Time Running Out On 90 Days '0' Visa

[factseeker]

Hi,

Thought I was through all the difficult stuff - 'knocked all ducks down' one at a time - then up pops another.

The story:-

Wife and I going for retirement Visa via extension of Non Immigrant O Visa and using 800k aged 60 days route.

Intend using my pension lump sum for the 800k's necessary - for both of us - (I understand not strictly necessary for wife).

But pension company want more ID stuff than previously thought before they will transfer what is essentially 'my funds'.

I understand need for security but getting a bit silly.

In any event I can see that I might be well into the last 30 days of a 90 'O' Visa before the funds have been aged for the 60 days needed.

In fact we cannot get funds transferred until pension company have certified copy of a Thai bank Account Statement in their hands - so all has to be sent to UK.

Then apparently they figure to transfer funds within 10 days - I can imagine possible issues around that and the actual physical transfer - delays etc.

So it might be that the 90 'O' Visa runs out completely.

So to my request for advice.

1. Is it crucial to have 30 days still on the 'O' Visa or can the 12 month 'extension for retirement' be done right down to the last day available??

2. If I estimate that the 90 'O' is going to run out before I get to the 60 day aging point - can I extend the 90 '0' or get another to operate

contiguously - while I wait for the 60 days to arrive.

3. Is it possible to get a Bank Account just with a 30 on entry Visa - becuase that way I would wait to go for the 90 day 'O' after I am in

Chiang Mai - giving me maybe a couple of weeks extra available to get to that 60 day point - I think best from my point of view.

I was figuring to get my initial 90 'O' in KL as I am here til Dec 31st - so a few days out of the 90 'O' Visa be used before I get to Chiang Mai.

The above sure looks complicated but I figure that you guys with the 'knowledge' will understand what I am getting at.

Best Rgds.

FS.

[lopburi3]

If you intend to obtain retirement extensions both parties must have 800k in there own accounts. If spouse uses dependent matching method only the applicant for retirement extension will require the 800k (in there name). Most Thai banks do not issue statements - accounts are passbook - so you need to make sure what your pension requires. Yes you should be able to find a bank to open account on a tourist visa entry so I would advise getting that and then after money arrives you can convert to non immigrant O visa at immigration and then when in bank 60 days do the extension of stay.

[factseeker]

If you intend to obtain retirement extensions both parties must have 800k in there own accounts. If spouse uses dependent matching method only the applicant for retirement extension will require the 800k (in there name). Most Thai banks do not issue statements - accounts are passbook - so you need to make sure what your pension requires. Yes you should be able to find a bank to open account on a tourist visa entry so I would advise getting that and then after money arrives you can convert to non immigrant O visa at immigration and then when in bank 60 days do the extension of stay.

Thnxs.

Will try it that way - wait til in Chiang Mai and go for it then.

FS

[itishothere]

"1. Is it crucial to have 30 days still on the 'O' Visa or can the 12 month 'extension for retirement' be done right down to the last day available??"

In answer to this question, I have gone through this process and cut it fine, by doing it the day before expiry of the last permission to stay on a O visa. Immigration didn't bat an eyelid.

I was advised on here to go early to make sure that if any of the paperwork wasn't quite right, I had time to correct it. Great advice, but thankfully in my case, it wasn't needed.

[NancyL]

To answer the first question, from a Chiang Mai perspective -- you can definitely wait until the 90 day "O" visa is just about ready to run out to do your retirement extensions. Not a good idea in case some other "duck" pops up, but that "duck" won't be Immigration saying you should have come in at day 61 of the 90 day visa instead of day 89.

If it hasn't been pointed out already, you may want to pop over to the TV Chiang Mai thread and read about the process for booking a visa extension appointment on-line. The appointments fill up fast, so you should book it as soon as you get that money deposited and know the date of day 60 of the money seasoning. CM is the only Immigration office offering this convenience and it's working out really well.

[factseeker]

To answer the first question, from a Chiang Mai perspective -- you can definitely wait until the 90 day "O" visa is just about ready to run out to do your retirement extensions. Not a good idea in case some other "duck" pops up, but that "duck" won't be Immigration saying you should have come in at day 61 of the 90 day visa instead of day 89.

If it hasn't been pointed out already, you may want to pop over to the TV Chiang Mai thread and read about the process for booking a visa extension appointment on-line. The appointments fill up fast, so you should book it as soon as you get that money deposited and know the date of day 60 of the money seasoning. CM is the only Immigration office offering this convenience and it's working out really well.

Hi,

Got that - good point - Thnxs NancyL

Rgds. FS.

[factseeker]

To answer the first question, from a Chiang Mai perspective -- you can definitely wait until the 90 day "O" visa is just about ready to run out to do your retirement extensions. Not a good idea in case some other "duck" pops up, but that "duck" won't be Immigration saying you should have come in at day 61 of the 90 day visa instead of day 89.

If it hasn't been pointed out already, you may want to pop over to the TV Chiang Mai thread and read about the process for booking a visa extension appointment on-line. The appointments fill up fast, so you should book it as soon as you get that money deposited and know the date of day 60 of the money seasoning. CM is the only Immigration office offering this convenience and it's working out really well.

Hi,

Been to TVChangMai - read the on line booking thread.

There is a comment for Northern Nomad Posted 2011-09-26 03:40:09

"So the idiots who use it for a 90 day (you know who you are!) may just end up having the system be shut down so cut it out."

It would seem that the service is only for the 'big boys' - not for me with my insignificant 30 to 90 day upgrade??

As previously I mentioned I had been considering getting my 90 Day 'O' in KL - but that way I lose a few days of the 90 before arrival.

Latest planning is to arrive Chiang Mai with a 30 day and upgrade to a 90 'O' with intention to retire etc - when in Chang Mai.

Does the 30 to 90 mean getting to the Immigration Office and getting a queue ticket manually??

Rgds. FS.

[lopburi3]

The 90 days allowed for entry is the only time lost - you will still receive a full 90 days on entry as long as you enter before the visa becomes invalid.

[NancyL]

You can use the CM appointment system to change from 30 day visa exempt status to 90 day "O" visa. You can also use the appointment system to do the first 12-month extension of that "O" visa and all subsequent extensions.

About the idea of just entering on 30 day visa exempt status and then getting the "O" visa in Thailand. I know people who have done this "two step" process in CM, rather than getting their 90 day "O" visa before they get to Thailand. No problems, no runaround, no "you gotta go to Bangkok to do this". But, you may have difficulty in boarding the aircraft without an outward ticket if you plan to come in and use a 30 day visa exempt stamp. This topic has been covered on other threads in this forum. The enforcement is up to the airline and not consistent.

[TerryLH]

""So the idiots who use it for a 90 day (you know who you are!) may just end up having the system be shut down so cut it out.""

"It would seem that the service is only for the 'big boys' - not for me with my insignificant 30 to 90 day upgrade??"

He isn't talking about visas/extensions.

He's talking about 90 day address reporting.

[factseeker]

The 90 days allowed for entry is the only time lost - you will still receive a full 90 days on entry as long as you enter before the visa becomes invalid.

Ah! Got that - glad I kept pestering - that changes the game - I will try in KL now.

Marvellous - thnxs so much.

FS.

[factseeker]

""So the idiots who use it for a 90 day (you know who you are!) may just end up having the system be shut down so cut it out.""

"It would seem that the service is only for the 'big boys' - not for me with my insignificant 30 to 90 day upgrade??"

He isn't talking about visas/extensions.

He's talking about 90 day address reporting.

Thnxs TerryLH,

Have to forgive me - new kid on the block.

Very helpful.

FS