" that visa applicants in the UK and Ireland now have to apply online,"

 This is not quite correct, it should read Northern Ireland, Irish citizens apply at the Thai Consulate in Dublin and although subject to London approval the website is still showing paper application through the Consulate.

 

"Aside from applications now having to be made online, among the most notable changes are that Non-Immigrant Type O (multiple entry) are no longer issued by the Royal Thai Embassy in London."

This statement implies that the removal of the Non O ME is a London issue whereas it is in fact an online issue. This was quite evident from the China setup prior to the UK going online. The online system will be used by all embassies and consulates in due course.

5 minutes ago, BoBoTheClown said:

Way too many people have taken advantage of this visa and now the party is over. You are not supposed to live in Thailand on that visa.

 

The people that are complaining, didn't "take advantage" it was the best visa for their circumstances.

As for "living in Thailand", most are working overseas and spending their off swings with family here ie 2 months on 2 months off etc.

So this was exactly the right visa...

7 minutes ago, BoBoTheClown said:

Way too many people have taken advantage of this visa and now the party is over. You are not supposed to live in Thailand on that visa. And, why would anyone apply for an extension of stay, which is the correct thing to do to live in Thailand, if you are allowed to get a Non O based on marriage that is good for one year without the hassle?  Doesn't make sense so they fixed it. 

 

Sorry but if you work outside Thailand but have a Thai family and Thailand as a base the multi Non-O is ideal, it saves messing around. I've variously picked one up in London or Penang, I'm perfectly happy to show financials that's not an issue. I wish they'd keep this visa options, just insist on financials if they think it's some sort of loophole. 

12 minutes ago, BoBoTheClown said:

Way too many people have taken advantage of this visa and now the party is over. You are not supposed to live in Thailand on that visa. And, why would anyone apply for an extension of stay, which is the correct thing to do to live in Thailand, if you are allowed to get a Non O based on marriage that is good for one year without the hassle?  Doesn't make sense so they fixed it. 

 

Theres's nothing to say that people cant choose to live here on that visa, for many with family, children etc, its ideal as they can take vacations together when they need to leave the country, why extend, then have to get a re-entry permit when you don't need to?. For this type of visa holder there are several other places who are currently issuing NON o ME, so it's not as if they've stopped altogether (yet?). It also works out a lot cheaper to go to a neighbouring country to obtain one rather than having to fly back to the UK.

 

Joe

3 hours ago, GeorgeCross said:

keep tightening.. a few more screws and no-one will qualify for any type of visa!

 

 

 

They've just stripped the threads completely off the screws they have at the minute.

 

That looks complicated for any type of visa; is this just the Thai Embassy in Britain or do other countries have similar submittals to provide before being allowed to go on holiday?

27 minutes ago, sumrit said:

If you get a SE non O, you then get a one year extension and that give you a total of 15 months travelling to and from Thailand. If you're in Thailand near the end of that period you renew your extension. If not, you just get a new SE non O and repeat the process.

That is a feasible option for people who can arrange a three month visit to see their family, or who can conveniently return for a month at the right time to apply for the extension. For many, it is simply not going to work. The best workaround for some (if multi entry Non O is discontinued everywhere) is going to be a 10,000 baht, 2-day detour via somewhere like Ho Chi Minh City before each visit to see their family.

 

EDIT: For those on something like a 28/28 rotation on an oil rig, the Thailand Elite visa is going to look increasingly like a relatively economical solution.

For accompanying a Thai spouse : A copy of marriage certificate, a copy of Thai passport/a copy of Thai ID of spouse, and (3 months bank statement showing monthly income of more than £1,500.)

 

So are we back to the "you have to be in full time employment" to get a Visa. If you have large lumpsum that is not good enough? Or is there a grey area that has to be confirmed by Thai Visa members actually going through the motions and reporting back. Why can they never make these requirements clear.

And what has your wifes Thai passport got to do with it anyway!

Now what is going to happen for those already worried... panicked even... about renewing their extension based on retirment (single or married)? Then there is the question what changes are there going to be for the work permit holders (teachers etc) who already pay thai tax? 

Basic English test for today:

 

Re-arrange these words to make a sentence with correct English....

 

nail <*****> the Another <*****> coffin. in

2 minutes ago, BritTim said:

That is a feasible option for people who can arrange a three month visit to see their family, or who can conveniently return for a month at the right time to apply for the extension. For many, it is simply not going to work. The best workaround for some (if multi entry Non O is discontinued everywhere) is going to be a 10,000 baht, 2-day detour via somewhere like Ho Chi Minh City before each visit to see their family.

With a further 60 day extension option to visit family that's a three month window to organise an extension. That's a feesable amount of time. 

9 minutes ago, chrisinth said:

They've just stripped the threads completely off the screws they have at the minute.

 

That looks complicated for any type of visa; is this just the British Embassy or do other countries have similar submittals?

Right now, this is implemented in China, the UK and France (but thankfully not yet at the consulates). Supposedly, the intention is to extend this wonderful system to other locations in time.

Jesus, these people really hate us.

 

clear that people better start to make backup plans as new stupid rules are on the way

 

2019 and you still don't have the basic right to be with your family without all this bullcrap while thai people get citizenship after a few years and can work directly after marriage in our home countries...

 

1 minute ago, sumrit said:

With a further 60 day extension option to visit family that's a three month window to organise an extension. That's a feesable amount of time. 

The 60-day extension does not change the need for someone on 28/28 rotation to be in Thailand for a 30-day window (making the application, then returning after the under consideration period). I do not think you are able to apply for the one-year extension, then concurrently the 60-day extension so you are not locked into a precise schedule for the extension.

Does anyone know if the multiple entry Non O is still available at the official consulates in the UK? I know the honorary consulates are not allowed to issue them, but unsure about Glasgow and Dublin. If so, application in person there might be a possible workaround for some.

Several off topic inflammatory posts and replies to them have been removed.

No further notice of posts being removed will be given.

2 hours ago, userabcd said:

For a single entry non O - For accompanying a Thai spouse : A copy of marriage certificate, a copy of Thai passport/a copy of Thai ID of spouse, and (3 months bank statement showing monthly income of more than £1,500.)

 

What happens if one does not have the monthly income of GBP1500 per month but a lump sum amount. There seems to be no option for a lump sum amount in a bank account for this option?

I just got one from Glasgow, they never asked for bank statements, only application form, my passport, wife's ID card and passport and marriage certificate, waited 2 days then told to come and collect it

Any longer than a 90 day visa being issued is certainly not for tourist purposes.

Please name me a country that issues a multiple entry 1 year visa without much qualification.

 

Oh wow. If this comes to my country, I will buy Elite Visa. Great. 500 000 THB wasted. The Non-O ME is so practical for anyone working abroad, visiting family once a month. 

I really don't think booking an air ticket before getting a visa is a good idea bearing in mind the chances of failing to get the visa.

1 minute ago, natway09 said:

Any longer than a 90 day visa being issued is certainly not for tourist purposes.

Please name me a country that issues a multiple entry 1 year visa without much qualification.

 

The Multi Entry Non O ceased to be for tourist purposes many years ago. It became a Visa that was only available for people on Retirement wishing to live in Thailand, or people that are married to Thai's or have children in Thailand.

Exact from the Thai Embassy London Link in this report

 

Multiple Entry Visa :

• Multiple Entry Tourist Visa will be valid for 6 months from the date of issue. Travellers must enter Thailand within the validity of visa, and they will be permitted to stay in Thailand not exceeding 60 days for each entry within the period of 6 months from the date of arrival in Thailand. 

Multiple Entry Non-Immigrant Visa will be valid for 1 year from the date of issue. Travellers must enter Thailand within the validity of visa.  However, the permitted length of stay is up to 1 year from the date of arrival in Thailand.

Travellers should carefully check the immigration stamps in the passports regarding the exact length of stay to ensure that they do not overstay their visa. Penalty for overstay is a fine of 500 baht per day and blacklist for entry ban for at least 5 years.

 

They are still advertising one year Multi entry Non-Imm visas !!!!!

Confused..

Together with the high UKP exchange rate it can be safely assumed that quite a few 28/28 guys on the oil fields and rigs will be moving elsewhere.

Will impact international schools, upmarket supermarkets and airlines as their families will homebase elsewhere then. Well done, congratulations are in order!

New rules of Thai Immigration laws again. Full time work to follow the law of the week. For this, work permit also needed ???? 

Where is the Op getting their information from?!?!?

 

Multiple Entry Visa :

• Multiple Entry Tourist Visa will be valid for 6 months from the date of issue. Travellers must enter Thailand within the validity of visa, and they will be permitted to stay in Thailand not exceeding 60 days for each entry within the period of 6 months from the date of arrival in Thailand. 

Multiple Entry Non-Immigrant Visa will be valid for 1 year from the date of issue. Travellers must enter Thailand within the validity of visa.  However, the permitted length of stay is up to 1 year from the date of arrival in Thailand."

 

source:

http://www.thaiembassy.org/london/en/services/7742/86306-Validity-of-visa-and-permitted-length-of-stay.html

 

 

22 minutes ago, natway09 said:

Any longer than a 90 day visa being issued is certainly not for tourist purposes.

Please name me a country that issues a multiple entry 1 year visa without much qualification.

 

I have had 2 friends from Thailand visit me in NZ.. sure not multiple entry but then who would want that..

 

Quote from NZ immigration "You can visit New Zealand as a genuine tourist for up to 9 months in an 18-month period".

 

And there is none of this nonsense of Tm30's and all the other Thai nonsense... the sooner the Thai economy goes to the dogs the better. All the Thai people I know in Thailand, which are quite a few, say the economy is bad.. not surprising with the idiots they have in power... and the Thai people all want them gone..

22 minutes ago, smudger1951 said:

I really don't think booking an air ticket before getting a visa is a good idea bearing in mind the chances of failing to get the visa.

In order to get a METV visa in America, January 2019, you had to provide copy of flights into and out of Thailand.

 

Maybe flights from Singapore will do? (~$150 USD roundtrip)

On top of retirement visa changes these new regulations added together will stop so many people coming. Is that intention ?

3 hours ago, Captain_Bob said:

Tourist visa rules keep tightening, mostly due to a minority of individuals who keep trying to abuse every loophole and crack in the system to stay long-term for purposes other than tourism. A few bad apples f * cking it up for everyone else. 

That is why EVERY visa is becoming more difficult

3 hours ago, Captain_Bob said:

Tourist visa rules keep tightening, mostly due to a minority of individuals who keep trying to abuse every loophole and crack in the system to stay long-term for purposes other than tourism. A few bad apples f * cking it up for everyone else. 

With all the bad foreigner propaganda, you finally bought into it, didn't you?

 

There are bad apples in every country, however other less nationalistic or less communist countries would not use limited examples as justification for oppressive policies to the extent Thailand does.

 

The bad apples saying is actually considered by some a logical fallacy in certain contexts.