Non-O Visa: Just shy of 2 months for 800k Baht in Bank

[Kohsamida]

I need some experienced advice concerning a dilemma I am facing in converting a METV visa to a Non-O.  I am in Chiang Mai, by the way.

 

I currently have a METV visa which expires July 5, and I plan to get a 30 day extension taking me to August 3.  My plan was to apply to convert my METV to a Non "O" during the period of my extension (July 5 - August 3). 

 

The dilemma I face has to do with the the rule about 800,000 baht being on deposit for two months.  As of May 21st, I will have a total of 800,000 baht on deposit in a Thai Bank.  This means that on July 21, those funds will have been on deposit for exactly 2 months.

 

My concern:  If I wait until July 21 to apply for the conversion of METV to Non-O in order to satisfy the 2 month bank deposit rule, I will have exactly 2 weeks left on my "permission to stay" extension.  I'm not sure if this enough time for the Non-O to be processed BEFORE my extension expires.

 

I have read that an application to convert a METV to a Non-O must be done at least 14 days before expiration date BUT that in Chiang Mai the requirement is 21 days.

 

Can anyone clarify on this?

 

If I run out of time and my extension expires, will the Non-O visa still be processed?  If so, what do I do about avoiding an overstay in the interim?  Would I have to exit Thailand and come back in on a Visa-exempt status?  If I did that, would I just go back to Immigration, pick up my Non-O visa and be done with things??

 

[1812]

The money only needs to be in the bank on the day you apply for the visa. Be aware you may be required to provide evidence that cash came from abroad.

[ubonjoe]

The money does not have to be in the bank for 60 day on the date you apply for a change of visa status to get a 90 day non immigrant visa entry. It only has to be in the bank on the date you apply.

Chiang Mai requires you apply for the change 21 days before your permit to stay ends.

The money only has to be in the bank for 60 days when you apply for the one year extension.

[Kohsamida]

Are you sure about that?  I was under the impression that it had to be on deposit for 2 months.  This all is VERY confusing LOL.  Is the two month rule ONLY for Non OA?  I know for Non-OA (retirement) it clearly states 2 months for the first year, and then 3 months to renew it thereafter.  I just assumed the 90 day O visa had the same rules.

[Jingthing]

Ubonjoe is correct.

There is no seasoning requirement for a conversion to a 90 day O visa in Thailand. 
There is a seasoning requirement for actual annual retirement extension.

60 days for the first one, and 90 days for subsequent ones. 

Those are two different things with different rules. 

[ubonjoe]

1 minute ago, Kohsamida said:

Are you sure about that?

Yes I am sure. You can look here and see there is no 60 day requirement. https://www.immigration.go.th/content/service_80

You only need it to be in the bank for 60 days when you apply for the extension of stay at immigration it is not a OA visa.

[Jingthing]

ubonjoe's advice is as good as you're going to get at any price. In this case, FREE. 

[Kohsamida]

Thanks UbonJoe and 1812.  All this visa stuff is SO confusing.  I guess you are both correct now that I am re-reading my notes.  Somebody posted about this and said 800,000 does not have to be "aged".  I had no idea what that meant but based on your replies, I do now.  What a relief!!  LOL  Thanks for taking the time to reply; most appreciated!

[Kohsamida]

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

ubonjoe's advice is as good as you're going to get at any price. In this case, FREE. 

I agree!  This is my first post on ThaiVisa but I read many of UbonJoe's replies before I came to Thailand 6 months ago, and since.  They have always been accurate, to the point, and usually "pure gold"!  ThaiVisa has got to be one of the best sources for REAL information about living here.  My hat is off to everybody who posts on here.  Great Forums!!

[Kohsamida]

12 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Yes I am sure. You can look here and see there is no 60 day requirement. https://www.immigration.go.th/content/service_80

You only need it to be in the bank for 60 days when you apply for the extension of stay at immigration it is not a OA visa.

UbonJoe, I wonder if I could ask another question.  I have read that Thai Immigration requires "proof" that source of funds is from OUTSIDE Thailand.  Mine are, but I'm not sure what Immigration considers to be "proof"  Is that the purpose of submitting a letter from the bank; to specify that the funds came from outside of the Kingdom?

[Jingthing]

Yes, but I will add that you have to be a God to be able to predict ever odd thing that might potentially happen at immigration offices, especially small provincial ones. The clear written rules are one thing but they are enforced by very human beings. 

[Kohsamida]

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Yes, but I will add that you have to be a God to be able to predict ever odd thing that might potentially happen at immigration offices, especially small provincial ones. The clear written rules are one thing but they are enforced by very human beings. 

From what I have read and heard, Immigrations staff at Promenada are unusually helpful and friendly.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed :)

[Jingthing]

3 minutes ago, Kohsamida said:

From what I have read and heard, Immigrations staff at Promenada are unusually helpful and friendly.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed :)

Good to hear, but as always, sorry for the cliche, your mileage may vary.

In this case, the rule is clear and I wouldn't foresee problems.

[Kohsamida]

Actually one more quick question for all of you knowledgeable people:  Is a "certificate of residency" the same thing as a TM30?

[ubonjoe]

10 minutes ago, Kohsamida said:

I have read that Thai Immigration requires "proof" that source of funds is from OUTSIDE Thailand.  Mine are, but I'm not sure what Immigration considers to be "proof"  Is that the purpose of submitting a letter from the bank; to specify that the funds came from outside of the Kingdom?

You will need 2 letters from the bank. One to confirm your account and the balance in it on the date it is written. The other one will be to confirm that the funds came from abroad.

[ubonjoe]

1 minute ago, Kohsamida said:

Actually one more quick question for all of you knowledgeable people:  Is a "certificate of residency" the same thing as a TM30?

A certificate of residency is not the same as a TM30 form report. I assume you want a certificate of residency to apply for a drivers license and etc.

[Kohsamida]

9 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You will need 2 letters from the bank. One to confirm your account and the balance in it on the date it is written. The other one will be to confirm that the funds came from abroad.

Thank you sir!  Appreciated.

[Tanoshi]

A TM30 is a form completed by the 'Housemaster', 'Owner' or 'Occupier' of the house you reside in to notify Immigration of a foreigners presence. It should be filed within 24 hours of you taking up such residence. If you leave and re-enter Thailand at any time a new TM30 must be re-filed at some Immigration offices..........I believe that stipulation applies at Chiang Mai.

 

Immigration will require a signed copy of the house owners Tabien Baan (Blue House Book) and ID card, and maybe a rental contract (f applicable) as proof of your address.

 

At times you may need to show proof of address when dealing with other government department.

Purchasing a vehicle or obtaining a Thai driving licence are good examples.

It's possible for foreigners to obtain a Yellow Tabien Baan and Foreigners ID card, but failing that you will need a 'Certificate of Residence' as proof of address.

They are obtained in most cases from your local Immigration office as they already have a record of your registered address.

Although they should be issued free, some offices charge a nominal fee for same day service.

 

[Kohsamida]

17 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

re:  TM-30, the owner's Tabien Baan, and their ID card

 

I was under the impression that the only proof of residency that I needed for Immigration in order to apply for Non-O Visa was a copy of the TM-30 and a rental agreement.  Are you saying I need to have the TM-30, the owner's Tabien Baan, and their ID card in order to get a Certificate of Residence, and it is the Certificate of Residence that I must submit to immigration?  If so, doesn't the homeowner/housemaster have to provide the Tabien Baan and their ID card when they submit the TM-30?  I mean, should those things already be included in the copy of the TM-30?

[Kohsamida]

51 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

A certificate of residency is not the same as a TM30 form report. I assume you want a certificate of residency to apply for a drivers license and etc.

Actually my question was only in reference to getting the Non-O visa.  My understanding was that I must furnish a a copy of the TM-30 for my residence, and a copy of the rental agreement, but I have seen "certificate of residency" mentioned as though the two things were the same.

 

Put it this way:  As far as Applying for Non-O Visa, if I have a copy of the TM-30, do I need a "certificate of residency...or, if I have a certificate of Residency, do I need a TM-30?

 

[Tanoshi]

To obtain a certificate of residence from Immigration, you must have first registered your address with them.

 

If this will be your first visit to CM and a TM30 hasn't already been filed, then I'd advise you take one along with signed copies of your landlords Tabien Baan, ID card and Rental Agreement for them to register all the details.

You'll also need a copy of your passport photo page,  entry stamp and TM6 (departure card).

 

13 minutes ago, Kohsamida said:

My plan was to apply to convert my METV to a Non "O" during the period of my extension (July 5 - August 3). 

When you apply for your extension ask CM when you should apply for the Non O.

Most offices insist on having 15 days permission to stay remaining.

You need to file a TM87 to apply for the Non O.

[ubonjoe]

5 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

You need to file a TM87 to apply for the Non O.

He will use a TM86 change of visa status form since he has a tourist visa entry.

[Kohsamida]

4 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

You need to file a TM87 to apply for the Non O.

You mean a TM86, don't you?  I am applying to CONVERT a METV to Non-O.  I think I am correct about this but all these different TM forms are driving me crazy :)

[Kohsamida]

Just now, ubonjoe said:

He will use a TM86 change of visa status form since he has a tourist visa entry.

Thanks UbonJoe, that's what I thought.  Just to be sure I'm not missing anything, when I apply for the Non-O, I will be doing so with a 30-day extension (not my METV since it expires beforehand).  I'm good to go??

[Tanoshi]

2 minutes ago, Kohsamida said:

Put it this way:  As far as Applying for Non-O Visa, if I have a copy of the TM-30, do I need a "certificate of residency...or, if I have a certificate of Residency, do I need a TM-30?

 

They are completely different things.

Immigration want a TM30 from the 'Housemaster'.

Other than a rental contract and your landlords Tabien Baan and ID card.

They can check your details by making a house visit if suspicious.

 

You get a certificate of residence from Immigration to give to other government department requesting your proof of address.

They won't accept anything other than a 'certificate of residence' issued by Immigration, your Embassy, or in some cases the local Police Station.

[Tanoshi]

4 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

He will use a TM86 change of visa status form since he has a tourist visa entry.

Your correct. I'm reading between two topics and the other OP has a Visa exempt entry.

[Kohsamida]

2 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

They are completely different things.

Immigration want a TM30 from the 'Housemaster'.

Other than a rental contract and your landlords Tabien Baan and ID card.

They can check your details by making a house visit if suspicious.

 

You get a certificate of residence from Immigration to give to other government department requesting your proof of address.

They won't accept anything other than a 'certificate of residence' issued by Immigration, your Embassy, or in some cases the local Police Station.

OK, so all I need as far as proof of residence for Non-O Visa is 1) TM-30, and 2) Rental Agreement.  Correct?

[Tanoshi]

6 minutes ago, Kohsamida said:

You mean a TM86, don't you?  I am applying to CONVERT a METV to Non-O.  I think I am correct about this but all these different TM forms are driving me crazy :)

Apologies, yes a TM86 as your changing Visa Status.

The TM87 is used to apply for the Non O if you entered without a Visa (Visa exempt).

[Tanoshi]

5 minutes ago, Kohsamida said:

OK, so all I need as far as proof of residence for Non-O Visa is 1) TM-30, and 2) Rental Agreement.  Correct?

Your applying for the 30 day extension first.

I think you'll need, or they will request signed certified copies of your landlords Tabien Baan and ID card.

Copy of photo page of passport, TM6 and entry stamp.

 

These same documents are requested time after time again by Immigration.

 

 

[ubonjoe]

8 minutes ago, Kohsamida said:

Thanks UbonJoe, that's what I thought.  Just to be sure I'm not missing anything, when I apply for the Non-O, I will be doing so with a 30-day extension (not my METV since it expires beforehand).  I'm good to go??

I see no reason to get the 30 day extension if you will have the 800k baht in the bank on the 21st of this month. You can apply as soon as you have the it in the bank.

Chiang Mai immigration requires you to make an appointment to do the application. I suggest you do that as soon as possible since it could be weeks later than when you request it.