Non-imm o visa and multiple journeys

[Oldfart]

Hello everyone,

Please could someone confirm that my interpretation of the Visa rules is correct. I don't want to fall foul of the Law - rather I dont want to be inconvenienced in the future by having to rectify a problem that I wasn't aware of!!

I am 59,single (long time divorcee), and have a Thai gf and we live in an apartment that I pay for, but is rented in her name. I have business interests in UK and NZ, but my input is minimal. It is my intention to live in LOS indefinately. I had thought of taking  a TEFL course to enable me to get a work permit, and B Visa, and teach English. No sense of vocation behind this...its just that "they" make it bloody difficult to do very much else, and it would give me something to do other than just shag myself stupid!

I have a Bank a/c here and transfer funds from UK/NZ as needed.

I have Non-Imm "O" Visa valid from 6th Feb 03 for Multiple journeys to Thailand. (Issued in 5 mins at Hull for £70)

I entered the Kingdom on 24th Feb03 and Immigration stamped my British Passort on entry. I am admitted until 24th May 03.

So, although I have a Visa valid  for multiple journeys for almost 1 year, it seems that I must:

1. before leaving, obtain a Multiple Re-entry permit to prevent my O -Visa from expiring every time I leave the country

2. leave before 24th May, but I can re-enter immediately if I wish.

3. leave every 89 days maximum thereafter, but can re-enter immediately if I wish.

4. obtain a new O Visa for 1 year on expiration of current one (from Brisbane or Hull), and this will allow me to live here for a further 12months, leaving every 89 days and re-entering with re-entry permit as above. And,

5. I can repeat this process indefinately.

Is there anything I have missed or misinterpreted here? Is it really this straightforward? I feel like I have misunderstood something as I have read on the forum of people having to produce proof of capital in the bank and of monthly income.

All comments about the above or anything else are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[MaiChai]

How did you get a Non Imm 'O' if your not married to your Thai girlfriend?

All your answers are correct, apart from 1. You don't need a re-entry permit unless you apply for a 1 year visa extension when you are in Thailand. The re-entry permit prevents your 1 year extension from expiring when you leave.

Forget teaching English unless you really have nothing else better to do; its not very satisfying or demanding.

[lopburi3]

1.  No.  Not unless/until you extend your current entry to one year with no exit required, perhaps by a retirement visa.

2.  Yes.

3.  Yes.

4.  No.  Your present visa is only needed for entry.  So you can enter the day before it expires and stay another 89 days.  So it is almost 15 months.

5.  Maybe.  I don't know the status of your getting a class O multi entry but if you continue to meet them, and the stars are in the right position, it may be available.  Although if you decide to really retire, and not then need the 'B' visa, would expect you to change to a retirement visa.

[Oldfart]

Wow, thanks MaiChai and Lopburi3 for the rapid response guys, really appreciate your time and experience.

Must say it’s a relief not to have to think about it all any more and be able to get on with enjoying LOS.

Thanks to you both for clarification of the Re-entry Permit. I really had no idea that it only applied to an Extension obtained here. That saved me a wasted trip and 1000 Baht!!

Lopburi3 – interesting point about the “O” being required for “entry” only.  Now you tell me this, it’s obvious, but it’s easy to lose focus and I hadn’t appreciated the implication that you mention …I’ve now diaried the expiry date and will be able to take advantage of the extra 89 days, thanks to you.  

How did I get the "O" Visa? and status for my having obtained it:

I phoned the Hull Consulate, told them I wanted to stay in Thai for a year and maybe study (but didn’t know where yet) and then get a teaching job. -Thinking I would apply for an “ED” Visa.

They told me I should apply for the "O" Visa, (and recommended that I apply for a "B" Visa in Thai when I'm ready for work). As I was visiting  relatives in Yorkshire the next day, I decided to drive to the Consulate and do the deal, so I made an appointment. I had to take a letter from a third party stating that the third party would be responsible for my repatriation to the Uk in the event of my being unable to pay for this myself –(this was the most difficult job, but a little creative thinking solved that problem!), and a completed application form, passport photo, and Passport.. Apart from that...piece of cake really- took all of 5 minutes once I got to the Consulate which is in an Industrial Unit on an Industrial Estate on the outskirts of Hull. I had downloaded the application form and the sample third party letter from the Hull Consul website which meant all I had to do on arrival was sign and hand over the £70 fee!

MaiChai:- From what you ask, I get the impression that I have got the wrong class of Visa and/or been lucky to get the “O”?  I’m certainly not married to my gf.

Lopburi3:- I guess my status was that I want to study here.

Are you thinking that I may not be able to repeat the process next time? Although I may not want an “O” next year if I want to work, it is tempting to errrr hum..  “study” again for another year.

[lopburi3]

Lopburi3:- I guess my status was that I want to study here.

Are you thinking that I may not be able to repeat the process next time?

That was my thinking.  But with a year here you will probably be married at the end so 'no problem'.