JGregory

Is there a 'number of entries' field on the form, put 'multiple' in it.

It does seem a bit of a lottery as to whether you actually get the multi entry visa or not.

That's just the problem. Nothing anywhere on the application form about multi entry options. Surprisingly the one page application is for all Visa types( check a box) and asks for only limited information. The Personal Data Form is where the critical information goes... but nothing there about multi-entry either.

If they give you a multiple entry then you can make a border run right before the visa expires to get an additional year.

If they do not give you a multiple entry one, then you would need to get a re-entry permit in Thailand prior to leaving to keep your stay active.

Thanks for your info. Do you know how I request a Multiple Entry for an O-A visa application here?

There is nothing about Multiple Entry on the Visa Application or the other documents.

I've gone thru 90% of the process for applying for a Retirment O-A Visa from my home country(USA) and thought this information could be useful for some. URLs are below for official requirments and forms.

I picked this post up from another Thread. Hopefully Lopburi3 will see this thread and answer some of the remaining questions.

Were you also advised, if you have a multi entry O-A visa, you can depart/return just before it expires and receive a new stamp for one year (without any need for financial means)? But when it is time to extend in Thailand the money must have been here for 3 months.

Thanks for your info, Lopburi. Can I ask for a bit more clarification please?

Firstly, heres a a review of my current state in the process with USA Thai Embassy visa application.

"Residence Permit in the case of Retirement for Person who is 50 years or Over".

That's what the Embassy staff call the O-A visa. I learned a lot so far in this process, and it might be useful for anyone else going thru the Retirement O-A application process from abroad. This type visa can only be acquired from the applicant's home country before arrival. It does have signifigant benefits such as, eliminating frequent visa runs.

* I now have my Medical Certificate, Police Clearance, and US Bank Statements and letter of guarantee. All must be certified by a Notary Seal.

* Bank Requirement: I'm using an official USA bank statement from my bank and it also includes a Letter of Guarantee from my bank manager that the statement is "genuine" and I am known personally by him. Manager's signature on all documents. Both the bank statement and the letter must be Certified by a Notary as well. Amount: Bank statement must exceed US dollars equivalent of 800k baht

I was in and out of my bank in 15 minutes, and the rest was handled via Post. I've gotten all the above done with very little effort, and apparently it is all correctly done because I phoned the US Thai Embassy and spoke with the staff in the visa department. There were some surprises noted down below.

These are the exact printed details for O-A requirements from Thai Embassy in USA. http://www.thaiembdc.org/consular/visa/retirementvisa.html

Nowhere within this can I find anything about the "Multi-Entry" part, that so many posts on this forum mention. Thai Embassy staff were ambigous about anything after I enter the Kingdom. Their only concern seems to be in vetting the applicant's documents and then issuing the Retirement O-A in the applicants passport.

Here is the pertinent info from Thai Embassy visa official requirments on the timing:

3.2 At the end of the one-year stay, the alien who wishes to extend his/her stay shall submit a request for the extended period at the Immigration Bureau with documented evidence of money transfer, or a deposit account in the Kingdom, or an income certificate, at the amount of no less than 800,000 Baht, or an income certificate plus a deposit account at the total amount of no less than 800,000 Baht a year.

My question for anyone, but especially Lopburi3:

This seems to say that I get a single-entry into the Kingdom, and other than reporting in every 90 days, there is not requirement for a Thai bank account.

Is my assumption that NO Thai bank account is required for One Year until the Extension of Stay correct... as far as you know?

The way I understand this so far... I do not need the bank account for one year, BUT will need to establish the account and "season" it 90 days prior to the end of my first year... month 8 of my first year stay.

Travel outside the Kingdom during my first year.

Back to the "Multi-Entry" part... there is no information from Thai Embassy in USA about this. Even on the phone I can't get a straight answer. Can anyone help with info on this? Will I have Multi-Entry possiblities with this O-A Retirement Visa and the ability to travel during my first year?

Now for the million dollar bonus question... Lopburi3 mentions this above

"... if I was advised that I can leave and return... and in effect get 23 months out of the original visa with NO financial requirement for a Thai bank account... and my answer is No, I did not get this advice so far."

Could anyone please clarify in detail how I can "depart/return" just before 12 month expires on my O-A visa and get a new one year stamp on visa?

Many thanks in advance for your help.

Best regards,

Jan

Notes on the "UnSpoken Requirments" from Embassy in US.

All this info may be different elsewhere for other Embassy officials. None of this was online or offered in the phone conversations. I just kept asking polite questions and these things turned up.

* First, they absolutely require all documents be Notarized with official seals. Otherwise not acceptable.

* All documents must be original. So be sure you request more than one certifed original for every document you need. Otherwise, you will not have your certifed documents(Police Certificate, Medical, US Bank Statement) after arriving in the Kingdom for the one year stay. I was warned that immigration officials might request these after my arrival and all documents must be certified originals. No photo-copies.

* When you type or print the information into your Visa Application and Personal Data Form, be sure to do it 3 times manually. Do not make photo-copies. The written instructions say this in one place and then goes on to say, "three copies". They don't mean photo-copies. Must be originals.

* Put your signature on the backs of each passport photo submitted. This tidbit wasn't anywhere until I asked.

* You do not visit the Embassy, but send your entire "package" via Express Mail to Thai Embassy Visa section. It will be returned when approved. The Thai USA embassy has a strict procedure about sending your "package"... the application with your passport and all the documents. Even down to the type of Express Return Envelope you must provide in your package. I got the impression that "the procedure" is whatever one staff member says it is. So this could vary from office to office. If I get it all right, then the turnaround time is about 5 days. If not, one can slip through the cracks into the misery of you know here.

If this all seems like a big hassle to apply for the full retirement O-A, I can say that so far this has been manageable for me. And a good investment for all the benefits. I'd say that as long as one is very careful to get every bit of info correct.. directly from the Embassy officials, it works out successfully. I'll let you know after I send the application following 30 days prior departure advice.

Lastly, I was given some helpful, friendly advice from the staff at my local Thai Consulate, all Americans... as this in an honorary consul who cannot issue O-A visas. The advice was not correct when I checked with the Thai Embassy. Not intentionally wrong, consul's information was just out-of-date.

All in all, this has been pretty smooth. I have experienced much worse experiences with shepherding applications thru a bureaucracy. The Thai Embassy staff in USA were most helpful and patient with me, although persistentence was necessary to dig out the important bits during conversations.

http://www.thaiembdc.org/forms/visa.pdf

http://www.thaiembdc.org/forms/oa_add.pdf

http://www.thaiembdc.org/forms/medical_cer...a...ificate.pdf

I have a quick question for everyone. I am anticipating the same requirements for the annual renewal, and wonder why everyone is using a Letter for Proof of income, instead of the Thai bank account option.

It is my understanding from Thai Embassy in Washington DC that the requirements for issuing an O-A Retirement Visa are one or the other of these conditions, but not both:

Option 1) Bank Statement & Letter of Guarantee of an amount that would equal 800,000 baht.

Option 2) Letter of Proof of income certified by my American Embassy.

Thai Visa department has been very clear that is is one or the other. I intend to use only a Bank Statement to get the visa issued. The Thai Visa official also stated that within one year of arriving on my new O-A retirement visa, I should open a local Thai Bank account and tranfer more than 800,000 baht. When time for the 1 year renewal, I've been told that as long as the Thai bank account always contains minimum 800k baht then that is accepted for Proof of Income.

So, why is everyone going to the hassle of getting the Embassy letter for proof of pension?

Regards,

Jan

JG,

Where'd you get your info on 'double entry O visa' and 'O-A visa?' I can't seem to find a website for Denver, if, indeed, that was your source........

Thanx.

Hello,

Lots of posts for information on Non O visa types. Many asked where I got information. I'm just sharing a few of the URLs here that I have found on the web. Use as you will. And thanks again to lopburi and tingjing for their help. These guys have been through the mill before.

My own forum post in ThaiVisa forum

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=167415

Another post from a gent seeking similiar requirements

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=92552

URLs where I have gathered information

This is an official Thai site with some English language pages. This URL for Business type visas

http://www.thaidac.com/index.php?lay=show&ac=article&Id=51933&Ntype=4

Service for a Fee providing 1 year multiple entry.

http://www.siam-legal.com/Thailand_Service/thailand-one-year-visa.php

Government URLs

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1040.html

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service/thai-...-americans.html

The letter is for employment - you can not obtain the work permit until after your arrival and contract signing and a mass of paperwork is submitted to Labor Department. Many such endeavors end before this happens, but that does not invalidate the issued visa.

Thanks lopburi3. Please keep following this thread for me. I value your advice.

Since I won't be applying the work permit, that will get lost in the 1 year stay... and with the simple to obtain "B" type visa I will still get in my first year in Thailand.

That would be enough for me. I will return to the USA at some point after that first year, long enough to re-apply for an O type Retirement visa at that time.

Cheers,

Jan

Immigration and the Labour Department are completely separate. If you want to work here you must obtain a non-immigrant 'B' visa and then apply at the Labour Department for a work permit (good luck ). If you want to stay here without working, then apply for a non-immigrant 'O'.

Thank, Westerner.

That helps clarify the work permit question. I'll be looking at all 3 types since I know I will return to the USA within the first year and can re-apply at that time for another visa type.

If I have this straight now this is what I have, and I welcome all comments on this please...

1) option for a "B" type business visa is easy to obtain with the sponsorship Letter from a Thai Company. Since I do not wish to work locally, then the work permit is a moot issue. I will still get a 1 year with multiple 90 day stays.

2) Option for a double entry O non-immigrant visa with the reason "exploring the possibility of retirement in Thailand"

Requires no Thail bank account for visa application.

Good for 2 entries of 90 days with 3rd stay on extension possible

3) The "O-A" type RETIREMENT NON-IMMIGRANT VISA

1. Age of 50 years or older

2. Thai Bank account of 800,000 THB or

3. Monthly Income of 65,000 THB or combination

4. Criminal History check

5. Medical Exam

I'm thinking at this point that the B business visa will the best option. Then in 1 year explore other options.

I welcome all comments. I've dealt with foreign immigration several times in several countries always on my own. The one major lesson learned was to go in with exactly what you wanted and with all the required documentation in perfect order. And that requires some inside knowledge in every case.

Many thanks to all of you offering help. It is much appreciated.

Thanks again Westerner.

Cheers,

Jan

There is no visa that allows work and no visa that comes with a built in work permit - they are separate items. A multi entry non immigrant B visa based on company letter of employment seems your best option. Work permits can be issued on such an entry for qualified employment.

Hi lopburi3,

Thanks for the answer. Could you add some clarification; I believe the non-immigrant visa on a company letterhead is what my girlfriend has done before. But the confusion I am having is this...

If the letter one takes to the Thai consulate is a letter of employment, then does that not imply a work permit?

Bear in my I don't wish to work for a Thai company, but only wish to qualify for the 1 year non-immigrant visa multiple entry. My only interest in clearing my confusion is to be certain I apply for the proper visa on the first go.

Thanks for you help,

Jan

If I were you, I would go for annual retirement extensions (not the retirement visa.)

With that you need to open a Thai bank account and transfer in 800K baht and live on that money, refreshing it as needed. That would be the easiest way for you by far.

Thanks for your help. This would be good, but I do not want to transfer that kind of money to Thailand for this first 1 year visa. In fact, I only want to send in money every 3 months( $6k or so) for living expenses.

I do have a question about the Thai banking... I've heard stories of the Thai bank or some authority clipping "reception fees" or something up to 20% of the amount of money you have wired into the Thai Bank. True or not?

Does anyone else have any advice on the other 1 year visas.

Business with work permit?

Business without work permit?

Thanks again,

Jan

Hello everyone,

I'm traveling to Thailand the first week in June this year. After visiting Thailand for one month last November, I now have a Thai girlfriend... a familiar story to everyone here I'm quite sure.

I will apply for the 1 year visa, with 90 day multiple entry, myself here at the Thai Consulate in Denver. Having lived in Holland and the UK for extended periods before, I understand how it can be with immigration rules and authorities. In Europe, telling immigration you were going to work in the country ended the application on the spot. In Thailand that seems to be different.

My confusion over the 1 year Thai visa options is which Type will best fit my situation. Here are my basic details and my questions.

Do I need a Business Visa with a work permit?

Or, should I apply for the 1 Year visa without work permit?

Basic details:

American - living now in Denver Colorado

Self-employed - Internet development and consulting. All clients and income are located Outside of Thailand.

I can work from anywhere as long as I have an internet connection.

Age 57 - will not be applying for retirement visa.

Banking - All my banking will remain in USA, though I plan on opening a local Thai bank account/ATM to always contain a few months expense money.

My girlfriend tells me she can prepare the standard letter for a 1 year work permit visa from the Thai located company she manages. She does it all the time for Americans working at her company. They usually travel out to Malaysia or another SE Asia Thai Embassy every year for the process.

I want to avoid the following if possible:

* Excessive reporting requirements while living in Thailand.

* Avoid all requirements to prove income.

* Avoid local Thai taxes on income that is generated and held outside Thailand.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Cheers,

Jan Gregory