Hi everyone,

 

I was in Thailand for just under 4 months, 2 month tourist visa, extend for one month then went to Malaysia & returned on visa exempt left 3 weeks later, i normally stay in the u.k for 7-8 months before returning, i am planning on returning to apply for an O.A (retirement  visa) in the next few months, applying for another tourist visa, was wondering if you have to stay out for a certain amount of time before returning? I was thinking of applying for the O.A visa in the u.K & then converting it in Thailand,  but thought it would be easier & cheaper to just apply in Thailand, any suggestions would be helpful.....

 

Cheers

 

Baz 

O-A?  That has to be applied for in the UK and is probably the least preferred option (needs police report/medical report/insurance).  Perhaps you mean you intend to get a non-O and then an annual extension in Thailand?  Or you can enter visa exempt/tourist and then convert to non-O and then extend.  Do you already have the 800k in a Thai bank?  I applied for a non-O in the UK the same day I returned from an extended tourist visa, non-O granted within 5 days.

You can not convert an O-A visa.

Yeh sorry my mistake, yeh I saw the extra requirements if applying in the u.k, this why I wanted to apply in Thailand, I have a Thai bank account & the 800,000 baht, my main concern was returning to Thailand on another tourist visa after only being out of the country for a few months, then I will convert it into a non 0 visa once there.

Cheers 

 

Baz

Just now, Bazerino said:

Yeh sorry, non O A visa, yeh I saw the extra requirements if applying in the u.k, this why I wanted to apply in Thailand, I have a Thai bank account & the 800,000 baht, but my main concern was returning to Thailand after only a few months....

Cheers

 

Baz

 

You don't want a non-OA and can't get one in Thailand even if you did. 

 

You will have no problem returning after a few months.  A single non-O is easy to get in the UK, then you'll have a couple of months to get your paperwork straight ready for extension.  Or enter exempt or tourist and convert - but the ease of an online application in the UK versus an additional trip to immigration ought to be the decider.

12 minutes ago, Bazerino said:

Yeh sorry my mistake, yeh I saw the extra requirements if applying in the u.k, this why I wanted to apply in Thailand, I have a Thai bank account & the 800,000 baht, my main concern was returning to Thailand on another tourist visa after only being out of the country for a few months, then I will convert it into a non 0 visa once there.

Cheers 

 

Baz

You can apply for a Non-O in the UK for a fee of £60. It will give you 90 days and then you can extend.

My application took less than a week.

O.k thanks, I'll apply for another tourist visa & then apply for an extension of stay based on retirement....

 

Just now, Bazerino said:

O.k thanks, I'll apply for another tourist visa & then apply for an extension of stay based on retirement....

 

 

No.  Doing it that way you will first have to apply to convert to a non-O and then later apply for the extension.

16 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

 

No.  Doing it that way you will first have to apply to convert to a non-O and then later apply for the extension.

O.k thanks....

2 hours ago, Bazerino said:

O.k thanks, I'll apply for another tourist visa & then apply for an extension of stay based on retirement....

 

Doing it that way will be more expensive and more hassle.

OP, you can also enter visa exempt and obtain non O based on retirement and then 12 month extension.

Best option for ongoing stay in Thailand. 

A reentry permit will enable trips back to UK.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1311886-visa-exempt-to-retirement-extension-process-and-cost/

16 hours ago, mlkik said:

You can not convert an O-A visa.

Agreed if for retirement. He would need to exit Thailand without a Re-entry Permit thus voiding the O-A. Just a footnote as I converted my original O-A Visa (Retirement) granted in the USA in 2011 (with subsequent Extensions of Stay) to an "O"Visa for reason of marriage to a Thai National without having to leave Thailand. Awaiting the 1st Extension of Stay currently.

I entered on a 30 day visa on arrival and applied for a 90 day O retirement visa. Had to show 800,000 in a Thai bank for 3 months before applying, and that money had to be from off shore. Also proof of accommodation with a hand drawn map showing the location. Recently extended this visa for one year.

Thanks for putting my mind at rest to all posts.....