JimmyJ Posted January 14, 2022 Share Posted January 14, 2022 Hi, USA citizen. Fully insured for Covid with April International. My age qualifies me for the annual Retirement Extension. Currently in Vietnam. (No Thai Embassy in my city). Unvaxxed. Have not had Covid (as far as I am aware). Plan is to live in Chiang Mai for at least 6 months/year (living elsewhere for the months with bad Air Quality - a different country or possibly a healthier Thai location ). [I realize my timing is off for this as the worst Air Quality months are approaching, but necessi·ty dictates my leaving Vietnam within a month or sooner]. I will not be working in Thailand. My first questions are regarding Visas: 1) If I do not want to apply for the Retirement Extension, what is the longest time currently I could stay in Thailand? What Visa should I get first to initially enter the country, and then when that expires can I get an extension of that Visa or switch to a another type of Visa? 2) And then - If I do want to ultimately apply for the Retirement Extension - What Visa sequence is recommended that would let me stay as long as possible before switching to the Retirement Extension? I have further questions but would like to get up to date on the above first. Thank you for all help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post DrJack54 Posted January 14, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted January 14, 2022 (edited) You can obtain a tourist visa 60 days. That can be extended by 30. After that you would need to rely on covid extensions if they are continued. From your tourist visa entry you could obtain a non O based on retirement. That gives a 90 day permit but would require 800k baht in Thai bank account on day of application. The next step would be extension based on retirement 12 months. Where are you located in Vietnam. You can also enter visa exempt. That would work if covid extensions continue. They are due to end Jan 25. We will know soon if extended or not. You can also obtain non O retirement from visa exempt entry. My guess is that covid extensions will continue post Jan 25. You also need to check out all the requirements to enter Thailand currently. This will involve quarantine etc. Edited January 14, 2022 by DrJack54 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyJ Posted January 14, 2022 Author Share Posted January 14, 2022 Thank you. Can I get an eVisa 60 day Tourist Visa? Or else what is the best way? I see the only Embassy/Consulates are in Hanoi and HCM. "You also need to check out all the requirements to enter Thailand currently. This will involve quarantine etc." Yes, those are the "further questions" I referred to above. Is there a forum here where I can get the latest news, tips, recommendations, etc. for the topics you mention? I expect to be starting from Da Nang. Da Nang planned to resume international flights on Jan. 15th but so far see no flights listed Da Nang to Thailand. If that remains the case will have to fly to HCM 1st (Hanoi is huge with Covid currently). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrJack54 Posted January 14, 2022 Share Posted January 14, 2022 (edited) There are MANY threads regarding requirements for entry. We also have "sandbox" entries however being unvaccinated I believe these would not be available to you. Suggest do some general research on the threads. My experience with tourist visas is pre evisa. I can advise that Saigon consulate is a friendly helpful place to obtain tourist visa. Located District 1. You may need to fly out of Saigon to Bangkok. Again I'm out of touch with flights out of Vietnam. I don't recall one report of trip your panning so thinking much of the info you will need to collect yourself. Just did random search Saigon to Bangkok. No direct flights. Not nice. Edited January 14, 2022 by DrJack54 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrJack54 Posted January 14, 2022 Share Posted January 14, 2022 Here is example of one thread. It was question about visa exempt entry but some informed relevant. You might find useful. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrJack54 Posted January 14, 2022 Share Posted January 14, 2022 @JimmyJ be aware that you will also require 10 nights quarantine. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyJ Posted January 14, 2022 Author Share Posted January 14, 2022 (edited) "There are MANY threads regarding requirements for entry." You are referring to threads in this specific subforum? "I can advise that Saigon consulate is a friendly helpful place to obtain tourist visa." It reads like you obtained a Tourist Visa in HCM. if so, how long did it take to be issued? On the spot? Pre-Covid? Edited January 14, 2022 by JimmyJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyJ Posted January 14, 2022 Author Share Posted January 14, 2022 (edited) 13 minutes ago, DrJack54 said: @JimmyJ be aware that you will also require 10 nights quarantine. That's 1 thing I wanted to clarify. I've seen "10 or 14 day" quarantines mentioned. But I think the 14 day quarantines were eliminated. I also need to research if I can fly to and quarantine in Chiang Mai. Edited January 14, 2022 by JimmyJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrJack54 Posted January 14, 2022 Share Posted January 14, 2022 1 minute ago, JimmyJ said: if so, how long did it take to be issued? On the spot? Pre-Covid My experiences re Saigon consulate are long ago however have always kept an eye on reports regarding that consulate as I (pre covid) traveled to Saigon monthly. Anyway the process (pre covid) was to drop your application off AM and pick up next day PM. Similar to many other places. The office is not far from Bui Vien so it's convenient. Re threads for assistance be aware yes this forum and also the is a "covid" dedicated forum. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyJ Posted January 14, 2022 Author Share Posted January 14, 2022 2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said: My experiences re Saigon consulate are long ago however have always kept an eye on reports regarding that consulate as I (pre covid) traveled to Saigon monthly. Anyway the process (pre covid) was to drop your application off AM and pick up next day PM. Similar to many other places. The office is not far from Bui Vien so it's convenient. Re threads for assistance be aware yes this forum and also the is a "covid" dedicated forum. Very helpful posts from you to get me started. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrJack54 Posted January 14, 2022 Share Posted January 14, 2022 (edited) 8 minutes ago, JimmyJ said: I also need to research if I can fly to and quarantine in Chiang Mai. I would doubt that unless you could get a flight from Saigon to CM that did not involve via Bangkok. Pre covid that was a common route Saigon direct to CM.. Yes your quarantine is 10 nights. 7 nights vaccinated. Edited January 14, 2022 by DrJack54 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyJ Posted January 17, 2022 Author Share Posted January 17, 2022 On 1/14/2022 at 10:12 AM, DrJack54 said: You can obtain a tourist visa 60 days. That can be extended by 30. After that you would need to rely on covid extensions if they are continued. From your tourist visa entry you could obtain a non O based on retirement. That gives a 90 day permit but would require 800k baht in Thai bank account on day of application. The next step would be extension based on retirement 12 months. Where are you located in Vietnam. You can also enter visa exempt. That would work if covid extensions continue. They are due to end Jan 25. We will know soon if extended or not. You can also obtain non O retirement from visa exempt entry. My guess is that covid extensions will continue post Jan 25. You also need to check out all the requirements to enter Thailand currently. This will involve quarantine etc. "You can also obtain non O retirement from visa exempt entry." Just spoke to someone at the Thai Embassy in Hanoi who stated that Visa Exempt does not permit any change to another type of Visa. At the end of the conversation I asked him if he was sure of that, and he said Yes. Could this situation have changed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrJack54 Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 (edited) 9 minutes ago, JimmyJ said: "You can also obtain non O retirement from visa exempt entry." Just spoke to someone at the Thai Embassy in Hanoi who stated that Visa Exempt does not permit any change to another type of Visa. At the end of the conversation I asked him if he was sure of that, and he said Yes Whoever you spoke to is wrong.. Edited January 17, 2022 by DrJack54 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 33 minutes ago, JimmyJ said: Just spoke to someone at the Thai Embassy in Hanoi who stated that Visa Exempt does not permit any change to another type of Visa. Proof that it is allowed is here in this PDF. https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/8-1.pdf Read 1.2 that is for visa exempt entries. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyJ Posted January 17, 2022 Author Share Posted January 17, 2022 If I enter Thailand Visa Exempt, is there a minimum amount of time that needs to be left on my 30 days allowed before I switch to a non-O? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 19 minutes ago, JimmyJ said: If I enter Thailand Visa Exempt, is there a minimum amount of time that needs to be left on my 30 days allowed before I switch to a non-O? You must have at least 15 days remaining on your 30 day stay or the 30 day extension to apply for the visa. From the file I posted a link to. "DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED MORE THAN 15 DAYS BEFORE VISA EXPIRATION" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyJ Posted January 17, 2022 Author Share Posted January 17, 2022 (edited) On 1/14/2022 at 10:12 AM, DrJack54 said: You can obtain a tourist visa 60 days. That can be extended by 30. After that you would need to rely on covid extensions if they are continued. From your tourist visa entry you could obtain a non O based on retirement. That gives a 90 day permit but would require 800k baht in Thai bank account on day of application. The next step would be extension based on retirement 12 months. Where are you located in Vietnam. You can also enter visa exempt. That would work if covid extensions continue. They are due to end Jan 25. We will know soon if extended or not. You can also obtain non O retirement from visa exempt entry. My guess is that covid extensions will continue post Jan 25. You also need to check out all the requirements to enter Thailand currently. This will involve quarantine etc. "You can also enter visa exempt. That would work if covid extensions continue. They are due to end Jan 25. We will know soon if extended or not." I'm misunderstanding something I guess. I see a post of ubonjoe from yesterday: "You both could enter the country visa exempt to get a 30 day entry that can be extended for 30 days and then apply for non-o visas at immigration if you can meet the financial requirements." Is the extension only for citizens of certain countries? Or can I enter Visa Exempt for 30 days and then get a 30 day extension as mentioned by ubonjoe? (I.e., regardless of whether Covid Extensions continue or not)? Edited January 17, 2022 by JimmyJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrJack54 Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 (edited) 6 minutes ago, JimmyJ said: Or can I enter Visa Exempt for 30 days and then get a 30 day extension as mentioned by ubonjoe? Yes. Each visa exempt 30 days entry can be extended once by 30 days. Cost 1900baht. Edited January 17, 2022 by DrJack54 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treetops Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 On 1/14/2022 at 6:32 AM, DrJack54 said: Just did random search Saigon to Bangkok. No direct flights. Not nice. Maybe just the date you selected. I can see several but none of them are daily flights. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrJack54 Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 6 minutes ago, treetops said: Maybe just the date you selected. I can see several but none of them are daily flights Your correct. Just did another search and direct available. Mind you the couple of dates I tried were expensive. 4k. Guess OP can look around for cheaper dates. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyJ Posted January 29, 2022 Author Share Posted January 29, 2022 (edited) [Posted by mistake - Haven't yet completed writing post - Sorry]. Edited January 29, 2022 by JimmyJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dante99 Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 On 1/17/2022 at 7:29 PM, treetops said: Maybe just the date you selected. I can see several but none of them are daily flights. Which allow unvaccinated passengers like the OP? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyJ Posted January 29, 2022 Author Share Posted January 29, 2022 7 minutes ago, Dante99 said: Which allow unvaccinated passengers like the OP? Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyJ Posted January 29, 2022 Author Share Posted January 29, 2022 Questions re: Documents HCM Thai Consulate requires for Thai Tourist Visa: 1) "For who stay in the rental accommodation: Copy of lease contract; Copy of house registration (if have); Copy of house owner’s ID card" I have an apartment reserved beginning on Day 11 of my stay (1st 10 days in AQ Hotel). I see nothing in the above asking for the Lease Contract to show a PAID Deposit or a Prepayment of any kind. So I should be OK without it showing those? 2) "2.6. Evidence of adequate finance: Showing transaction not less than 6 months; Minimum 20,000 Baht per person" "Showing transaction...". A bank account statement is not enough? It needs a Transaction? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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