Visa Extension

[dukkha]

Another dumb farang asking for help!!!

Am an Australian Citizen.

Was issued with Non Immigrant category 'O' at Melbourne consulate.

It is a 6 month only Visa with two entries.

Have made my first exit after the required 3 month stay which was on July 22/05.

Went to Mynamar and was given my second 3 month visa.

Now I need to know what the next step is....do I have to leave the country and apply somewhere else BUT will I get another non immigrant 'O' upon doing so.

The expiry date is October 22/10/05.

Basically I do not wish to return to Australia and am awaiting the 800 000 baht to apply for the long term retirement visa, however the money has not arrived and may not arrive before the expiry date of October 22/05..I would greatly appreciate any enlightening comments as to what my predicament involves from those wiser than myself...conflicting advice giddys me around somewhat and need to set things in motion a.s.a.p...apparently I am told I cannot expect an extension on the current Visa I now have...of course if the funds arrive prior to Oct 22 things will be ok but cannot rely on such happening...to those of you who are generous and wise enough to provide me with accurate info, many thanks..I currently reside in Hua Hin which of course now has an immigration office in town..

Regards

Dizzy Dukkha

Hua Hin

[lopburi3]

Do you have 200k in a local bank account? Proof of that would probably get you a new non immigrant O visa from Penang. You could chance it and apply in person explaining why your money is late (after six months in Thailand) but suspect they will have as much trouble buying into that as I am having.

If you are serious (and use something other than "Thai time" to arrange the money transfer) you can probably obtain a tourist visa (60 day type) from a consulate and then use that to convert to O for retirement at immigration when the time comes.

[dukkha]

Do you have 200k in a local bank account?  Proof of that would probably get you a new non immigrant O visa from Penang.  You could chance it and apply in person explaining why your money is late (after six months in Thailand) but suspect they will have as much trouble buying into that as I am having.

If you are serious (and use something other than "Thai time" to arrange the money transfer) you can probably obtain a tourist visa (60 day type) from a consulate and then use that to convert to O for retirement at immigration when the time comes.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Many thanks Lop, I am intending to spend what time I have left here in thailand, an dno I do not have the funds you mention..am awaiting my inheritance which will cover all necesssary funds for longterm retirement visa...would I be able to go across to Burma at Ranong and get a tourist visa and then convert as you described to my 'O' to process the long term visa?? I am praying to the Lord Buddha that the money will arrive sometime mid October and have instructed my Australian bank to deposit the 800 000 immediately...it is just the angst of not knowing the actual date of my inheritance being deposited sadly...thanks for your great help.

Lloyd

[lopburi3]

There is no Consulate of Thailand there so your best bet is Penang from your location. There is an extra 2,000 baht step involved in the tourist visa/non immigrant method but do not believe you have much choice if you don't want to return to Oz to obtain. Of course after you have the money you could make a trip to Penang to obtain a non immigrant O visa which you should be able to obtain with a bank book showing that much money. That would mean you could just make a 30 day border run to Burma now if that suites you and wait until you get the money to make a real visa run.

[Maestro]

The expiry date is October 22/10/05.

Basically I do not wish to return to Australia and am awaiting the 800 000 baht to apply for the long term retirement visa, however the money has not arrived and may not arrive before the expiry date of October 22/05.

Even if you sent an airmail letter today to your Australian bank to ask for the remittance to your Thai bank account the money should arrive long before 22 October.

If you used electronic banking for your payment order, the money should get credit to your Thai account within three working days at the latest. Some Thai banks sometimes try to delay the credit, but if you print out a copy of your Australian bank’s debit advice and show it to your Thai bank they will abandon this delaying tactic. (I had this experience once with Thai Farmers Bank – which I have boycotted ever since)