Process For Obtaining Non Immigrant O Visa

[Tundra]

Hi. This is my first post so if anyone can help here it would be much appreciated. I went to the immigration bureau in Bangkok (Chaeng Wattana) today with the hope of changing a tourist visa to a Non-Immigrant O visa. I provided all the requisite documents and information only to be told at the end that I must return in 14 days to pick up the visa. From everything that I have read to-date, I expected to get the visa on the same day, or day after at the latest. My question, therefore, is the 14 day wait normal? If not, anything I can do to get an explanation from Immigration Bureau about why there is a 14 day wait? Other details you might need to help. I entered Thailand on a 30 day tourist visa on 10 June. I provided all of the require documents (letter from bank, bank statement/passbook, etc.) Am 53 years old, Canadian citizen.

[InterestedObserver]

Are you ultimately trying to obtain a 1 year extension of stay based on retirement, is that the reason for the visa change to non-immigrant "O"? Immigration needs a reason to change visa type, which you did not provide in your post..

[Tundra]

Are you ultimately trying to obtain a 1 year extension of stay based on retirement, is that the reason for the visa change to non-immigrant "O"? Immigration needs a reason to change visa type, which you did not provide in your post..

Hi. Thanks for reply. I did indicate on the application form that the reason for application was "for the purpose of retirement".

[lopburi3]

Do you remember the form you used and the fee? Will 14 days be your normal expiration of current permitted to stay time? Was any stamp made in your passport today?

[InterestedObserver]

Hi. Thanks for reply. I did indicate on the application form that the reason for application was "for the purpose of retirement".

Two step process:

1. Change existing visa or visa exempt stamp to a non-immigrant "O" visa, cost 2,000 baht.

2. Get 1 year extension of stay based on retirement, cost 1,900 baht. Need to meet the age and financial requirements.

3. Steps 1&2 can occur simultaneously or after a waiting period of not more than 90 days, the expiration date of the Non "O" visa.

[Tundra]

Do you remember the form you used and the fee? Will 14 days be your normal expiration of current permitted to stay time? Was any stamp made in your passport today?

Hi. The form i completed was TM.87 "Application for Visa." The fee I paid was 2,000 Baht. You asked: " Will 14 days be your normal expiration of current permitted to stay time?" My tourist visa expires on 9 July. Was told by immigration today to return on 7 July to pick up the "result" of my application. No stamp was put in my passport today.

[Tundra]

Hi. Thanks for reply. I did indicate on the application form that the reason for application was "for the purpose of retirement".

Two step process:

1. Change existing visa or visa exempt stamp to a non-immigrant "O" visa, cost 2,000 baht.

2. Get 1 year extension of stay based on retirement, cost 1,900 baht. Need to meet the age and financial requirements.

3. Steps 1&2 can occur simultaneously or after a waiting period of not more than 90 days, the expiration date of the Non "O" visa.

Thanks. This is also my understanding of process and fees involved. What I am questionig, however, if why Immigration would make me wait 14 days to get the Non-Immigrant O visa, and whether or not this long of a wait is normal. If not, I want to find out from immigration the reason for the wait. And the most efficient way of taking the issue up with Immigration if need be.

[InterestedObserver]

Was your 800,000 baht in a Thai bank for at least 60 days when you applied? I assume that you are not using the 65,000 baht per month pension or combination method.

[Tundra]

Was your 800,000 baht in a Thai bank for at least 60 days when you applied? I assume that you are not using the 65,000 baht per month pension or combination method.

The required amount of Bhat has not been in bank for at least 60 days. I am aware of the requirement, and realize that I will not be able to apply for the extension of stay for the purpose of retirement until the funds have been in bank for 60 days. Do you think this has anything to do with why I was told by immigration to wait 14 days to find out result of my application for the Non-Immigrant O visa.?

[InterestedObserver]

Yup, at present you do not meet the requirements for a retirement extension of stay, the stated reason for the change to a non-immigrant "O" visa. The immigration bosses will need to review your case file and approve. When will the 800,000 baht have been in a Thai bank for 60 days? You will most likely need to update your bankbook and get another bank letter when the 800,000 baht matures.

[Tundra]

Yup, at present you do not meet the requirements for a retirement extension of stay, the stated reason for the change to a non-immigrant "O" visa. The immigration bosses will need to review your case file and approve. When will the 800,000 baht have been in a Thai bank for 60 days? You will most likely need to update your bankbook and get another bank letter when the 800,000 baht matures.

Hi. I am obviously not understanding something here. I know that I will not meet the requirement for extension until the 800,000 Baht is in the bank ifor 60 days. I have, however, not applied for an extension of stay. I only applied for an nonn-immigrant O. Is the problem that I mentioned in my application to change from a 30 day tourist visa to a non-immigrant O that the reason was for "the purpose of retirement"? I am not sure why , this would be a problem given that this is a two stage process. 1. Change from a 30 day tourst visa to an non-immigrant O; 2. Once you have the non-immigrant O, apply for the so-called retirement visa/ extentions of stay. What other reason could I have given? Grateful if you could outline what the 'lessoned learned" here is, or should be, for others in the same position (i.e. those of us wanting to go from a tourist visa to a Non-Immigrant O-A without the same delay). Thanks very much.

[InterestedObserver]

1. The granting of a visa change is conditional upon your meeting all the necessary criteria for that change, which in this case is retirement. You cannot just walk into immigration and say "I don't like my tourist visa, please give me a non-immigrant "O" visa", they will tell you to leave the country and get another visa.

2. A non-immigrant "O-A" retirement visa is only available in your home (residence) country, it is not available in Thailand.

3. You can get a 1 year extension of stay based upon retirement from immigration in Thailand, if you meet the age and financial requirements plus have a non-immigrant "O" visa in your passport..

4. Technically you do not have a tourist visa obtained from a Thai embassy or consulate, it's a 30 day visa exempt entry.

[lopburi3]

I suspect Para 1 above may have something to do with it as this is starting to be used more often there may well be persons lending money for a fee to obtain the 90 days and no extension planned. This, like the 60 day seasoning, might help to avoid the day loan operators. Was any indication made that you should show the money again on next visit?

I have seen another recent report of a delay so don't believe you are alone and it is probably current policy, at least in some cases.

[Tundra]

I suspect Para 1 above may have something to do with it as this is starting to be used more often there may well be persons lending money for a fee to obtain the 90 days and no extension planned. This, like the 60 day seasoning, might help to avoid the day loan operators. Was any indication made that you should show the money again on next visit?

I have seen another recent report of a delay so don't believe you are alone and it is probably current policy, at least in some cases.

Dear Lopburi3 and InterestedObserver:

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my request. Greatly appreciate your sage advice. Best Regards.