Applying For O-a Visa From Ireland

[harleyclarkey]

Bloody hel_l...has it been worth it??

I have had the regular multi entry Visa for the past couple of years to save any hassle on re entries and recently decided to go for the O-A Visa. What to do?

I, first off, phoned the Irish Thai Consul who, while helpful and friendly, was not able to help as they are not permitted to issue an O-A visa. (Why ever not??). This has to be done through the UK and the London embassy. Ok....I checked the Thai Embassy site in London and got as much information as I could as to what was needed. I also sent a mail to query some things but, surprise surprise, got no reply.

Here they are in case of use to others;

Required documents for visa application.

2.1 Validity of passport at least 1 year

2.2 Three (3) visa application forms and 3 passport size recent photographs

2.3 Additional application form for Non-Immigrant “O-A” (Long Stay)

2.4 Copy of bank statement having in possession of annually income equivalent to Thai currency at least 800,000 Baht or monthly income 65,000 Baht. (approximately GBP

14,000.00/annum)

2.5 In case attached copy of bank statement as stated in 2.4, the original reference letter from the banking concerned is necessary.

2.6 Criminal Record from

own country

and

country of permanent residence

with validity of at least 3 months. Applicants residing in the United Kingdom will need to have a police clearance issued only from the Scotland Yard.

2.7 Medical Record proving applicant has never been infected with contagious disease with validity at least 3 months (in accordance with Immigration Act B.E.2522)

2.8 In case wishing to be accompanied by spouse, the marriage certificate will be attached. But spouse will be granted Non-Immigrant “O” in stead of “O-A”

(Long Stay)

Note: Documents as stated in 2.4 - 2.8 must be certified by Notary Public or from the competent authority concerned of the country of application.

2.1 No problem

2.2 No problem , just a simple download from the site.

2.3 Same as above but the application form said ..."3 forms to be completed". Ok, I filled in 3 forms to be sure

2.4 I submitted 2 recent monthly statements to show proof of regular declared income.

2.5 Sorted..declaration from my bank (showing my £2m p.a ..sure!! )

2.6 This took 6 weeks to get as they had to check each and every address from date of birth (a long time ago!!!)

2.7 No problem but cost 64 euro!!

2.8 N/A

A condition for the Visa paper work is that you must have 2.1-2.8 Notarised...and Notarised only. A solicitor or Peace Commissioner will not be accepted. No bother says I ...but got stopped in my tracks for a reality check. What do you reckon on the cost for 8 pages to be Notarised? Quick trip, a signature and a stamp. £30-40?? No way for the legal vultures. Fifty euro per page!! Yep...you read it right, 50 per page , not 50 all in for a quick call! There is usually only 1, yes ONE, Notary per county here. Competition? Forget it, this is the legal "profession". I went to another county (not Dublin-where the 3 I contacted wanted the exact same, Price fixing?) and was lucky to bargain a guy down a bit for the 8 pages...total time was 10 minutes and the girl in the office did it.

I phoned the Embassy 3 times to ask what exactly was needed and got no where...."look at site" "can not help". Yes, I "look at site" but it is far from clear. Do you need a years bank statements, how many forms, how many photos, will a PC be ok for the papers, is the fee £100 as per site or £90 as stated on the forms??? I sent a draft for £90 plus a cheque, just in case, for the other £10.

Ok, now that I have all of the stuff together I post it off by registered post on the 9th feb and the Embassy signed for it on the 11th. I got a phone call on the 16th to say they do NOT take postal applications and the feee is £100. But I live in Ireland so how do I apply? Can I send it to the Consul here for forwarding? No, no. You have to apply in person!! You mean I must fly to London, get to the hotel, stay for 3-4 nights and collect the passport. Correct. This is unreal....and grossly unfair. The correct route would cost anything up to £500 on top of the other costs for the application.

The embassy girl/lady I have to say did help by saying they were making an exception for me and will process it but were very condesending and happy to lecture me about it. "We are doing you a big favour" "big exception"."you are very lucky" When I queried one thing, the fee, she asked did I want her to post the passport back and I can apply as usual?? Eh? No! But now I must sent a new draft for £106. This I sent on the 17th and it arrived on the 19th.

As of now, the 29th and 21 days later, I haven't got my passport back and had to cancel a trip to Austria. Three phone calls were not returned neither were the 4 mails. I finally got through today at 09.45 (at 09.30-09.45 it was closed despite the embassy supposed to open at 09.30) and the visa has been processed.

The costs, apart from the considerable amount of my time , have been substantial. The doctor, the visa fee, the notary and the getting around costs for all of these. Why do we Irish have to apply in person in London....is the Thai embassy aware that we are a different country?? Why does the consul here not have the power, if not to issue the visa, then to accept the passport and application and send it via diplomatic pouch? Why can the consul not authenticate the documents submitted. as they are the best placed to know real from fake. Why does the Thai embassy not treat applicants with the dignity and respect that we deserve??

The true cost for the visa if I had to apply in person and had to pay full notary costs would have been close to £1,000!! This is totally unreasonable and can not be justified under any circumstances.

Edited January 29, 2008 by harleyclarkey

[naka]

Very informative and well written post there.

Any reason why you did not go for the "One year Extension while in Thailand" route,

minimal cost and no need for border runs ?

1. Cost 30 pounds pa.

2. Time at Thai immigration 1 - 2 hours.

3. No medical.

4. No Police clearance.

5. 60 pounds pa for multi entry re-entry pemit.

6. No border runs / re-entry required.

And am I wrong in thinking that after a couple of years you

will revert to the yearly extension route anyway ?

Naka.

Edited January 30, 2008 by naka

[garro]

Sorry to hear about your difficulties.

I have used the Irish consulate in the past and never had any problem with my non-o visa.

I just send a copy of my marriage certificate and the money.

I know that they sometimes send applications off to the UK, but I have always gone through them anyway.

In the same way that the Irish consulate in BKK often only works as a sorting office as applications must be sent to the Embassy in Malyasia for many things.

Well they certainly seem to want you to jump through a lot of hoops.

It does seem unreasonable, but a Thai needs to jump through many hoops to get even a ordinary tourist visa for Ireland.

[harleyclarkey]

<br />Very informative and well written post there. <img src="style_emoticons/default/wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="wink.gif" /> <br /><br /><br /> Any reason why you did not go for the "One year Extension <b>while in</b> Thailand" route,<br /> minimal cost and no need for border runs ?<br /><br /> 1. Cost 30 pounds pa.<br /> 2. Time at Thai immigration 1 - 2 hours.<br /> 3. No medical.<br /> 4. No Police clearance.<br /> 5. 60 pounds pa for multi entry re-entry pemit.<br /> 6. No border runs / re-entry required.<br /><br /> And am I wrong in thinking that after a couple of years you<br /> will revert to the yearly extension route anyway ?<br /><br /> Naka.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Hi Naka.....I did think about this but reckoned that when I want to stay over 90 days it would be easier and also after 3 years I can apply for a sort of half residency (??) Also renewal is a natter of going to immigration with proof of income. Am I correct in these 2?? I really did not expect all of the hassle that I had to go through. It kind of just rolled on and on. After the 6 weeks for the police clearance I just kept going. The real shocker was been told to apply in person to the UK Embassy.

[lopburi3]

Not correct; other than staying over 90 days not needing a border run (but it does require a 90 day address report).

There is currently no path to permanent residency from retirement visa/extensions of stay.

Extension of stay for one year periods is going to Immigration with proof of funds and minimal paperwork but there is no need to an O-A retirement visa to start that process. You could enter Thailand with a visa exempt stamp and go to immigration within the first week to convert to non immigrant with 400k in a bank account (cost 2,000 baht) and then later extend for one year (cost 1,900 baht). No police reports or medicals or notarization required. If you use bank deposit about 200 baht for bank letter of account balance or if you use Embassy letter of income a higher fee for the letter.

[harleyclarkey]

Not correct; other than staying over 90 days not needing a border run (but it does require a 90 day address report).

There is currently no path to permanent residency from retirement visa/extensions of stay.

Extension of stay for one year periods is going to Immigration with proof of funds and minimal paperwork but there is no need to an O-A retirement visa to start that process. You could enter Thailand with a visa exempt stamp and go to immigration within the first week to convert to non immigrant with 400k in a bank account (cost 2,000 baht) and then later extend for one year (cost 1,900 baht). No police reports or medicals or notarization required. If you use bank deposit about 200 baht for bank letter of account balance or if you use Embassy letter of income a higher fee for the letter.

Thanks Lopburi...for the info of which i was not aware. Yours is for sure the easier option.....Oh heck I have it done now with less hair, more grey and more wrinkles!!

[lopburi3]

Just remember, if you have a multi entry type O-A visa, you can get almost two years use out of it - but second year you must obtain a re-entry permit prior to any travel.

[gharknes]

couldn't you have obtained a Non Img Muliple 0 then got your OA here in Thailand, seems a lot easier here

[harleyclarkey]

Just remember, if you have a multi entry type O-A visa, you can get almost two years use out of it - but second year you must obtain a re-entry permit prior to any travel.

Hello again Lopburi....do I not have to renew the visa in Thailand, preferably, after 1 year and within 7 days each side of it's expirey?? Does it not last for 1 year only. But you say I can get near to 2 years out of it. I am confused....(so what else is new!!))

[harleyclarkey]

couldn't you have obtained a Non Img Muliple 0 then got your OA here in Thailand, seems a lot easier here

Thanks Gharknes....Lopburi pointed this out to me as ell....would have saved a whole lot of hassle and expense for me. We live and learn...well most of us!!!

[Lite Beer]

An OA Visa can only be applied for in your own country.

In Thailand you can extend youe Non Imm O Visa for 1 year. As Lopburi said.

[lopburi3]

The visa provides a one year permitted to stay stamp on entry into Thailand. If the visa itself is marked multi entry then you can (during the validity of the visa) come and go as you please and on each entry receive a one year permitted to stay from that date. Just before the expiration date of the visa you can make a new entry and receive another one year permitted to stay stamp. But during that time you would not be able to travel and keep your stay without a re-entry permit.

If you visa is single entry you will get one year permitted to stay stamp on arrival but if you want to travel during that time you will have to obtain a re-entry permit.

You should extend your stay in country during the last 30 days or your permitted to stay stamp. If a multi entry that could be almost two years from issue - if single entry almost one year.