Penang Non-Immigrant Visa Update

[exppenang]

Hello,

I wanted to post the information from my visit to the Thai consulate in Penang, Malaysia for an 'O' Visa for retirement.

I had enquired earlier in the week about what I needed to get a non-immigrant 'O' Visa at the consulate in Penang. This VISA will allow a stay of 90 days in the Kingdom. There is a man there who speaks great English, he usually works the window and has a good knowledge of the requirements for a non-imm 'O' VISA (good for 90 days). He gave me a pre-printed list of what was required for many categories of VISA. He ticked the items on the list that I would need. Here is what they were.

1. Proof of income, at least 65,000 Thai BAHT monthly, OR, proof of at least THB 800,000 in a Thai Bank Account.

2. Filled up application form.

3. 2 VISA photos.

4. Copy of passport.

5. Copy of Passbook of a Thai bank account.

6. Pay the fee.

I had already gone to the US Embassy in BKK and obtained a notarized 'Affidavit of Income' which is available from the US Embassy BKK website as a .pdf download. They also had blank affidavit copies at the embassy. I also brought along 18 months of monthly pension statements as well as 6 months worth of bank statements (US bank) showing where the money from the pension statements gets deposited to.

The officer kept a copy of the income affidavit, and a copy of my Thai bank passbook, the actual bank book, and my passport.

I am told I can pick up my, bankbook, Passport, and VISA (if approved) the following afternoon.

Once I arrive in Thailand, I will extend my non-immigrant 'O' to a 1 year retirement extension. I will report back after I complete the extension.

I hope this may be helpful to others applying for the same.

Bill

[Sateev]

Not sure I would leave my ACTUAL bankbook with anyone. Bankbooks in Thailand are the keys to your account.

[Jingthing]

Not sure I would leave my ACTUAL bankbook with anyone. Bankbooks in Thailand are the keys to your account.

If that is what they really require, what choice would you have?

[lopburi3]

He had the choice to obtain a conversion to non immigrant entry and/or one year extension of stay from Immigration without a trip to Penang with that kind of "proof" and only one letter from Embassy would have been required. And as said his bank account book should never be given to anyone.