Non Immigration O

[kcore]

Hello - can anyone clarify as few issues for me. Thanks in advance. I recently traveled to t-land for 21 days on 30 day visa exempt ( not a tourist visa - I guess) entry. I will return in feb. which is within the 6 mos from my last visit. #1 will the 21 days from my prior visit be counted towards this same type of entry. #2 would the 21 days be counted against a tourist visa from which i understand i can get multiple re-entry up to 90 days. # 3 I hope to retire in t-land and am wondering if it is best to apply for this visa in my home country (usa) or do it in t-land and should i use legal help to accomplish this. I suspect if in t-land best to use legal help #4 who. # 5 requirememts for retirement visa are not a problem except possible one, criminal back groud check. I have a misdemeanor charge from 2004....problem. yes or no.

[Lite Beer]

If you returned without a Visa you would get 30 days . You would need an onward ticket within 30 days other wise the Airline can refuse you entry to the flight.

A Tourist Visa would give you 60 days each entry and can be extended at Immigration for a further 30 days.

Tourist Visa is free until 4th March. Extension is 1,900 Baht.

An O-A Visa for retirement needs to be applied for in the USA. You would need a Medical and Police report. Plus the financial requirements.

If you are worried about the Police Report. Obtain a Single Entry Non Imm O Visa and apply for a 12 month Extension in Thailand based on Retirement. No Police Report or medical needed.

800,000 Baht would have to be in your Thai bank 60 days before application. OR 65,000 Baht monthly income verified by the USA Embassy OR a combination of the two.

Do not waste your money on Legal Assistance. It is a straightforward and easy procedure. If in doubt just ask here.

[kcore]

Thanks Light Beer - sorry i am just trying to learn how to function on this forum. This is good advise as the thai consulate here says back ground MUST be clean. Siam legal say no problem with converting my non-imm type "o" ( i have a sponser company here in the states) to retirment visa in Chaing Mai ( they don't say how much). I have read that on this board that trying to convert to retirment in Chaing Mai is a problem. Do u have any advise regarding this. I am leaning on having Siam legal handle the whole process becuase I will need good consul in Thailand for other interests - any suggestion or comments on legal companies...kcore

[thaiphoon]

The process is simple and there is no need to pay fees to a lawyer. Problems can sometimes occur if trying to convert from either visa exempt entry or tourist visa to extension of stay, as many immigration offices cannot handle and direct people to Bangkok, but this can be avoided.

You should obtain single entry Non-O visa from consulate in US which will give you 90 day permission to stay on entry. That will allow you time to open bank account, transfer funds, and allow for seasoning of funds if required. During the last 30 days of your permission to stay you would apply for your 12 month extension of stay based on retirement (it is not a visa).

As said, requirements for extension of stay based on retirement are 800k in Thai bank for 2 months prior to first application (3 months for subsequent extensions) OR 65k/month income OR a combination of the two arriving at 800k. In the case of income from abroad you will need to obtain an income letter from your embassy. If using the bank balance option you will need a letter from bank confirming the account balance. Note that if using the combination method there is no seasoning period.

You will need to take with you to immigration completed application form TM7, recent passport sized photo, copy of passport plus bank letter + copy of passbook/embassy income letter as appropriate. A map to you residence might be asked for together with some proof such as rent receipt/lease but that should be all. Fee 1,900 baht. If you plan to travel during the period of the extension you will need to obtain a re-entry permit from immigration to keep your permission to stay alive. Fee 1000 baht single entry; 3800 baht multi entry.

The process really is very easy. If you have further questions, just ask. There are sponsors on the forum that may be able to provide help on your "other interests".

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/download/tm7.doc

[Lite Beer]

As said above. Really easy to do. Immigration Offices are doing these all day, every day. 1,900 Baht.

[kcore]

Thanks thaipoon and litebear - I feel much more confident about this and it looks like u may have saved me a chunk of change . Meet me in Chaing Mai lite beer and i will buy u a lite beer and thaipoon i will by u a.................

kcore

[thaitero]

have a misdemeanor charge from 2004....problem. yes or no.

I do not know how it is in your country but in my country (finland) "little crimes" (suspended sentence )will be erased from criminal record after 5 years..

Up to 2 years hard time record will be erased after 10 years

2-5 years hard time record will be erased after 20 years

More than 5 years hard time record will be erased when you die or when you have your 90 year birthdays

Well i quess every country has their own regulations concerning this...