with this 90 day visa. At least thats how i understand it.

15 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Getting a single entry non-o visa based upon being married to a Thai or being parent of a Thai will be much easier to get at an embassy or consulate will be much easier to get than for retirement.

Then you can apply for the one year extension based upon retirement or marriage.

Sorry, im a bit confused. So you are saying that it should be easily approved despite the fact that im not actually married or parent to a thai? They dont ask for proof when applying here, so im assuming that makes it easier.

Thanks for the input guys. The 90 day non imm O sounds like a good plan. Im guessing the form i use is the one saying that I am staying with a Thai family. No proof needed and no medical or police records needed.

1 hour ago, elviajero said:

Depends where you apply. Some will accept them dated up to 90 days.

 

That would work.

 

I would recommend getting a tourist visa. It will give you longer to organise the non ‘O’, you won’t have to worry about the airline checking for an onward flight, and you’ll avoid any unnecessary scrutiny by Thai immigration when entering under visa exemption. 

Well that would be my problem for applying for the tourist visa as well. IF i do purchase a return ticket, it would be for about 5 months later date.

I can organize my paperwork in 1 day for applying for the O. Just need the updated bank verification letter. Lease agreement I have already. Dont they usually process the O visa within a cpl weeks?

Last year i was forced to go home for medical reasons. I was unable to renew my retirement visa. I am hopefully returning to Pattaya in May for about 5 months, planning to once again obtain retirement visa. I am aware that I have to start from scratch. I still have my 800000 in bank as well as my apartment leased.

Im wondering about what visa to enter on. When applying for a tourist visa, they require proof of ticket departing thailand. Does the departure need to be within the 60 days? I was thinking of coming with visa on arrival and buying a refundable ticket departing, just in case airline checked. I could go to jomtien immigration next day after arriving to apply for the O visa. I know most people suggest not cutting it close, but seems as if this would work?

Id rather not mess with trying to do O visa in America, having to get medical and police reports.

The Visa application forms I get at the office, or I download them and fill them out before arriving?

I am now arrived here on july 6, on a 60 day tourist visa. I turn 50 on july 29. Any updates on best time to begin process and at which office is required at this time, jomtien or bangkok?

The course was for language. I'm sure he had this for 2 years if thats possible. Doing a Laos border run by bus.

Just asking out of curiosity about someone I know, not for myself. Firstly, how long can someone continue to do the 3 month extensions to their education visa? Secondly, if they finish with their education visa yet still want to stay longer, if they did a border run, would they be able to get 30 days or more? This person has been on an education visa for over 2 years, I think.

Ja's restaurant on soi xzite (excite) off of soi Boakoaw towards 3rd road. Located at the big green hotel across from the newer night market. Ja cooks Thai food but has mostly farang customers. Prices are 60 baht for farang size portions, with more seafood/meat and variety of vegetables in her dishes than competing places such as the Tin Cup. She can alter any dish to customers likes. Recommend the stuffed egg for breakfast and the massaman curry. She cooks quickly, so rarely a wait. She has 8 tables, 4 persons per table capacity. Free water and beer and soft drinks available. Always a smile from the boss, Ja.

You will likely (but not definitely) have an issue boarding the airplane in the U.S. with a one way ticket, no visa, and no air ticket out within 30 days. The agents would not be doing their job if they don't challenge you on that. In your case, the wise thing would be to buy a "throwaway" cheap one way ticket to Malaysia to present if/when challenged and that should be accepted. Of course if you buy that and you don't get challenged, you'll likely complain this is bad advice. So ... up to you.

As far as your conversion process to an O visa in Thailand, on a 30 day be sure to start that process as early as possible on your stay or it might be rejected on that basis. Also I would suggest checking with Jomtien first on their current policy to see if they will now either process the conversion application themselves again or send it to Bangkok for you. It would be silly to go to Bangkok in that case.

Again, I would suggest you get a tourist visa in the U.S. instead of arriving on a 30 day stamp. Then you have more time and also no issue with boarding. But ... up to you.

To add, I assume you have checked airfares and found a one way cheaper than a round trip. In case not, then you could just buy the round trip and not use the return.

I will take your advice and be safe and get the tourist visa here for 60 days. I will make sure I keep updated on jomtien. I booked 1 way, using miles, so only pay taxes. I may actually move up my date to return to early July, as I feel I am ahead of schedule of tying up all loose ends here in America. Not returning to USA until sept-oct 2016 is the early plan.

I know it will be a hassle to do the bangkok trips, but I think I will just arrive on a tourist visa for 30 days and go from there. I just completed putting the 800000+ in my account, so that shouldnt be an issue. I will be signing an apartment lease quickly upon arriving. I hope to have a thai girl tag along with me for needed help at bangkok immigration. So is it pretty much a sure thing that having the 1 way ticket never causes an issue for anyone?