Where to apply for non-immigrant 'O' visa (over-50) without drawing UK pension?

[thaitanic]

I'm a 58-year-old Brit. For the past few years I have been mostly living in Thailand on a non-immigrant 'O' visa which I extend for a year every November at Samut Prakan. I am NOT drawing a UK state pension. I keep 800k Baht in an SCB account.

 

I am currently in the UK and due to return to Thailand in November, in time to renew the visa, but I am considering extending my UK trip past the renewal deadline date to January, and so will need to apply for a new non-immigrant visa.

 

I was thinking of applying in the UK before I return to Thailand, but the Royal Thai Embassy London page at https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/page/retirement-visa states the visa is for "pensioner aged 50 or above with state pension who wishes to stay in Thailand for no longer than 90 days". And the Hull consulate (http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/non-immigrant-visa-cat-o-pensioner.php) states that the visa is for persons "who are receiving a UK State Pension".

 

So where can I get a non-immigrant 'O' visa just on the basis of being over 50, without the requirement of actually drawing a pension? I am happy to visit an embassy in a neighbouring S.E. Asian country in January if necessary, and actually have to go to Ho Chi Minh (where there is a consulate) anyway.

 

Or should I get a tourist visa in the UK and convert it to a non-immigrant 'O' visa at Samut Prakan? I think I probably did that last time (a few years ago), but can't really remember.

[scubascuba3]

Last i read you had to be taking a pension so 65+, so better to just get the non imm O in Thailand

[DrJack54]

Obviously you have a Thai bank account in your name only so you can just enter Thailand visa exempt and obtain non O and

subsequent extension in Thailand.

However you can obtain the non O eVisa based on over 50 in UK. 

 

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

[thaitanic]

Thank you scubascuba3 and DrJack54.

 

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

...However you can obtain the non O eVisa based on over 50 in UK...

 

So there is no requirement to actually be drawing a state pension?

 

In any case, my feeling now is that it will be easier enter Thailand visa-exempt and get a non-imm O visa via form TM.87.

[Upnotover]

11 minutes ago, thaitanic said:

Thank you scubascuba3 and DrJack54.

 

 

So there is no requirement to actually be drawing a state pension?

 

In any case, my feeling now is that it will be easier enter Thailand visa-exempt and get a non-imm O visa via form TM.87.

 

You can get it easily in the UK, e-Visa.  I did in February.  Took 3 or 4 days.  I also do not have a state pension, used 800k in my Thai bank account.

[Pattaya57]

Despite what the Embassy site says you do not need to be getting a pension for a non-imm O visa. 

 

The e-visa process is very simple now and I received the non-imm O in April 3 days after applying. All I needed was to be 50+ and upload:

 

- Passport ID Page

- photo

- drivers licence (to prove resident)

- 6 month bank statement showing 800k baht or equivalent 

[Pattaya57]

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Last i read you had to be taking a pension so 65+, so better to just get the non imm O in Thailand

This is completely false information 

[Upnotover]

2 hours ago, thaitanic said:

In any case, my feeling now is that it will be easier enter Thailand visa-exempt and get a non-imm O visa via form TM.87.

It certainly wont be easier than sitting at home and getting your e-Visa in the UK.  Plus as an added bonus you won't get any onward ticket questions from the airline when you check in.

[proton]

20 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

It certainly wont be easier than sitting at home and getting your e-Visa in the UK.  Plus as an added bonus you won't get any onward ticket questions from the airline when you check in.

 

What could be easier than visa exempt on arrival then filling out a TM 87 and paying 1900 baht for another non immigrant O at immigration? 

[DrJack54]

2 hours ago, thaitanic said:

So there is no requirement to actually be drawing a state pension?

Take the advice from @Upnotover and @Pattaya57 above.

That is best advice.

If for some reason you decide to enter visa exempt that will also work.

 

Currently visa exempt provides 60 day stamp and with Thai bank account in place you won't have any issue.

[Upnotover]

38 minutes ago, proton said:

 

What could be easier than visa exempt on arrival then filling out a TM 87 and paying 1900 baht for another non immigrant O at immigration? 

Not having to go to immigration for one.

[Liquorice]

6 hours ago, thaitanic said:

I was thinking of applying in the UK before I return to Thailand, but the Royal Thai Embassy London page at https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/page/retirement-visa states the visa is for "pensioner aged 50 or above with state pension who wishes to stay in Thailand for no longer than 90 days". And the Hull consulate (http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/non-immigrant-visa-cat-o-pensioner.php) states that the visa is for persons "who are receiving a UK State Pension".

All the UK Consulates closed.
Applications for visas are now via the e-visa site.

 

The financial requirement for applying for the Non O through the Thai Embassy in London are;

• Financial evidence eg A copy of pension statement if the applicant is a pensioner, or
• a copy of 1-month bank statement showing your income from pension, or
• 3-month bank statement of at least £10,000

https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/84508-non-immigrant-visas?cate=5d6636c215e39c3bd0006c8d

 

You can use any bank, any currency, for the £10K requirement