Non- Imm "O" Purpose Question

[bunnydrops]

I am an US citizen, 63 years

I had an "A-O" visa last year but had to return to the US to finish some work. I wish to return to Thailand for 7 months, but will again have to leave for another 6 to 7 months after which time I plan the retire to Thailand for good. I did not wish to get an "A-O" retirement visa this time since I know I will have to leave again in 7 months. I was told at the local Thai Consulate that I should get the multi-entry "O" and that it is easier, quicker and less paper work needed (only proof of income). I will not mention which Consulate, but they seem to be a little flaky. I have e-mailed them 3 times asking the same question, They do not answer the phone (except the one time). Anyway, I am returning to continue preparing for my retirement, maybe marry my Thai girlfriend, and possible planning for business. What would be an acceptable answer to the "purpose of visit" question for an "O".

[flyinghigh]

HI Hope this helps , purpose of visit.......visiting friends ......Evidence substantiating purpose of visit, down load sample letter , giving adress of where you will be staying,( page 2-8)

[lopburi3]

Visiting friends is not normally a valid reason for issue of a multi entry non immigrant O visa at most Consulates. To investigate retirement can be at most locations for single entry but seldom for more than that. I would be surprised if any Consulate in the US will issue such a visa at this time without Thai child/wife reasons.

You might consider tourist visas (which are currently free) as an alternative this year.

[Lite Beer]

As said not a chance for "Visiting Friends"

Also not much chance of a Multi Entry.

See how many Tourist Entries you can get. You can always get more in Asia if needed.

[Jingthing]

The consulate seemed to invite this application. Perhaps they will indeed be more flexible. In this particular situation, I think I would risk applying for a multiple entry O with this reason -- preparing for eventual retirement in Thailand. What's the worse that can happen? Probably give a single entry instead but the reason implies a long time is needed for this preparation, so why not?

[taninthai]

you do not need any proof of income for non imm o ,seems this consulate is giving you mixed messages you do however have to sign a form to say you have funds to stay in thailand but you do not need to show any figures ,these are only issued uk and austrailia as far as i am aware....................

[bunnydrops]

Thanks to everyone for your help

I got though to the Consulate by phone today. The reason for my concern about "purpose" is that it is stated on the app form that the fee ($175 in my case) is non-refundable even if rejected:blink:. The Thai Consulates in the US can no longer process "A-O"s, they must go though the Embassy. The Embassy wants everything in 4 copies and Notarized. That is what lead me to thinking about the "O" . I was told by the Consulate on the phone this morning that they will accept "pre-retirement planning" as a purpose for multi-entry "A-O". Only thing they want is proof of income or resent statement showing 800,000 baht in bank (or combo), neither need to be notarized or signed by bank manager. Go figure?:jap:

[willyumcr]

Thanks to everyone for your help

I got though to the Consulate by phone today. The reason for my concern about "purpose" is that it is stated on the app form that the fee ($175 in my case) is non-refundable even if rejected:blink:. The Thai Consulates in the US can no longer process "A-O"s, they must go though the Embassy. The Embassy wants everything in 4 copies and Notarized. That is what lead me to thinking about the "O" . I was told by the Consulate on the phone this morning that they will accept "pre-retirement planning" as a purpose for multi-entry "A-O". Only thing they want is proof of income or resent statement showing 800,000 baht in bank (or combo), neither need to be notarized or signed by bank manager. Go figure?:jap:

Talk to Consulate in Portland, OR. Very helpful. I have gotten "O" multiple entry visa ($175) for two years now and will be returning for third time shortly. It was based on future retirement and all I needed to show was my Social Security income (or any other income for the 800,000 baht year). No bank accounts, no doctor, etc.Consulate can no longer do A-O , but can do "O".

[JimGant]

The Thai Consulates in the US can no longer process "A-O"s, they must go though the Embassy.

Supposedly, it's only the honorary consulates that can no longer process O-A visas. However, the MFA Consulates in LA, NY, and Chicago can also process O-A visas. If you're dealing with one of these, it's surprising they're not also asking for the medical and police reports....

If you're not dealing with one of the above, it sounds like you've found an honorary consulate that is willing to issue a Non Imm O multi-entry (not O-A), which also costs $175. Again, honoraries are not, last we heard, issuing O-A visas. And the fact that medical and police reports aren't being asked for further suggests an "O" visa, not "O-A."

[Langsuan Man]

The OP needs to stop being so obtuse. Give is the Consulate and maybe someone has experience with that Consulate and we can stop this guessing game

[Jingthing]

Even more so, why not just call or email the consulate in question and ask them if they will grant a multi-entry O for your reason? I don't see the big problem with that. If they say no apply for something else.

[phuketrichard]

This is a interesting thread for me. I have been on a retirement extension for the past 8 years but as i want my daughter to get into a california universit as an instate resident ( and save me $23,000) We will be moving back next year for her senior year of HS.

SO then i will be out of Thailand for over 1 year. I was thinking i will then apply for a single nonimmigrant visa via the consolute in La and then once back here get the extension again.

Does anyone see any problem with that? If so i would then just get a tourist visa and then once here get it changed over or if that doesn;t work head to kl , Cambodia, Vientene or Singapore and ge tthe single entry non o.

Many options

[JimGant]

Pretty simple to figure out which honorary consulate is issuing Non Imm O visas, multi-entry no less, for the purposes of "pre-retirement planning."

Hope they don't get too famous, and have to shut down such a good deal, like what happened to Denver a few years back.

The Embassy wants everything in 4 copies and Notarized. That is what lead me to thinking about the "O"

Well, as Langsuan Man has pointed out in another thread, the notarization process is no longer required, and police and medical requirements aren't nearly as hard to obtain as some might think. And, it can all be done by mail, if that works best for you.

i will then apply for a single nonimmigrant visa via the consolute in La

PR, that won't work with LA, unless you're married to a Thai (or your daughter is Thai). But even if not, I would think you'll have both the "O" and "O-A" options available when the time comes. The former from an honorary consulate, and the latter from DC or LA should your money be tied up in the States, not Thailand (of course, after paying your daughter's tuition, you won't have any money...... )

[boatguy]

I am an US citizen, 63 years

I had an "A-O" visa last year but had to return to the US to finish some work. I wish to return to Thailand for 7 months, but will again have to leave for another 6 to 7 months after which time I plan the retire to Thailand for good. I did not wish to get an "A-O" retirement visa this time since I know I will have to leave again in 7 months. I was told at the local Thai Consulate that I should get the multi-entry "O" and that it is easier, quicker and less paper work needed (only proof of income). I will not mention which Consulate, but they seem to be a little flaky. I have e-mailed them 3 times asking the same question, They do not answer the phone (except the one time). Anyway, I am returning to continue preparing for my retirement, maybe marry my Thai girlfriend, and possible planning for business. What would be an acceptable answer to the "purpose of visit" question for an "O".

This is a interesting thread for me. I have been on a retirement extension for the past 8 years but as i want my daughter to get into a california universit as an instate resident ( and save me $23,000) We will be moving back next year for her senior year of HS.

SO then i will be out of Thailand for over 1 year. I was thinking i will then apply for a single nonimmigrant visa via the consolute in La and then once back here get the extension again.

Does anyone see any problem with that? If so i would then just get a tourist visa and then once here get it changed over or if that doesn;t work head to kl , Cambodia, Vientene or Singapore and ge tthe single entry non o.

Many options

I'm having some trouble here. Once you get an O-A retirement visa, do you lose it if you spend time out of the country of Thailand? As long as you comply with their other reporting requirements why should you lost the O-A visa??

I'm now married to a Thai lady and hope to retire there Jan-Feb 2011. I'm seeking an O-A retirement visa here at the embassy in Wash DC. One of the reasons I've chosen to seek it here in the USA is to save all the translation details likely involved with seeking it over in Thailand. Also I can show the monies in a bank acct here rather than in Thailand. That allows me to keep funds in US dollars and in US stock markets, as opposed to totally non-interest barring Thai accts.

I intend to visit Thai for 1.5 months here real soon, then return to US till after first of the year. Is this going to be effect by O-A retirement visa?? At times in the future my Thai wife and I may elect to spend a portion of the year living in the USA...maybe 6 months here, and 6 months there. Is that going to effect my retirement visa to Thailand?? Why should it?

[JimGant]

I intend to visit Thai for 1.5 months here real soon, then return to US till after first of the year.

The only effects all that traveling will have will be to possibly reduce the utility of having nearly two years use for your multi-entry O-A visa.

Say you get your O-A visa issued Sept 15, 2010. You'll then have until Sept 14, 2011 to enter and leave Thailand as many times as you like. And if each stay is less than 90 days, then, no 90-day reporting required. If your last entry to Thailand is right before your visa expiration date of Sept 14, 2011, then you'll have yet another permission to stay stamp of 365 days from the date of that last entry. Thus, the nearly two years utility of this one visa. And, you'll still be able to have unlimited travel that second year -- assuming you've gotten a mutiple re-entry stamp from Thai Immigration (required for re-entry after the visa expires Sept 14, 2011).

However, if you're out of the country several months before visa expiration -- and don't plan to re-enter until *after* visa expiration, the two year utility decreases by those 'several months.' In this situation, you'll need to get a re-entry stamp anyway to be able to finish out the remainder of your last 365 day permission to stay stamp. It this stamp will expire in the middle of your planned stay in Thailand, you'll need to explore getting another O-A before leaving the States for this last visit -- or plan to get a retirement extension in Thailand.

[lopburi3]

An O-A visa in only valid for one year. You can use a multi entry to get almost two years of permitted stay in Thailand but after that you must either obtain a new visa/entry or extend your stay for retirement.

You can only travel/return on an O-A multi entry visa during the 1 year it is valid. For travel during permitted to stay period outside that time you must obtain re-entry permit.

You can extend your stay and use re-entry permit for travel or you can obtain new O-A visas in the US in the future.

[bunnydrops]

Thanks to everyone for your help

I got though to the Consulate by phone today. The reason for my concern about "purpose" is that it is stated on the app form that the fee ($175 in my case) is non-refundable even if rejected:blink:. The Thai Consulates in the US can no longer process "A-O"s, they must go though the Embassy. The Embassy wants everything in 4 copies and Notarized. That is what lead me to thinking about the "O" . I was told by the Consulate on the phone this morning that they will accept "pre-retirement planning" as a purpose for multi-entry "A-O". Only thing they want is proof of income or resent statement showing 800,000 baht in bank (or combo), neither need to be notarized or signed by bank manager. Go figure?:jap:

"I was told by the Consulate on the phone this morning that they will accept "pre-retirement planning" as a purpose for multi-entry "A-O"." I am sorry, I meant to say multi-entry "O"

To answer another question--I believe you can get multi-entry "A-O". If you get single entry, the visa is voided unless you get an reentry permit before leaving.

[Lite Beer]

To answer another question--I believe you can get multi-entry "A-O". If you get single entry, the visa is voided unless you get an reentry permit before leaving.

Yep. Re Entry Permit is needed if you intend to exit the country and return within the year

[phuketrichard]

Pretty simple to figure out which honorary consulate is issuing Non Imm O visas, multi-entry no less, for the purposes of "pre-retirement planning."

Hope they don't get too famous, and have to shut down such a good deal, like what happened to Denver a few years back.

The Embassy wants everything in 4 copies and Notarized. That is what lead me to thinking about the "O"

Well, as Langsuan Man has pointed out in another thread, the notarization process is no longer required, and police and medical requirements aren't nearly as hard to obtain as some might think. And, it can all be done by mail, if that works best for you.

i will then apply for a single nonimmigrant visa via the consolute in La

PR, that won't work with LA, unless you're married to a Thai (or your daughter is Thai). But even if not, I would think you'll have both the "O" and "O-A" options available when the time comes. The former from an honorary consulate, and the latter from DC or LA should your money be tied up in the States, not Thailand (of course, after paying your daughter's tuition, you won't have any money...... )

My daughter is thai, ( i thought u can only use a thai son/daughter till they are 18?)

and i will not have the required money in the bank.

so ur saying i should apply at the embassy in DC by post? Do you think i can get a 1 year mutiply O?(

cost 1 year multiple o $175

1 year extension 1,900 abiout $60

1 year multipley renetry 3,800 about $120

My situation is my extension comes up the 18th of july 2011 at which time i will be in the states and wont be back till August 2012.

Also i want to apply via bangkok for my extension as will no longer be living in Phuket but on the road between thailand/laos and cambodia all the time photographing

[boatguy]

I intend to visit Thai for 1.5 months here real soon, then return to US till after first of the year.

The only effects all that traveling will have will be to possibly reduce the utility of having nearly two years use for your multi-entry O-A visa.

Say you get your O-A visa issued Sept 15, 2010. You'll then have until Sept 14, 2011 to enter and leave Thailand as many times as you like. And if each stay is less than 90 days, then, no 90-day reporting required. If your last entry to Thailand is right before your visa expiration date of Sept 14, 2011, then you'll have yet another permission to stay stamp of 365 days from the date of that last entry. Thus, the nearly two years utility of this one visa. And, you'll still be able to have unlimited travel that second year -- assuming you've gotten a mutiple re-entry stamp from Thai Immigration (required for re-entry after the visa expires Sept 14, 2011).

However, if you're out of the country several months before visa expiration -- and don't plan to re-enter until *after* visa expiration, the two year utility decreases by those 'several months.' In this situation, you'll need to get a re-entry stamp anyway to be able to finish out the remainder of your last 365 day permission to stay stamp. It this stamp will expire in the middle of your planned stay in Thailand, you'll need to explore getting another O-A before leaving the States for this last visit -- or plan to get a retirement extension in Thailand.

Sure makes it rather convoluted and confusing at times. Then I imagine you have to worry about each immigration official interpeting these 'ever changing regulations' in the same manner.

My Thai stepson won a scholarship to college study in the USA. So I applied for a visa for his mother, my wife to mult-visit. The USA issued her a 10 year unlimited, multi-entry visa. None of these convoluted check-in every 90 days, etc. And no separate reporting (or requesting) a re-entry permit every time you leave or arrive. That is automatically taken care of when you enter or leave the country at the airport.

So now I'm wondering what the value is of an O-A visa verses an multi-entry O visa ??

[JimGant]

My daughter is thai, ( i thought u can only use a thai son/daughter till they are 18?)

and i will not have the required money in the bank.

If your daughter has a Thai ID card (or Thai passport) that is valid when you plan to head back to Thailand, you can get a Non Imm O visa from any consulate in the US based on "visiting family" (age, in this situation, is not a factor). In this case, you'll need her birth certificate (or adoption paper) to show her connection to you. No need to show any proof of income or bank account. Then, once back in Thailand, you go the retirement extension route again, as you indicated.

The need to show income was only if you didn't qualify for the "visiting family," and therefore needed the income/bank account to obtain a Non Imm for "pre-retirement" purposes from that (hopefully still in business) honorary consulate. Or, a Non Imm O-A from Thai Embassy, or LA, Chicago, or NY consulates.

My situation is my extension comes up the 18th of july 2011 at which time i will be in the states and wont be back till August 2012.

So, a month or so before Aug 2012, you apply for the Non Imm O based on "visiting family" (with no income proof or bank account the other Non Imms won't apply). Mail to one of the honoraries (Houston is my favorite) would be my suggestion, as LA can sometimes be prickly, either by mail or in person.

[JimGant]

So now I'm wondering what the value is of an O-A visa verses an multi-entry O visa ??

If you're an itinerant, never planning to stay more than 90 days at a pop, the multi-entry Non Imm O is probably the best option. If you're going to stay more than 90 days, the O-A means you won't have to do border runs.

Timing -- and duration -- is everything, in your situation. If you know your stays -- or even one -- will more than 90 days -- and you understand the extra effort needed for a medical and police check -- I'd opt for the O-A.

[boatguy]

...If your daughter has a Thai ID card (or Thai passport) that is valid when you plan to head back to Thailand, you can get a Non Imm O visa from any consulate in the US based on "visiting family" (age, in this situation, is not a factor). In this case, you'll need her birth certificate (or adoption paper) to show her connection to you. No need to show any proof of income or bank account. Then, once back in Thailand, you go the retirement extension route again, as you indicated.

Must one file for formal adoption to have a child (young adult now) be considered family (stepson) if you married her mother??

We did a USA civil court ceremony when she visited US, as well as the 'Buddhist family occassion there in Thailand',...just to make sure it was formally recognized by the USA system. It was my understanding that there were a number of countries that might not formally recognize a Buddhist ceremony/marriage?

[bunnydrops]

I do have one more question---Do mutual funds holdings count as "money in the bank" for a visa. I was going to move some of my money from the funds into the bank to bring the total to over 800,000 baht. I would rather not do that at this time. Since I have far more than the needed amount in the funds, can I just send that statement instead

[bunnydrops]

...If your daughter has a Thai ID card (or Thai passport) that is valid when you plan to head back to Thailand, you can get a Non Imm O visa from any consulate in the US based on "visiting family" (age, in this situation, is not a factor). In this case, you'll need her birth certificate (or adoption paper) to show her connection to you. No need to show any proof of income or bank account. Then, once back in Thailand, you go the retirement extension route again, as you indicated.

Must one file for formal adoption to have a child (young adult now) be considered family (stepson) if you married her mother??

We did a USA civil court ceremony when she visited US, as well as the 'Buddhist family occassion there in Thailand',...just to make sure it was formally recognized by the USA system. It was my understanding that there were a number of countries that might not formally recognize a Buddhist ceremony/marriage?

Boatguy--When I looked into that several years ago I was told that you had to have a "legal State registered " marriage in Thailand and that "in my case" there has be be a formal adoption of wifes former children

[lopburi3]

It was my understanding that there were a number of countries that might not formally recognize a Buddhist ceremony/marriage?

There is no such thing. Marriage in Thailand is done by registration on the paperwork at a District Office and has nothing to do with any religion. That is the only legal marriage done inside Thailand.

[Lite Beer]

It was my understanding that there were a number of countries that might not formally recognize a Buddhist ceremony/marriage?

Not even Thailand recognizes it as a legal Marriage.

[dighambara]

I intend to visit Thai for 1.5 months here real soon, then return to US till after first of the year.

The only effects all that traveling will have will be to possibly reduce the utility of having nearly two years use for your multi-entry O-A visa.

Say you get your O-A visa issued Sept 15, 2010. You'll then have until Sept 14, 2011 to enter and leave Thailand as many times as you like. And if each stay is less than 90 days, then, no 90-day reporting required. If your last entry to Thailand is right before your visa expiration date of Sept 14, 2011, then you'll have yet another permission to stay stamp of 365 days from the date of that last entry. Thus, the nearly two years utility of this one visa. And, you'll still be able to have unlimited travel that second year -- assuming you've gotten a mutiple re-entry stamp from Thai Immigration (required for re-entry after the visa expires Sept 14, 2011).

However, if you're out of the country several months before visa expiration -- and don't plan to re-enter until *after* visa expiration, the two year utility decreases by those 'several months.' In this situation, you'll need to get a re-entry stamp anyway to be able to finish out the remainder of your last 365 day permission to stay stamp. It this stamp will expire in the middle of your planned stay in Thailand, you'll need to explore getting another O-A before leaving the States for this last visit -- or plan to get a retirement extension in Thailand.

AS CLEAR AS MUD..!!

Why is it that Visa requirements must be so circuitous..??

I have gotten extensions for 7 years and every time I go, it is a different story. Then I read in this forum and everyone has a different idea.

Yes, most different visas can be acquired, but the process seems to be different every time and with every person...

[boatguy]

Why is it that Visa requirements must be so circuitous..??

I have gotten extensions for 7 years and every time I go, it is a different story. Then I read in this forum and everyone has a different idea.

Yes, most different visas can be acquired, but the process seems to be different every time and with every person...

That's my feeling as well. At first I thought maybe it was just so many different interpatations by members on the forums, but I'm beginning to believe 'it is the Thai way', as my wife often says.

[phuketrichard]

My daughter is thai, ( i thought u can only use a thai son/daughter till they are 18?)

and i will not have the required money in the bank.

If your daughter has a Thai ID card (or Thai passport) that is valid when you plan to head back to Thailand, you can get a Non Imm O visa from any consulate in the US based on "visiting family" (age, in this situation, is not a factor). In this case, you'll need her birth certificate (or adoption paper) to show her connection to you. No need to show any proof of income or bank account. Then, once back in Thailand, you go the retirement extension route again, as you indicated.

The need to show income was only if you didn't qualify for the "visiting family," and therefore needed the income/bank account to obtain a Non Imm for "pre-retirement" purposes from that (hopefully still in business) honorary consulate. Or, a Non Imm O-A from Thai Embassy, or LA, Chicago, or NY consulates.

My situation is my extension comes up the 18th of july 2011 at which time i will be in the states and wont be back till August 2012.

So, a month or so before Aug 2012, you apply for the Non Imm O based on "visiting family" (with no income proof or bank account the other Non Imms won't apply). Mail to one of the honoraries (Houston is my favorite) would be my suggestion, as LA can sometimes be prickly, either by mail or in person.

Thanks;

This would seem the way to go for me if i can get a one year multi non o ( rather than going for the retirement) as i will be travelling alot more in and out of thailand and Asia so its great i dont need to show funds.