Dear expat forum,

I am preparing documents for non im-o in Malaysia next week (prefer penang than kl : I'm 59 yrs US citizen living in the south) . I've placed my fund in the local bank ( 800k almost a month now ), understanding it has to be there at least 2 months before applying for retirement extension of stay here. I read through posts but still not sure about documents. Please advise if I miss anything.

Document needed in applying for non im-o in Malaysia ( say penang )

1. passport ( valid at least 6 months ) and photocopy of identity page, last visa and exit stamp ( say 2 coppies )

2. two photographs - 4 × 6 taken within the last 6 months

3. documentation of financial requirement ( 800k in thai bank for a time less than 2 months )

Bank account book ( original )updated to the day before applying, photocopy and

Letter from the bank confirming the status of the account the day before

4. Evidence of current address ( say photocopy of lease agreement )

5. Application for visa TM. 87

6. 2,200 bahts single entry

And;

Document needed in applying for extension of stay based on retirement ( at local immigration )

1. passport ( valid at least 6 months ) and photocopy of identity page,non im-o visa ,entry stamp and TM. 6

2. two photographs - 4 × 6 taken within the last 6 months

3. documentation of financial requirement ( 800k in thai bank at least 2 months )

Bank account book ( original ) updated to the day before applying, photocopy and

Letter from the bank confirming the status of the account the day before

4. Evidence of current address ( say photocopy of lease agreement )

5. Application for extension of temporary stay in the kingdom TM. 7

6. 1,900 bahts fee

My questions are;

Can I use the passport sized photo 5×5.5 cm ? in both situation/ silly question but I happen to have many of them made

letter from the bank confirming the status of the account the day before

Do i need to provide this letter in applying for non im- o ? or just showing the bank account book

I understand the Ramadon is coming up ,say 18 or 19 July, to get non im-o there take one or two days? should I go earlier?

I heard that after you get the visa and come back into thailand you have to report your present at the immigration within 24 hours, is this compulsory I wonder if 48 hours is acceptable?

Thank you all very much!

Best

Ralph

Edited July 13, 201213 yr by ralph aitken

You are mixing up a visa from a Consulate and change of status at Immigration.

For visa normally only 1/2 are required and payment will be in local currency. But not sure what Penang requires. Have you asked your local immigration if you can use TM87 at there location to get the non immigrant O visa? Would save a trip and you seem to have the money in bank account. At the most a trip to Bangkok would be required for that step as long as you have about 12 days remaining on current stay. For that you would use 1 thru 6 but cost would be 2,000 baht.

For actual extension, 60 days later, money must have been in account 2 months or more. You also have option to use pension income by Embassy letter.

Photo should be 4x6cm but normally not too strict - as long as they do not see elsewhere (current within six months).

Letter from bank would be required for change at immigration but normally not for Consulate issue.

Most consulate will be in morning and out next workday afternoon. Penang hotels can be full during holiday periods.

You do not have to report to immigration on return - you do that at border when you arrive. Landlord will have to make any report of your staying (if they bother).

Currently I have tourist visa( till next friday )Immigration in Satun said I have to go to Malaysia to get Non im-O, and told me to report to them within 24 hours after entering back into Thailand, then they will tell me what document I have to prepare for extension of stay. Well I will try to do what I can on that part.

The fee figure I read from other post, a bit confusing but I will prepare for the change, planning to go to the consulate myself, got some direction from the website and will give it a try.

"Catch a bus and walk for about 20 minutes - Catch Bus 101 from the Jetty, Chulia street or KOMTAR and ask the driver to let you off at Jalan Cantonment. The bus will drop you off on Jalan Burma near to the Burmese Temple and Thai Reclining Buddha Temple - just walk up to the traffic lights and turn left onto Jalan Cantonment and follow the road until you get to Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, which will be on your right."

I didn't even think about the accommodation during the holiday, thanks for pointing that out I was concerned about the working hours but penang consulate website doesn't mentioned that it's a holiday. I will take the chance anyway.

Thanks very much Lopburi3 for your reply,

Best

Ralph

Edited July 13, 201213 yr by ralph aitken

You are mixing up a visa from a Consulate and change of status at Immigration.

For visa normally only 1/2 are required and payment will be in local currency. But not sure what Penang requires. Have you asked your local immigration if you can use TM87 at there location to get the non immigrant O visa? Would save a trip and you seem to have the money in bank account. At the most a trip to Bangkok would be required for that step as long as you have about 12 days remaining on current stay. For that you would use 1 thru 6 but cost would be 2,000 baht.

For actual extension, 60 days later, money must have been in account 2 months or more. You also have option to use pension income by Embassy letter.

Having just been through this... Samui won't issue, in my case, I do not know if it varies... Was told in Samui, to go over the border... Penang or KL or Kota Bharu...

If memory serves! The fee is 220 M R (they will not take Baht) ... There is a guy out side who will do photos and or photo copies, small charge, I think 20 M R.

For me the waiting period is 90 days (first time is 60 days) which starts after crossing back over the border. Then you go to your local immigration.... on Samui they will do 5 days before it is due.... that could vary!?

They do not actually give you a "retirement visa" in Penang...

They were not interested in bank info or medical letter, in Penang, but you might want to have... just in case... you never know when things change!!!

Make sure to check Thai and Malaysia public holidays as they will not be open for either days....

I think I read yesterday the is a Thai public holiday coming up in early August (2 days?) so watch your timing!

Edited July 14, 201213 yr by samuijimmy

If Samui would not do conversion to non immigrant entry Bangkok would so there is a domestic option as long as you have a dozen or so days remaining on current stay.

Normally extension is allowed anytime during last 30 days of permitted to stay - but a few places now seem to limit even further.

"Update on Penang trip"

Hadyai minivan to Penang is 300 Baht (about 3 and a half hours), on the return from Penang -there is a sign said 35 MR- however I paid 30

The walk from Pin-seng Hotel (30 MR) to Thai Consulate is 1 hours and a half at easing pace.

The photo size for Non im-o is 3 × 5 cm - the cost is 220 MR.

"About the Immigration"

I came back into Thailand late friday- I went to the Immigration on Monday with my GF and encountered a bit of an authority-like kind of excercise which is normal I presume. A lady-Immigration official stated that I didn't report within the very 24 hours and gave us a rigid look. We explained the timing clause, then she said we have to get the land lady to come over to write the report eventhough my GF presented the rental paper (she is the tenant and only her name is in the house registration), so my GF set the report clause aside and politely asked for the preparation in order to apply for extension of stay. The lady gave us the paper which stated that the money has to be 3 months (retirement), again my GF explained politely concerning the first-time applicant requirement we know from the immigration website. Another lady-official approaching the counter and hesitatingly looked up the book under the shelf... and said yes we were correct- then asked to see the bank book and said I can come back to apply for the extension of stay when I have less than 30 days in the 90 days visa only not before that. And the reporting clause she exclaimed 'well it's not right but it's alright, my GF can write the report'.

I think the 24 hours reporting is in effect according to your circumstances, beware to prepare for the unexpected.

May I ask what is the time-line if you have the non im-o 90 days to be able to apply for extension (retirement), I got the impression from her that if I use up 60 days on the visa I can then apply - is this correct?

Thanks very much for your advice.

Ralph Aitken

Yes during the last 30 days of the permitted to stay. Landlord is required to report your presence within 24 hours (your wife is the tenet of record so they must expect from her to do as you are living with her - I suspect most wives never bother).

Thank you very much lopburi3.