No Visa Entry Permit Straight To Retirement Visa?

[jwisland]

Situation: Arrived on an entry permit only in Dec, 2008. Now receiving out-patient care from local hospital after back operation. Hospital has helped me extend my stay twice, for 90 day extensions each time. Current extension expires on June 30, 2009. I opened a savings account with 1,000,000 baht 105 days ago. Extremely easy....I went to the US embasssy and they certified that I was alive and breathing.....took the letter to the bank.....20 minutes later I had an account open with passbook in hand. I have fulfilled the requirement for funds, am over 50, have a clean police report from home country, etc.

Question: Before I spend a day at immigration finding out if I do, or do not, have everything in order, can anyone tell me if I need a Non-Immigrant O visa BEFORE they willl issue the "temporary" 3 month retirement visa, and thereafter reapply after 60 days for the full one year retirement visa with multiple entries?

Thanks for any answers.

[Jingthing]

You need at least 21 days on your current permission of stay to apply for the two step process (first the O, then the extension) IN Thailand. Many people are getting first time annual extensions without any O obtained OUTSIDE Thailand. Money seasoning requirements for FIRST TIME extensions is only 2 months, NOT 3.

[jwisland]

You need at least 21 days on your current permission of stay to apply for the two step process (first the O, then the extension) IN Thailand. Many people are getting first time annual extensions without any O obtained OUTSIDE Thailand. Money seasoning requirements for FIRST TIME extensions is only 2 months, NOT 3.

I understand I have the money situation covered. So I actually DO have to transfer to an "O" visa before requesting a "retirement" visa?

Thanks.

[ubonjoe]

Situation: Arrived on an entry permit only in Dec, 2008. Now receiving out-patient care from local hospital after back operation. Hospital has helped me extend my stay twice, for 90 day extensions each time. Current extension expires on June 30, 2009. I opened a savings account with 1,000,000 baht 105 days ago. Extremely easy....I went to the US embasssy and they certified that I was alive and breathing.....took the letter to the bank.....20 minutes later I had an account open with passbook in hand. I have fulfilled the requirement for funds, am over 50, have a clean police report from home country, etc.

Question: Before I spend a day at immigration finding out if I do, or do not, have everything in order, can anyone tell me if I need a Non-Immigrant O visa BEFORE they willl issue the "temporary" 3 month retirement visa, and thereafter reapply after 60 days for the full one year retirement visa with multiple entries?

Thanks for any answers.

Yes you can do it. What you will be doing is a change of visa status (2000 baht). Since your money has been in the bank long enough they may do it all in one trip. What they do is issue a non-o visa and then do the 1 year extension (1900 baht) at the same time.

You will need to do it at least 21 days before your current extension runs out.

When you go in for the change of visa status you will need a letter from the bank confirming your deposit and your bank updated on that day. The letter can be done the day before.

[lopburi3]

You must convert to a non immigrant visa at a cost of 2,000 baht - then you can extend that 90 day stay for 1,900 baht as a normal long stay one year extension - it might be in one go or you may be told to return 60 days later (if all paperwork with you seem more often they do in one go). Not sure what the requirement will be with those medical extensions of 90 days but normally you must have 21 days remaining on your permitted to stay stamp to start the process. If they say no all you have to do is go to a Consulate and obtain a visa (non immigrant O is best) to start the process. You will not need the police report.

[ubonjoe]

You need at least 21 days on your current permission of stay to apply for the two step process (first the O, then the extension) IN Thailand. Many people are getting first time annual extensions without any O obtained OUTSIDE Thailand. Money seasoning requirements for FIRST TIME extensions is only 2 months, NOT 3.

I understand I have the money situation covered. So I actually DO have to transfer to an "O" visa before requesting a "retirement" visa?

Thanks.

Not exactly see my other post for an explanation.

They will probably do it all in one trip dependent upon which immigration office you go to.

[jwisland]

Situation: Arrived on an entry permit only in Dec, 2008. Now receiving out-patient care from local hospital after back operation. Hospital has helped me extend my stay twice, for 90 day extensions each time. Current extension expires on June 30, 2009. I opened a savings account with 1,000,000 baht 105 days ago. Extremely easy....I went to the US embasssy and they certified that I was alive and breathing.....took the letter to the bank.....20 minutes later I had an account open with passbook in hand. I have fulfilled the requirement for funds, am over 50, have a clean police report from home country, etc.

Question: Before I spend a day at immigration finding out if I do, or do not, have everything in order, can anyone tell me if I need a Non-Immigrant O visa BEFORE they willl issue the "temporary" 3 month retirement visa, and thereafter reapply after 60 days for the full one year retirement visa with multiple entries?

Thanks for any answers.

Yes you can do it. What you will be doing is a change of visa status (2000 baht). Since your money has been in the bank long enough they may do it all in one trip. What they do is issue a non-o visa and then do the 1 year extension (1900 baht) at the same time.

You will need to do it at least 21 days before your current extension runs out.

When you go in for the change of visa status you will need a letter from the bank confirming your deposit and your bank updated on that day. The letter can be done the day before.

Thanks! I forgot to mention that I was already told about the bank letter....and that the letter should be dated "within" 3 days of my trip to immigration. I've held off on the bank letter as I needed more infomation....AND.......I thought I should use my current extension for as long as possible, before beginning the process. My concern is that I do not have a true visa, only an aiport entry that has been extended. Will I still be able to apply for "change of visa"? Thanks.

[lopburi3]

There are two forms - one is to change visa status and the other is for a visa - you will use the form to obtain a visa. Yes you can do from a visa exempt entry. But not sure how they will classify those medical extensions.

[jwisland]

There are two forms - one is to change visa status and the other is for a visa - you will use the form to obtain a visa. Yes you can do from a visa exempt entry. But not sure how they will classify those medical extensions.

Great info from all. The hospital has a separate visa department that handles visa extensions for patients that cannot travel due to medical reasons. Ijust spoke with one of the ladies with that department and she said to stop by on my next appointment with the doctor and bring her all my paperwork. "We're perfectly legal in our dealings with the government, which is why they work so closely with us. Don't worry. Your travel is restricted by a registered doctor and the government recognizes that. "

Nice service, but strict and LEGAL. Last time I was there some guy was shouting at them that he wanted an extension.

"Sir, you are not a patient at this hospital and we are not a public visa service. This is for our patients that cannot travel....only!"

"Then admit me for an hour!"

"Sir, what exactly do you need to be admitted for?"

"A VISA!"

She just smiled at him politely, but didn't say a word.......he finally stormed off swearing about stupid Thais. She looked over at me and rolled her eyes. I asked if this was common and she said, "Yes, unfortunately."

Unbelievable.

Thanks for all the responses.