Non-Imm 'O' Renewal In Singapore

[Captain Chaos]

Hello all,

I just went to renew my 12 month, multiple entry Non-Imm 'O' visa. Application was accepted - collect passport on Monday PM. Embassy pretty quiet, as usual on Fridays, Q of maybe 10 people when I arrived at 09.30 hrs.

As before, I presented:

1. Application form, photo etc

2. Copy of my UK passport and my Singapore ID card (I am a Singapore PR)

3. Copy of my wife's Thai passport and her Singapore Long Term Visitors Pass

4. Copy of our marriage certificate

5. Copy of my wife's Thai ID Card

6. Copy of my Singapore bank account statement

All of the documents were inspected but I got the impression only fleetingly, apart from the bank statement where the lady at the counter definitely had a good look. My finances are in decent shape but there was no mention of a minimum balance to be shown etc. She ticked several boxes on the form and seemed to make some brief notes but I couldn't read what she wrote upside down! The only question that was asked was the date of my previous exit from Thailand - which was during September 2010 as it happens - and she looked for the exit stamp in my PP and then wrote it on the form. I suppose this is to show that I am not trying to live in Thailand on an Non-Imm visa without extension of stay, but this is just my intepretation.

Items 2, 3 and 6 were returned to me - the only ones that were retained were the application form (obviously), marriage certificate, and wife's Thai ID card. MrsCC had signed and dated both of those (yesterday).

The fee remains at SGD250 - hasn't changed since late 2009 when I last applied for this visa.

I don't know, I just got the impression that the process was somehow a little less rigorous this time around. Perhaps there are less applications or something? I would hate for anyone who lives in Thailand to make a visa run to SG and be turned down, but if anyone has to be here anyway for another reason, might be worth giving it a bash.

They still quote a 3 year Non-Imm Visa available at SGD500 ... is that only for 'B' category? Anyone know? Might be tempted to see if I can get one next time...

Hope this helps.

CC

[Mario2008]

Thanks for your report. Always useful to get up to date information about consulates.

The 3 year non-B is only for business people, making regular business trips to Thailand for meetings and such. I believe it does not allow you to get an extension of stay or to get a work permit.

[Captain Chaos]

OK thanks, no 3 year visa for me then, will stick with the annual pilgramage to the embassy on Orchard Road instead...

[lopburi3]

my Singapore ID card (I am a Singapore PR)

That is why you had no problem from reports I have read. Others will likely not be so lucky (but would be happy to be proven wrong). But my understanding is only those with Singaporean paperwork are getting multi entry visas there (and that is why it is not busy).

[Captain Chaos]

Another year, another Non-Imm O application. Not much changed (the fee remains at SGD250 for a multiple entry visa ... can't have gone up for 2 maybe 3 years now). Only change to the paperwork required was a letter to be addressed from my wife to the embassy visa section requesting them to issue me a visa.

I actually didn't have said letter and they accepted my application at the counter anyway. Then called around lunchtime to request it. I dashed the thing off on the computer and the missus took it over to the embassy in the afternoon. Apparently no problem and she will go and pick up my passport on Monday PM.

As usual, very quiet at the SG embassy these days. A few folks who seemed to be applying for tourist visas. I didn't see anything that would suggest that SG is a good place for those seeking Non-Imm visas, unless they hold some form of SG citizen or resident status...

CC