Non Imm 'O' In Us -- For Retirement Eligible

[JimGant]

Recent discussions on this forum, particularly re Hull, have shown that Thai MFA has cracked down on reasons for issuing Non Imm O visas. However, Hull has shown that, apparently, MFA doesn't mind "retirement eligible" as one of those reasons. Out of curiosity, I sent an email recently to the honorary consulate in Portland, Oregon, asking about their criteria for "retirement eligible" Non Imm O visas. Their response:

Yes, we can issue the non-immigrant O visa in Portland and you can renew in Thailand with the O-A visa. I can issue the one-year multiple entry for you – just be sure to send the proof of income/pension.

Sincerely,

Mary Wheeler

Consular Assistant

Royal Thai Consulate General

1136 NW Hoyt Street, Suite 210

Portland, Oregon 97209

503-221-0440 - Phone

503-221-0332 - Fax

[email protected]

Not sure what amounts are needed for "proof of income/pension." I did mention that my income well exceeded the 65k baht/month that Immigration requires for retirement extensions in Thailand. (Note her confusion, a la Hull, that an O-A visa, not an extension, is what you get with Thai Immigration.)

But, that's a minor detail. A multi-entry Non Imm O visa, for those heading to Thailand for retirement, is far superior to a tourist visa -- where conversion in Thailand may requre two trips to the Embassy for two original income letters. Plus, the energy spent is no greater than obtaining a tourist visa.

And, if not yet ready to settle permanently in Thailand, a Non Imm O multi-entry gives you considerable flexibility over other options.

Portland is the only honorary consulate I know of in the US now doing this for retirement eligible folks. I asked Houston about this, a year or so ago, and they said no.

[Merzik]

I am moving to Thailand in three months from the Los Angeles area. I am over 50 and have a pension income that is good enough for the retirement visa that I want. I am trying to decide if I should enter Thailand with a tourist visa or try to get the O visa in LA first. The Thai Consulate in LA offers the O visa on its website; asking for a police record check and medical certificate stating you don't have diseases such as leprocy, . Has anyone gotten an O visa in LA on their own; without using a lawyer? Any problems doing this? Or has anyone entered with a tourist visa and done everything in Thailand? Thanks :jap:

[pmarlin]

>>>Portland is the only honorary consulate I know of in the US now doing this for retirement eligible folks. I asked Houston about this, a year or so ago, and they said no. <<<

got one from Montgomery, Al 3 months ago, fast service and a current bank statement showing that I had over $500 in a account was all the income requirement needed.

[kamalabob2]

You can EASILY do it by mail (or if you chose in a 2 day process in person with 2 visits to the LA Consulate) in less than one week via the very professional Royal Thai Consulate in LA. You do NOT for any reason need a lawyer. Just download and print out the papers they want submitted. Remember that Thailand Government is all about "form over function". They see the right form, some with the notary stamp, sometimes with copies, and it goes smooth. The hassle and extra expense of doing such in Thailand is NOT the desired course of action.

In my case the notarized copies of a US bank Savings Account showing the required funds was not exactly what they wanted. In my particular case they wanted a letter from the US Bank signed stating I had such funds on deposit for a specific period. The Doctor at Kaiser who signed my Thailand Immigration medical form had never seen me and I never saw him. It was just drop off the form, they have done it a thousand times, pick it up the next day. That was at no charge from Kaiser. The local police clearance letter cost a posted fee and took two days. Some banks offer free notary services. It really is quite simple and they are very clear on using the USPS and NOT Fed Ex or UPS to do the shipment of the passport and application.

They were very clear they would only accept a POSTAL money order for the payment when I obtained my Visa back in 2005. No need to spend money on gasoline when you can do it by mail in America through the proper channels in a fair, fast and fully legal procedure. You'll have plenty of opportunities to waste gas, pay official and other fees, etc.. in Thailand. Do NOT worry about the address you show for Thailand on your application for your Visa. You can list a hotel address, they NEVER send anything there, they do not check in any manner, the staff just want to see an ADDRESS. "Form over Function"

[Jingthing]

I am moving to Thailand in three months from the Los Angeles area. I am over 50 and have a pension income that is good enough for the retirement visa that I want. I am trying to decide if I should enter Thailand with a tourist visa or try to get the O visa in LA first. The Thai Consulate in LA offers the O visa on its website; asking for a police record check and medical certificate stating you don't have diseases such as leprocy, . Has anyone gotten an O visa in LA on their own; without using a lawyer? Any problems doing this? Or has anyone entered with a tourist visa and done everything in Thailand? Thanks :jap:

You are talking about applying for an O-A visa, not an O visa from LA.

The Portland communication also talks about getting an O-A IN Thailand. That's impossible. In Thailand, you get annual extensions based on retirement.

[Merzik]

You can EASILY do it by mail (or if you chose in a 2 day process in person with 2 visits to the LA Consulate) in less than one week via the very professional Royal Thai Consulate in LA. You do NOT for any reason need a lawyer. Just download and print out the papers they want submitted. Remember that Thailand Government is all about "form over function". They see the right form, some with the notary stamp, sometimes with copies, and it goes smooth. The hassle and extra expense of doing such in Thailand is NOT the desired course of action.

In my case the notarized copies of a US bank Savings Account showing the required funds was not exactly what they wanted. In my particular case they wanted a letter from the US Bank signed stating I had such funds on deposit for a specific period. The Doctor at Kaiser who signed my Thailand Immigration medical form had never seen me and I never saw him. It was just drop off the form, they have done it a thousand times, pick it up the next day. That was at no charge from Kaiser. The local police clearance letter cost a posted fee and took two days. Some banks offer free notary services. It really is quite simple and they are very clear on using the USPS and NOT Fed Ex or UPS to do the shipment of the passport and application.

They were very clear they would only accept a POSTAL money order for the payment when I obtained my Visa back in 2005. No need to spend money on gasoline when you can do it by mail in America through the proper channels in a fair, fast and fully legal procedure. You'll have plenty of opportunities to waste gas, pay official and other fees, etc.. in Thailand. Do NOT worry about the address you show for Thailand on your application for your Visa. You can list a hotel address, they NEVER send anything there, they do not check in any manner, the staff just want to see an ADDRESS. "Form over Function"

Than you for the information. I'm a Kaiser member myself.; sounds easy enough.

[Langsuan Man]

I would do it via the Embassy in Washington and you can do away with the silly notarization requirements from the Los Angeles Consulate, who have been known to be a law unto themselves, when it comes to issuing visas

[Merzik]

You are talking about applying for an O-A visa, not an O visa from LA.

The Portland communication also talks about getting an O-A IN Thailand. That's impossible. In Thailand, you get annual extensions based on retirement.

You are right; I need the O-A visa. Thanks (BTW; I like both Arthur Rimbaud and Mark Twain too. )

[Jingthing]

I would do it via the Embassy in Washington and you can do away with the silly notarization requirements from the Los Angeles Consulate, who have been known to be a law unto themselves, when it comes to issuing visas

I think you mean you would apply for an O-A from DC if going for an O-A.

The OP again is not talking about applying for an O-A anywhere.

[Jingthing]

You are right; I need the O-A visa. Thanks (BTW; I like Arthur Rimbaud too. )

Actually, you don't need an O-A -- EVER. That's one way to do it. Many or most don't bother. You can retire in Thailand starting with a single entry O visa or even a tourist visa or 30 day stamp (then converting to an O using change of visa status in Thailand and then a retirement extension).

The OP is talking about places to get an O visa (not an O-A) in the US for purposes of extending based on retirement later. LA or DC would NOT be places to apply for an O for that purpose, but would be suitable for O-A applications.

Forgetting LA and DC (good for O-A applications) the OP is talking about a continuing issue in the US. Some consulates sometimes offer O visas to people just for being over 50, showing some money (whatever they say) and saying they plan on exploring retirement in Thailand, or "retirement eligible" as he put it. In recent years, there have been more reports of US consulates saying no to this, so his info is useful about Portland.

I'm not being as pedantic as I may sound. Of course there's nothing wrong with talking about different things on one thread. The reason I'm posting is that I reckon some people are confusing one thing for another, and it is really helpful to know what you want precisely, what you need (and don't need), and where to go for it.

In you the US, sometimes some consulates (like Portland) will grant O visas based on being over 50, showing some money, stating an interest in retiring in Thailand, and sometimes some consulates won't do that. It's useful to know which ones are open to this and which aren't at any given time.

[Mrjlh]

As a side Note: if anyone who decides to send their paperwork and passport to any Thai consulate in the US to obtain a O-A Visa for any reason by USPS, send it along with a prepaid return envelope and make sure "both" are either "Certified or Registered" return receipt. Losing your passport and other papers can be a real pain.

If you think this will take too long, in 2006, I sent mine in to the LA Consulate on a Tuesday afternoon, they got it that Thursday, mailed it back the next day Friday, and I got it on following Monday.

[JimGant]

got one from Montgomery, Al 3 months ago, fast service and a current bank statement showing that I had over $500 in a account was all the income requirement needed.

This was under 'retirement' criteria? You only needed $500 in a bank account, plus, I assume, being over age 50?

I've seen the $500 requirement before -- but this pertained to folks married to Thais -- or with Thai family to visit.

Glad to think Alabama is a second reported retiree friendly honorary consulate. But, something doesn't sound right....

[pmarlin]

got one from Montgomery, Al 3 months ago, fast service and a current bank statement showing that I had over $500 in a account was all the income requirement needed.

This was under 'retirement' criteria? You only needed $500 in a bank account, plus, I assume, being over age 50?

I've seen the $500 requirement before -- but this pertained to folks married to Thais -- or with Thai family to visit.

Glad to think Alabama is a second reported retiree friendly honorary consulate. But, something doesn't sound right....

Yes it was a 90 day Non O for the pupose of retirement in Thailand.

[moe666]

You can EASILY do it by mail (or if you chose in a 2 day process in person with 2 visits to the LA Consulate) in less than one week via the very professional Royal Thai Consulate in LA. You do NOT for any reason need a lawyer. Just download and print out the papers they want submitted. Remember that Thailand Government is all about "form over function". They see the right form, some with the notary stamp, sometimes with copies, and it goes smooth. The hassle and extra expense of doing such in Thailand is NOT the desired course of action.

In my case the notarized copies of a US bank Savings Account showing the required funds was not exactly what they wanted. In my particular case they wanted a letter from the US Bank signed stating I had such funds on deposit for a specific period. The Doctor at Kaiser who signed my Thailand Immigration medical form had never seen me and I never saw him. It was just drop off the form, they have done it a thousand times, pick it up the next day. That was at no charge from Kaiser. The local police clearance letter cost a posted fee and took two days. Some banks offer free notary services. It really is quite simple and they are very clear on using the USPS and NOT Fed Ex or UPS to do the shipment of the passport and application.

They were very clear they would only accept a POSTAL money order for the payment when I obtained my Visa back in 2005. No need to spend money on gasoline when you can do it by mail in America through the proper channels in a fair, fast and fully legal procedure. You'll have plenty of opportunities to waste gas, pay official and other fees, etc.. in Thailand. Do NOT worry about the address you show for Thailand on your application for your Visa. You can list a hotel address, they NEVER send anything there, they do not check in any manner, the staff just want to see an ADDRESS. "Form over Function"

How about less than a day by the professional staff at Bangkok Immigration. I recieved a extension of stay on my non-o visa from Bangkok Immigration in half a day thats about 4 hours not 2 days or a host of letters sent to LA Consullate and hoping your mail with your PassPort isn't lost somewhere. The staff at Immigration was very professional in the way they handled the extension of stay and the permission to leave. All of my paper work was inspected and excepted, the lady asked me what the exchange rate for the day was. By the way no health or police report required.Only the official fees were paided.

My original non-o visa to visit friends was issued by Portland, mail was recieved and returned in 2 days.

Always remember each person experience will be different, I would not guarantee you will have the same experience as I had maybe the lady on your day is having a bad hair day or she has found out her husband has a hot girlfriend. Maybe you show up in a wife beater shirt after a night on the town, no guarantees.

[Maestro]

This was under 'retirement' criteria? You only needed $500 in a bank account, plus, I assume, being over age 50?

I've seen the $500 requirement before -- but this pertained to folks married to Thais -- or with Thai family to visit.

Glad to think Alabama is a second reported retiree friendly honorary consulate. But, something doesn't sound right....

One of the official requirements for a non-O visa stated on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is "Evidence of adequate finance ( 20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family )" but I believe not all consulates implement it all the time. Of course, the applicant must first meet the other basic requirements for this type of visa like in this case, again from the Ministry's website, "to stay after retirement for the elderly". In other words, everything sounds right, only the current exchange rate for the US dollar is a bit lower than it was at the time when THB 20,000 was considered the equivalent of USD 500.