Rules For Converting "O-A" Non-Immigrant Visa

[NavaJauvana]

Respected Forum Contributors,

I have a simple question concerning "Retirement Visas." I was issued an O-A Non Immigrant Visa at the Thai Consulate in Honolulu, Hawaii. It is multiple-entry. It expires in May this year. I know that i cannot enter Thailand on this visa after it expires. I also know that each time i leave and re-enter Thailand (up until May of this year), i can stay for one year from the date of my latest entry. What i don't know is this: when and how to convert this visa into a one year visa issued inside Thailand by the Immigration Department. Can i do this at any time during my "one year stay"? Or must i wait until 30 days or 60 days or some fixed time before the one year period of my entry expires? I know the logical thing is to wait, but in my case, because of my individual travel plans, i may want to get the new visa before the one year period is due, if this is possible.

I also need to worry about my passport renewal...i am pretty sure that Thai Immigration want a passport that has at least 12 months validity remaining before they issue a one year visa. I also need to be aware of this in considering when to apply for the one year visa extension inside Thailand.

My goal is to remain here indefinitely on a retirement visa. I already opened a bank account and deposited sufficient funds to show the Immigration officials. I am just confused about the timing and also the specifcs of what needs to be done exactly-- what paperwork is required and what kind of flexibility is available in terms of the remaining time on my original visa issued in the US and also the rules regarding passport validity. I hope my questions are clear. If anyone wishes clarification before responding, i will try to clarify further. Again, thanks for your experience and wisdom. It's much appreciated!

[Jingthing]

Typically, extension of stays based on retirement applications are done 30 days before your current permission to stay ends (up until the last day if you like drama). There is no national written rule about the exact number of days, but reports here that people have been turned away trying earlier than that. At Jomtien, they welcome applications two months early without a special reason. Also, many offices will consider earlier applications if you have a good excuse and documentation (such as travel plans/air ticket). No guarantees, but if you have a good reason, you can always ask but the more documentation you have to back up the excuse, the better.

When you go into the retirement extension system IN Thailand, you will not be applying for or getting a new visa. You will be going for annual extensions based on retirement.

You can indeed obtain an annual extension with less than one year validity left on your passport. In such cases, the permission to stay in your current passport will be valid until your passport expiration, and then when you get a new passport, go back to immigration to transfer remainder of the extension of stay (the rest of the year) into the new passport.

For the first time extension using the bank account method, the 800K must be Thai banked for at least two months before the application.

Best of luck.

[lopburi3]

Also be aware you can enter near the end of your visa validity to obtain a new one year permitted to stay and can then use re-entry permits to travel during that time so if expires in May 2011 and you make a trip out/return just before then you would not have to extend at Immigration until April/May 2012. If your passport is not valid for the full period of a one year extension of stay they will normally stamp up to expiration and then when you return with new passport for the remainder. But it makes sense to obtain a new passport when down to a year in any case as they are useless for travel most places when get to six months and they really do not cost that much.

[NavaJauvana]

Do you know of a link to the Thai Immigration website where they post the requirements and paperwork needed for the annual extensions based on retirement?

For example, how do they want to see your Thai bank account balance? Do they see a copy of your passbook, or they want a letter from your bank? And what other documentation do they require, including any medical or police records for a one year extension issued inside Thailand? Again, thanks so much for this valuable knowledge.

Typically, extension of stays based on retirement applications are done 30 days before your current permission to stay ends (up until the last day if you like drama). There is no national written rule about the exact number of days, but reports here that people have been turned away trying earlier than that. At Jomtien, they welcome applications two months early without a special reason. Also, many offices will consider earlier applications if you have a good excuse and documentation (such as travel plans/air ticket). No guarantees, but if you have a good reason, you can always ask but the more documentation you have to back up the excuse, the better.

When you go into the retirement extension system IN Thailand, you will not be applying for or getting a new visa. You will be going for annual extensions based on retirement.

You can indeed obtain an annual extension with less than one year validity left on your passport. In such cases, the permission to stay in your current passport will be valid until your passport expiration, and then when you get a new passport, go back to immigration to transfer remainder of the extension of stay (the rest of the year) into the new passport.

For the first time extension using the bank account method, the 800K must be Thai banked for at least two months before the application.

Best of luck.

[Mario2008]

Reqirements depend a bit per immigration office.

What you need to show is:

800,000 in a bank account in Thailand for at least 2 months, which you show with a letter from yor bank AND update bank book. Try to do this the day you go or the day before you go to immigration.

OR

an income of 65,000 a month. Income from abroad must be shown with a letter from your embassy confirming your income. US citizens make a sworn statement at their embassy without showing any evidence.

OR

a combination of money in the bank and yearly income totaling 800,000 baht (the money in the bank doesn't need to be seasoned

- passport photo

- passport and copies of your passport

- arrival card and copy of your arrival card

- a lot of offices also require proof of your address (such as rental contract or utility bill in your name)

- 90 day report

[NavaJauvana]

OK, one more question:

let's say i go out and return to Thailand before my O-A Visa expires in May and they give me another one year -- which they automatically give -- when i re-enter. then in May my Visa expires. What if i want to travel outside Thailand in August, for example? I cannot re-enter with the Visa that expires in May. Will they issue me a one year extention if i tell them i want to travel in August? Or do i need to wait until 30 days before the one year period is over, which essentially means if i want to keep my "retirement" status here, i must stay in the country for almost one year (from the time of my last arrival). Your thoughts, experienced commentators?

Reqirements depend a bit per immigration office.

What you need to show is:

800,000 in a bank account in Thailand for at least 2 months, which you show with a letter from yor bank AND update bank book. Try to do this the day you go or the day before you go to immigration.

OR

an income of 65,000 a month. Income from abroad must be shown with a letter from your embassy confirming your income. US citizens make a sworn statement at their embassy without showing any evidence.

OR

a combination of money in the bank and yearly income totaling 800,000 baht (the money in the bank doesn't need to be seasoned

- passport photo

- passport and copies of your passport

- arrival card and copy of your arrival card

- a lot of offices also require proof of your address (such as rental contract or utility bill in your name)

- 90 day report

[lopburi3]

As I said in post #3 "and can then use re-entry permits to travel".

For any return after your multi entry visa expires you obtain a re-entry permit prior to travel. That keeps your current permitted to stay stamp alive and that date will be stamped on your return (you put the re-entry permit number in the visa section of the arrival card).