Problem Renewing Non Immigrant O (Retirement) Visa

[Tundra]

Writing to ask for some advice about options for dealing with a problem I have about renewing my Non Immigrant O (Retirement Visa). My current NOI A visa, and multiple entry visa expire on 20 September 12. I went to Immigration in Bangkok this morning to try to renew, but, they could not renew it because of a mistake I made. My funds of over 800 K have only been in the bank for 2 months: not the required 3.

I asked the Immigration Officer if I could extend my current NIO (Retirement) visa for one month to give me the time I needed to meet the 3 month requirement but, was told that this would not be possible. The Officer suggested that I could go to another country in the region and apply for a visa there. I tried to get some clarification from the Immigration Officer on the type of visa I should apply for, but, did not get it. My Thai language skills are not good and the Officer’s English was not good either. So, any advice from Forum members about how to deal with this problem, much appreciated. Thanks

[lopburi3]

You want a single entry non immigrant O visa which will provide a 90 day stay on return and during the last 30 days of that you will need to do the normal extension of stay.

If a Consulate does not want to provide (most will) you can just return on a tourist visa or even a visa exempt and obtain the non immigrant conversion/issue from Immigration as money only has to be in account for that process and then after 60 days do the extension of stay.

[evadgib]

Get a letter from your Embassy & try again.

HTH

[lopburi3]

Embassy has nothing to do with bank deposit extensions of stay.

[evadgib]

A letter plus money in the bank does away with the 2-3 month timeframe & therefore helps the OP without the need to leave the country.

[Tundra]

Dear Lopburi. Thank you for your advice. Could you please clarify for me what a "visa exempt" is please. Also, what do you think would happen if I just stayed in Thailand after my current NIO visa has expired (on 20 September) and wnet to Immigration to try to renew my current NIO visa around the 20 October, when my funds of over 800,000 will have been in the bank for over 3 months. I know that I would be fined for overstaying, but, not sure if I can "renew" a visa that has technically expired. Thanks.

[lopburi3]

A letter is only issued for income - poster has not mentioned having any such source. As this is not his first rodeo from the fact he needs 3 months hope he understands that and at this point he is down to 2 days so believe will need a new visa.

Requirement is 800k in bank 3 months or 65k monthly income or combination to meet 800k per year figure. If using the combination there is normally no requirement for the bank deposit portion to be in account except at time of application but would require an embassy letter of income to be used with the bank deposit and what embassy requires for that varies.

[lopburi3]

Visa exempt is what most of us get without a visa for entry into the country - 15 days by land entry or 30 days by air entry.

Do not remain beyond 20 September as you can not extend from such an overstay and would still be required to exit and return on a new entry.

[wayned]

If you are receiving money from overseas on a monthly basis, you can get a letter from your embassy stating that amount and you can use the combination method, letter from embassy + letter from bank stating amount (combination over 800k yearly), to apply for your extension. Most immigration offices do not require that the money be seasoned. Just a thought.

[Tundra]

A letter is only issued for income - poster has not mentioned having any such source. As this is not his first rodeo from the fact he needs 3 months hope he understands that and at this point he is down to 2 days so believe will need a new visa.

Requirement is 800k in bank 3 months or 65k monthly income or combination to meet 800k per year figure. If using the combination there is normally no requirement for the bank deposit portion to be in account except at time of application but would require an embassy letter of income to be used with the bank deposit and what embassy requires for that varies.

Lopburi. Thank you. If I left, then returned to Thailand on a normal tourist visa, then obtained the non immigrant conversion issue from Immigration, would it also be possible for me to apply for a multiple entry visa at Immigration in Thailand? I would need to leave and retunr to Thailand several time during the peiod I am waiting to get the new O visa. Thanks.

[Tundra]

If you are receiving money from overseas on a monthly basis, you can get a letter from your embassy stating that amount and you can use the combination method, letter from embassy + letter from bank stating amount (combination over 800k yearly), to apply for your extension. Most immigration offices do not require that the money be seasoned. Just a thought.

Thanks for suggesting this option. Best

[lopburi3]

Believe you were asking about re-entry permits and yes they can be obtained to keep any entry alive.

[Tundra]

Believe you were asking about re-entry permits and yes they can be obtained to keep any entry alive.

Yes, I was referring to "re-entry". Thanks. Also, in your initial reply you mentioned that I could apply for a single entry non Immigrant O. If I were to apply for and get this, could I then apply for a multiple reentry visa once I am back in Thailand? Also, how long do you think it would take the Thail consulate in KL to process the application for a single entry non immigrant O visa? What documentation would I need to apply for this visa in person from the Thai conculate in KL. Thanks.

[lopburi3]

Believe you are again asking about re-entry (multi) permit and yes that is available but remember it is only valid for the current permitted to stay time so more useful for the one year extension of stay than for a 90 day visa entry for most people.

Visa issues should only require your passport/photos as you are over age 50 and can show reason you need (to start the retirement extension process again). Visa application in morning and pickup next workday afternoon.

[ubonjoe]

You can get a re-entry permit for any visa entry.

You apply the morning of one day get passport back the next afternoon.

You should only need your passport and a copy along with a completed application form. It might be a good idea to have your bank book along as a just case measure.

[happynthailand]

sounds to me that your staying in Thailand was a last minute decision,and not well planed.

with only 2 days left on your visa,your choice's are limited to say the least.

good luck

[davejones]

sounds to me that your staying in Thailand was a last minute decision,and not well planed.

with only 2 days left on your visa,your choice's are limited to say the least.

good luck

Doesn't sound like a last minute decision. Sounds like he thought he only needed money in bank for 2 months instead of 3.

[Tundra]

Would like to thank all responders for taking the time to reply to my request and for your good advice. A special thanks to Lopburi. I very much appreciate your kind assistance.

[RubbaJohnny]

Well done I thought it as 90 days

[danpat]

if you have a multi entri o visa issued in another country which expires 20th september,just exit the country today ,return later today or tomorrow,before exp date,and you will get another 90 days.pleanty of time to get things sorted.