Non-Immi 'O' Visa [Retirement]

[FreeSpiritSaram]

Hi There

My husband is going to apply for a non-immi O visa on the basis of retirement. I will apply as his spouse (because I am not yet 50). I can find plenty of info about what is required for getting the extension (from 3 months to 12 months) but I can't get info for what's required for the initial application. We are Australians currently on 2 month tourist visas and will be travelling to Penang to apply for the 'O' visa. As far as I know we'll need the Marriage Certificate but what about financial proof?

Thanks in advance!

[lopburi3]

You can not apply until he has a retirement extension of stay. He can apply for a change of status here in Thailand for 2,000 baht but needs to meet the financial 800k in bank or 65k income requirements. That 90 day stay can then be extended for one year if meeting the extension of stay requirements. Once he has extension of stay you can than obtain a non immigrant visa from a Consulate and extended your stay as his dependent.

Currently suspect only your husband is likely to be able to obtain a single entry non immigrant O visa from a Consulate in the area.

[FreeSpiritSaram]

You can not apply until he has a retirement extension of stay. He can apply for a change of status here in Thailand for 2,000 baht but needs to meet the financial 800k in bank or 65k income requirements. That 90 day stay can then be extended for one year if meeting the extension of stay requirements. Once he has extension of stay you can than obtain a non immigrant visa from a Consulate and extended your stay as his dependent.

Currently suspect only your husband is likely to be able to obtain a single entry non immigrant O visa from a Consulate in the area.

Oh dear! This contradicts what the immigration official at Pattaya informed us. He said although my husband could apply for the change of status here I could not (since I'm not of retirement age) and thus it we should go to a Consulate and apply together for the non immigrant O visa first. He seemed adamant that that was the way to do it.

In any case we've already paid for flights and hotel in Penang. OK - worst case scenario, he'll get his 'O' visa and I'll have to go for the tourist visa again. We'll then return, he'll apply for the extension, then I'll have to visit a Consulate again...

If the outcome is different, I'll post a follow-up on returning from Penang.

Many thanks.

[lopburi3]

Nothing hurt in asking and they may provide if you explain plans but normal proof of eligibility would be your proof of marriage and husband having a one year extension of stay.

[ItDontMeanAThing]

I obtained a non-imm 'O' for retirement from Penang 2 1/2 months ago. I suggest contacting at least two visa agents in Penang to see what the current requriements are. This forum is a great place to find out what the requirements are supposed to be and what they were the last time a poster or commenter got his visa ... or heard about somebody who supposidly got his visa, but they don't tell you what the requirements were yesterday.

For what it's worth, here is my adventure http://www.thaivisa....th-no-problems/

[wpcoe]

In any case we've already paid for flights and hotel in Penang. OK - worst case scenario, he'll get his 'O' visa and I'll have to go for the tourist visa again. We'll then return, he'll apply for the extension, then I'll have to visit a Consulate again...

If your "worst case scenario" develops and you end up with another Tourist Visa, I'm "pretty sure" that Pattaya (Cholburi Immigrations) is one place that can convert your Tourist Visa to a Non-Immigrant O. I know that they will do so (convert a Tourist visa to Non-Immigrant O) for a retiree applying for a retirement extension, I'm just not familiar with the exact process for an under-50 dependent extension.

It's definitely worth asking at Pattaya when your husband gets his retirement extension. It could save you yet another trip out of the country.

[Dave the Dude]

Can I jump on the band-wagon please as I have been asked recently a very simular question from an Austrailian friend(65yo)...

He has duel Passports (Aus & UK) and will be returning to UK in a week for the very LAST time. Upon his return he was expecting to have to go to Penang to obtain his first ever Retirement Visa on his Australian passport. Is this the easiest option or can he convert the 30day tourist excemption stamp to a retirement extension within Thailand.

Thanks guys

[thaiphoon]

In any case we've already paid for flights and hotel in Penang. OK - worst case scenario, he'll get his 'O' visa and I'll have to go for the tourist visa again. We'll then return, he'll apply for the extension, then I'll have to visit a Consulate again...

If your "worst case scenario" develops and you end up with another Tourist Visa, I'm "pretty sure" that Pattaya (Cholburi Immigrations) is one place that can convert your Tourist Visa to a Non-Immigrant O. I know that they will do so (convert a Tourist visa to Non-Immigrant O) for a retiree applying for a retirement extension, I'm just not familiar with the exact process for an under-50 dependent extension.

It's definitely worth asking at Pattaya when your husband gets his retirement extension. It could save you yet another trip out of the country.

A dependant needs to start the process of applying for own extension of stay (piggybacking main applicant's extension of stay) from Non-O visa. And to obtain that will need to provide embassy/consulate with sight of main applicant's own extension of stay issued by Thai immigration and marriage certificate. Only the main applicant can use the conversion process from tourist visa/visa exempt entry as an alternative to applying with Non-O visa (Chonburi being one of the few immigration offices that will handle that).

[thaiphoon]

Can I jump on the band-wagon please as I have been asked recently a very simular question from an Austrailian friend(65yo)...

He has duel Passports (Aus & UK) and will be returning to UK in a week for the very LAST time. Upon his return he was expecting to have to go to Penang to obtain his first ever Retirement Visa on his Australian passport. Is this the easiest option or can he convert the 30day tourist excemption stamp to a retirement extension within Thailand.

Thanks guys

He can only obtain retirement visa in own country or country of permanent residence with sight of financials, police report and medical certificate. Easier to obtain extension of stay at Thai immigration if meet the requirements. Yes can go through conversion process (fee 2,000 baht) from visa exempt entry to Non-O to extension of stay with 21 days remaining on permission to stay (but some reports of less), but not all immigration offices will process directing applicant to Bangkok. Would suggest whilst he is in the UK would be easiest to obtain single entry Non-O visa from Hull consulate to simplify the process, as cost is similar to going through conversion exercise.

[Dave the Dude]

Would suggest whilst he is in the UK would be easiest to obtain single entry Non-O visa from Hull consulate to simplify the process, as cost is similar to going through conversion exercise.

That's what I first thought of too, thaiphoon, but although easy, his Thai Visa 'history' would then be linked to a UK passport that he has no intention of ever needing after this pending trip. That is why I (rightly or wrongly) suggested he return to the Kingdom using his Australian passport and stick with that for ever more. Frequent trips back to OZ will be taken. With this in mind, do you think he can visit Korat Immigration within the period of his 30 day tourist exemption stamp, to apply for an extension of stay for 12 months without the need to leave the country. He already has an Embassy income letter showing well above the required amount?

Maybe a trip to speak to the Imm guys in Korat this week, would be a good idea??

[Mario2008]

Most immigration offices will not convert, but send him to Bangkok for the conversion.

For a conversion one needs to have a minimum number of days still left on the permission to stay. This used to be 21 days, but recent reports suggests that immigration now accepts as little as 15 to 10 days left. He might need to come back to immirgation after 1 or 2 weeks to get the actual conversion.

[Dave the Dude]

Most immigration offices will not convert, but send him to Bangkok for the conversion.

For a conversion one needs to have a minimum number of days still left on the permission to stay. This used to be 21 days, but recent reports suggests that immigration now accepts as little as 15 to 10 days left. He might need to come back to immirgation after 1 or 2 weeks to get the actual conversion.

Thank you

[lopburi3]

There is no reason he can not obtain the single entry non immigrant O visa from Hull in his Oz passport and then use it for his entry into Thailand and extend on that.

[Dave the Dude]

There is no reason he can not obtain the single entry non immigrant O visa from Hull in his Oz passport and then use it for his entry into Thailand and extend on that.

Thats great. Thank you very much lop!

[wpcoe]

A dependant needs to start the process of applying for own extension of stay (piggybacking main applicant's extension of stay) from Non-O visa. And to obtain that will need to provide embassy/consulate with sight of main applicant's own extension of stay issued by Thai immigration and marriage certificate. Only the main applicant can use the conversion process from tourist visa/visa exempt entry as an alternative to applying with Non-O visa (Chonburi being one of the few immigration offices that will handle that).

Thanks for that clarificaiton, thaiphoon. I was never clear on the process for the dependent.

[JimGant]

Only the main applicant can use the conversion process from tourist visa/visa exempt entry as an alternative to applying with Non-O visa

You apparently saw an example of this?

We just saw a case of Immigration being practical in issuing a Non Imm visa in-country, where the individual overslept by a month or so in renewing his retirement extension.

Since it's just a formality, and one realized as stupid by Immigration, for an individual to have all the requirements for an extension, 'cept the Non Imm visa, to have to excuse himself from the application desk, leave the country, visit Immigration's rivals, the MFA, obtain a Non Imm visa, return to Thailand, and then, finally, sit back down at the application desk -- where nothing has changed, except he now has a Non Imm visa.

Certainly, that was part of the thinking going into the in-country Non Imm visa via TM86 or TM87. And, they've even eased (as being stupid) the 21-day left on permission of stay requirement to apply for conversion. Heck, the guy who over slept had zero left on his permission -- in fact, he was here illegally. Nevertheless, Immigration recognized there would be nothing gained by sending him out of the country for a Non Imm, when they could issue it right there and then (and collect some money the MFA wouldn't get).

I suspect this has worked for folks who have missed their extension deadline by virtue of being too sick. At least I would hope so.

It's definitely worth asking at Pattaya when your husband gets his retirement extension. It could save you yet another trip out of the country.

Yep. Typhoon no doubt has some pertinent data re this. But, since it all seems so sensible, it's certainly worth trying -- a lot that goes on at Immigration depends on the phase of the moon. And, sometimes for "no brainers," they'll even come through. (I mean, compared to the guy who overslept, you should be a shoe-in.)