Can a 90 day Single Entry Non O based on Retirement be extended

[edd999]

Following good advice from this forum I have just received a 90 day Single Entry Non Immigrant O on Retirement from the Thai Embassy in London as a better alternative to repeated Tourist visas. 

I would really like to stay in Thailand 6 months on this trip, so what options are there.

Can the 90 day Single Entry Non O be extended at the local immigration office and for how long, or

If I do a visa run to Laos can I get another 90 day single entry there.

In London just needed a copy of UK state pension statement, would that be the same in Laos.

Any suggestions much appreciated.

[ubonjoe]

The only extension you can get of the 90 day entry from your non-o visa is for one year by showing financial proof. (800k baht in a bank or 65k baht income). 

You will will not be able to get another non-o visa at a nearby embassy or consulate with showing the same financial proof needed for a one year extension. You could only get a single entry tourist visa.

[tgeezer]

Following good advice from this forum I have just received a 90 day Single Entry Non Immigrant O on Retirement from the Thai Embassy in London as a better alternative to repeated Tourist visas.  I would really like to stay in Thailand 6 months on this trip, so what options are there. Can the 90 day Single Entry Non O be extended at the local immigration office and for how long, or If I do a visa run to Laos can I get another 90 day single entry there. In London just needed a copy of UK state pension statement, would that be the same in Laos. Any suggestions much appreciated.

You were not given good advice.
The non-Immigrant visa obtained using retirement as the reason is for spending the last year’s of your life in Thailand. The abuse of this visa has been tolerated for years, eg. I spend only five months annually of the last years of my life in Thailand but I have done the minimum required to remain for the whole year so don’t feel too bad about my lack of compliance in regard to lifestyle.
Those people who see marriage and retirement as a tool for longer holidays without extending their stay as agreed when they obtained the visa and Immigration Officers who tolerate it are abusing the system.


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[ubonjoe]

56 minutes ago, tgeezer said:

You were not given good advice.

Not sure about that. He might of read about getting a single entry if wanting to apply for an extension of stay.

The correct advise in his case would of been to get a multiple entry non-o visa from the embassy in London that they still issue it for those on a old age pension.

The embassy in London has kept the door open for those that are on a OAP that does not meet the requirements for a OA visa or an extension of stay here.

[elviajero]

After your initial 90 day stay ends you’ll need to exit the country. If you want another 90 days the best option will be to get a Single Entry Tourist Visa (SETV) from Vientiane, Loas.

 

When you enter with the SETV you’ll be granted 60 days, which can be extended by another 30 days at immigration for 1,900 baht.

[edd999]

Thanks for the replies.

In view of the present visa climate in Thailand what would be required at Laos either Vientiane or Savannakher to get the the one year extension.   I can get the police and health certificates and have the original pension statement.  I have an online business that brings the income to  over 65k but payments go into Paypal, so can only get an online printout from this.  Would that be acceptable.

[ubonjoe]

27 minutes ago, edd999 said:

Thanks for the replies.

In view of the present visa climate in Thailand what would be required at Laos either Vientiane or Savannakher to get the the one year extension.   I can get the police and health certificates and have the original pension statement.  I have an online business that brings the income to  over 65k but payments go into Paypal, so can only get an online printout from this.  Would that be acceptable.

You cannot a apply for an extension of stay at a embassy or consulate. They are applied for at the designated immigration office for where you living. What you described were the requirements for a OA visa that you can only apply for at the embassy in London.

For an extension of stay you do not need a police clearance for medical certificate.

To prove you income of 65k baht you would need a income letter done at the UK embassy that you apply for by mail. Info about getting is is here.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-obtain-a-pensionincome-letter-for-thai-immigration

You need to send the income letter so that it arrives at the embassy prior to December 12th. Things are up in the air at this moment at what you will need at immigration besides the income letter.

 

 

 

[edd999]

Thanks ubonjoe that that's great.   I am relatively new to Thailand and still trying to get my head around all this.  The plan is to retire to Thailand eventually but now slowly building a new relationship with my Thai lady.

 

[ubonjoe]

15 hours ago, edd999 said:

Thanks ubonjoe that that's great.   I am relatively new to Thailand and still trying to get my head around all this.  The plan is to retire to Thailand eventually but now slowly building a new relationship with my Thai lady.

 

If you back to the UK before doing an extension here I suggest you consider getting a OA long stay visa from the embassy in London. You can get almost 2 years of total stay from it before needing to apply for an extension or a new visa from the embassy.

Info is here on the embassy website. http://www.thaiembassy.org/london/en/services/7742/84508-Non-Immigrant-visas.html#7

[edd999]

Thanks again ubonjoe.  I will be back to Thailand next week on my Non O and will apply for the income letter as soon as there.  The immigration office at Mahasarakham are pretty helfull so will try for the year extension.  But if that is not possible will get myself to Lao in February for SETA to cover this trip.  Then as you say will apply for the OA long stay in London.

Many thanks for you help.

[Sprog71]

For years I have been coming to Thailand on a multiple entry "O" visa on the Pensioner basis via Hull Consulate/London Embassy. This year that visa was not available and only a single entry "O" visa was available on a Pension/Marriage basis.

I arrived in Thailand on the 5th November with the single "O" visa and reported to Songhkla Immigration on the 6th to register my stay at our house (Thai wife). They could not answer my questions about extending my visa so referred me to Hat Yai Immigration. I attended the Hat Yai Immigration office on the 8th November and explained I required an extension to cover my stay until 16th April when I'm booked to return to the UK. I qualified for an extension on both Pension/Marriage and they suggested Marriage with the following requirements 1. 400,000 Baht in a bank account  (we have in excess of800,000 Baht in a joint account so was acceptable). 2. Blue Book for our (wife's) house.

3 Marriage Certificate Thai copy of English (Certified) or English original although wife has Thai passport and Thai ID card in her Married name and we've been married 39 years. 4. Photo of wife and myself at our house showing house number preferred. I already had a criminal record Certificate and Health Certificate but these weren't mentioned as I cut the interview short when I stated did not want to live in Thailand on a permanent basis but would be returning to the UK in April for 5/6 months. I could have proceeded on the above basis to extend the current visa but would have to go through the same process every year I return.

The immigration officer advised that I should exit Thailand on the expiry of my "O" visa on the 2nd Feb to a country with a Thai Embassy and apply for a 60 day tourist visa and then apply for a 30 day extension at the Hat Yai Immigration office to cover my stay until 16th April. Looks like my future visits to Thailand will be limited to 90 days but at aged 80 this may not be a bad thing.      

[elviajero]

It is only the consulates that can't issue ME visas. If you apply to the London embassy (it can be done by post) they will issue a ME based on you being married/a pensioner.

 

Based on you arriving on November 5th and leaving on April 16th (163 days) I would suggest the following;

 

Your current 90 day stay will end on February 2nd. A week or so before that stays ends you can get a 60 day extension, from your local immigration office, to visit your wife. You will not need to provide any financial information. That extension will take you to April 3rd. Then, on or before April 3rd you can do a border hop and re-enter under visa exemption, which will give you another 30 days and cover the remainder of your stay.

[Sprog71]

Thankyou Elviajero,

I always got my ME visas issued from Hull Consulate until Jan 2018 when they had to submit my application to the Thai Embassy for approval before they could issue one. This time, in Oct, Non Immigration ME visa were not an option on the standard application form and I was told are no longer available anywhere.

 

I understand your 60 day 30 day advice and wonder why the Immigration Officer didn't advise same. I Know border runs are now frowned upon so could they be dodgy. I didn't understand your comment about visiting my wife who would be by my side in the immigration office helping combat Thai officialdom. 

[elviajero]

50 minutes ago, Sprog71 said:

I always got my ME visas issued from Hull Consulate until Jan 2018 when they had to submit my application to the Thai Embassy for approval before they could issue one. This time, in Oct, Non Immigration ME visa were not an option on the standard application form and I was told are no longer available anywhere.

I can assure you that they are still available direct from the Embassy. Presumably Hull have had their facility to get applicantions approved withdrawn, and referring you direct to the Embassy would cost Hull a sale!

 

50 minutes ago, Sprog71 said:

I understand your 60 day 30 day advice and wonder why the Immigration Officer didn't advise same. I Know border runs are now frowned upon so could they be dodgy.

Border runs only tend to be a problem for long term tourists. You should have a problem as long as you use a crossing point that allows immediate return.

 

If you are happy to have a couple of days in another country, you could avoid getting an extension by leaving after 90 days and applying for a non ‘O’ visa based on being married to a Thai. They're easy to get and would give you 90 days on re-entry. It would cover the remainder of your stay and be a better choice than getting a tourist visa.

 

50 minutes ago, Sprog71 said:

I didn't understand your comment about visiting my wife who would be by my side in the immigration office helping combat Thai officialdom. 

Sorry if I wasn’t clear; the reason they will issue a 60 day extension is to visit your wife.

[Sprog71]

Thank you again elveirojero

I have just checked The London Embassy Postal Application Form and indeed a MS visa is listed The application form I completed did not have that choice so must be a Hull Consulate edition. I have been miss-informed or I have misunderstood the situation in Hull. I now have a few choices when the time comes. 

 

[ubonjoe]

19 minutes ago, Sprog71 said:

Thank you again elveirojero

I have just checked The London Embassy Postal Application Form and indeed a MS visa is listed The application form I completed did not have that choice so must be a Hull Consulate edition. I have been miss-informed or I have misunderstood the situation in Hull. I now have a few choices when the time comes. 

 

The Hull consulate website states that they can only issue single entry visas. It requires the Landon embassy's approval to do it.

See:http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/non-immigrant-visa-cat-o-married.php

[Sprog71]

Hi Ubonjoe,

Having obtained many ME visas via Hull and then reading the Consulate information in October, as I did, I have assumed ME visas are no longer available anywhere. Stupid me for not asking but naughty of Hull for not indicating otherwise and just saying they are no longer available. 

[edd999]

On ‎11‎/‎11‎/‎2018 at 11:30 PM, elviajero said:

Your current 90 day stay will end on February 2nd. A week or so before that stays ends you can get a 60 day extension, from your local immigration office, to visit your wife. You will not need to provide any financial information. That extension will take you to April 3rd. Then, on or before April 3rd you can do a border hop and re-enter under visa exemption, which will give you another 30 days and cover the remainder of your stay.

I am still confused .... does this mean that the 90 day single entry Non 0 on retirement, can be extended at the local immigration office for 60 days.

[Maestro]

On 11/11/2018 at 5:30 PM, elviajero said:

...Your current 90 day stay will end on February 2nd. A week or so before that stays ends you can get a 60 day extension, from your local immigration office, to visit your wife. You will not need to provide any financial information. That extension will take you to April 3rd. Then, on or before April 3rd you can do a border hop and re-enter under visa exemption, which will give you another 30 days and cover the remainder of your stay.

1

I see nothing in the OP's posts in this topic to suggest that he is married to a Thai national.

[Maestro]

7 minutes ago, edd999 said:

I am still confused .... does this mean that the 90 day single entry Non 0 on retirement, can be extended at the local immigration office for 60 days.

No, on it cannot.

[elviajero]

6 minutes ago, edd999 said:

On 11/11/2018 at 4:30 PM, elviajero said:

Your current 90 day stay will end on February 2nd. A week or so before that stays ends you can get a 60 day extension, from your local immigration office, to visit your wife. You will not need to provide any financial information. That extension will take you to April 3rd. Then, on or before April 3rd you can do a border hop and re-enter under visa exemption, which will give you another 30 days and cover the remainder of your stay.

I am still confused .... does this mean that the 90 day single entry Non 0 on retirement, can be extended at the local immigration office for 60 days.

Yes. Any entry (permit to stay) can be extended once by 60 days if you are the spouse or parent of a Thai.

[elviajero]

10 minutes ago, Maestro said:

On 11/11/2018 at 4:30 PM, elviajero said:

...Your current 90 day stay will end on February 2nd. A week or so before that stays ends you can get a 60 day extension, from your local immigration office, to visit your wife. You will not need to provide any financial information. That extension will take you to April 3rd. Then, on or before April 3rd you can do a border hop and re-enter under visa exemption, which will give you another 30 days and cover the remainder of your stay.

1

I see nothing in the OP's posts in this topic to suggest that he is married to a Thai national.

You're right the OP isn't married, but the post of mine you quote was not in reply to the OP; it was to another member -- 'Sprog71' who is married -- that joined the thread and asked a separate question.

[Maestro]

Thank you. Funny things happen when a topic gets highjacked by someone who is in an entirely different situation.

[edd999]

Thanks that clarifies the point.   Sprog71's  circumstances differ to my own in so far that he is married.   As I don't think telling the IO that I need the extra 60 days to visit my Fiancee will carry any weight, I will go with plan A and get a SETV at Laos at the end of the 90 days.