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

 

[Pattaya57]

16 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

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

 

You should disregard that site as wrong info is everywhere, eg. Only needing £10,000 bank statement (about 430,000 baht instead of 800,000) and straight after what you quoted it says USD100,000 insurance is required for non-imm O.

 

The only site you need to access is the Thai e-visa site

https://www.thaievisa.go.th/

This states the following for non-imm O

 

Edited 1 hour ago by Pattaya57

[Liquorice]

3 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

You should disregard that site as wrong info is everywhere, eg. Only needing £10,000 bank statement and it says 3 million baht insurance is required for non-imm O.

 

The only site you need to access is the Thai e-visa site

https://www.thaievisa.go.th/

The problem with that is the evisa site is universal, whereas certain Embassies have their additional quirks, but I do agree the Thai Embassy London site is a shambles for current information and the Health Insurance is no longer a requirement for the Non O.

 

Indeed, as two posters have already stated and my own experience is that you do not need to be in receipt of a pension. I used the £10K 3 month bank statement.

[Pattaya57]

Just now, Liquorice said:

I used the £10K 3 month bank statement.

Was that for a non-imm O based on marriage by any chance as £10,000 meets the 400,000 baht marriage requirement but not the 800,000 baht needed for retirement

[scubascuba3]

4 hours ago, Pattaya57 said:

This is completely false information 

Good that it's changed, most people seem to get the non imm O when in Thailand, that used to be the advice I've read many times 

[Liquorice]

22 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

Was that for a non-imm O based on marriage by any chance as £10,000 meets the 400,000 baht marriage requirement but not the 800,000 baht needed for retirement

No, it was for the Non O based on retirement, exactly as detailed on the Thai Embassy (London) website.

• Non-Immigrant Type  O  (Retirement (pensioner aged 50 or above with a state pension who wants to stay in Thailand for no longer than 90 days)  - single entry only)
• 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
•  

I have a friend who visits twice a year for up to 90 days each visit who prefers not to visit Immigration, so applies for the Non O from London.
He submits receipt of his DWP pension as evidence, (which is less than the equivalent of 40K THB) and has no issues.

 

The evisa site is non-specific to a particular Embassies requirement and just offers guidelines.
I'd always recommend also reading the more specific information from the Thai Embassy website, who will approve your application.

It can save on additional documents being requested.

Edited 32 minutes ago by Liquorice

[Pattaya57]

9 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Good that it's changed, most people seem to get the non imm O when in Thailand, that used to be the advice I've read many times 

E-visa changed everything. Once you have your documents scanned it takes you < 5 minutes to apply. Visa is emailed within a few days 

 

Much easier than having to go to an immigration office in Thailand

[Liquorice]

1 minute ago, Pattaya57 said:

E-visa changed everything. Once you have your documents scanned it takes you < 5 minutes to apply. Visa is emailed within a few days 

 

Much easier than having to go to an immigration office in Thailand

Totally agree.

E-visa allows you to apply from the comfort of your own chair whilst enjoying a coffee.

 

Thai Immigration requires two personal visits