30 Day On Arrival To Single Entry Non Imm O Visa

[hathairatk]

Currently on 30 days on arrival and wish to apply for single entry non imm O visa (3 months). During that 3 months I will reach the age of 50 yrs and would then like to obtain a one year retirement extension. I believe the only way to a retirement extension is that you must have a non imm O visa.

I have all the necessary documention, i.e. Marriage cert, English and Thai, Wife's blue house book, ID card, etc.

If the above is possible, where initially is the best place for applying for a single entry non imm O visa? Would it be Penang or KL? Also of course is my route to a retirement extension possible? I understand for the non O visa B100k in a Thai bank account and for the retirement ext it is B800k for a period of 3 months prior to obtaining the extension.

[wpcoe]

You could inquire at your local Thai Immigrations office here in Thailand to see if they can issue you the special 90-day Non-Immigrant O Visa for exactly the purpose you intend. "Logically" (that being the potential key word leading to my idea being irrelevant...) they would do it also if you were turning 50 during that 90-day period.

I know that Jomtien and Chiang Mai will do it when you are already 50 and in Thailand on a 30-day visa waiver stamp, and that other (most? all?) other locations that can't/won't do that send applicants to Bangkok Immigrations to do it.

[CharlieH]

As far as I know, the 100k is a requirement for KL, but have seen reports of Savanakhet with no money required.

Depends on your location as to which is easiest.

Remember that if going to KL you submit one day and collect afternoon of the next day.

You are correct on the requirement for a Retirement extension, you can also use the income method if you wish.

[lopburi3]

You can obtain single entry from most any Thai Consulate with marriage certificate/copy, copy of wife ID card and home register. That 100k will obtain a multi entry from KL but in your case that would not seem needed or wanted. The 800k will only need to be in bank 2 months for first application.

[wayned]

Since you are not yet 50 years old, You can apply for a single entry Non-O visa in a neighboring country. The reason is "investigate retirement options".

Once the Non-O is issued, you can apply for an extension for retirement once if you meet all of the requirements as follows:

For a 12 month extension based on retirement.

2.22 In the case of a retiree: Permission will be granted for a period of not more

than 1 year at a time.

(1) The alien has obtained a temporary visa (NON-IM);

(2) The applicant is 50 years of age or over;

(3) Proof of income of not less than Baht 65,000 per month; or

(4) Account deposit with a bank in Thailand of not less than

800,000 Baht as shown in the bank account for the past 3 months at the filing date of the application. For the first year, the applicant should have that amount in his bank account for not less than 60 days or

(5) Annual income plus bank account deposit totaling not less

than Baht 800,000 as of the filing date of application

If using income you need a letter from your Embassy verifying income amount.

If using savings you need a letter from your bank plus up to date bank book. For the first extension, the money only has to season for two months.

It's really not that hard, good luck!

[lopburi3]

He can obtain for marriage, as he said - he is not age 50 so it is unlikely a Consulate would issue for retirement planning.

[wayned]

He said that he would be 50 during the 90 day visa period. If he is issued the Non-O based on marriage planning rather than retirement planning, can't he apply fpr a retirement extension rather than a marriage extension if he meets all of the qualifications, including age, when he applies. It is less work.

[Mario2008]

Yes, he can obtain a non-O visa based on his Thai wife and get an extension of stay based on retirement. Immigration wil love him for it, as it is much less work for them than an extension based on a Thai wife.

[hathairatk]

Many thanks for all the information.

Will apply for 3 months non imm O based on marriage and follow up with retirement extension.

Do you know if Penang will issue a non imm O visa or will I best to travel to go to KL?

[Mario2008]

For a single non-O it doesn't matter, only if you want a multiple non-O should you go to KL (with proof of having 100,000 baht in an account in your name).

[wpcoe]

So, I take it that none of you think he has a chance of getting the 90-day Non-Immigrant O Visa at a Thai Immigrations office in Thailand?

[Mario2008]

^{Conversion what is what you are talking about is possible, but depends on a number of factors. Most offices will send him to Bangkok and he will need proof of having money in the bank or the required income. Sometimes one also have to come back after 2 weeks to get the conversion. Often it is simpler to just get the right visa than to convert. If he doesn't live in Bangkok, he wil have the travel cost of his wife also.}

^{In addition he doesn't want to stay based on a Thai wife, but on retirement. I'm not sure if he can convert based on aThai wife and then ask for the extension based on retirement. or will have to extend based on a Thai wife and next time can change to retirement.}