New Non-Imm O-A Visa

[RickSee]

After getting some guidance on this forum a few weeks back I finally went ahead with my first request for a Non-Imm O-A visa, which I just picked up today. In checking through TV info on Visas I found the following which has raised some questions:

"5.1 Upon arrival, holder of this type of visa will be permitted to stay in Thailand for 1 year from the date of first entry. During the one-year period, if he or she wishes to leave and re-enter the country, he or she is required to apply at the Immigration office for re-entry permit (single or multiple) before departure. In the case of leaving the country without a re-entry permit, the permit to stay for 1 year shall be considered void."

First, the info I received in response to my earlier post here was that the permission to stay would be for one year from the “issue date of the visa”. Is that correct, or is it from the “date of first entry” with the visa as stated above? Also, when/where will this be officially indicated?

Second, I’m not sure what I actually need to do should I want to go out of Thailand before any three months of continuous stay (and to then return). The new O-A has been issued for multiple entries. Do I still need to “… apply at the Immigration office for re-entry permit (single or multiple) before departure.”?

I would be grateful for any help on this as I hope to travel to Thailand within the next week, or so. Any other useful guidance for a first-timer would also be appreciated.

Thanks, RS

[Mario2008]

You have a multiple entry O-A visa, which is valid for one year. Each time you travel to Thailand during that year, you get a permission to stay for 1 year. leave and re-enter Thailand just before the VISA expires and you will get a new 1 year permission to stay in Thailand. This way you can almost get 2 years out of the visa.

As long as you re-enter Thailand while the visa is still valid you don't need a re-entry permit, as you will automatically get a new permission to stay for 1 year. Once you plan to return to Thailand after the VISA has expired, you will need a re-entry permit to keep your permission to stay valid.

[Lite Beer]

When you arrive you will be stamped in for 12 months.

Up to 12 months from date of issue you will get 12 months every time you leave and re enter.

12 months after date of issue you will need a re entry permit if you intend leaving Thailand.

Your Visa will have a enter before date printed on it.

This is the date that you must make your final entry.

After that you need a re entry permit.

You also have to report to immigration after 90 days of continuous stay in the Kingdom.

[lopburi3]

Are you sure about the type of visa you have? Did you supply a police report and medical? You talk about 3 months but a multi entry OA visa would have nothing to do with 3 months.

If you have a multi entry OA visa issued in your home country any entry during the one year validity of the visa will result in a new one year permitted to stay stamp. No re-entry permit is needed. Only if you plan to return after the expiration date of the visa itself would that be required (second year if you get a new one year stay just before visa expiration).

Check to make sure what you have so we can be sure to advise you correctly.

[Pib]

Now if you had got a "Single Entry" O-A visa and planned to exit and re-enter Thailand before your Permitted to Stay Until Date that you got when you first entered Thailand on the Single Entry O-A Visa then you would need to get a Single or Multiple "Exit/Re-entry Permit" to keep your Visa valid; otherwise, if you leave Thailand without the re-entry permit it voids your O-A Visa. But you are on a Multiple Entry O-A Visa so you don't need to get a Exit/Re-entry permit to keep the visa valid.

[boatguy]

Now if you had got a "Single Entry" O-A visa and planned to exit and re-enter Thailand before your Permitted to Stay Until Date that you got when you first entered Thailand on the Single Entry O-A Visa then you would need to get a Single or Multiple "Exit/Re-entry Permit" to keep your Visa valid; otherwise, if you leave Thailand without the re-entry permit it voids your O-A Visa. But you are on a Multiple Entry O-A Visa so you don't need to get a Exit/Re-entry permit to keep the visa valid.

I just don't understand why a RETIREMENT VISA has to be so complicated by a person's desire to come and go (travel to other places in the world)..a benefit that many retirees finally have some time to do ???

It makes one feel that they are a prisoner of the country they are retiring to...unless of course they want to pay even more fees to travel on top of the retirement visa fee that has to be renewed every two years.

Makes one question, why get a retirement visa??

[CMX]

See if I'm right about this.

I have the retirement O non-immigrant multi entry visa. I know this because of the hoops and dances I did with the Thai embassy in my country.

I'm in the first year. My visa's time began when I ENTERED Thailand, not at the date it was issued. There is a stamp in my passport that everyone wants copied for everything.

During this year, I can come and go as I like, in and out of Thailand. Each time, my visa will be good for a year after my re-entry.

HOWEVER, one year after my original ENTRY, that will not work. But should I visit outside the Kingdom and return one day before my year's up, I'm good for another year - just report each 90 days as usual.

Toward the end of the second year, I must do what I would otherwise done at the end of the first year: Gather my financials (or letter from my Embassy testifying to them) and apply for a one year extension???

T'anks for any help,

(I love my retirement visa.)

[lopburi3]

Correct - remember to obtain a re-entry permit for any travel in that second year and be prepared to meet the extension of stay requirements in force at the end of the second year (assuming you make a new entry to get that extra time).

[Lite Beer]

See if I'm right about this.

I have the retirement O non-immigrant multi entry visa. I know this because of the hoops and dances I did with the Thai embassy in my country.

I'm in the first year. My visa's time began when I ENTERED Thailand, not at the date it was issued. There is a stamp in my passport that everyone wants copied for everything.

During this year, I can come and go as I like, in and out of Thailand. Each time, my visa will be good for a year after my re-entry.

If this is what you really do have you will get 90 days every time you enter Thailand.

It is valid for one year after issue.

You can stretch it out to 15 months by doing a border run just before it expires.

Are you sure that this is the Visa you have?

[CMX]

Litebeer

I'm getting different advice from 2 Global, Global mind you, mods, each of whom is saying different things.

Doubtless my post was unclear. My visa, issued in Chicago, says Non-Immigrant O-A. Required were police statements, bank statements, doctor's statement (all notarized, I recall) and $175. It was issued in April of this year and I arrived in Thailand in June. They stamped this at BKK airport and subsequently saw it 90 days later when I reported to my local Immigration.

I understand about reporting every 90 days while I stay here. My question was meant to uncover any advantage to avoiding our HOT season (April, May) and returning then before June - and thus, would I have another year (assuming 90 day reports) before I had to supply my financial proofs again. These, incidentally are a stream of revenue from the States which are sufficient for now and any probable future, unless a Great Depression II occurs. As I understand it, presently I'd have to make a sworn testimony at the U.S. embassy in place of gathering 3 banks' faxes, notarized, on the same day.

(not stream, 3 minor creeks)

(not creeks, rivulets)

[RickSee]

Thanks to all for the prompt and thorough replies.

1. For Lopburi3, yes it is an O-A (I did the medical and got the police report). I only mentioned three months because I was aware of the need to either do the 90 day report or leave the country and return.

2. Re the second year (assuming I depart Thailand and return just before the visa expires) I understand that I would need to get a re-entry authorisation from immigration each time I go out/return. Is that only done at the immigration office or can it be done with immigration officers at the airport at time of departure? I guess another question would be - is it better to do it this way, or to simply go through the entire visa application process again (after 1 year), especially if there is frequent travel out of Thailand?

3. Finally, perhaps the written guidance on TV for this (and maybe other visa related topics) should be updated to better reflect the obligations of the visa holder (and to save you all the pain of answering ad hoc questions!).

best, RS

[lopburi3]

You can not do at airport except in emergency so best to obtain a re-entry permit early just in case when in that position.

Most people extend yearly but that will require money in Thailand so it might fit your plans better to obtain a new visa with the police check/medical each year.

[Lite Beer]

Litebeer

I'm getting different advice from 2 Global, Global mind you, mods, each of whom is saying different things.

Doubtless my post was unclear. My visa, issued in Chicago, says Non-Immigrant O-A.

In my defence your previous post did say "I have the retirement O non-immigrant multi entry visa".

Go along with Lopburi3 advice and you will not go wrong.

You need to make your last entry before expiry date in April to get another 12 months.

After that you will need the Re Entry Permit if you wish to leave.

1,000 Baht single. 3,800 Baht multi.

[CMX]

litebeer,

lite just went on in my head - "O, it said, A!"

Sorry and thanks,

[boatguy]

You have a multiple entry O-A visa, which is valid for one year. Each time you travel to Thailand during that year, you get a permission to stay for 1 year. leave and re-enter Thailand just before the VISA expires and you will get a new 1 year permission to stay in Thailand. This way you can almost get 2 years out of the visa.

As long as you re-enter Thailand while the visa is still valid you don't need a re-entry permit, as you will automatically get a new permission to stay for 1 year. Once you plan to return to Thailand after the VISA has expired, you will need a re-entry permit to keep your permission to stay valid.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but are you saying that a RETIREMENT VISA is only good for 1 year ?? ...and that you need to leave Thailand at least once to make it valid for 2 years??

I'm sorry that doesn't sound like a RETIREMENT plan, particularly after you have to jump thru so many hoops to get it in the first place....at least in your home country. Sorry to be so cynical this morning, but it just seems to be as complicated as all of those tourist visa run schemes...this maintaining a RETIREMENT status. I can think of a number of other countries in this world that are far more accommodating to the American retiree, particularly in the Caribbean and Central America.

[boatguy]

litebeer,

lite just went on in my head - "O, it said, A!"

Sorry and thanks,

I don't understand what you are saying here??

[lopburi3]

That the suffix is all important when talking about visas. The O visa provides 90 day entry. The O-A visa provides one year entry.

You always have to renew retirement stay paperwork yearly even if doing in-country so the O-A visa, if multi entry, allows more time before money must be in Thailand with a simple exit/return to obtain a new one year stay.

[Mario2008]

You have a multiple entry O-A visa, which is valid for one year. Each time you travel to Thailand during that year, you get a permission to stay for 1 year. leave and re-enter Thailand just before the VISA expires and you will get a new 1 year permission to stay in Thailand. This way you can almost get 2 years out of the visa.

As long as you re-enter Thailand while the visa is still valid you don't need a re-entry permit, as you will automatically get a new permission to stay for 1 year. Once you plan to return to Thailand after the VISA has expired, you will need a re-entry permit to keep your permission to stay valid.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but are you saying that a RETIREMENT VISA is only good for 1 year ?? ...and that you need to leave Thailand at least once to make it valid for 2 years??

I'm sorry that doesn't sound like a RETIREMENT plan, particularly after you have to jump thru so many hoops to get it in the first place....at least in your home country. Sorry to be so cynical this morning, but it just seems to be as complicated as all of those tourist visa run schemes...this maintaining a RETIREMENT status. I can think of a number of other countries in this world that are far more accommodating to the American retiree, particularly in the Caribbean and Central America.

I'm saying the VISA is valid for 1 year and you can get a permission of stay out of it for up to 2 years total. After that you can stay longer, but need to get an extension of stay from immigration every year.

That is easy to do, you just need to show an income of 65,000 a month OR 800,000 in a bank account in Thailand OR a combination of money in the bank and yearly income totaling 800,000.

[mr_rana]

I was wondering that what could be the legal status of a person holding a Non-Imm O visa in Thailand?

Is it non-immigrant or legal worker?

[Mario2008]

I was wondering that what could be the legal status of a person holding a Non-Imm O visa in Thailand?

Is it non-immigrant or legal worker?

Under Thai law you are a non-immigrant. You have a temporary permission to stay in Thailand.

It has nothing to do with work. You can only work legally if you have a work permit.

[lopburi3]

You can not work without a work permit. If you are here on a 90 day non immigrant visa it is just that (non-immigrant). If both visa and work permit you would be a legal worker for the occupation indicated in the work permit at the location it indicates.

[OJAS]

I just don't understand why a RETIREMENT VISA has to be so complicated by a person's desire to come and go (travel to other places in the world)..a benefit that many retirees finally have some time to do ???

It makes one feel that they are a prisoner of the country they are retiring to...unless of course they want to pay even more fees to travel on top of the retirement visa fee that has to be renewed every two years.

Makes one question, why get a retirement visa??

If you're a retired Brit and love the weather and the loud-mouthed drunken chavs who make every city and town centre a no-go area on Friday and Saturday nights so much that you can't bear the thought of being parted from dear old Blighty, or if you feel that an existence devoid of the 9-to-5 rat-race isn't complete without being ripped off by each and every con-artist and scam merchant you'll unquestionably encounter on your travels anywhere on this great planet of ours, then I agree that a retirement visa probably isn't for you.

[moe666]

You have a multiple entry O-A visa, which is valid for one year. Each time you travel to Thailand during that year, you get a permission to stay for 1 year. leave and re-enter Thailand just before the VISA expires and you will get a new 1 year permission to stay in Thailand. This way you can almost get 2 years out of the visa.

As long as you re-enter Thailand while the visa is still valid you don't need a re-entry permit, as you will automatically get a new permission to stay for 1 year. Once you plan to return to Thailand after the VISA has expired, you will need a re-entry permit to keep your permission to stay valid.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but are you saying that a RETIREMENT VISA is only good for 1 year ?? ...and that you need to leave Thailand at least once to make it valid for 2 years??

I'm sorry that doesn't sound like a RETIREMENT plan, particularly after you have to jump thru so many hoops to get it in the first place....at least in your home country. Sorry to be so cynical this morning, but it just seems to be as complicated as all of those tourist visa run schemes...this maintaining a RETIREMENT status. I can think of a number of other countries in this world that are far more accommodating to the American retiree, particularly in the Caribbean and Central America.

It must be time to move.

[Pib]

Now if you had got a "Single Entry" O-A visa and planned to exit and re-enter Thailand before your Permitted to Stay Until Date that you got when you first entered Thailand on the Single Entry O-A Visa then you would need to get a Single or Multiple "Exit/Re-entry Permit" to keep your Visa valid; otherwise, if you leave Thailand without the re-entry permit it voids your O-A Visa. But you are on a Multiple Entry O-A Visa so you don't need to get a Exit/Re-entry permit to keep the visa valid.

I just don't understand why a RETIREMENT VISA has to be so complicated by a person's desire to come and go (travel to other places in the world)..a benefit that many retirees finally have some time to do ???

It makes one feel that they are a prisoner of the country they are retiring to...unless of course they want to pay even more fees to travel on top of the retirement visa fee that has to be renewed every two years.

Makes one question, why get a retirement visa??

It's not really complicated...maybe it sounds complicated on the surface but if you are over 50 and retiring to Thailand it's the visa of choice. No border runs every 90 days, but like other long stay visa/extensions of stay you must report your address by mail or in person every 90 days (+/- 7 days) unless you leave the country which basically counts as an address reporting. And if you do a border run the day before your retirement "visa" expires, you get another whole year effectively making the visa good for 2 years. And 1 year extensions of stay just before the visa permitted to stay date is reached are easy to get. You basically just need to show you have income of 65,000 a month OR 800,000 in a bank account in Thailand OR a combination of money in the bank and yearly income totaling 800,000...you can do this with a letter from the Thai bank OR and income affidavit from your home country embassy in Thailand. Fill out one very easy form, attach a passport sized picture of yourself, a copy of your passport, the income proof mentioned above, and pay a 1,900 Baht application fee. Go apply at Thai immigration where you live in Thailand and in less than an hour you should have a retirement extension of stay good for one year. Your original retirement "visa" is now void/expired, but in it's place you have a retirement "extension of stay." And in case you need to leave the country during the extension of stay, you will need to get a single or multiple re-entry permit to keep the extension of stay valid. The re-entry permits are very easy to get...just need to fill out a easy one page applications form, attached a picture of yourself, and pay an application fee of 1000 Baht for a single entry re-entry permit or 3800 baht for a multiple re-entry permit...takes about 30 minutes to get the permit. . Usually I just get a single re-entry on the same day I get my retirement extension of stay in case I need to leave the country ASAP on an emergency or just do a scheduled trip back to the home country later on. I renewed my extension of stay and got a single re-entry permit last month and it took less than an hour at Bangkok Immigration. Easy, easy stuff paperwork-wise.

[Jimi007]

You have a multiple entry O-A visa, which is valid for one year. Each time you travel to Thailand during that year, you get a permission to stay for 1 year. leave and re-enter Thailand just before the VISA expires and you will get a new 1 year permission to stay in Thailand. This way you can almost get 2 years out of the visa.

As long as you re-enter Thailand while the visa is still valid you don't need a re-entry permit, as you will automatically get a new permission to stay for 1 year. Once you plan to return to Thailand after the VISA has expired, you will need a re-entry permit to keep your permission to stay valid.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but are you saying that a RETIREMENT VISA is only good for 1 year ?? ...and that you need to leave Thailand at least once to make it valid for 2 years??

I'm sorry that doesn't sound like a RETIREMENT plan, particularly after you have to jump thru so many hoops to get it in the first place....at least in your home country. Sorry to be so cynical this morning, but it just seems to be as complicated as all of those tourist visa run schemes...this maintaining a RETIREMENT status. I can think of a number of other countries in this world that are far more accommodating to the American retiree, particularly in the Caribbean and Central America.

You don't have to leave. If you choose not to do a border run near the end of your one year multi-entry O-A visa, just go to your local immigration office and get a one year extension. That's what I did. It's not that hard once you're used to it... When the US consulate outreach comes here to Phuket, I go and get an earnings statement, now $50. It has to be dated the same year as you are applying for your extension. So, my extension expires June 28th, 2011. If the outreach comes any time after January 1st, 2011, I can get my earnings statement for my June extension. Then in June I go to the local immigration office with the statement, 1,900 Baht, my passport, a copy of my front page of my passport, a copy of my departure card, a copy of my 90 checkin, a copy of your current visa, a copy of your entry date stamp, I think and a photo. Now if using an earnings statement a copy of your ATM card is required at least at Phuket Immigration. Bring a current copy of your lease or rental agreement, just in case. Different offices have slightly different requirements... Check with your local immigration office well before you visa or extension expires to see if there are any new changes or requirements. Talk to a Thai Immigration officer, not the farang volunteers as they don't seem to know the correct information at times. Not everywhere has the US Consulate outreach program either, so if you need an earnings statement you may have to go to the US Embassy in Bangkok or the Consulate in Chang Mai. I'm sure I will be corrected if I'm wrong, but that's what I remember doing back in June...

[RickSee]

Thank you, Pib, for that impressively straight forward and concise account of the various steps that need to be followed once the Non-Imm O-A is to hand.

RS

[boatguy]

You don't have to leave. If you choose not to do a border run near the end of your one year multi-entry O-A visa, just go to your local immigration office and get a one year extension. That's what I did. It's not that hard once you're used to it...

Here is one area I get confused on. At least 3 different people above, including some global members state that you need to do an exit and reentry to get that one extra year extension to the retirement visa. Now you say not necessary, just apply for the 1 year extension. So which is it??....or does it depend on which immigration office you are dealing with??

And on that office location, is there an immigration office in Khon Kaen, the country's 3rd largest city, and an education center?? Or do I have to spend several days and money to travel to Bangkok

When the US consulate outreach comes here to Phuket, I go and get an earnings statement, now $50. It has to be dated the same year as you are applying for your extension. So, my extension expires June 28th, 2011. If the outreach comes any time after January 1st, 2011, I can get my earnings statement for my June extension. Then in June I go to the local immigration office with the statement, 1,900 Baht, my passport, a copy of my front page of my passport, a copy of my departure card, a copy of my 90 checkin, a copy of your current visa, a copy of your entry date stamp, I think and a photo. Now if using an earnings statement a copy of your ATM card is required at least at Phuket Immigration. Bring a current copy of your lease or rental agreement, just in case. Different offices have slightly different requirements... Check with your local immigration office well before you visa or extension expires to see if there are any new changes or requirements. Talk to a Thai Immigration officer, not the farang volunteers as they don't seem to know the correct information at times. Not everywhere has the US Consulate outreach program either, so if you need an earnings statement you may have to go to the US Embassy in Bangkok or the Consulate in Chang Mai. I'm sure I will be corrected if I'm wrong, but that's what I remember doing back in June...

So what is this 'consulate outreach' thing?...a traveling show?....does Khon Kaen have one?

What exactly is the earnings statement consist of? Naturally I would think it would include your Social Security statement if you are USA citizen? I don't imagine you need much more than this statement and a Thai bank acct verification to meet the minimum requirements of the Thai retirement visa. But what if you want to use your USA bank holdings and stock market investment balances to meet their 'cash requirements'. I could do this while applying for the first retirement visa in the states, but apparently that is not allowable upon the renewal stage?

[boatguy]

... And if you do a border run the day before your retirement "visa" expires, you get another whole year effectively making the visa good for 2 years.

So are you saying you need to do a border run to get the extra year?

Go apply at Thai immigration where you live in Thailand and in less than an hour you should have a retirement extension of stay good for one year

How many places in Thailand have an immigration office? Is there one in the big town of Khon Kaen??

[lopburi3]

If you check the pinned items useful information there will be a link that provides full map and information on all offices - yes there is an office there and that is what you have to use.

What we have said is that to obtain a second year without need for visit to immigration or show of funds while on a multi entry O-A visa you just enter for a new one year stay near the end of your fist year. But if you do not wish to do that you can pay for an extension of stay and provide the required documents at the end of any one year allowed stay.

Proof of overseas pension/income must be on a letter signed by your Embassy.

[Pib]

... And if you do a border run the day before your retirement "visa" expires, you get another whole year effectively making the visa good for 2 years.

So are you saying you need to do a border run to get the extra year?

Go apply at Thai immigration where you live in Thailand and in less than an hour you should have a retirement extension of stay good for one year

How many places in Thailand have an immigration office? Is there one in the big town of Khon Kaen??

Yes, each time you do a border run before the retirement "visa" expires you get a permitted to stay until date one year later. Do a run a day before the visa expires and you have effectively turned the one year visa into a two year visa. Then if in Thailand just get a "Retirement Extension of Stay"...or do it the harder way by going back to the home country to get another "O-A Retirement Visa."

Yes, there is one in Khon Kaen. Go to this link taken from the "Useful Information & Visa Description" subforum (lots of good info, especially in Post #5)...this subforum is at the top of the "Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits" main forum.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=101110579867335234058.000465f03d84d91df360b&t=h&z=6