Change non-Imm visa (retirement) to O-X?

[Kiujunn]

When in Thailand with a retirement extension of a non-Imm visa, is it possible to change that into a O-X visa (5- year visa)?

 

Is there any other way to avoid being forced to be in Thailand every year at the same time - the time for the yearly extension? It can be very inconvenient.  I am not talking about 2020 and covid,  to organize one's life around the yearly extension has always been inconvenient. 

[jackdd]

No, you can't apply for this visa in Thailand. But I don't really see what your problem is.

If you are not in Thailand for the yearly extension when it expires, the next time you just enter visa exempt, apply for a new non-o visa in Thailand and if you should stay so long for the yearly extension afterwards.

This costs you a trip to immigration and 2000THB compared to a continuous yearly extension, but in return you don't have to organize your life around the yearly extension.

Or you could of course apply for the non-OX visa the next time you are at your home country, but imho it's not worth it.

[ubonjoe]

As said you cannot apply for a non-ox visa while here.

You could also apply for a Non-OA visa in your home country that allows unlimited one year entries for one year from the date of issue. You can get almost 2 years of total stay form it by doing an entry shortly before it expires and then a re-entry permit to keep it valid if you want to travel. You could apply for another OA visa after the existing one expires for as long as you want to.

[DoneTravelling]

I am on a Non Imm-O which has been extended with a 12 month retirement visa numerous times. Since Covid struck I have been overseas and my 12 month extension retirement visa expired in December 2020.

 

Some questions.

1. When I return can my Non-O extension retirement visa be extended with no issues?

2. Can I return with a one way flight and obviously comply with quarantine and insurance requirements.

 

Any advice is greatly appreciated as my present work visa in Indonesia is about to expire.

[ubonjoe]

12 minutes ago, DoneTravelling said:

1. When I return can my Non-O extension retirement visa be extended with no issues?

2. Can I return with a one way flight and obviously comply with quarantine and insurance requirements.

1. Since your extension and re-entry permit has expired you will have to start all over again by getting a non-o visa and then apply for a extension of stay.

2. Yes

You also need to decide how your are going to enter the country. Apply for a single entry non-o visa at a embassy if possible. Or apply for single entry tourist visa or enter visa exempt to get a 45 day entry (if you qualify for one) and the apply for 90 day non-o visa entry at immigration (800k baht in the bank or proof 65k baht income is required).

[DoneTravelling]

I was so hoping that was not going to be the case. I will go to the Thai consulate in Jakarta and see whats needed. 

[ubonjoe]

51 minutes ago, DoneTravelling said:

I was so hoping that was not going to be the case. I will go to the Thai consulate in Jakarta and see whats needed. 

You can find some info here on the embassy website. http://www.thaiembassyjakarta.com/en/consular-services/important-information-on-visa-application/

 

[DoneTravelling]

3 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

You can find some info here on the embassy website. http://www.thaiembassyjakarta.com/en/consular-services/important-information-on-visa-application/

 

Thanks Joe, I already have that link and 2.7 applies. However I had read somewhere in the past that expired visas would be renewed upon return, god knows where I found that now. Anyway I will go and chat and see what comes of it. Thanks a lot mate.

[ubonjoe]

7 minutes ago, DoneTravelling said:

However I had read somewhere in the past that expired visas would be renewed upon return, god knows where I found that now.

It is probably confusion of normal re-entry permits and those for those with permanent residency that have had their validity extended for a year or more now. 

[soisanuk]

17 hours ago, jackdd said:

No, you can't apply for this visa in Thailand. But I don't really see what your problem is.

If you are not in Thailand for the yearly extension when it expires, the next time you just enter visa exempt, apply for a new non-o visa in Thailand and if you should stay so long for the yearly extension afterwards.

This costs you a trip to immigration and 2000THB compared to a continuous yearly extension, but in return you don't have to organize your life around the yearly extension.

Or you could of course apply for the non-OX visa the next time you are at your home country, but imho it's not worth it.

 

If I recall correctly, if you are using the 800k in a Thai bank method when applying for the Non-Immigrant Visa "O" in Thailand, you are required to show it came from outside of Thailand.  For someone whose Retirement extension has lapsed while out of the country, this could be a problem in returning on Visa Exempt or Tourist Visa and applying for the Non-O visa if they are relying on 800k they have kept on deposit in their Thai bank to meet the requirement for their previous extensions of stay.  If they can't show it originally came from outside of Thailand, it is most likely their application for a Non-O Visa will be denied. 

 

I definitely agree with your opinion that the O-X is not worth it.  It ties up a lot more funds AND the holder still has to go to Immigration once a year to show they still qualify - kept the required amount on deposit & renewed their health insurance.

[jacko45k]

17 hours ago, Kiujunn said:

When in Thailand with a retirement extension of a non-Imm visa, is it possible to change that into a O-X visa (5- year visa)?

Visas cannot be changed nor are they issued in Thailand. particularly an OX which is only available in your resident country.

 

Within Thailand you can obtain extensions and also a Tourist Visa or Visa Exempt Entry can be converted to a Non-Imm-O entry, as a stepping stone to a long term extension (EG A retirement Extension). 

[ubonjoe]

1 hour ago, soisanuk said:

If I recall correctly, if you are using the 800k in a Thai bank method when applying for the Non-Immigrant Visa "O" in Thailand, you are required to show it came from outside of Thailand.  For someone whose Retirement extension has lapsed while out of the country, this could be a problem in returning on Visa Exempt or Tourist Visa and applying for the Non-O visa if they are relying on 800k they have kept on deposit in their Thai bank to meet the requirement for their previous extensions of stay.  If they can't show it originally came from outside of Thailand, it is most likely their application for a Non-O Visa will be denied. 

If you have had the 800k baht for a considerable amount of time most immigration offices will accept that to apply for the 90 day non-o visa. The proof it came from abroad is due to the funds only being needed in the bank on the day you apply. Check with your local immigration office about it.

[Peter Denis]

21 hours ago, Kiujunn said:

When in Thailand with a retirement extension of a non-Imm visa, is it possible to change that into a O-X visa (5- year visa)?

Is there any other way to avoid being forced to be in Thailand every year at the same time - the time for the yearly extension? It can be very inconvenient.  I am not talking about 2020 and covid,  to organize one's life around the yearly extension has always been inconvenient. 

Your interest in the O-X visa seems to be triggered by the misconception that you would not have to visit your local Immigration Office during its 5-year validity.

It is correct that you would not need to apply annually for a 1-year extension, but according to the O-X requirements you would need to visit your local Imm Office every year to provide evidence that you still meet the financial and insurance requirements for that O-X Visa.

So, on top of the high financial requirements that need to be fulfilled, you still have to do annual trips to your local IO.  If you are looking for a Worst of Both Worlds type-Visa the O-X is a high contender!

[Kiujunn]

14 minutes ago, Peter Denis said:

Your interest in the O-X visa seems to be triggered by the misconception that you would not have to visit your local Immigration Office during its 5-year validity.

It is correct that you would not need to apply annually for a 1-year extension, but according to the O-X requirements you would need to visit your local Imm Office every year to provide evidence that you still meet the financial and insurance requirements for that O-X Visa.

So, on top of the high financial requirements that need to be fulfilled, you still have to do annual trips to your local IO.  If you are looking for a Worst of Both Worlds type-Visa the O-X is a high contender!

Ooops!

This was once discussed on TVF. As far as i remember,  the question was  whether the holder of an O-X is required to be present in Thailand every year at the same time to prove he still fulfills the requirements. The poster wanted to leave Thailand for a while and do it when he would be back. Has there ever been an answer to this question? 

[DoneTravelling]

On 2/1/2021 at 4:26 PM, ubonjoe said:

You can find some info here on the embassy website. http://www.thaiembassyjakarta.com/en/consular-services/important-information-on-visa-application/

 

I recently visited the Thai embassy in Jakarta and guess what, they would not let me enter, when asking why they said "Covid". I had to talk to the Indonesian security who had to run between me and inside and come back with answers, of course his English was limited so he was little help but he did try, which was more than the Thais did.

I then followed the process to apply for a new Non O and went back to the embassy to submit it along with the required cash and yep you guessed it, they would not accept it.

 

Time to look at somewhere else to live.

[ubonjoe]

17 minutes ago, DoneTravelling said:

I then followed the process to apply for a new Non O and went back to the embassy to submit it along with the required cash and yep you guessed it, they would not accept it.

Do a certificate of entry (COE) application online and enter visa exempt (if you qualify for one) that will allow a 45 day entry that can be extended for 30 days if needed.

Then prior to the last 15 days of the 45 day entry or 30 day extension and then apply for a 90 day non-o visa entry at immigration.

Online COE application site. https://coethailand.mfa.go.th

[Peter Denis]

8 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Do a certificate of entry (COE) application online and enter visa exempt (if you qualify for one) that will allow a 45 day entry that can be extended for 30 days if needed.

Then prior to the last 15 days of the 45 day entry or 30 day extension and then apply for a 90 day non-o visa entry at immigration.

Online COE application site. https://coethailand.mfa.go.th

@DoneTravellingAs UJ wrote > apply for the CoE using a Visa Exempt entry.  As every entry currently requires as part of the CoE requirements a 100.000 US $ covid-19 coverage insurance, you would need such insurance for only a 2 month period (to full cover your 45 days permission to stay the VisaExempt entry would provide you). 

>> I did PM you a Guideline document on how to stay long-term in Thailand when over +50 years of age.  And it describes a.o. in full detail the process with all options to apply for the 90-day Non Imm O Visa for reason of retirement at your local IO.

[DoneTravelling]

9 minutes ago, Peter Denis said:

@DoneTravellingAs UJ wrote > apply for the CoE using a Visa Exempt entry.  As every entry currently requires as part of the CoE requirements a 100.000 US $ covid-19 coverage insurance, you would need such insurance for only a 2 month period (to full cover your 45 days permission to stay the VisaExempt entry would provide you). 

>> I did PM you a Guideline document on how to stay long-term in Thailand when over +50 years of age.  And it describes a.o. in full detail the process with all options to apply for the 90-day Non Imm O Visa for reason of retirement at your local IO.

I have lived in Thailand for over 12 years so I do know how to stay there, in the past it has been very easy.

As I still have time I will continue looking elsewhere as there are now numerous countries giving 12 month visa without needing 800k in a bank and reporting every 90, plus having to have a tracking app on your phone.