Non Imm O Visa To Retirement Visa

[tropicaljohn]

I currently have a non imm O visa which expires July 19 2007

I want to get retirement visa, have 900,000 baht in bank, but have to wait till August for it to be there 3 months.

I went to Immigration and they assured me that I can do a visa run before July 19, and apply for geyser visa Aug/Sept. I asked the question that my non imm O visa would have expired in Aug/Sept and they said not a problem.

Now I don't want to do a visa run, then turn up at Immigration in August for them to tell me cannot get geyser visa as non O has expired.

Just wondered if anyone has done this, as don't know whether to trust thei info given by immigration office.

Thanks

John

Phuket

[ataloss]

I currently have a non imm O visa which expires July 19 2007

I want to get retirement visa, have 900,000 baht in bank, but have to wait till August for it to be there 3 months.

I went to Immigration and they assured me that I can do a visa run before July 19, and apply for geyser visa Aug/Sept. I asked the question that my non imm O visa would have expired in Aug/Sept and they said not a problem.

Now I don't want to do a visa run, then turn up at Immigration in August for them to tell me cannot get geyser visa as non O has expired.

Just wondered if anyone has done this, as don't know whether to trust thei info given by immigration office.

Thanks

John

Phuket

Twice in the past few years I had the Non Imm O visa which were each automatically given a 3-month extension on departing and returning to Thailand a day or two prior to its expiry date. I simply crossed into MaeSai and returned 20 minutes later.You must first pay the (then B1900) “re-entry permit” fee. Advise your crossing 2 or 3 days before its expiry to preclude problems with border closures or whatever. You then will have ample time to apply for your retirement visa.

To reassure yourself about the auto 3 month extension simply ask at your local immigration office. Cheers....

//information above is false//

[lopburi3]

You should exit, obtain a visa, and return. The visa can be another non immigrant O visa (if you show bankbook most consulates will provide I suspect) or a normal tourist visa.

In August you can use the non immigrant O visa to extend your stay for one year from entry date. If you only have a tourist visa you will have to pay 2,000 baht to convert it to non immigrant at Immigration prior to extension of stay.

Immigration can also convert a 30 day entry without visa but that should be done with 21 days remaining on permitted to stay stamp (which you would not have). Although this is often not required believe the extra day to obtain a real visa is worthwhile insurance.

[lopburi3]

I currently have a non imm O visa which expires July 19 2007

I want to get retirement visa, have 900,000 baht in bank, but have to wait till August for it to be there 3 months.

I went to Immigration and they assured me that I can do a visa run before July 19, and apply for geyser visa Aug/Sept. I asked the question that my non imm O visa would have expired in Aug/Sept and they said not a problem.

Now I don't want to do a visa run, then turn up at Immigration in August for them to tell me cannot get geyser visa as non O has expired.

Just wondered if anyone has done this, as don't know whether to trust thei info given by immigration office.

Thanks

John

Phuket

Twice in the past few years I had the Non Imm O visa which were each automatically given a 3-month extension on departing and returning to Thailand a day or two prior to its expiry date. I simply crossed into MaeSai and returned 20 minutes later.You must first pay the (then B1900) “re-entry permit” fee. Advise your crossing 2 or 3 days before its expiry to preclude problems with border closures or whatever. You then will have ample time to apply for your retirement visa.

To reassure yourself about the auto 3 month extension simply ask at your local immigration office. Cheers....

The above information is completely false. Only if you have a multi entry non immigrant O visa valid for one year would be be able to exit and return with a new 90 day stay. And if you had such a visa you would not pay 1,900 baht for a re-entry permit (they cost 1,000 baht and are not used for visa entry).

[tropicaljohn]

Thanks everyone for your input very much appreciated.

Below is what Immigration Office said I can do, just trying to find out if I can do without a problem.

Have a multi entry Non O visa expires 19 July 07

Had 800,000 baht deposit in bank 25 May 07 from overseas

16 July do visa run so will get 90 days

27 Aug go to Immigration get Retirement Visa

Will this work, even though years Non O visa expired on 19 July

Or try and see if they will give me a retirement visa on 19 July even though money only been in bank for 55 days instead of the 90 days required.

[lopburi3]

This will work fine. You did not mention that the visa was multi entry in your original post. Actually you should wait until you have between 4 and 3 week remaining on your permitted to stay stamp but Immigration does not seem to enforce that policy on first applications so you leave Thailand and return before th 19th and you will receive a new 90 day permitted to stay stamp - that is what you will be extending. Makes no difference that the visa has expired.

[tropicaljohn]

This will work fine. You did not mention that the visa was multi entry in your original post. Actually you should wait until you have between 4 and 3 week remaining on your permitted to stay stamp but Immigration does not seem to enforce that policy on first applications so you leave Thailand and return before th 19th and you will receive a new 90 day permitted to stay stamp - that is what you will be extending. Makes no difference that the visa has expired.

Many thanks Lopburi3, sorry I didn't make myself clearer before, this first time I am posting a question, slowly getting the idea of it.

Also the Immigration guy I spoke to, will be the same guy processing my application so hopefully all should be okay. Will post results in 90 days

[WilliamIV]

Quote " Or try and see if they will give me a retirement visa on 19 July even though money only been in bank for 55 days instead of the 90 days required." Unquote

I think this is worth a try - it would save doing a Visa Run

They could give you an initial extension or extensions for one or two months

until your Bank Deposit has "Matured" and then give you a further extension

for the remaining part of the year.

BUT - do not wait until 19th July to try this

Go a week earlier - so you still have the option of a Visa Run

[tropicaljohn]

This will work fine. You did not mention that the visa was multi entry in your original post. Actually you should wait until you have between 4 and 3 week remaining on your permitted to stay stamp but Immigration does not seem to enforce that policy on first applications so you leave Thailand and return before th 19th and you will receive a new 90 day permitted to stay stamp - that is what you will be extending. Makes no difference that the visa has expired.

Hi Lopburi3, once again many thanks for all your helpful advice. Went to immigration yesterday, Wednesday and got my retirement visa no problem.

My 3 months extension doesn't expire till Oct 12 2007, so immigration have started my years visa from that date, which means I am now okay till Oct 12 2008, great.

One thing worth mentioning for others, I had the 800,000 baht in a joint bank account with my Thai G/F. As she wasn't with me yesterday, I had to go back to my bank, transfer the 800,000 into my other, single account, get another bank letter, and went back to Immigration where they gave me the visa no probs. At all times the Immig here on Phuket were very helpful and friendly, and at least I know now which account to keep the money in