SETV vs. STV

[buick]

you can get a non O in the USA but not for retirement, it is ok for marriage and volunteer.  i talked to the LA consulate about this a couple yrs ago.

 

after those inquiries, i entered visa exempt and changed that entry to a non O at CW in bangkok.  then did a one year extension of stay.  i'm also back in USA right now, left bkk in august, and my extension needs to be renewed by end of May.  i'm not expecting to make it back by then.  not willing to do the quarantine, etc....  hopefully, i will get the vaccine and then enter visa exempt or with SETV in Q3 2021 (no quarantine).

[Dan O]

1 hour ago, buick said:

you can get a non O in the USA but not for retirement, it is ok for marriage and volunteer.  i talked to the LA consulate about this a couple yrs ago.

 

after those inquiries, i entered visa exempt and changed that entry to a non O at CW in bangkok.  then did a one year extension of stay.  i'm also back in USA right now, left bkk in august, and my extension needs to be renewed by end of May.  i'm not expecting to make it back by then.  not willing to do the quarantine, etc....  hopefully, i will get the vaccine and then enter visa exempt or with SETV in Q3 2021 (no quarantine).

I would agree that Pre Covid it was not available in the past and was not listed in the USA for Retirement. Prior to November this year it also was not listed, only the Non O-A and O-X. I'm not referring to what was listed and available in the past and not disputing that issue but I'm speaking to what is listed now, today. 

 

In  November  this year it was added to the Long Stay Section and listed specifically showing for Retirement in the same section as O-A and O-X and shows the Updated Reference and Date. The I posted the info straight from the Thai Embassy in Washington DC from this AM and is quite easily checked by going to the Embassy website, but I guess no one wants to check that.  If it's listed in error there I can not attest to that but it was specifically added and lists all the criteria to apply for it. It's listed in several sections on the website not just 1 area    Below is straight from the Embassy Website as of 5 minutes ago.   It's also listed on the On Line Application for COE    it's the last  option on the list and specifically shows it as Non Imm O (retirement). 

 

Procedures for Non-Thai nationals who wish to obtain a Non-Immigrant Category O (retirement)

Procedures for Non-Thai nationals who wish to obtain
a Non-Immigrant Category O (retirement)

Procedures for Non-Thai nationals who wish to obtain a Non-Immigrant Category O (retirement)

1. At least 15 working days before the intended date of travel, the applicant must fill in the information and upload all required documents online here

2. The Royal Thai Embassy / Consulates-General will review the application. If the applicant requires a visa, the visa officer will inform the applicant to submit the following documents through mail to the Royal Thai Embassy (ATTN: Visa Section) or Royal Thai Consulate-General in Los Angeles, Chicago, or New York:

2.1 Passport

2.2 Two passport-size photographs (2″x 2″)

2.3 Visa application form (Download) (if the applicant does not have a valid visa to enter Thailand)

2.4 Declaration Form (Download)

2.5 Medical insurance guaranteeing that the insurance company will cover a minimum of 100,000 USD (or equivalent in other currencies) of medical costs incurred by the applicant in Thailand, including medical costs in the event that the applicant contracts COVID-19 (The insurance must cover the whole duration of stay in Thailand).
*This is an additional requirement during the COVID situation. You may use your existing insurance coverage if it meets this requirement*

2.6 A confirmation of booking of Alternative State Quarantine (Please check the list of the alternative state quarantine hotels at www.hsscovid.com or www.thaiembdc.org/asq)

2.7 Applicant must be medically insured for the entire period of stay in Thailand with the following coverage:
– Outpatient benefit with a sum insured of not less than 40,000 THB, and
– Inpatient benefit with a sum insured of not less than  400,000 THB

2.8 Self-addressed return envelope and visa fee $80 (single entry) or $200 (multiple entry) if the applicant does not have a valid visa

3. At the departure airport, the approved applicant is required to present

3.1 A “Certificate of Entry into the Kingdom of Thailand” issued by The Royal Thai Embassy.

3.2 A Medical certificate with a laboratory result indicating that COVID -19 is not detected, using RT-PCR test, issued no more than 72 hours before departure

3.3 A ‘Fit to Fly Health Certificate’ issued no more than 72 hours before departure

3.4 A Medical insurance covering all expenditures of medical treatment, including COVID-19, while traveling to Thailand in an amount of at least 100,000 USD (The insurance must cover the whole duration of stay in Thailand).

4. Upon entry to Thailand

Travelers arriving in Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic must present the following documents

4.1 COE and Declaration Form

4.2 Medical certificate with a laboratory result indicating that COVID -19 is not detected, using RT-PCR test, issued no more than 72 hours before departure

4.3 Fit-to-fly/Fit-to-travel Health Certificate issued no more than 72 hours before departure

5. If granted entry, traveler must go through 14 days of Alternative State Quarantine
*** The applicant must arrange their own 14-day Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) at their own expenses. More information, including list of permitted hotels (in Thai) can be found here at http://hsscovid.com/ or Royal Thai Embassy’s website .***

[ubonjoe]

11 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

@ubonjoe

Can you give definitive advice re availability of obtaining a Non O (based on retirement) in USA.

Ta

It is shown on the embassy website as you can see. But the 40k/400k baht insurance is required but it would only need to be valid for the 90 day stay the non-o visa allows.

IMO it might be better to get a single entry tourist visa or 30 day visa exempt entry (now allowed with a 45 day extension).

[buick]

5 hours ago, Dan O said:

In  November  this year it was added to the Long Stay Section and listed specifically showing for Retirement in the same section as O-A and O-X

 

i hope it is accurate (non o is available for retirement).  that would be a nice change.  i'll apply for one once the quarantine requirements are over (and i'm vaccinated). 

[Dan O]

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

It is shown on the embassy website as you can see. But the 40k/400k baht insurance is required but it would only need to be valid for the 90 day stay the non-o visa allows.

IMO it might be better to get a single entry tourist visa or 30 day visa exempt entry (now allowed with a 45 day extension).

Thanks Joe for confirming that since several didn't believe me or my posting and needed your confirmation first. I can understand as the info does change randomly in some instances,  or you get different interpretations depending who\where you speak with. 

 

I also have correspondence in to the Embassy in Washington DC to confirm a couple questions about it and some other information I requested. It's not listed on the LA Embassy website but I saw it listed in the UK also.  The STV is now listed as available but the Visa Exempt isn't listed yet or wasn't earlier but Im sure it will be updated when they open again this week.  Just waiting for a reply which I should have my tomorrow or Tuesday,    I don't know if this version Visa will end up staying long term and become an on going thing or be dropped at some point in the future after the Covid situation clears later next year. 

 

I agree the other Single Entry TR or the  Visa Exempt may be a better option for many depending on their circumstances.  My trip is planned for mid to end of January but I can only stay 60 days this trip due to business obligations but plan to move back full time later in the year 

[Dan O]

1 hour ago, buick said:

 

i hope it is accurate (non o is available for retirement).  that would be a nice change.  i'll apply for one once the quarantine requirements are over (and i'm vaccinated). 

That may be a long wait as I don't see large scale vaccinations until mid year if not later depending on what group you fall in and vaccination availability.   I also don't see the quarantine being dropped for most of next year, hope I'm wrong. They may shorten quarantine times (I hope) with proof of testing after vaccines get rolling but I'm not waiting for that point in time. Hopefully the ASQ costs will drop if travel picks up now that they have become more lenient on allowing travel from more countries that were considered undesirable. 

 

[Mai mee]

Does anybody have an approximate cost figure for 3 months of 40/400 insurance from a Thai vendor? and is it easy to get online?

[ubonjoe]

9 hours ago, Mai mee said:

Does anybody have an approximate cost figure for 3 months of 40/400 insurance from a Thai vendor? and is it easy to get online?

I am not aware of anybody getting 3 months of insurance yet but I am sure it is possible.

Perhaps contact some of the companies listed here. https://longstay.tgia.org/home/companiesoa

[Trvlr55]

Acronym Overload

Not sure exactly what SETV or STV is, or requirements for each.

Would be great if someone could post a short description of each, and their requirements.

 

In the past, and coming from US,  I've always come on the 30 day, no visa required option.

I've read that is possible to, once in Thailand to get a Visa "eventually via some multiple step process" that can be renewed yearly.

this is the route I am thinking to pursue. FYI, I am 65 and retired.

 

Have also read that Social Security/Pension is the only types of income allowable for the income method, however it is not available to people coming from the US. Is this just our embassy not wanting to process the paperwork?? I do have the funds for the bank deposit option, however was really wanting to do the Social Security/funds combination route, if at all possible. That is a lot of funds to keep tied up doing nothing.

 

The other thing I am very uncertain about is the Thai bank account requirement, and needing funds in account for 60 days prior to applying for Visa once in Thailand, etc...
Thai Banks do not allow a foreigner to have a bank account without a Visa, but you need funds in a Thai bank account for minimum of 60 days before Immigration will issue the Visa.
Decided to test that back in February, before my trip back home. I didn't go to BoT, but one of the other larger banks, and was told that they would not issue a bank account without a valid Work Permit; the lady was well aware of the Retirement Visa, etc but still insisted No Work Permit, No Bank Account.

 

I don't mind complicated, but this is very confusing, at least for me.

 

Not one to give up easily, there was also an attorney booth setup at one of the large local malls, and advertised Immigration/Visa's as one of his specialties. Stopped by there after being turned down by the bank, and he told me to wait until I get back in US and he would then assist me, and nothing could be done until I return to US... Then Covid hit!

 

After arriving back to US, I found one these companies that will help you through the entire process, "for a fee of course". Told them I just left Thailand, and they said, "is unfortunate you didn't contact us while in country, we would have been able to get you the Visa before you left." ????

 

I also recall similar requirements for housing. You need to show rental contract for your house/condo, etc when applying for the VISA, but  you need a VISA before you can legally rent house/condo, or vacation rental, and can only stay in hotels until you get the VISA.

 

Being 65, I should < fingers crossed>, be on the next wave of vaccinations, after critical care workers/assisted living, late January'ish, and hoping this route will open back up for people sometime in early spring.

 

Any clarification on these issues would be greatly appreciated.

 

Having already experienced 9 months of semi-quarantine/isolation, the last thing I would want to experience is 14 days of a complete quarantine in a small room. Even if they reduced it for 5-7 days for those who've been vaccinated, would be good enough for me.

[Mai mee]

Sorry... SETV = single entry tourist visa or aka TR.... can be converted to a long stay visa (Non-Immigrant type O) in country to which you can get an extension of stay for 12 months at a time, which is I think where you want to go.

 

STV = the new Special Tourist Visa... allows a stay of 3 months with 2 three month extensions possible, for a total of 9 months, but may NOT be converted to another visa type that allows the holder to remain in the Kingdom longer term.

 

A tourist visa can be converted to a long stay non-O visa from within Thailand at your local Immigration office, and THEN extended from there in 12 month increments to allow the foreigner to remain in Thailand for years as long as the extension requirements (like proof of funds) are met.

[Trvlr55]

2 hours ago, Mai mee said:

Sorry... SETV = single entry tourist visa or aka TR.... can be converted to a long stay visa (Non-Immigrant type O) in country to which you can get an extension of stay for 12 months at a time, which is I think where you want to go.

 

STV = the new Special Tourist Visa... allows a stay of 3 months with 2 three month extensions possible, for a total of 9 months, but may NOT be converted to another visa type that allows the holder to remain in the Kingdom longer term.

 

A tourist visa can be converted to a long stay non-O visa from within Thailand at your local Immigration office, and THEN extended from there in 12 month increments to allow the foreigner to remain in Thailand for years as long as the extension requirements (like proof of funds) are met.

Thanks much!

 

OK;  SETV aka TR is what I would want then.

I would first need to file for at least one extension?  while working towards the (Non-Immigrant type O) ?

how do I go about getting the bank account and funds in 60 days in advance for the Non-O?

[Mai mee]

30 minutes ago, Trvlr55 said:

Thanks much!

 

OK;  SETV aka TR is what I would want then.

I would first need to file for at least one extension?  while working towards the (Non-Immigrant type O) ?

how do I go about getting the bank account and funds in 60 days in advance for the Non-O?

Banking... Welcome to Thailand. Every bank is different, it's not about laws or regulations but rather about individual bank policies, and even individual bank BRANCH policies. Some banks are now saying "No work permit, no account" more common seems to be, "No LONG STAY visa, no account". But then some branches will open an account on a tourist visa, and I know some who have opened accounts (but none recently that I've heard of) on a visa exempt entry.. 

 

I'll leave room for the experts to chime in but, my bank (Bangkok Bank) opened an account for me on a tourist visa when I explained I was buying a condo and therefore needed an account for handling the monies involved, I also went in with a friend who had a work permit and business accounts at THAT BRANCH. This is after being refused an account at a different branch OF THE SAME BANK only a few blocks away. I was told that new branches are sometimes easier than more established ones as the managers are trying harder to get deposits into the branch.

 

I think the way many people do it is they go to Immigration right away after entering on a tourist visa, and get a brand new shiny Non Immigrant O visa (good for 90 days) and then take the new non-O to the bank and open the account based on that visa. At that point they immediately deposit the funds (usually 800,000 baht plus) into that account so that the funds can "season" for the 2 months that are required, to be able to apply for  the 12 month extension of stay of their visa. After that all that is needed is to file your 90 day reports to immigration in person or online where available. That's if you're using the funds on deposit for qualifying for the extension. If you are using the income method for qualifying, then there are quite a few more things that have to be done

 

I'll step aside and let the experts take over from here. Also you might check out the business and banking forum here for more info on opening accounts and dealing with the banks.