I've had a Non-Immigrant O for retirement for a few years, but it gets done in April, and since the pollution is just impossible at that time, I left Thailand and re-entered on a 60-day visa-exempt, with the plan to get a new Non-Immigrant O.

Unfortunately, Chiang Mai Immigration seems to have a new rule that if you've had a Non-Immigrant O before, you can't get another one in-country, you have to go to an external consulate and get one there.

Anyone know anything about this? It's obviously a massive PITA to do this, so any suggestions for getting this done in-country?

8 minutes ago, GvanH said:

I've had a Non-Immigrant O for retirement for a few years, but it gets done in April, and since the pollution is just impossible at that time, I left Thailand and re-entered on a 60-day visa-exempt, with the plan to get a new Non-Immigrant O.

Unfortunately, Chiang Mai Immigration seems to have a new rule that if you've had a Non-Immigrant O before, you can't get another one in-country, you have to go to an external consulate and get one there.

Anyone know anything about this? It's obviously a massive PITA to do this, so any suggestions for getting this done in-country?

Things have changed..

Various immigration offices have applied restrictions on visa exempt to Non O.

Better option is to obtain Non O eVisa while out of Thailand

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Things have changed..

Thanks for the quick reply. The magic search word seems to be "eVisa", and things certainly seem to have changed 😐 For anyone else, a good overview here.

A few questions:

It seems that everything is now done online e.g. from the eVisa website:

E-Visa applicants are no longer required to submit passports and supporting documents in person

Over the years, I've seen no shortage of stories here about things like problems getting appointments at consulates, constantly changing requirements, applications being arbitrarily denied.

Again from the eVisa website, a Non-Immigrant O requires:

• passport

• recent photo

• proof of current location (i.e. outside Thailand)

• proof of funds (for me, THB 800k)

• any consulate-specific requirements

Q: As long as everything is in order, would it be fair to say that getting this is just a formality? I can see problems arising because of the "consulate-specific requirements" 😐

Q: If it really is straight-forward, then it doesn't seem worth trying to find a local agent who can "get it done"?

Q: For the proof of funds, are copies of the bank book enough, or do they want one of those formal letters of funds?

Q: Is there a "best" place to apply from?

I've seen people say to avoid Vientiane because you can't pay online, you said here that Savannakhet is "very quick" (although it was deathly boring last time I was there:-)).

I don't really care where I go, just that it goes smoothly and without problems.

Additionally, from the link I posted above:

Once the 800K funds have been season in a Thai bank account for 2 months, you can apply to extend your 90 day permission of stay for a further 365 days based on the reason of retirement.

Q: This implies that the timer for my annual extensions will start from the end of the initial 90 days, correct?

Q: My 800K has already been seasoned, so can I apply for the 365-day extension immediately, or do you think they will make me wait until the 90 days is almost up? My guess is that they will just start the yearly timer from the end of the 90 days, regardless of when I apply.

I'm trying to time things so that my annual extensions are done around September or October.

TIA

Edited May 18May 18 by GvanH

13 minutes ago, GvanH said:

Over the years, I've seen no shortage of stories here about things like problems getting appointments at consulates, constantly changing requirements, applications being arbitrarily denied.

Come to think of it, if everything is done online, including payment and visa issuance, then there's no need to go into the consulate at all?! So, the only reason to go overseas is because you can't apply for these inside Thailand?! 🤯

Edited May 18May 18 by GvanH

1 hour ago, GvanH said:

Come to think of it, if everything is done online, including payment and visa issuance, then there's no need to go into the consulate at all?! So, the only reason to go overseas is because you can't apply for these inside Thailand?! 🤯

Normally, yes. You don't even have to visit the consulate. There are some exceptions: At both Vientiene and Savannakhet in Laos, you must pay in person after submitting the application online. In Myanmar, you have to make an appointment to go in and pay in person. Some embassies and consulates schedule almost every applicant for an interview to ensure they are inside the country and to double check their proof of funds through having the person open their banking app during the interview so they can see the live balance.

For a non-O, Laos is still considered a good option because although you'll have to pay in person (only during specific hours, must physically print out the QR code from the e-visa application), the non-O is normally issued in 2-3 days after payment.

7 hours ago, GvanH said:

So, the only reason to go overseas is because you can't apply for these inside Thailand?! 🤯

correct, this comes up on the eVisa online web-portal

8 hours ago, GvanH said:

I don't really care where I go, just that it goes smoothly and without problems.

Just my opinion. For Non O eVisa consider Saigon.

Depends where you are located in Thailand

8 hours ago, GvanH said:

If it really is straight-forward, then it doesn't seem worth trying to find a local agent who can "get it done"?

You don't need an agent.

8 hours ago, GvanH said:

For the proof of funds, are copies of the bank book enough, or do they want one of those formal letters of funds?

Suggest obtain 3 month bank statement

8 hours ago, GvanH said:

As long as everything is in order, would it be fair to say that getting this is just a formality? I can see problems arising because of the "consulate-specific requirements"

Its straight forward they can request more information not an issue.

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Just my opinion. For Non O eVisa consider Saigon.

Depends where you are located in Thailand

I'm coming from Chiang Mai. There are direct flights to Hanoi, Hong Kong, Taipei, Kaohsiung, KL, Singapore, without going too far afield.

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

You don't need an agent.

I was hoping that someone might be able to get it done in-country, for a small contribution, which would mean that I don't have to go overseas. I just did that, to kill my old Non-O :| Not really worried about the cost, and it'd probably be comparable to going away for a week, anyway.

2 minutes ago, GvanH said:

I was hoping that someone might be able to get it done in-country, for a small contribution, which would mean that I don't have to go overseas

To apply for the eVisa you require proof of being in the country where you are applying for the eVisa.

Most do this by showing entry stamp in the pp when you entered the country

12 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

To apply for the eVisa you require proof of being in the country where you are applying for the eVisa.

I was thinking about using an agent not to get an eVisa, but to get the Non-Immigrant O, the old way.

The kid at Immigration implied that they still do it there if it's your first one, so it would seem like it might be possible. He said something like "if you had a Non-O before, you must get a new one outside Thailand".

I asked why, and he said because so many people were letting their Non-O's expire, then getting a new one. I assume they're pissed at the extra "unnecessary" work 😐

Edited May 19May 19 by GvanH

1 hour ago, GvanH said:

I was thinking about using an agent not to get an eVisa, but to get the Non-Immigrant O, the old way

That is certainly an option.

By using an agent they could obtain Non O from visa exempt entry + 12 month extension.

However costs

What stamp do you currently have.

36 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

By using an agent they could obtain Non O from visa exempt entry + 12 month extension.

What stamp do you currently have.

60-day visa exempt.

I left a few days before the old Non-O expired, and came back a week ago on the visa-exempt (after the expiry date). So I still have time. By my calculations above, if I want to do the annual renewals in September/October, I need to apply for the new Non-O around mid-June, which fits nicely with the 60-day visa exempt (ends in early July).

Something else I just remembered. Before I went overseas to kill my old Non-O, I went into CNX Immigration to find out what the rules were for applying for a Non-O, and they gave me the same piece of paper with the requirements they've been giving out for years, which also suggests that they still do them in-house.

Also, when I re-entered Thailand, the IO asked me what I was doing, and I explained that I would get a new Non-O, and she was OK with that. So it would seem that there isn't (yet) a blanket requirement that everything be done using an eVisa.

11 minutes ago, GvanH said:

So it would seem that there isn't (yet) a blanket requirement that everything be done using an eVisa.

I can't predict what CM immigration would do with a second application for Non O.

You mention timing... Remember CM requires 21 days remaining on your stamp to apply for Non O using a TM87.

Thinking you have 3 options.

One: apply for the Non O and if rejected go to Laos and obtain eVisa

Two: Just exit and obtain eVisa.

Three : use an agent.

Note: for Non O obtained in Thailand the 800k needs to be shown as international transfer.

Not the case for eVisa

14 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I can't predict what CM immigration would do with a second application for Non O.

Actually third 😀 The first one expired because I was stuck outside Thailand during COVID 😐

14 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

One: apply for the Non O and if rejected go to Laos and obtain eVisa

I doubt they would even accept the application. The kid was pretty irritated by my even asking, although he may have just been unhappy about having to deal with a smelly farang just before closing time 😐

14 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Three : use an agent.

This is what I was thinking, and was hoping that maybe somebody might have had some experience with this. Lots of posts here about using an agent, but not with this particular twist. It'd be nice not to have to go through the hassle of another week-long trip.

15 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Note: for Non O obtained in Thailand the 800k needs to be shown as international transfer.

I got my last one in Thailand, and didn't have to worry about this. OTOH, there had been about THB 2M in the account for quite a few years, so they may have let it slide. Or noticed that the funds had carried over from my 1st pre-COVID Non-O.

3 minutes ago, GvanH said:

OTOH, there had been about THB 2M in the account for quite a few years, so they may have let it slide.

When funds have been in account for some time (months) the international transfer requirement is let slide

I'd start with asking a local visa agent in Chiang Mai, it should be possible for them to overcome this local rule. That way you wouldn't have any issues later, with a visa and extension obtained by an agent elsewhere in Thailand.

OP, if above advice from Caldera is unsuccessful then contact ThaiVisaCentre. They are in Bangkok but deal with CM folk

9 minutes ago, GvanH said:

Actually third 😀 The first one expired because I was stuck outside Thailand during COVID 😐

I doubt they would even accept the application. The kid was pretty irritated by my even asking, although he may have just been unhappy about having to deal with a smelly farang just before closing time 😐

This is what I was thinking, and was hoping that maybe somebody might have had some experience with this. Lots of posts here about using an agent, but not with this particular twist. It'd be nice not to have to go through the hassle of another week-long trip.

I got my last one in Thailand, and didn't have to worry about this. OTOH, there had been about THB 2M in the account for quite a few years, so they may have let it slide. Or noticed that the funds had carried over from my 1st pre-COVID Non-O.

@

11 minutes ago, GvanH said:

Actually third 😀 The first one expired because I was stuck outside Thailand during COVID 😐

I doubt they would even accept the application. The kid was pretty irritated by my even asking, although he may have just been unhappy about having to deal with a smelly farang just before closing time 😐

This is what I was thinking, and was hoping that maybe somebody might have had some experience with this. Lots of posts here about using an agent, but not with this particular twist. It'd be nice not to have to go through the hassle of another week-long trip.

I got my last one in Thailand, and didn't have to worry about this. OTOH, there had been about THB 2M in the account for quite a few years, so they may have let it slide. Or noticed that the funds had carried over from my 1st pre-COVID Non-O.

If you want to try the agent route> try Star Visa at the back of Payap University, near Big C.

Might be worth a shot.

9 minutes ago, Caldera said:

I'd start with asking a local visa agent in Chiang Mai, it should be possible for them to overcome this local rule. That way you wouldn't have any issues later, with a visa and extension obtained by an agent elsewhere in Thailand.

Yes, I still have a bit of time so I think this is what I'll do. And if it doesn't work, just go overseas. Seems that HCM or Laos are the places to go. It's not that bad, just being lazy 😀

Thanks everyone for the help.

7 minutes ago, GvanH said:

Yes, I still have a bit of time so I think this is what I'll do. And if it doesn't work, just go overseas. Seems that HCM or Laos are the places to go. It's not that bad, just being lazy 😀

Thanks everyone for the help.

Personally have never been one to use an agent, though under this circumstance would definitely do so.

I just had a horrible thought. I also recently got a new passport, and I realized that Kasikorn probably needs to know about that. It just occurred to me that if I go in to notify them, or to get a bank letter, they're going to be unhappy about my only having a visa-exempt stamp, and might want to close the account 🤯

Maybe I should wait until I sort out this new Non-O. Which means that I can't get a letter of funds, which means I have to do this from overseas.

4 minutes ago, GvanH said:

Maybe I should wait until I sort out this new Non-O. Which means that I can't get a letter of funds, which means I have to do this from overseas.

Think you need to decide what pathway your opting for.

Agent or DIY.

I don't think bank would close the account as you are on tourist status.

To update bank account with new pp# just attend branch with old and new pp.

12 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I don't think bank would close the account as you are on tourist status.

Me too, but the banks are so paranoid nowadays. Any chance to get a risk off their books, they may well take it. All it takes is one staff member having a bad day, or doesn't like foreigners, and you're screwed. It's always been unpredictable like this, but it's getting worse.

12 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Think you need to decide what pathway your opting for.

Agent or DIY.

I'd rather use an agent and avoid having to make another trip, but then I definitely need to go into the bank to get a letter of funds. There's surely no way you could get an Non-O in-country without that ^[*]. Not so if I get an eVisa overseas, it looks like it should be enough to upload the bank book, maybe go in and show them the balance online.

^[*] Unless you use one of those services that let you bypass the financial requirements. I don't mind going under the table a little, but not that much. And certainly not for something like this.

12 hours ago, Caldera said:

I'd start with asking a local visa agent in Chiang Mai, it should be possible for them to overcome this local rule. That way you wouldn't have any issues later, with a visa and extension obtained by an agent elsewhere in Thailand.

11 hours ago, GvanH said:

Yes, I still have a bit of time so I think this is what I'll do. And if it doesn't work, just go overseas. Seems that HCM or Laos are the places to go. It's not that bad, just being lazy 😀

Thanks everyone for the help.

So, Immigration Office CM is telling you that getting a second NON-O in-country is not possible.

Maybe you're going to try to bypass the law by using an agent and get it done.

What will happen next year if you want to do it by yourself?

Are you willing to continue paying for the agency?

Don't you think the Immigration officer could note "the help" you received and send you back to the agency if you want your new extension?

2 hours ago, pub2022 said:

Maybe you're going to try to bypass the law by using an agent and get it done.

You have misunderstood the post by @Caldera

The intention was for OP to provide financial compliance and have agent facilitate change from visa exempt to Non O.

That would not cause issue for subsequent extensions

I m needing to go back to Canada for the summer and have put it off until I can get my Non o extension and a reentry permit before I leave.Im not confident that changes in immigration,or banking regulations would not create problems.

Theoretically you can't open a bank account without a Non o so Immigration is just reinforcing the banks regulation .

I understand the frustration ,I'm wondering if an agent can help...they seem to be able to perform miracles in certain jurisdictions.

1 hour ago, bwanajohn said:

Theoretically you can't open a bank account without a Non o so Immigration is just reinforcing the banks regulation .

I understand the frustration ,I'm wondering if an agent can help...they seem to be able to perform miracles in certain jurisdictions.

Immigration is not enforcing anything regarding banking apart from need to have a Thai Bank account to obtain a Non O

Agent may be able to open bank account for those on visa exempt/tourist visa, however would only do so if you were using their services of obtaining Non O, extension etc

Quite a few reputable agents here in Chiang Mai. I meet all the requirements for my O extension but use one to lessen the pain at immigration. In this instance, assuming the agent can assist, the fees are likely to be less than leaving the country and starting again.

Can’t you just go to another district and stay in a hotel and do the conversion from there .Then once you’ve got it register at CM

10 minutes ago, ian carman said:

Can’t you just go to another district and stay in a hotel and do the conversion from there .Then once you’ve got it register at CM

For first extension from Non O it's done at same office that issues the Non O