O-A Visas, Retirement Extensions etc

[Fred345]

Hi all.

First, apologies for what is I’m sure the umpteenth thread on this topic but after reading lots of threads, websites etc I’m still not clear!

 

I plan on spending a significant portion of each year in Thailand in the very near future. I’m over 50 and will meet the financial requirements in my Thai bank account.

 

I understand I’ll have 2 options.

 

The first option would be to get a multiple-entry ‘O-A’ in the UK.

My confusion is that some people have told me you only get 90 days per entry and then need to leave Thailand. Others say you get 12 months on each entry - so could enter just before expiry and get a further 12 months from there. Which is it, please? Or are there 2 different visas?

 

I know I’ll then need to get an Extension of Stay for 12 months each time. I do this about 30 days before my permission to stay ends. So, if the initial visa expires on one date but my entry stamp says a later date, then I have to wait until the later date? 

 

eg I first enter with my new visa on 1 January 2019. I leave Thailand on 1 March and re-enter a month later. This continues until I re-enter on 1 December. Do I need to get my Extension of Stay before January 1 or do I wait until the date on my last entry stamp? If I’m leaving again, can I get it early?

 

(I hope that makes some sense!)

 

Once I get an Extension of Stay that is 12 months at a time. Assuming I get a re-entry permit, I can come & go within the 12 months. I then need to make sure I’m in Thailand within about 30 days or so of the end of the Extension to get another. (Do I at least have this bit right?).

 

My second choice is to enter on a SETV then convert to a non-immigrant O in Thailand and then get an extension of stay based on retirement. In this case, I just need to be sure I’m there for long enough to get the O then get the Extension within 30 days of the expiry. Correct? 

I then just make sure I’m there to get a new Extension each year.

 

Thanks for any help - and your patience (especially with the first bit).

[TonyClifton]

The O-A gives you a year.  I turned it into almost 2 years.  Now 2 years in, I'm on permitted to stay for another year based on retirement.

 

Where did you hear 90 day?  It's not true.  It's a year up to 1 year beyond the issue date + 1 year if you come and go at the year point.

 

 

[KhunBENQ]

8 minutes ago, TonyClifton said:

Where did you hear 90 day?  It's not true.

You hear that from ignorant people who never knew what an Non O-A is.

The just hear "Non O".

Non O-A gives 1 year permission to stay from each entry during the first year (until visa expires). No re-entry permit needed.

After the visa has expired ("2nd year") you need a re-entry permit to keep your permission to stay valid if you leave/re-enter.

As already described you can manage almost 2 years with a single border run before expiry date.

If you stay more than 90 days continuously the 90 day report at the immigration office has to be done.

[overherebc]

In both cases, OA and retirement extension you do reports to your local Imm' 90 day reports.

If on OA and you exit and enter in the first year you get a one year stamp.

Close to the end of the first year if you exit and come back you still get one year but in that second year you can't exit and re-enter without a re-entry permit otherwise it's finished.

If on a one year extension of stay you do 90 day reports but within that year you must have a re-entry permit. If you don't have the re-entry permit your extention has gone, you get a 30 day visa exempt entry and start again.

[KhunBENQ]

33 minutes ago, Fred345 said:

My second choice is to enter on a SETV then convert to a non-immigrant O in Thailand and then get an extension of stay based on retirement

If you prefer to go the extension route than you should apply for an ordinary Non O visa based on retirement and save the conversion from SETV.

[overherebc]

If you apply for a one year extension 'officially' the first time you have to show 800,000 baht in the bank for two months when you apply.

It's been reported some Imm' offices ask for 3 months but that 'officially' applies to further extensions..

[TonyClifton]

2 minutes ago, overherebc said:

If you apply for a one year extension 'officially' the first time you have to show 800,000 baht in the bank for two months when you apply.

It's been reported some Imm' offices ask for 3 months but that 'officially' applies to further extensions..

Make sure it is understood that you can show the equivalent of 800,000 in your home bank account.

[Fred345]

Thanks for replies so far. The 90 days came from someone who says they got the multiple O-A and insists he can only stay 90 days at a time.

 

So, if I get an O-A in UK, I’ll enter for the last time before the 12 months end, I get a stamp for 12 months from there. Now, I leave 2 months later. When do I get my Extension of Stay?

(it would be easy if I planned to just stay in Thailand but I’m likely to do 2 visits of 3 or 4 months each year)

[Fred345]

I know about 90 day reports thanks. I also know about 2 months then 3 months for the cash. I’ll have the cash there well before anyway.

[KhunBENQ]

5 minutes ago, Fred345 said:

Thanks for replies so far. The 90 days came from someone who says they got the multiple O-A and insists he can only stay 90 days at a time. 

That's plain nonsense or he can't read stamps.

90 days per stay is an ordinary Non O multiple.

 

[Fred345]

14 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

If you prefer to go the extension route than you should apply for an ordinary Non O visa based on retirement and save the conversion from SETV.

I can get an SETV easily at the nearest Consulate but, in the UK, they are now only allowed to issue the O to people actually in receipt of a pension (I think state pension only).

[Fred345]

Just now, KhunBENQ said:

That's plain nonsense or he can't read stamps.

90 days per stay is an ordinary Non O multiple.

 

I’m guessing he doesn’t know what type of visa he actually has.

[KhunBENQ]

Just now, Fred345 said:

I can get an SETV easily at the nearest Consulate

That's an argument and worldwide the (honorary) consulates have been trimmed down.

[overherebc]

8 minutes ago, Fred345 said:

I know about 90 day reports thanks. I also know about 2 months then 3 months for the cash. I’ll have the cash there well before anyway.

My feeling is if you go the OA route it might be easier for you.

The only thing would be your timing for the entry just before the enter/use by date at the end of the first year. That depends on your travel plans obviously.

Re-entry permits are easy at the airports, 1000 baht single, 3800 baht multi.

[Fred345]

25 minutes ago, overherebc said:

In both cases, OA and retirement extension you do reports to your local Imm' 90 day reports.

If on OA and you exit and enter in the first year you get a one year stamp.

Close to the end of the first year if you exit and come back you still get one year but in that second year you can't exit and re-enter without a re-entry permit otherwise it's finished.

If on a one year extension of stay you do 90 day reports but within that year you must have a re-entry permit. If you don't have the re-entry permit your extention has gone, you get a 30 day visa exempt entry and start again.

 

12 minutes ago, Fred345 said:

Thanks for replies so far. The 90 days came from someone who says they got the multiple O-A and insists he can only stay 90 days at a time.

 

So, if I get an O-A in UK, I’ll enter for the last time before the 12 months end, I get a stamp for 12 months from there. Now, I leave 2 months later. When do I get my Extension of Stay?

(it would be easy if I planned to just stay in Thailand but I’m likely to do 2 visits of 3 or 4 months each year)

So, it’s not really a multiple-entry O-A it’s just that the O-A allows you to come and go for 12 months BUT if you enter near the end of the year you then need to get a re-entry permit in order to leave and re-enter under the original visa?

So, I’m assuming I don’t need to get an Extension of Stay until towards the end of the second year (as long as I get a re-entry permit each time I leave).

[Fred345]

2 minutes ago, overherebc said:

My feeling is if you go the OA route it might be easier for you.

The only thing would be your timing for the entry just before the enter/use by date at the end of the first year. That depends on your travel plans obviously.

Re-entry permits are easy at the airports, 1000 baht single, 3800 baht multi.

The advantage of doing it in Thailand is that I won’t have to deal with London, only Consulate for SETV, and it would save a little bit of paperwork this end.

 

The disadvantage is I’ll need to make sure I’m in Thailand long enough to do all I need to do.

[lopburi3]

21 minutes ago, TonyClifton said:

Make sure it is understood that you can show the equivalent of 800,000 in your home bank account.

He was asking about extension of stay and money must be in Thailand.

Home bank accounts are only accepted for O-A visas - not for immigration extension of stays issued in Thailand.

[TonyClifton]

5 minutes ago, Fred345 said:

So, I’m assuming I don’t need to get an Extension of Stay until towards the end of the second year (as long as I get a re-entry permit each time I leave).

Correct. You need a re-entry permit for when the last use date on the visa is passed.

[TonyClifton]

1 minute ago, lopburi3 said:

He was asking about extension of stay and money must be in Thailand.

Home bank accounts are only accepted for O-A visas - not for immigration extension of stays issued in Thailand.

Isn't that what I wrote?

[overherebc]

2 minutes ago, Fred345 said:

 

So, it’s not really a multiple-entry O-A it’s just that the O-A allows you to come and go for 12 months BUT if you enter near the end of the year you then need to get a re-entry permit in order to leave and re-enter under the original visa?

So, I’m assuming I don’t need to get an Extension of Stay until towards the end of the second year (as long as I get a re-entry permit each time I leave).

At the end of the first year of your OA, let's say use by 31/12/2019 you leave and return on 29/12/2019 you still get a one year entry. That means that your 'visa' has expired and your stay has been 'extended' so that's the point you need re-entry permits to keep the extension valid during the second year if you exit and return.

It's one of the reasons people argue on here about visas and extensions of stay.

[lopburi3]

Just now, TonyClifton said:

Isn't that what I wrote?

Was not in my reading but perhaps was what you mean.  Way I read it is the money could also be in his home country bank account as was posted to extension of stay question.  And that is not true.

[Fred345]

3 minutes ago, TonyClifton said:

Correct. You need a re-entry permit for when the last use date on the visa is passed.

Thanks. So I think I understand the O-A  - finally ?

Certainly has some advantages. I’d just need to plan trips accordingly.

 

I’d spent more time looking at the other option, as that’s what I’d always planned to do. That is SETV -> Non O -> Extension 

It just means making sure I’m there at least 3 months initially to sort it out.

 

Either way, once I’ve got my first Extension of Stay I’ll need to make sure I’m there the same time each year. 

 

[lopburi3]

12 minutes ago, Fred345 said:

So, it’s not really a multiple-entry O-A it’s just that the O-A allows you to come and go for 12 months

Yes it really is a multiple-entry O-A visa - they also had single entry which people lost as soon as the made an exit without a re-entry permit so do not believe anyone issues anymore.  The multi means you get a one year from date of entry at any time the visa is valid (one year from issue) rather than the 90 days a normal multi entry non immigrant O visa would provide.

[TonyClifton]

19 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

Was not in my reading but perhaps was what you mean.  Way I read it is the money could also be in his home country bank account as was posted to extension of stay question.  And that is not true.

We were discussing getting an OA visa.  You can't get it in Thailand so money would have to be in your home account.  From experience, all the paperwork required for the OA is onerous at best.

[overherebc]

To Fred345,

???

Just be thankful you don't have to go through the 'Great Tome' application for your Thai wife to get a visa for a two week holiday in UK. ???

 

I would, if in your shoes, and if you can go for the OA. 

It gives you a good chance to relax in your first 3 or 4 months in Thailand and see how the 'land lies' without the worries of money in the bank here or at home and for how long and dates for this/that etc.

[elviajero]

1 hour ago, Fred345 said:

So, if I get an O-A in UK, I’ll enter for the last time before the 12 months end, I get a stamp for 12 months from there. Now, I leave 2 months later. When do I get my Extension of Stay?

(it would be easy if I planned to just stay in Thailand but I’m likely to do 2 visits of 3 or 4 months each year)

I wouldn’t bother with applying for an extension of stay unless move permanently to Thailand.

 

If you get a Non ‘O-A’ visa you should, with planning, be able to come and go for nearly two years. At the end of the two years you can get another ‘O-A’ visa in the UK an repeat. 

 

Once/if you make a permanent move you can apply for an extension of stay within the last 30 days of any 1 year permit to stay.

[Andrew Dwyer]

So, it’s not really a multiple-entry O-A it’s just that the O-A allows you to come and go for 12 months BUT if you enter near the end of the year you then need to get a re-entry permit in order to leave and re-enter under the original visa?
So, I’m assuming I don’t need to get an Extension of Stay until towards the end of the second year (as long as I get a re-entry permit each time I leave).

The O-A is a multi entry visa valid for 1 year minus 1 day ( the entry before date on the visa is the day it expires ).

You can come and go at will during this 1st year and will receive an “ admitted until “ stamp in your passport with a date of 1 year in the future ( this is your permission to stay ).

You will need to report to immigration if you stay in Thailand 90 consecutive days, the clock resets when you do a 90 report or return from outside Thailand.

Shortly before your visa expires ( 1 year minus 1 day from issue ) if you leave the country and return you will receive an admitted until stamp for a further year.
NOTE: when your visa actually expires you will need a re-entry permit ( obtained at immigration or airport ) to enable you to enter Thailand under your permission to stay stamp, failure to purchase a re-entry permit BEFORE you leave and when you return you will be back to square one.

You make your extension at the end of the 2nd year ( or whenever your “ admitted until “ stamp is dated. Your 800,000 bht ( if you use this route ) needs to be in a Thai bank 2 months before the extension.

I managed to obtain 23 months from my O-A .

Sooo,

1st year O-A worry free, only 90 day reports.
2nd year obtain re-entry permit for travel oseas, + 90 day reports.

O-A gives you up to 2 years relatively worry free ( 2nd year with re entry permit ) multi entry and means you don’t need to transfer or tie any money to a Thai bank for 2 years ( minus 2 months )

[gk10002000]

how much to convert the SET to the OA over in Thailand?  Just wondering since getting the OA in advance in the USA costs 200 USD.  But the one time re-entry for another year angle is appealing.  this is geared to questions for 50 year old American able to fully qualify for extensions due to retirement

 

Visa Exempt  $0

Non Imm OA in USA  $200

SETV  $40

Cost to convert SETV to OA:

[ubonjoe]

8 minutes ago, gk10002000 said:

how much to convert the SET to the OA over in Thailand?  Just wondering since getting the OA in advance in the USA costs 200 USD.  But the one time re-entry for another year angle is appealing

You cannot convert to a OA visa here. A OA visa can only be issued at a embassy or consulate.

You can do a change of visa status to obtain a 90 day non immigrant visa (category O) entry for a fee of 2000 baht. Then during the last 30 days of the 90 day entry you can apply for a extension of stay based upon retirement for a fee of 1900 baht. Then if you want to travel you need a re-entry permit that costs 1000 baht or a single for 3800 baht for a multiple entry.

It is difficult to compare the cost of a OA visa to getting a extension of stay here.

[gk10002000]

Just now, ubonjoe said:

You cannot convert to a OA visa here. A OA visa can only be issued at a embassy or consulate.

You can do a change of visa status to obtain a 90 day non immigrant visa (category O) entry for a fee of 2000 baht. Then during the last 30 days of the 90 day entry you can apply for a extension of stay based upon retirement for a fee of 1900 baht. Then if you want to travel you need a re-entry permit that costs 1000 baht for a single for 3800 baht for a multiple entry.

It is difficult to compare the cost of a OA visa to getting a extension of stay here.

OK. I see the difference in the O's.  thanks