Multiple Non O Friendly Consulates In Usa

[george]

A friend of me just emailed me and asked:

Anyone updated on which Thai Consulates in the US are Non-O Multiple "friendly"?

I know the consulate in Houston are friendly, any reports about other nice consulates there?

[ubonjoe]

As far a know none will issue non-o's to visit friends.

Most will issue for family and some for being over 50. Even Houston won't do an over 50 regular non-o multiple entry.

[george]

The purpose was retirement, not for visiting friends. The applicant even have the funds in the bank.

[ubonjoe]

He can get a multiple entry non-oa at Houston. There was a member that just got one there.

ROYAL THAI CONSULATE-GENERAL

600 Travis, Ste. 2000

HOUSTON, TX 77002-2911

Tel : (713) 229-8733

Fax : (713) 228-1303

E-mail : [email protected]

OA requirements including forms that Houston will accept. http://www.thaiembdc.org/consular/visa/Non-Imglong.aspx

[Lite Beer]

Then he probably needs a Non O-A Visa. Stay away from LA. The Embassy in Washington will issue a multi entry which would give 2 years before having to apply for an extension. Only one border run needed at the end of the first year. Will have to report to Immigration every 90 days.

http://www.thaiembdc.org/consular/visa/Non-Imglong.aspx

Members have reported success in Washington.

As UJ is American he will be more up to speed with things.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Then he probably needs a Non O-A Visa. Stay away from LA. The Embassy in Washington will issue a multi entry which would give 2 years before having to apply for an extension.

http://www.thaiembdc.org/consular/visa/Non-Imglong.aspx

Members have reported success in Washington.

As UJ is American he will be more up to speed with things.

The guy is in the US but is not a US national and is therefore not eligible for an O/A. He wants a multi O and can show the brass. Houston must be the only Thai Consulate that won't issue O visa's.

[ubonjoe]

Most consulates in the states will not issue multiple entry O' for retirement because they have been instructed to push the OA's. Even singles are hard to come by for over 50.

He can go down the list that can be gotten by using the pulldown menu on this page and contact a few of the honorary consulates. http://www.thaiembdc.org/AboutEmb/EmbDirect.aspx

There have been lots of reports about this. Most people are getting tourist visas and then doing a change of visa status when they get here.

Edit: What is his visa status in the states? He might be able to get the OA.

For non-US citizen, a copy of permanent resident alien card with employment verification or a copy of valid US visa with employment verification letter

[Pib]

The Honorary Consulate in Honolulu, HI is multiple entry friendly.

[Mario2008]

Then he probably needs a Non O-A Visa. Stay away from LA. The Embassy in Washington will issue a multi entry which would give 2 years before having to apply for an extension.

http://www.thaiembdc.org/consular/visa/Non-Imglong.aspx

Members have reported success in Washington.

As UJ is American he will be more up to speed with things.

The guy is in the US but is not a US national and is therefore not eligible for an O/A. He wants a multi O and can show the brass. Houston must be the only Thai Consulate that won't issue O visa's.

A O-A longstay visa is posssible if he resides in the US, but he woud probably need a police clearence from both the US and the police in his home country.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Most consulates in the states will not issue multiple entry O' for retirement because they have been instructed to push the OA's. Even singles are hard to come by for over 50.

He can go down the list that can be gotten by using the pulldown menu on this page and contact a few of the honorary consulates. http://www.thaiembdc.org/AboutEmb/EmbDirect.aspx

There have been lots of reports about this. Most people are getting tourist visas and then doing a change of visa status when they get here.

Edit: What is his visa status in the states? He might be able to get the OA.

For non-US citizen, a copy of permanent resident alien card with employment verification or a copy of valid US visa with employment verification letter

I think he is just a tourist. I'll check.

[T_Dog]

Then he probably needs a Non O-A Visa. Stay away from LA. The Embassy in Washington will issue a multi entry which would give 2 years before having to apply for an extension. Only one border run needed at the end of the first year. Will have to report to Immigration every 90 days.

http://www.thaiembdc.org/consular/visa/Non-Imglong.aspx

Members have reported success in Washington.

As UJ is American he will be more up to speed with things.

I was about to recommend LA when I saw your post. They got me my O-A in 7 days including mail there and back. Super helpful on the phone and via email, and their website is very good. Could you elaborate on why you recommend against LA please?

Also, I heard from someone that Portland Oregon has a Royal Thai Consulate that is friendly. Can anyone verify this and provide a website or email address?

[skipvice]

Portland Oregon is where I got mine last year, very friendly http://www.thai-or.com/

call and talk to Mary Wheeler.

[ubonjoe]

The question now is about regular non-o visas and getting a multiple entry not an OA.

[T_Dog]

Portland Oregon is where I got mine last year, very friendly http://www.thai-or.com/

call and talk to Mary Wheeler.

Outstanding! Thank You very much.

[JimGant]

Could you elaborate on why you recommend against LA please?

Their website -- and postings here -- show they only issue single entry Non Imm O-A visas. Since the multi entry variety have much more utility, that sucks.

Was that your experience?

[ernieK24]

Portland Oregon is where I got mine last year, very friendly http://www.thai-or.com/

call and talk to Mary Wheeler.

The consulate in Portland is excellemt. Also the Thai Consulate in Denver is extremely good, and happens to be a real estate office, "Ringsby Realty". It took me eight days, including a week end to get my NON_O visa by mail.

You need to send the completed application, your passport, a passport photo, a Postal Money Order for $50, and a self addressed, stamped envelope.

I bought two brown 5 X 9 envelopes at the post office, self addressed one, and had it stamped, folded it once and placed everything in the other envelope, addressed it, had it stamped and sent it by regular mail. If you feel insecure, insure or register it. I didn't.....no problem. Eight days later I got my passport back, via regular mail with the visa stamped, 90 days single entry. After sixty days I had it extended at Immigration for a year, for 1900 baht, with no problem at all. My excuse for coming to Thailand was, "To plan for retirement". I'm now in my fourth year.

Incidentally, they will not accept "personal" checks.

Royal Thai Consulate-General

1123 Aurarai Pkwy. Suite 200

Denver, CO 80204 (303) 892-1008 ( M - Thurs., 9am - 12:30 pm) (Jan Gauthiere)

[JimGant]

Denver tightened up a few years ago. The following quote is from Denver:

We are trying to tell customers who are trying to obtain a visa, to go to their

nearest consulate within the state they reside in. We will accept travelers

who are within the state of Colorado or neighboring cities who do not have a

consulate in their area.

We are trying to make customers understand that we will not be issuing

visas as easily as we had in the past due to the changes that have taken

place since October 2006. We are trying to follow the rules the best we can

per the Thai Embassy.

We do not want customers misinformed that we can issue ANY TYPE of visa

easily if requested or we will take applications from those who

reside outside our area. We will try to ask the customer to provide as

much documentation as possible pertaining to the type of visa applied for.

Also, the following link from a year ago has some pertinent info on honorary consulates in the States. In it, Alabama comes across as multi Non Imm O friendly for retirement eligible:

US Honorary Consulate Info

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Portland Oregon is where I got mine last year, very friendly http://www.thai-or.com/

call and talk to Mary Wheeler.

Portland has agreed to issue a multiple entry Non-Imm O to the applicant. Thanks all.