30-day To O Retirement "visa"

[10years]

Arrived in Bangkok on Wednesday with a 30-day permission to stay stamp, going to Suan Phlu tomorrow to get a retirement "visa" in what I believe is called here a "two step" process.

Exactly what immigration forms do I need to get? In particular, will I be applying for a non-immigration "O" visa (in country) or will I be applying for a change in status to a non-immigrant (so I can apply for the extension using retirement as the reason)? Will I need one photo for each step?

How much will it cost for the two-step process?

Do both steps take place at the same time, that is, do I hand in the all the paperwork to one officer or does it actually take two steps? Do I go to room 101 or 102 to see an officer?

I have the 800,00 in a fixed account and got an official confirmation letter from the bank a couple weeks ago. Can I still use this letter? The balance in a fixed account never changes. I will update the passbook showing that the monthly interest was paid on Tuesday.

Where is the best place to get a few photocopies made? Is there a copy service inside the immigration building? How much does the service cost per page? I already have had photocopies made at a univeristy copy shop but need to copy some items that have changed recently.

Thanks!

[Jingthing]

I have the 800,00 in a fixed account and got an official confirmation letter from the bank a couple weeks ago. Can I still use this letter? The balance in a fixed account never changes. I will update the passbook showing that the monthly interest was paid on Tuesday.

I will address this part.

- your bank letter is way too old, immigration prefers same day or previous day letters

- the balance in your passbook must EXACTLY match the balance stated in the letter

- the money should be over 800K for two months prior to your application (next year, three months)

[Lite Beer]

You will not get both steps at the same time as your money has not been in the bank long enough.

The change to a Non O Visa costs 2,000 Baht. About 2 months later you go and apply for the 12 month Extension.

As said the letter has to be at least a week young, usually younger. Up to date bank book showing the same balance.

The extension is 1,900 Baht.

Details on changing to a Non O Visa here.http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/base.php Click on Required Documents, then click on Change Visa.

This only works with IE or Firefox with the IE add on.

[Jingthing]

The OP didn't actually state how long he has seasoned the money, did he? He mentioned the letter date not the time he has seasoned the money. I agree if he has not seasoned the money doing both steps at the same time is not possible.

[wpcoe]

Also, you can refer to: The express lane to a Retirement Extension which covers your situation and answers some of your questions.

[10years]

Thanks to everyone replying and especially for the two links.

I think the immigration link is a little old as I didn't have to apply for a Visa Status Alteration (TM.86).

Went to the Suan Plu ballroom to do the two-step, but only got as far as a half step.

For anyone changing their status, go directly to room 301 on the 3rd floor. Do not pass the information counter on the first floor and do not stop at the info stand outside rm 301. Go inside where everything's there - waiting area with chairs, a couple of tables with chairs to fill out your form and glue to paste your photo on the form.

The lady at the first desk will ask some basic questions and hand you a blank Application for visa (TM.87) form to fill out if you don't have one. After you return the form, she will send you to the desk of one of the officials working in the back of the room where you will be interviewed.

There is a sign outside of rm 301 saying very clearly that you need at least 21 days remaining in your stay in order to change your status.

The first thing the officer did on taking my application was count the number of days I had remaining.

I handed over all the copies required, including the official bank confirmation letter (which was a little old as mentioned above) and that was OK.

I was asked to write my (mobile) phone number on top of my application form.

But I got tossed for a loop when she asked if the funds had come from abroad. When I said they didn't, she said she would then have to ask somebody about my case because her understanding was that the funds had to be remitted from overseas. She came back and apparently that was OK too.

Finally I paid 2,000 baht, got a receipt, and was told to come back in a week to "get your passport stamped". There was zero wait at the info desk and to get the interview.

I was a little confused as I was under the impression that the two-step would be completed in one visit.

My questions now are:

Is it normal to have to wait for a week for the non-imm "O", or does it mean that there might be something questionable that they have to investigate?

When I go back will there be any more interviews or questions?

When does the N/I visa start - the day I entered the country, the day I get my passport stamped with the visa, or the day after my free 30 days on arrival ends?

Am I expected to apply for the one-year extension the same day I get the visa stamped in my passport? Are there any advantages/disadvantages for appying for the retirement extension the same day?

Do I apply for the extension in the same room, 301?

Do I need to supply another full set of documents (basically the same for the visa, but including a new bank letter as I only had one) for the extension?

Would getting the extension be almost automatic if I managed to get the visa, or would I have to go through more interviews? In other words, has anyone passed the first step (visa) but failed to get the second (extension)?

Would the extension require a second visit or would I get it right away?

Finally, if I got the visa, I was thinking of getting a one-time reentry permit (just in case since they don't do that at the airport any longer), but I wondered if it would be good for only as long as the visa (60 days?) if I didn't get the one-year extension first? I don't have any travel plans.

[lopburi3]

The immigration link gives the two forms that can be used - you only use the one you need - as you did not have a visa entry (tourist visa) you used the application for visa form.

The 7 day wait seems to be new policy - but justifies the 21 day requirement. Phone number is a normal requirement now (but not listed on forms).

Normally, unless you have been working here, they would ask if the funds come from outside Thailand in the past. You might get asked about source again. But normally it is a very easy process. Normally extensions of stay start from end of current permitted to stay stamp but not sure how they do when it is "application for visa". Expect it will be from date of application. And extension of stay from end of the 90 day visa entry. Once the one year extension is received believe the re-entry permit will reflect that date but have no experience. If you have paperwork in order (already in bank for required time) they may do the TM.7 extension of stay when you return. It will save an extra trip later but some are done that way and some are told to return during the last 30 days of the 90 day stay. It they do same day they may do in 301 - but normally it is a long queue in 101. If done next week probably not need extra documents but if later quite sure they will be required. I am sure someone has failed the cut but expect they took funds out of bank or there were other issues. Normally it is smooth sailing. The extension is done same day. Re-entry is only valid for the current permitted to stay until stamp date so would only be valid for 90 days if you do not obtain extension now.

[10years]

After waiting a week I went back to Suan Plu on the appointed day and got my immigrant visa stamped into my passport without any questioning. I was just told to wait in the waiting area of Rm 301. A male officer came out and courteously handed my passport back to me, saying I had 90 days to get the extension downstairs and also to get a re-entry permit if I planned to make a trip abroad.

I went during lunchtime so there was basically no wait.

The start date of the visa was not the date it was stamped into my passport but the date I applied for the visa.

Here are some notes/lessons from my case:

Go during lunch or in the afternoon. There is no wait.

A fixed time deposit is not only okay but has many merits. The 800,000 baht balance never changes so it's easier for the official to confirm the balance, and it will always match the bank's confirmation letter. It is much easier to make copies, in fact, only two pages are needed - one showing the name of the holder and the account number, and one to show the balance. And the bank letter can be a little old, as the balance never changes.

The funds do not necessarily have to come from abroad, although they asked me about this.

Try to go to Suan Plu while there are at least 21 days left on your 30-day permit to stay. I didn't test this, but they seemed keen on this rule.

You don't need to copy all the pages of your passport. I submitted just two pages - one showing my photo and bio details, and one showing my entry stamp and the front of my embarkation card. Passport control at the airport doesn't seem to be putting the date stamp on the back of the card anymore. The past two times I entered the country they stamped the front of the card.

While you shouldn't go to Suan Plu in sloppy clothes, I went both times in nice shorts and a polo shirt and they were polite and I had no problem. Maybe that made me look more retired .

Since you don't have a visa, you don't need to fill out a change of status form.

You can skip going to the info counter on the ground floor and proceed directly to rm 301 on the third floor.

When I went back to get my passport stamped, all I showed them and gave them was my passport and my receipt for the visa, which had the appointment date written on it.

I was not told to also submit an application for an extension, so I don't know about getting the visa and extension at the same time.

[JimGant]

I was not told to also submit an application for an extension, so I don't know about getting the visa and extension at the same time....

.....saying I had 90 days to get the extension downstairs

Sounds like you could have left room 301 for room 101, and applied for your extension same-day (assuming funds had been in the bank at least 2 months). Another poster did this a few weeks back, returning after 7 days, like you, to get his Non Imm O visa. But, he then proceeded to room 101 and got his extension.

They used to say 'come back during the last 30 days of your new 90-day permitted to stay period' to submit your extension request. The wording in your case -- 'you have 90 days [from today] to apply' -- sounds like you're good-to-go as soon as you meet the 2-months in the bank criteria.

The poster mentioned above went the income route -- and since they kept the original embassy certification letter in room 301, he had to go back to the embassy for a second letter in order to apply for his extension. Had they kept your original bank letter (?), you might have needed a new one too. In any case, I'd get another bank letter before returning to get your extension, even if you have the original, just to protect against officers who don't like letters several weeks old.