tutone

Just curious as to what embassy or consulate you were applying to. Would be interested to know how things turn out for you.

Regarding your question, I have a friend who spent 6 months there on a 6 month visa. He had a single entry and said he was staying for 6 months. He applied in Chicago. As far as I know he had no problems getting the visa. He also had a return ticket for 6 months later. Good luck.

I have been informed by the Thai consulate in Atlanta that because I have misdemeanor D.U.I. convictions I may not be able to get a non-immigrant O-A visa. They said the embassy in Washington would have to review my application. Anyway if it is denied then I will have to use another type of visa that requires a return ticket. Is there anyway that anyone knows how I can fly to Thailand with only a one way ticket. Then when I get over there I can apply for a one year extension which I think amounts to about the same thing as a "retirement visa. I just want to be able to leave when I want and not be tied to a specific date and have the added expense at this time. I have been told that you cannot get refunds on airline tickets.

I doubt very much any airline will allow you to fly here on 1 way ticket , best option is to buy open return ticket.

So what is an open return ticket? By the way, IssanPaul, Udon is where I'm heading.

Forget the O-A visa! Go for a tourist visa or just use a 30 day stamp and you can change to an O visa in Thailand, then get your extension here. Your consulate and airlines will accept a 1 way ticket with an air ticket out within 30 or 60 days, depending on whether you go for a 30 day stamp or tourist visa.

If you have a pension, you can get a letter at the US embassy Bangkok. If using bank account, you are going to have to open a Thai bank account and season the money for 90 days. If a combo, no need to season the money. Really, just forget the O-A!

If you are going to do it this way, getting your visa in Thailand, you should provide more details about your qualification method (financially) so you can get more specific advice.

BTW, in Thailand, you will not be asked to supply a criminal background report and you should not supply it (in your case).

Okay, but a couple of questions. What do you mean by "an air ticket out"? This is not the same as around trip? As far as the financial part I have guaranteed dividend payments but would have to make up the difference in a Thai bank account. For example 400,00 total in monthly income for the year and 400,000 Baht in a Thai bank, correct?

I have been informed by the Thai consulate in Atlanta that because I have misdemeanor D.U.I. convictions I may not be able to get a non-immigrant O-A visa. They said the embassy in Washington would have to review my application. Anyway if it is denied then I will have to use another type of visa that requires a return ticket. Is there anyway that anyone knows how I can fly to Thailand with only a one way ticket. Then when I get over there I can apply for a one year extension which I think amounts to about the same thing as a "retirement visa. I just want to be able to leave when I want and not be tied to a specific date and have the added expense at this time. I have been told that you cannot get refunds on airline tickets.

What is the absolutely best web site to view and obtain all of the required forms and applications for a non-immigrant O-A (retirement) visa.

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs site doesn't seem to have the medical form. The Royal Thai Embassy site for Washington D.C. doesn't have form downloads that I can see. It looks like they have changed their website. At one time I thought they had everything one would need. I contacted the Thai Consulate in Atlanta Georgia near where I live and they said to get the forms and instructions from www.thaiembdc.com but that site is worthless.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Thai Embassy Washington has the download forms.

http://www2.thaiembdc.org/consular/Form/de....aspx?type=Form

Thanks, LB. You would think that a consulate would know the correct web site for their main embassy.

What is the absolutely best web site to view and obtain all of the required forms and applications for a non-immigrant O-A (retirement) visa.

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs site doesn't seem to have the medical form. The Royal Thai Embassy site for Washington D.C. doesn't have form downloads that I can see. It looks like they have changed their website. At one time I thought they had everything one would need. I contacted the Thai Consulate in Atlanta Georgia near where I live and they said to get the forms and instructions from www.thaiembdc.com but that site is worthless.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Have I misinterpreted this requirement? Is it actually that I will not be required to have the 800,000 baht in an account until 90 days before I decide to extend which would be a year later after entering Thailand? In that case there would be plenty of time to take care of everything.

If you are arriving with a "OA" visa you will not need to show the 800k in the bank or (the 65k funds) which ever method you are using for proof of funds until you apply for visa extension and if you work it right you can extend your visa by crossing the border prior to the end of the year and receive another year. This is based on your saying that you will arrive with "OA" visa.

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

1. A "retirement" visa is a long stay non immigrant OA visa issued with police clearance/medical and allowing a one year stay on entry. You use money in home country bank. No problem if this is what you have as money will not be needed for almost nine months (or over 20 months if you use a multi entry OA wisely).

2. Believe you plan to use a single entry non immigrant O visa that provides a 90 day stay. That will not allow time to use the 800k bank account method for extension of stay so you would either have to obtain a second entry/convert or use a combination of 65k monthly income with bank deposit to remove the three month rule.

3. A check will take 3-6 weeks to clear. Much better you arrange ability to wire transfer by fax/phone or internet prior to your departure from US and once you set up account send the information for transfer - normally 12 hours to Bangkok Bank if you time it right.

4. For retirement they are very allowing and you can convert from a 30 day visa exempt stamp or a normal tourist visa for an extra 2,000 baht if you have 21 days or more remaining on your permitted to stay stamp.

5. If you do not want to obtain the OA visa prior to travel you might try to obtain a multi entry non immigrant O visa for 90 day stays for one year. You can then change to one year extension of stay during the last 30 days of any entry.

Thanks for the clarification. It's what I suspected after further study. Guess I should have done my home work first before asking. Thanks again.

Have I misinterpreted this requirement? Is it actually that I will not be required to have the 800,000 baht in an account until 90 days before I decide to extend which would be a year later after entering Thailand? In that case there would be plenty of time to take care of everything.

After arriving in Thailand from U.S.A. on a retirement visa, I will have to open an account for 800,000 baht to satisfy immigration rules. Since it may take several days to accomplish this, how does this affect me when I go to immigration 90 days later, but can only show that I have had an account for less than 90 days - perhaps 80 or 85 days or so? I just don't know how long it might take to transfer funds, and officially show the required amount in the bank.

Does anyone know if I can walk into a Thai bank with a certified check from an American bank and open an account. Even if I could it would still take a while for the check to clear, so I am back to my original question.

I understand: Pohm Khao Chai

I do not understand: (Pohm) Mai Khao Chai

Do you understand?: Khao Chai Mai

My confusion is in the word 'Mai'

No = Mai

You = Pohm

So if I would say 'Do you understand?' I would make it: 'Pohm Khao Chai?'

Where do I go wrong?

Generally mai is added at the end of a sentence to make it a question that requires a "yes" or "no" response. So you would say "Kun kow chai mai" or politely "Kun kow chai mai, krap" to ask "Do you understand?" or literally "You understand, no?"

I understand: Pohm Khao Chai

I do not understand: (Pohm) Mai Khao Chai

Do you understand?: Khao Chai Mai

My confusion is in the word 'Mai'

No = Mai

You = Pohm

So if I would say 'Do you understand?' I would make it: 'Pohm Khao Chai?'

Where do I go wrong?

I will be arriving at Suvarnabhumi at midnight and have to go to Don Muang to catch flight to Udon Thani at 9:30 in morning. Is the transfer between airports provided by the airlines or airports or will I have to arrange my own transportation? What about luggage? Will it be automatically sent on or do I have to do that myself?