Apologies if this is addressed elsewhere.

For the last n years I've been getting A multi-entry non-Immigrant "O" visa from the UK. I've just heard that two months ago the rules changed and that in order to qualify for one now you need to be married to a Thai.

This sounds over-the-top - but two people (one of whom works in a Visa shop) have confirmed this.

Can someone definitely confirm this is the case !! An awful lot of people will not qualify if this is indeed true.

Things changed a while back.

From Hull Immigration website:

Category “O”

--------------------------

1) Married to a Thai national

Evidence required:

a) If married in Thailand:

Copies of Original Thai Marriage Certificate and Thai ID Card or Thai Passport.

b ) If married in UK:

Copies of Original UK Marriage Certificate and Thai ID Card or Thai Passport.

Please note that either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

or

2) Visiting Thai child living in Thailand

Evidence required

a) Birth Certificate of child showing relationship

b ) Proof of having legal custody of the child

Please note that either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

or

3) Visiting non Thai family working and/or living in Thailand

Evidence required:

a) Birth/Marriage Certificate to show relationship and date of birth – applicant must not be older than 20 years.

b ) Letter from relative in Thailand confirming they are in Thailand together with copy of

page in their passport showing valid entry visa or a copy of their valid work permit..

Please note that either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted to applicant aged up to 20 years in these circumstances. If applicant is aged 21 or over then they can be granted

only a Tourist Visa with 1, 2 or 3 entries.

or

4) Volunteer Work

Evidence required:

a) Sponsor Letter from Registered Charity.

Please note that only a single entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

or

5) Visiting Thailand as Pensioner aged 65 and over

Evidence required:

a) Bank Statement showing receipt of State and/or Private Pension.

or

b ) Pension Statement

Please note that either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

or

6) Visiting Thailand as Retired Person aged between 50 and 64 years

Evidence required:

a) Copy of Bank Statement showing income of minimum £1200 per month or lumpsum

amount of £20,000

Please note that either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

Yes the old visiting friends way of getting a Visa disappeared a long time ago.

Education Visa or Visa runs are gonna be the way forward for some.

Things changed a while back.

From Hull Immigration website:

Category “O”

--------------------------

1) Married to a Thai national

Evidence required:

a) If married in Thailand:

Copies of Original Thai Marriage Certificate and Thai ID Card or Thai Passport.

b ) If married in UK:

Copies of Original UK Marriage Certificate and Thai ID Card or Thai Passport.

Please note that either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

or

2) Visiting Thai child living in Thailand

Evidence required

a) Birth Certificate of child showing relationship

b ) Proof of having legal custody of the child

Please note that either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

or

3) Visiting non Thai family working and/or living in Thailand

Evidence required:

a) Birth/Marriage Certificate to show relationship and date of birth – applicant must not be older than 20 years.

b ) Letter from relative in Thailand confirming they are in Thailand together with copy of

page in their passport showing valid entry visa or a copy of their valid work permit..

Please note that either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted to applicant aged up to 20 years in these circumstances. If applicant is aged 21 or over then they can be granted

only a Tourist Visa with 1, 2 or 3 entries.

or

4) Volunteer Work

Evidence required:

a) Sponsor Letter from Registered Charity.

Please note that only a single entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

or

5) Visiting Thailand as Pensioner aged 65 and over

Evidence required:

a) Bank Statement showing receipt of State and/or Private Pension.

or

b ) Pension Statement

Please note that either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

or

6) Visiting Thailand as Retired Person aged between 50 and 64 years

Evidence required:

a) Copy of Bank Statement showing income of minimum £1200 per month or lumpsum

amount of £20,000

Please note that either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

Number 6 indicates a specific sum needed for younger folk, but for those over 65 (number 5), no specific sum needed? In particular, I am looking at this inside Thailand, and renewing the visa for purposes of retiement. Thanks.

That has nothing to do with inside Thailand and retirement extensions of stay.

A 12 month Extension at Immigration in Thailand.

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 m

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

800,000 Baht as shown in the bank account for the pa

at the filing date of the application. For the first year,

should have that amount in his bank account for not le

days or

(5) Annual income plus bank account deposit totaling

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

Thanks all. Seems like I'm a bit (lot !!) out of touch.