REPORT: Do it Yourself Retirement Visa (Pattaya) Chonburi Immigration

[likerdup1]

Do it yourself guide/experience for getting a Non Immigrant "O" retirement visa (American citizen) Chonburi Immigration. First step in a two step process of getting 90 day retirement non "O" then full one year visa extension. This is as of June 13 2018

 

Here is my experience so far with trying to get a Non-Immigrant "O" retirement visa. (This is the first step in a currently two step process to get a full 15 month retirement visa and extension)

 

I am an American Citizen age 55.
 

1) June 6 Wednesday: I filled out the income verification form provided by the USA embassy and had it notarized at the one day US Embassy outreach at Dusit Thani Hotel near beach road. Cost 2 hours wait time an 1650 baht in the form of a bank check issued by Bangkok bank.

Since I am an American and in order to avoid the 800,000 baht bank deposit requirement Thai immigration allows USA citizens (and citizens of some other countries) to use a notarized affidavit from the US Embassy in Bangkok attesting to our monthly income/pension. Thai Immigration will allow this instead of a bank statement etc.. for income verification requirement of 65,000THB an month or 800,000THB  in the bank.

 

2) June 7 Thursday : Went to the legal department of Thailand Dept of Consular Affairs at Chang Wattana government facility Bangkok 3rd floor and got the embassy letter certified. (The certification is actually a sticker that is affixed to the back of the letter saying stating that the signature of the US notary is authentic)

Cost: 200 Baht to office, 2 round trips to Bangkok and 2 hours at the legal department. The reason for the two trips? Because I could not get same day service arriving after 9:30am that day. I had to come back on Monday.

To get same day service arrive before 9:30 am, submit your document at the cue and come back between 2:30PM/4:30PM.

 

3) June 11 Monday. Yet another trip to Bangkok Chang Wattana returning to get my certified affadavit. Cost: My time.

 

4) June 13: Brought the following to Chonburi Immigration Soi 5 Jomtien:

 

  A) A filled out TM86 form (because I am changing visa from 60 day tourist to 90 day Non Immigrant "O" retirement. Use form TM 87 if you are in Thailand on a 30 day visa on arrival.

  B) Copy of front page of my passport (page with my picture and name)

  C) Copy of the Tourist visa page, visa stamp and departure card (can be all on one page according to the lady at the desk)

  D) Original income verification affidavit with legal department stamp on the back

  F) copy of the address page of the house book of the condo I am renting.

  F) copy of the name page of the house book of the condo I am renting.

  G) copy of ID of the owner of the condo (in my case a Thai national)

   H) copy of the rental agreement (ALL PAGES)

  J) A hand drawn map of where my condo is located in relation to the Immigration office. .. doesn't have to be a masterpiece, just rough map is OK I THINK.

  K) Form "The acknowledgement of Penalties for a Visa Overstay" filled out and signed.

  L) Form "Acknowledgement of terms and conditions for Permit of temporary stay in the Kingdom of Thailand" filled out and signed

 

ANOTHER FULL SET OF THESE DOCUMENTS COPIED!

 

O) I submitted all of the above documents PLUS a full copy of the entire set with my picture included in the 2nd set of copies.

I signed all of the copies. (I understood to do this because I have gotten a retirement visa 2 times before. IT WAS A LOT EASIER BEFORE. in 2012 and 2014

 

P) Paid 2000 Baht and gave my passport.

Q) I was told to come back ON THE DAY MY TOURIST VISA EXPIRES FOR THE RESULT.

 

Has anybody else done a DIY retirement visa recently at Chonburi? What was your experience? Anybody ever get rejected? I am hoping that after ALL THIS WORK that it does indeed go through. What a hassle this time around. Many many hoops to jump through. I returned two times to the 7 desk at Chonburi and the lady in charge was not very forgiving. "OK YOU SIT AND LISTEN" .. I was told on my first meeting with her. I went to her desk twice and then finally submitted all the above and my money to her secretary.

 

This is NOT the way it used to be. The first time I got a retirement visa and extention it was done all in one day and without the extra forms/maps etc.

 

Now what I have is a small slip of paper stating the day I submitted my application and the day I am to return for the result. This is the DAY MY TOURIST VISA EXPIRES WHICH IS JULY 5th. Almost a full 3 weeks from when I submitted this application.

 

I AM HOPING AFTER ALL THIS THAT I WILL INDEED GET A RETIREMENT 90 Day Non Immigration "O" visa.

 

After 60 days I am to return to Chonburi to submit my TM 7 for the addition of one year as a visa extension. I was told I will need a fresh income affidavit from the US Embassy again.

 

I will update this thread when I get my result.

 

 

[BritTim]

Once the visa application is accepted, there is only a minuscule chance that you will not get the visa and initial 90-day stamp. Most likely, they will not agree to add the one-year extension immediately to the initial 90-days when you go back for the visa stamp (although the rules allow them to do so if the senior official is so inclined). There is no harm in politely asking about it.

[ubonjoe]

1 hour ago, likerdup1 said:

The reason for the two trips? Because I could not get same day service arriving after 9:30am that day.

FYI and for others you could of requested them to send it to you by EMS by paying a few extra baht.

[JAZZDOG]

I got hammered here on TV for paying 15K plus I believe 1900 to have mine done. Had to go to BKK first time to get income Doc. Don't remember any certification on the back. Gave my lady income doc, lease, pp and two photos. Picked up my extension I recall a few days later. Now I just renewed last month, took ten minutes of my time plus I can call her anytime if I have a question or problem. Bargain for me because I have no patience with that crap, I just want it done. I have residency in both Brazil and Costa Rica and each cost me thousands and years to complete. Here it basically took one trip to BKK and if my funds had been seasoned it would have taken less than an hour on my part. It is good though that you got the experience!

[likerdup1]

2 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

FYI and for others you could of requested them to send it to you by EMS by paying a few extra baht.

What is EMS? Is that an overnight delivery service?

 

Thank you for pointing this out.

 

There was an option to have it mailed via regular Thailand post but I didn't elect that. Absolutely I could have had it mailed but I personally was leery of having the document sent by post because it cost me $50 and several hours of my time to secure.

[ubonjoe]

2 minutes ago, likerdup1 said:

What is EMS? Is that an overnight delivery service?

It is Express Mail Service. From Bangkok to Pattaya it would be overnight service to more distant locations it is 2 day service. It is very dependable and you can track it all the way online.

EMS is the only service that the legalization section offers.

There is even a mail in service available for the legalization service.

[JackThompson]

Glad to hear they will actually do a Non-O stamp at Jomtien with an income-doc now.  I was given a custom list of requirements when applying, which had only partial resemblance to the official TM-doc, and did not include the ability to use an embassy income doc at all.  I was told I needed to transfer the "in the bank" monetary requirement (not income-based) to a Thai bank, season it, and then apply.

 

I was denied after providing the list the OP supplied, plus family (married to a Thai) docs, plus bank-books proving the income stated on my USA-embassy-doc was genuine.   Not sure if the fact that this one was based on retirement was the reason it worked in this case - but congratulations, in any case.

[lopburi3]

EMS (express mail service) in Thailand is run by the Thai Postal Company.  And it is very reliable.  Almost all passports are delivered using this service.  

[Naam]

On 6/14/2018 at 5:18 PM, BritTim said:

Once the visa application is accepted, there is only a minuscule chance that you will not get the visa and initial 90-day stamp. Most likely, they will not agree to add the one-year extension immediately to the initial 90-days when you go back for the visa stamp (although the rules allow them to do so if the senior official is so inclined). There is no harm in politely asking about it.

it's the done thing at Jomtien immigration. no need to ask for it.

[giddyup]

23 hours ago, JAZZDOG said:

I got hammered here on TV for paying 15K plus I believe 1900 to have mine done. Had to go to BKK first time to get income Doc. Don't remember any certification on the back. Gave my lady income doc, lease, pp and two photos. Picked up my extension I recall a few days later. Now I just renewed last month, took ten minutes of my time plus I can call her anytime if I have a question or problem. Bargain for me because I have no patience with that crap, I just want it done. I have residency in both Brazil and Costa Rica and each cost me thousands and years to complete. Here it basically took one trip to BKK and if my funds had been seasoned it would have taken less than an hour on my part. It is good though that you got the experience!

15K or 1900 baht? I get a letter from my bank stating I have the 800K, go to the photocopy place next to Immigration who copy for me all the relevant info, then submit to an Immigration officer, pay my 1900 baht and come back next day to collect my passport stamped with my new extension. Hardly a hassle to save 13,100 baht.

[KhunFred]

Very good report. More expats should do their own Visa and extensions. I am amazed at how many people throw away money getting a visa service to do what they could do themselves. I was amazed at how much erroneous information

on the O Visa was floating around on the internet. Some of it was promulgated by an expat who has a YouTube channel and has been here for eleven years. This guy told me that ALL my income had to be in a Thai bank and it had to be "seasoned" regardless of whether I was using money in the bank or monthly income. When I got to Jomtien IO, I was given a handout that shot down almost everything he had told me.

The hand-drawn map requirement has to be the most moronic requirement yet devised by IO. Clearly a case of a new office chief throwing his weight around.  I have not been required to do one of those for my past two extensions. I am hoping the requirement will be scrapped by the time I do my next extension in October. 

[JimGant]

Quote

Went to the legal department of Thailand Dept of Consular Affairs at Chang Wattana government facility Bangkok 3rd floor and got the embassy letter certified. (The certification is actually a sticker that is affixed to the back of the letter saying stating that the signature of the US notary is authentic)

Anybody else ever have to do this? And if so, was this also related to Chonburi?

[gk10002000]

On 6/14/2018 at 6:58 AM, JAZZDOG said:

I got hammered here on TV for paying 15K plus I believe 1900 to have mine done. Had to go to BKK first time to get income Doc. Don't remember any certification on the back. Gave my lady income doc, lease, pp and two photos. Picked up my extension I recall a few days later. Now I just renewed last month, took ten minutes of my time plus I can call her anytime if I have a question or problem. Bargain for me because I have no patience with that crap, I just want it done. I have residency in both Brazil and Costa Rica and each cost me thousands and years to complete. Here it basically took one trip to BKK and if my funds had been seasoned it would have taken less than an hour on my part. It is good though that you got the experience!

I got no problem with what you did.  If I were retired, I by definition probably would have a fair amount of free time on my hand, so running a few errands once a  year would not necessarily be a big issue.  But the big issue for me would be doing something over and over again, returning because some new piece of paper was asked for, rounding up paper from the Thais such as a landlord or rental agent, etc.   I am more concerned about getting the darn thing than spending some extra money to get it done.  Obviously there is a point where the price of an agent could become too high.  Pisses me off that the Thais make it challenging for a person to go there and spend money! 

[JAZZDOG]

10 hours ago, gk10002000 said:

I got no problem with what you did.  If I were retired, I by definition probably would have a fair amount of free time on my hand, so running a few errands once a  year would not necessarily be a big issue.  But the big issue for me would be doing something over and over again, returning because some new piece of paper was asked for, rounding up paper from the Thais such as a landlord or rental agent, etc.   I am more concerned about getting the darn thing than spending some extra money to get it done.  Obviously there is a point where the price of an agent could become too high.  Pisses me off that the Thais make it challenging for a person to go there and spend money! 

And actually there were two other issues. One that these forums go on and on about the different docs some IO needs where others don't and even in the same IO depending on whos at the desk. Not a problem with my lady as she knows everyone there and it goes thru everytime, minimal BS docs. Secondly if I have any question or problem I call her and she is always there with the correct answer. And I imagine if I ever screwed something up, forgot to report etc. then I got a friend to make things right, kinda like insurance. I've had to go thru this in several other countries and spent countless months and even years waiting for results. At this point in my life I got allot more money than time to waste on BS.

[bkk6060]

Sorry, maybe I am stupid but why #1,2,3??

 

I make an appt. at the US Embassy in BKK for my income certificate.

It took me 15 minutes a few weeks ago to get the embossed certificate swearing to my income.

That is all the Chonburi office has ever required.

You can actually do all this in one day if taking the bus.  108 b bus ride, get the cert. ride back.

So why all your steps on this?  Never heard of the notary authentication.  Am I missing something?

 

[ubonjoe]

12 hours ago, JimGant said:

Anybody else ever have to do this? And if so, was this also related to Chonburi?

It is only needed at Chonburi immigration for a change to a non immigrant visa application.

A few offices near Bangkok want it for extension applications.

[likerdup1]

3 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Sorry, maybe I am stupid but why #1,2,3??

 

I make an appt. at the US Embassy in BKK for my income certificate.

It took me 15 minutes a few weeks ago to get the embossed certificate swearing to my income.

That is all the Chonburi office has ever required.

You can actually do all this in one day if taking the bus.  108 b bus ride, get the cert. ride back.

So why all your steps on this?  Never heard of the notary authentication.  Am I missing something?

 

Everyone should keep in mind that the Legal Section stamp is ONLY for a NEW visa. Only for the initial Non-Immigrant "O" visa for the purpose of retirement. There is a new requirement that the Initial Non-Imm "O" have an Embassy Income Letter that is certified by the Dept of Consular Affairs legalization section at Chang Wattana as authentic. For those returning to renew the Visa Extension the Legalization Dept certification of the Embassy letter is NOT required from what I currently understand. Of course this could all change but I believe those recently getting the extension renewed have NOT had to have the Legalization Dept certification stamp.

[likerdup1]

16 hours ago, Naam said:

it's the done thing at Jomtien immigration. no need to ask for it.

My understanding (and I was specifically told this by the lady officer at Desk 7) that I will need to return after my initial Non-Imm "O" has 60 days on it for the extension. She said that Chonburi Immigration WILL NOT give me the extension on the same day I get the Initial Non-Imm "O" 90 day stamp.

This is the way it is at Bangkok Immigration at Chang Wattana since my visit there for my 2nd retirement visa in 2015.

 

1) Get the Initial Non-Imm "O" for the purpose of retirement

2) Return sometime after 60 days for the 1 year extension (using the TM7 form and another income verification affidavit)

 

Is it up to the Immigration Officer what documents to accept? I am hoping I don't have to go to Bangkok again and pay another $50 for yet another income doc and notarization.

 

[ubonjoe]

2 minutes ago, likerdup1 said:

I am hoping I don't have to go to Bangkok again and pay another $50 for yet another income doc and notarization.

Normally they will pull the original income affidavit form the file for the visa application for the extension application or accept a copy of it.

The legalization is not needed for a extension application.

[likerdup1]

10 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Normally they will pull the original income affidavit form the file for the visa application for the extension application or accept a copy of it.

The legalization is not needed for a extension application.

I hope you are right. although I am fairly sure the female IO told me to get a new one. I will ask her again when I return for the 90 day visa stamp on July 5th. Is it up to the IO at the desk what documents they will allow? She seemed to be fairly adamant about having me jump through as many hoops as possible. The general tone in the 7 desk office was not very friendly. I made every effort to be as courteous as possible .. I also speak some Thai so I was trying to be very polite and thankful the Thai way.

[LomSak27]

3 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

15 hours ago, JimGant said:

Anybody else ever have to do this? And if so, was this also related to Chonburi?

It is only needed at Chonburi immigration for a change to a non immigrant visa application.

A few offices near Bangkok want it for extension applications.

I'm flying tomorrow for my Monday embassy appointment and flying immediately back. Just Chonburi, no other jongwats require this "certification" of affidavit ............ Thanks 

[ubonjoe]

20 minutes ago, LomSak27 said:

Just Chonburi, no other jongwats require this "certification" of affidavit ............ Thanks  

As I wrote only Chonburi and and few offices near Bangkok want the verification of the consular officers signature on the income affidavit or letter.

Since you are flying into Bangkok it appears you local office will not want it.

FYI and others if going to the US embassy afternoon appointments are now available on most Thursdays. No need to stay overnight if you can get one in the afternoon.

[bkk6060]

4 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

As I wrote only Chonburi and and few offices near Bangkok want the verification of the consular officers signature on the income affidavit or letter.

Since you are flying into Bangkok it appears you local office will not want it.

FYI and others if going to the US embassy afternoon appointments are now available on most Thursdays. No need to stay overnight if you can get one in the afternoon.

You are right I saw those Afternoon appts. did not know they had them.

I can usually do it in 1/2 day no problem from Pattaya.

Just for info. incase anyone does not have an idea from Pats to Embassy BKK:

 

Make the appt. for around 1000 am.

Early bus from Pattaya 108 b. to Ekkamai.

Take skytrain to Phloen chit and walk one block to WIreless road and go left to the Embassy.

After appt. I usually have a coffee or a bite to eat.

Head to Ekkamai bus station on Skytrain and I am back in Pats by about 130 pm.

 

[Rimmer]

A troll/flame with an incorrect quote has been removed

[JackThompson]

9 hours ago, likerdup1 said:

I will ask her again when I return for the 90 day visa stamp on July 5th.

You don't have to deal with her ever again - she only handles conversions.  You will be dealing with the Retirement desk now, which will be much nicer - one of the most laid-back in all of Thailand, according to reports. 

 

You could ask the retirement folks if they can use the old letter, but be mentally-prepared for, and have plenty of time left, to go get another one, if needed.

[daocat555]

"Went to the legal department of Thailand Dept of Consular Affairs at Chang Wattana government facility Bangkok 3rd floor and got the embassy letter certified. (The certification is actually a sticker that is affixed to the back of the letter saying stating that the signature of the US notary is authentic)"

 

I never heard of this before.  I have heard that Chonburi is a difficult place to get a conversion to a non Immigrant visa.  What I did was do my conversion at the Bangkok Office, even though I planned to live in Pattaya.  Once the conversion was done then I got the retirement visa in Chonburi, which I did myself using yet another notarized income statement from the US Embassy, a six month rental lease for my room at a Guesthouse(didn't need that when I got my previous Retirement Visa at Chonburi), and getting my landlady to fill out a TM 30.  For sure Chonburi didn't require me to get the Income Statement from the US Embassy certified; and I did this just three months ago.

[lopburi3]

3 minutes ago, daocat555 said:

For sure Chonburi didn't require me to get the Income Statement from the US Embassy certified; and I did this just three months ago.

 

12 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

It is only needed at Chonburi immigration for a change to a non immigrant visa application.

 

[likerdup1]

14 hours ago, JackThompson said:

You don't have to deal with her ever again - she only handles conversions.  You will be dealing with the Retirement desk now, which will be much nicer - one of the most laid-back in all of Thailand, according to reports. 

 

You could ask the retirement folks if they can use the old letter, but be mentally-prepared for, and have plenty of time left, to go get another one, if needed.

What number is the retirement desk? Are you sure? I believe I will need to see her again (or one of her subordinates) because I have not been given the visa stamp yet. Is the 7 desk responsible for making the Non-Imm "O" visa stamp? Or will I go to the retirement desk? I submitted my application this week (June 15) and was told to come back on July 5th which is THE DAY my tourist visa expires. I was given a slip of paper stating the day I submitted my application and the day I am to return for the "result" which is July 5th.

 

My thinking now is I should have done this visa conversion from tourist to Non-Imm "O" at Chang Wattana Bangkok Immigration. Once I submitted my application I was a bit surprised they wanted me to come back on the day my tourist visa expires. I didn't like that at all because I will not know for sure if I will get the new visa or not and if there is even a possibility I will not get it ... that bothers me and am hesitant to get a 1 year contract on a condo etc.. or buy things for a long term stay here.

 

Does anybody know if a conversion at Chang Wattana can be done same day or in two days? From what I remember last time the conversion was done same day. I did a conversion in 2015 there because I was living in Bangkok.

 

[ubonjoe]

20 minutes ago, likerdup1 said:

My thinking now is I should have done this visa conversion from tourist to Non-Imm "O" at Chang Wattana Bangkok Immigration. Once I submitted my application I was a bit surprised they wanted me to come back on the day my tourist visa expires. I didn't like that at all because I will not know for sure if I will get the new visa or not and if there is even a possibility I will not get it ... that bothers me and am hesitant to get a 1 year contract on a condo etc.. or buy things for a long term stay here.

You would not of been able to do it a Chaneng Wattana unless you had a address for Bangkok you could prove.

You can go back earlier than the 5th of July. Normal is about 2 weeks for it to be approved by division 3 headquarters in Bangkok.

The chances of it being denied is almost zero. I don't recall any report of one being denied.

 

20 minutes ago, likerdup1 said:

Does anybody know if a conversion at Chang Wattana can be done same day or in two days? From what I remember last time the conversion was done same day. I did a conversion in 2015 there because I was living in Bangkok.

It takes about 2 weeks in Bangkok now since it has to approved by a higher authority there as well.

[likerdup1]

26 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You would not of been able to do it a Chaneng Wattana unless you had a address for Bangkok you could prove.

You can go back earlier than the 5th of July. Normal is about 2 weeks for it to be approved by division 3 headquarters in Bangkok.

The chances of it being denied is almost zero. I don't recall any report of one being denied.

 

It takes about 2 weeks in Bangkok now since it has to approved by a higher authority there as well.

Thanks UbonJoe. On your advice. I think I'll go back after about 16 days or so and see what happens. Which desk will handle the stamp? From what I can tell I am to go back to desk 7 at Chonburi immigration for the "result"