Frozen in time: British expats losing out on pensions in Thailand

[smoo1954]

Is it possible to apply every year for this Visa or is there a limit to the amount you can apply for?

[DrJack54]

No limit

[smoo1954]

Thanks again DrJack54.

[Andycoops]

On 4/8/2023 at 5:00 PM, DrJack54 said:

No limit

Currently but not necessarily available indefinitely, policies do change.

[DrJack54]

18 minutes ago, Andycoops said:

Currently but not necessarily available indefinitely, policies do change.

Your point? 

 

Perhaps extensions retirement from a non O may require insurance in the future...

What if what if......zero point of guess work. 

Edited April 10, 2023 by DrJack54

[chalawaan]

Some helpful points:

You don't need USD, everyone you encounter, including the officials, they take THB. You'll always get Kip in change, spend it if you can before you return, it's useless outside Laos. 

Take sun protection, umbrella is best, it's all outdoor until you hit the visa booth. Do all your paperwork before you get there, there's nowhere to fill it out at the C-G without losing your spot.  Arrive early, ALL visas are processed the same way and there's many tourists it opens at 0900 (even tho they say 0830 on the site) and closes at 11am. You return at 2pm the next day, get your passport, and start heading home. 

Avoid Mondays if you can, it's crazy busy as the agents bus runs usually all go then. Fridays are a doddle, but you're stuck over there till Monday afternoon!

The tuk tuks will offer to hold your place in line or even Q jump through the side gate, up to you if you do (for B300 YMMV) I saw many Chinese use the offer. I declined. 

The worst of it is the waiting, the line moves fast once the gates open anyway.

Download the application form at home, write MULTIPLE ENTRY on the top Right title box and have B5000 cash ready, if they accept your form, you're practically guaranteed the visa. 

 

Your "guarantors" on the application form are: in Thailand, your wife, in Laos, your hotel.  

Remember you'll need a TM 6 card both ways at a land border, try and fill those out beforehand, saves time at the frontier.  Remember to also bring  B1800 or $50 if you apply for a Laos Visa on arrival, better to do it online if you have time (3 working days minimum) doing it on arrival means the border bridge bus (B50) will leave without you on the Laos side for the Laos bus station downtown. But no worries, a tuk-tuk or aircon minibus will deliver you direct to your hotel B100-200.

On your return, go straight to Laos immigration, and get the bridge bus there, it's quicker than hanging around the bus depot then hanging around after clearing immigration on the Lao side all over again. 

Everything such as beer and food, is cheaper there, and the waterfront is nice at sunset, plenty going on. 

The tuk tuks END at 8pm! Plan your evening accordingly. 

If you take your wife, her visa is cheap as chips, but check if she needs a passport tho, I'm not sure and mine already has one. 

Back on the Thai side, they will often take Thais aside and process them faster, it's a win, as the overall line reduces.

They do x-ray bags on re-entering Thailand, any booze will be confiscated. 

Finally, you can get another 90 days out of it near the end of the year by bouncing just before it expires, but do get back into Thailand before the visa itself expires, or it's void! And then you can get another 60 days on that INSIDE Thailand for B1900, but up to you. 

You DO NOT need to show any proof of funds (B400,000) at Savannakhet, go to the C-G website and provide ONLY what they ask for! They don't spring surprise last minute photocopies etc. like they do in Thailand but copy both sides of your decorative marriage certificate, you don't need any of the other Amphur marriage paperwork. (yay!) 

Good luck and bon voyage. 

 

Edited April 10, 2023 by chalawaan

[smoo1954]

Great reply chalawaan and thank you for your help.

[transam]

3 minutes ago, smoo1954 said:

Great reply chalawaan and thank you for your help.

The visa on arrival is now  2000bht or 40 dollars, 40 dollars is now about 1,370bht, which is worth a visit to your bank

An E-Visa is 50 dollars, saves a lot of messing about, and you get looked after, 50 dollars is about 1,700bht....????

[chalawaan]

8 minutes ago, transam said:

The visa on arrival is now  2000bht or 40 dollars, 40 dollars is now about 1,370bht, which is worth a visit to your bank

An E-Visa is 50 dollars, saves a lot of messing about, and you get looked after, 50 dollars is about 1,700bht....????

I was charged B1800 at the border last week, as in he specifically asked for baht, tho I was carrying USD as a back up,  and on the day that B1800 = $52.75!

I would have got the E visa, but wifey left it too late to agree on what day we could go!

Seems he likely skimmed a few bucks off me, as I was also told $40 beforehand, but if that's happening regularly, then even more reason to get the visa online.  

Edited April 10, 2023 by chalawaan

[transam]

14 minutes ago, chalawaan said:

I was charged B1800 at the border last week, and on the day that = $52.75.

I would have got the E visa, but wifey left it too late to agree on what day we could go!

Seems he likely skimmed a few bucks off me, as I was also told $40 beforehand, but if that's happening regularly, then even more reason to get the visa online.  

An E-Visa is valid for a 60 day travel window, so you can get it early.

Edited April 10, 2023 by transam