Non Immigant O-A Visa Multi-Entry.

[javel]

Getting close to retirement age(50) I have started looking into a life without tourist visas.

The obvious way would be to go for a 3 month Non imm. O visa from Norway, and extend this to a retirement visa in Thailand.

But reading the mfa.go.th webpage I see that the 1 year Non imm. O-A visa would suit me better.

The problem is that when I contact the Thai General Consul in Norway I get told that this visa don't exsist, and that I will have to apply for a 3 months O Visa.(the same information is on the embassy's webpage) When I refer to the mfa.go.th webpage I get the answer that this is wrong, and that there sometimes is different opinions between MFA and immigration authorities about what's correct. This makes no sense to me.

I know that there are aspects in the visa rules that is up to the consular officer (like extending a triple entry tourist visa to a 6 months validity). But could it be the same for the whole O-A Visa? Since 1-4 in the O-A description says: " Having the nationality of or residence in the country where applicant's application is submitted." I am limited to apply for this visa in Norway.

Anyone know a way out of this?

J!!!

[moe666]

I guess copy the approiate page and show it to them as there is a O-A non-immigrant visa just sounds like they donot want to do the paper work. The Embassy and Consulates work for the MFA not immigration as they are seperate Departments. Good Luck

[Jingthing]

Well, the Royal Thailand Embassy in Oslo website doesn't mention anything about offering O-A visas. So I bet that they probably really DO NOT offer them. Over the years, my understanding is that for O-As, yes they must be applied for in your home country (possibly exceptions for legal residents of third countries) and NO, not all home countries with Thai embassies actually offer the O-A visa. Yes, I would contact them to confirm of course. I seriously doubt it will work to tell them they should be doing this if they aren't. So what is your issue with doing retirement extensions in Thailand starting with a single entry O?

[javel]

Well, the Royal Thailand Embassy in Oslo website doesn't mention anything about offering O-A visas. So I bet that they probably really DO NOT offer them. Over the years, my understanding is that for O-As, yes they must be applied for in your home country (possibly exceptions for legal residents of third countries) and NO, not all home countries with Thai embassies actually offer the O-A visa. Yes, I would contact them to confirm of course. I seriously doubt it will work to tell them they should be doing this if they aren't. So what is your issue with doing retirement extensions in Thailand starting with a single entry O?

Thanks for a clear answer.

My issues with an O-Visa are minor. I would prefer to give a Norwegian bank statement for 800.000,- baht, and not move the money to Thailand yet, my thai drivers lisence expired just after I turned 49. With a 1 year Visa I could exstend it directly to 5 years, after 1 year, or on a shorter visa I will have to do the full test once again, and at last multiple entry suits me fine since I am travelling every 2-3 months.

J!!!

[Jingthing]

Just in case, please contact Oslo if you haven't already. It seems a bit weird for a European country like Norway which sends so many tourists to Thailand, doesn't offer the O-A. It wouldn't surprise me so much that Buenos Aires doesn't offer it, but I would expect Oslo to.

[Lite Beer]

As said you have to apply in your country of residence.

If they do not issue it for some reason you will have to go the Non Imm O route.

[lopburi3]

My quick read of Embassy web site indicates they do issue such a visa but do not spell it out. But if contact was with an Honorary Consulate it is likely they would not be allowed to issue. Believe the below from Embassy web site is the long stay (retirement) visa:

Non-Immigrant Visa over 90 days

The issuance of this visa must obtain a prior approval from the Immigration Division in Thailand. The applicant is required to submit the name and address of his/her guarantor or reference in Thailand who will be responsible for the applicant during his/her stay in Thailand. In this respect, a health certificate, criminal record, bank/ financial statements, and other documents certifying title, function, qualifications, purpose and duration of stay in Thailand are also required. The guarantor or sponsoring firms or organizations in Thailand may also apply such visa directly to the Immigration Division in Bangkok on behalf of the applicant.

[TerryLH]

"...my thai drivers lisence expired just after I turned 49. With a 1 year Visa I could exstend it directly to 5 years, after 1 year, or on a shorter visa I will have to do the full test once again..."

I believe you can extend the dl for 5 years with any non imm visa. That would include 90 day visas. B, O or ED should be ok.

If there were going to be restrictions because of length of visa, no expats would be getting 5 year dl's.

[Jingthing]

My quick read of Embassy web site indicates they do issue such a visa but do not spell it out. But if contact was with an Honorary Consulate it is likely they would not be allowed to issue. Believe the below from Embassy web site is the long stay (retirement) visa:

Non-Immigrant Visa over 90 days

The issuance of this visa must obtain a prior approval from the Immigration Division in Thailand. The applicant is required to submit the name and address of his/her guarantor or reference in Thailand who will be responsible for the applicant during his/her stay in Thailand. In this respect, a health certificate, criminal record, bank/ financial statements, and other documents certifying title, function, qualifications, purpose and duration of stay in Thailand are also required. The guarantor or sponsoring firms or organizations in Thailand may also apply such visa directly to the Immigration Division in Bangkok on behalf of the applicant.

I apologize but I missed that the first time! Upon reading it, I completely agree that is very good evidence that the EMBASSY of Thailand in Oslo Norway probably does take O-A retirement visa applications. Good luck.

[javel]

I have now checked with the Thai Embassy in Oslo.

They do not issue Non imm. O-A Visa, only Non imm. O for 3 months.

They told me that some countries issue O-A visas, but not Norway.

What was worse was that they insisted that I would have to show proof of retirement from Norway.

Upon my answer that I had retired myself, and would have no further income, but enough funds to support myself, they still insisted on this "proof of retirement".

I did not "push" this issue, since I had already made the officer check with her boss about the O-A visa, but I think that I would try to avoid the embassy in Oslo.

From what I have read in other posts the best way for me would be to do this:

- Transfer 800.000 baht to my thai bank account about 3 months before I arrive in Thailand.

- Enter Thailand on a Visa excempt.

- Soon after arrival contact Immigration in Thailand and apply for a O-visa, and later extend this to a retirement visa.

What would I need to bring from Norway (except for the money) to do this process?

- proof of no criminal records?

- anything else?

Do I need a return ticket for the application process in Thailand? (not counting the risk of not getting in to Thailand)

Additional info: I am not married or have any contacts in Thailand, I don't own property I just rent monthly (or longer) at a hotel. Immigration office to use would be Jomtien.

J!!!

[Mario2008]

A Honorary consulate might be more friendly, you could use one in Germany. Try some out and see if you can mail your application/passport.

[lopburi3]

But your plan would work fine but I would suggest a tourist visa rather than visa exempt as that allows one way travel without exit within 30 days and more time for conversion if any problems. You do not need police check or medical. Just an address in Thailand and proof of funds in bank 60 days (that is for the actual extension of stay that requires the 60 days).

As said most consulates will issue a single entry non immigrant O visa for those over 50 with some financial proof (rather than retirement papers).

[javel]

Thaks for the answers.

As mentioned in my opening post I started out talking to the Thai General Consul in Oslo.

We briefly talked about non imm. O, and even if she mentioned retirement papers, I got a clear impression that it would also work with a financial statement. But if I can get the same visa in Thailand without the hassle of getting a health certificate or proof of no criminal record I would rather go this way.

J!!!

[Mario2008]

If you go to Thailand without a visa, you might require a ticket out of Thailand within 30 days. Yu mght want to apply for a tourist visa at the least, but getting a non-O from Germany would be even better.

[lopburi3]

You do not need the extra police/medical for a single entry non immigrant O visa.