"retirement Visa"

[buadhai]

Gee, I thought Continental Airliines qualified as an unseaworth vessel....

Multiple Entry Tourist Visa it is.

Thanks, Udon. It's great to see a good sense of humor surface now and then

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Doc, Should  Mike go for a multiple entry type "O" or a multi entry tourist visa?

reason for type O...... visiting family !

reason for multiple entry tourist visa...... travel !

---------------------

Mike, these 2 visas and O-A are all "above board"

That LA site is a nightmare, I can see why you're confused.

Change nationality and we'll teach you some strine

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Ha! Oddly, one of the reasons I'm gun shy here is that I once applied for immigration to Australia. I was turned down and ever since then I've had trouble getting even tourist visas. Last time I was there I was taken aside by Immigration authorities who asked me, "Mr. Newman, when was the last time you were in Saudi Arabia!"

I definitely don't want to get on some Thai government shit list because I apply for a visa with fraudulent intent. I want to be absolutely above board.

Since I don't have family to visit, I guess I'll apply for a multiple entry tourist visa. After all, when my girlfriend called Thai Immigration when we were there last October that's what the official told her I should do. He said it would be no problem to convert the tourist visa to a retirement visa.

Go figure....

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Do it that way then. EASY

[harpman88]

mgnewman,I concur with Dr.P,etal..

Especially since Thai Imm.has actually TOLD you that a conversion from a tourist visa would'nt be a problem.(This has been somewhat of a controversial issue,to say the least) If you haven't seen it, Pro Thai Expat's "canned" post headed"Basic Retirement Classifcation Questons Answered"

is well worth a look.

Among all the very useful info he says(and I quote) "The long stay retirement classfication is based on a NON-IMMIGRANT O VISA (retirement)

and a change to this visa classification can be accomplished in Thailand on the 3rd floor of the main immigration building in BKK only,providing you have entered Thailand with a VISA. EVEN A TOURIST VISA,AS WAS THE CASE WITH ME..(my emphasis here)

"It would appear that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has given the authority to change visa classifications to the Immigration Dept. in this instance" (end of quote) But notice that the initial Tourist visa must 1st be converted to the Non Imm.O before the retirement OA class can be obtained.

Other posters have maintained that this will take longer(and probably end up costing more) than if you had 1st entered Thailand on an initial Non Imm O.... Which Houston implied you woudn't be able to do! Udon's

comment on L.A. is right on the money,sounds to me like Houston is definitely another one to avoid,given the alternatives. Anyway hope it all works out,the Harpman

[udon]

Just a footnote:

I first arr'd on a 4 entry tourist visa, from Birmingham (UK) when that expired I did visa runs for about 2 years.

When my ship came in I went to suan phlu to get the O-A.

All I had to do was show my savings passbook (Kasikorn Bank) and a letter from my bank dated the same day as I applied, and my Aussie passport.

I had my Retirement visa in abt 2 hours.

No other docs were required back then, 2002.

[buadhai]

I sent a copy of my retirement/pension letter to Houston and they said it would suffice for getting a retirement (O-A) visa, so I may go that route. I have three and a half more months, so even if the stuff has to get sent to Bangkok, I should be OK. I think my initial problem with Houston was my misunderstanding of what she was trying to tell me.

[JimGant]

Mike,

You may just be a victim of changing circumstances, including tightening-up at honorary consulates.

A few years ago, O-A applications had to be approved by Bangkok, but that changed. Now it would appear the worm has turned, at least for honorary consulates (but why the RTE in Washington couldn't approve it, I don't know -- unless they too now have to get Bangkok approval(?)).

Trying to obtain a NonImm 'O' for the purposes of retirement is a valid reason on some Thai Embassy/Consulate websites. But I've never heard of anyone actually getting one with this purpose -- I really think it's a misprint alluding to getting an 'O-A,' not an 'O' visa. It may have happened -- but so too have applications to study 'Thai culture.' But this has happened primarily at honorary consulates. And I think the word may be out to throttle-back these easy outlets. And I'm sure we haven't done ourselves any favors by advocating these 'easy' consulates here on this forum. C'est la vie.

And your recent dialogue with Houston seems to confirm things are tightening up. A few weeks back, this forum advised 'Tex' to apply to Houston for a NonImm 'O' in order to retire in Thailand. He did, and Houston told him to get a tourist visa, then convert in Thailand to an 'O' for retirement purposes. Whether he could have gotten an 'O' to study Thai culture, I don't know. But I doubt it. The honorary consulates have gotten some new guidance.

You've got time to get your O-A, so that seems the way to go. My only advice would be to find out what they require in the way of 'notarized.' The Thais use this word as a synonym for 'offically certified,' while in the US, of course, it means signature witness. But it's not too practical to have your doctor and local police chief sign your medical and police forms in front of a notary public. But having you sign in front of a notary, certifying the above is true and correct, might suffice (as some poster on this forum alluded to awhile back).

Also, in times past, Portland's honorary consulate didn't require notarization. Have you heard from them yet? If not, maybe they're digesting the new guidance.

Anyway, some strange goings-on lately, 6-month NonImm 'O' multi entries being one of them (my case in another thread).

Good luck, and keep us updated (including whether or not Portland responds).

[buadhai]

Good luck, and keep us updated (including whether or not Portland responds).

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E-mail to Portland bounced with the message "server time out". I will resend and report back here.

[buadhai]

Good luck, and keep us updated (including whether or not Portland responds).

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E-mail to Portland bounced with the message "server time out". I will resend and report back here.

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Here's the answer from Portland:

"You will need to apply for your retirement visa through the Los Angeles

Consulate as you are out of our jurisdiction. Their website is

www.thai-la.net or you may contact them by phone at 323-962-9574. The forms

and instructions are on their website."

[JimGant]

Mmmm. There's always been an official decree about which consulate you can apply to, depending on your address. But it never seemed to be enforced. Possibly you being in the Trust Territories threw Portland a curve -- Houston didn't seem to mind, however. Strange.

I guess Houston is your avenue.

Again, let us know how it works out. Many here taking notes.

Best of luck.

Hafa Dai

[buadhai]

Thanks Jim,

I will arrive April 5th, so I'll wait until early January to submit my application. I'm still waiting for the official retirement letter and letter from the Federal Thrift Savings Plan.

I'll post here when I send it off and keep you all posted on what transpires....

Si Yuus Maase

Mike

[harpman88]

Jim, (or anyone who may know) do you have any idea how these jurisdictions Portland refers to are determined? This is the 1st time Ive heard anything like this.

[Axel]

They are talking about the area for which they are in charge.

If you live, e.g. in L.A. the consulate in L.A. is in charge, you live in Texas, Houston is the place to go a.s.o.

Some take this very serious, some have a wider rule of acceptance.

[buadhai]

I think the Thai embassy site has a list of consulates and their jurisdictions. The "honorary" consulates are not included.

Perhaps, since I live in a US Territory and not a state, the jurisdictional question is open to interpretation.

At least it seems that Portand and Houston have interpreted the issue differently.

[udon]

http://www.thaiembdc.org/directry/direc_e.htm

[JimGant]

From the Thai Embassy, Washington site.

          o Applicants residing in CA, AK, AZ, ID, NV, OR, UT and WA should send their application forms to the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Los Angeles.

          o Applicants residing in CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI and VT should send their application forms to the Royal Thai Consulate-General, New York.

          o Applicants residing in IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, SD and WI should send their applications forms to the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Chicago.

          o In addition to applying at above addresses, applicants who are not holders of Re- Entry Permit or from People's Republic of China, the Middle East countries and the socialist countries can also obtain their visas at the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas (Dallas), Texas (El Paso), Texas (Houston)and Dominican Republic

          o Applicants not residing in the states mentioned above can apply at the Consular Office, Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C.

A bit confusing -- and not really worded "you must," thus allowing for liberal interpretation by the honorary consulates, at least historically.

[Burr]

Hi Udon,

I'm a new guy to the list. I'm giving lotd of thoughts to retiring to Thailand or the Philippines, my wife is a Filipina.

[Burr]

Hi Udon,

  I'm a new guy to the list. I'm giving lotd of thoughts to retiring to Thailand or the Philippines, my wife is a Filipina.

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I hit the return button and away it went, I'll try again!!!

As I was saying, I am hoping to retire the first of the year and I would like to build a network of friends in Thailand before making my first trip over there. I did Nam!!!

Burr Patterson, Jr.

Ridgecrest, ca.

USA

[harpman88]

Jim,thanx for the post and the listings. It would seem tho,that Mike should apply to D.C. then because he doesn't reside in any of the states listed. But whatever he ends up doing, the tourist visa is easily obtained( with

more than one entry,if desired) and

he can then convert to O and subsequently, the retirement OA once he's in Thailand. I think at least that's been firmly established.

[udon]

Hi Udon,

   I'm a new guy to the list. I'm giving lotd of thoughts to retiring to Thailand or the Philippines, my wife is a Filipina.

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I hit the return button and away it went, I'll try again!!!

As I was saying, I am hoping to retire the first of the year and I would like to build a network of friends in Thailand before making my first trip over there. I did Nam!!!

Burr Patterson, Jr.

Ridgecrest, ca.

USA

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G'day Burr,

have you been here b4?

Do you have a rough idea where you want to live, BKK, a city or the outback?

Do you drink?

When r u due to arrive?

Due you get on with Aussies & Pommies?

If yes to all the above, you won't have probs making friends here.

TV has a good bunch of peeps, very helpfull......

Buy me a case of Heineken and I'll be your friend.... longtime

I didn't do Nam, too old by 12 months......Phew!

Mind you, ....... there are about a million V'nese where I am at present, does that count?

(edited for sp)

Edited December 17, 2004 by udon

[JimGant]

Harpman,

I think Mike may have it greased already to get an O-A via Houston. Far superior than dealing with the RTE in Washington.

Believe Portland, as Mike said, got confused 'cause he doesn't live in the States. And I seem to recall that some folks from California have used Portland (when the RTE webpage says they "should" use LA). So, the situation is fluid. Plus, with all these honorary consulates having published email addresses (see Udon's link), it only makes sense to 'ask' one or several before automatically using the overly bureaucratic MFA structure (e.g., LA,Chicago, DC).

[buadhai]

Yeah, it's interesting. The RTE site says I should go to them. Portland says go to LA. Houston is willing to process my application there. I suppose it's a combination of ambiguous internal instructions and my rather unusual current residence.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Yeah, it's interesting. The RTE site says I should go to them. Portland says go to LA. Houston is willing to process my application there. I suppose it's a combination of ambiguous internal instructions and my rather unusual current residence.

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Your location is bound to confuse them. Explain the situation to them in your mails.

[harpman88]

Thanx for that tidbit Jim.... ,interesting stuff,especially the comment about the MFA structure.

Hope Houston works out for Mike if he decides to go the OA route from the start. I will report the New Orleans consulate policy O /OA for anyone who may be interested come the 2nd week of January.All the best,the Harpman

[buadhai]

I promised I'd report on the progress of my Retirement Visa application. To recap, I live in the Northern Mariana Islands, a US territory. The Houston honorary consulate agreed, via e-mail to process my application. I'm planning to move to Thailand on April 5th.

I sent the application and supporting documents to Houston yesterday via FedEx. The only surprise so far was this: The rate for Saipan to Houston was $25. The return trip, Houston to Saipan was $87!

Lesson One: I should have used USPS Express Mail....

[harpman88]

Congrats Mike,hope all 4u goes well from here,I just started the process for the OA here in N.Orleans yesterday myself. Did you have to notarize your documents? (None required here,according to the lady at the consulate) Also ,are you going to get multi entries with your OA?? ( I was assured mine will be a multi)

I see my former employers (USPS).really do offer some value!

[buadhai]

Harpman, I was hoping you'd chime in here so we could compare experiences.

No mention was made of notarization, so I didn't bother. Also, there was some confusion on the number of application forms required, so I sent three of everything :

Application

O-A Supplement

Photo

Police Clearance

Medical Certificate

Retirement/Income Letter from the Feds

I sure hope it's right....

[harpman88]

Hi again,Mike: 1st of all,did u see the thread I started titled"New Orleans Consulate Policies,O/OA,Retirement"? All she asked me for is on there.

I see some differences from your list:I was asked for a statement from my bank/brokerage firm to assure that I had $20K available. She wanted this AND the statement from OPM showing the total of my monthly pension (originals of both,ideally pension should be at least $1,600/month).

She also said 3 copies of the visa application would be required,2 photos for each, for a total of 6 photos. Also she asked for a "personal data form" indicating my work and educational backgrounds.

This could be handwritten and in a format similar to a resume. with my name, phone",etc.attached.

Was Houston absolutely clear on what they wanted ?? How does what they told you compare to my experience? I will let you know how things go as they develop,I will be going in personally ASAP,car's in the repair shop right now tho!

Keep me posted! Till Later,the Harpman

P.S. What is the"OA Supplement??

[buadhai]

Harpman -- I did see your other thread and I am truly amazed at the differences. Houston was quite clear: One copy of the visa application and two photos! They sent this in writing. For them the bank balance/income statement was an either/or thing. I faxed her the income statement in advance and she said it would be fine. For good measure I included my latest Thrift Savings Plan statement.

The O/A Supplement is a form that asks for things like intended residence, a reference in Thailand and some other bio data.

I wasn't asked for employment or educational information.

I have all this stuff at the office, so I'll double check in the morning to make sure.

Did they give you any idea how long it will take? Houston told me that the whole package has to go to the Embassy in DC and then on to Bangkok via pouch. Sounds like weeks in my case.

[eyebee]

Hi,

I've been following this discussion with interest. I'm a Brit and have my retirement extension based on a multi non-imm 'O'. The interesting thing is that there seems to be an extra reason for requesting a non-imm 'O' in the UK that everyone can take advantage of. That is for the purpose of visiting friends in Thailand. See the Hull Consulate website for details http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/Bvisas.htm . The only extra you need for this route is a letter of guarantee from a friend, and the site even gives you a model letter. I'm sure everyone who has been to Thailand before has "friends" here, it could be a bar girl, the manager of the hotel you stayed at last time, even the soi dog in the alley!

I went this route and had absolutely no trouble at all, and I'm now in the middle of my second extension.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Hi,

I've been following this discussion with interest. I'm a Brit and have my retirement extension based on a multi non-imm 'O'. The interesting thing is that there seems to be an extra reason for requesting a non-imm 'O' in the UK that everyone can take advantage of. That is for the purpose of visiting friends in Thailand. See the Hull Consulate website for details http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/Bvisas.htm . The only extra you need for this route is a letter of guarantee from a friend, and the site even gives you a model letter. I'm sure everyone who has been to Thailand before has "friends" here, it could be a bar girl, the manager of the hotel you stayed at last time, even the soi dog in the alley!

I went this route and had absolutely no trouble at all, and I'm now in the middle of my second extension.

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Hull has always been ( over ) accommodating )