Education On Retirement Visa

[JungleBoy]

I am currently applying for a retirment visa (O). I should have this done by next week. I just found out that Payap University in Chiang Mai offers BS/BA programs to foreigners.

Is it possible to be attending University classes (2 year program) on a Retirement Visa? Do I have to switch to ED, then when done, switch back to O ?

jb

[Noel]

I am currently applying for a retirment visa (O). I should have this done by next week. I just found out that Payap University in Chiang Mai offers BS/BA programs to foreigners.

Is it possible to be attending University classes (2 year program) on a Retirement Visa? Do I have to switch to ED, then when done, switch back to O ?

jb

I am sure Lopburi will correct me if I am wrong, but as you would not be working then the 'Retirement Visa' is fine.

[lopburi3]

I also believe they would have a hard time saying that your paying money for an education was work. Do not believe it would be any problem.

[LoveDaBlues]

Isn't the retirement visa 'O-A'? I have the 'O' and am not even 50 yet.

[Noel]

Isn't the retirement visa 'O-A'? I have the 'O' and am not even 50 yet.

The Non-Immigrant 'O-A' is issued when you you apply in your home country.

The other route is to start with a Non-Immigrant 'O' visa and extend it on the grounds of retirement when you are in Thailand.

[lopburi3]

No. The retirement is an extension of stay on an O type visa. The O-A is only if you applied overseas and received approval prior to entry into Thailand.

[JungleBoy]

Thanks Noel and lopburi3. Wish you guys worked at immigration!!! Will be going to Immigration this afternoon and pose this question to them.

LDB, heck, I'm in the process of getting my 'Retirement Visa' and have no idea what it's called until I get it. My brother and I both came to Thailand around the same time, using the Thai Consulate in El Paso, Tx. Several years ago, we both inquired with the El Paso Consulate on O-A visas. We were told, no less than 6 times, that there was no such thing as O-A. We hit a brick wall with her. Nothing would move her.

I really don't care what initials are attached, as long as it's a 1 year visa. Very tired of making monthly runs ya know? (Yes, it's always nice to say exactly what you mean and have the data to say things right the first time (and clearly). Learning curve on visas can sometimes be steep.)

jb

[LoveDaBlues]

Thanks Noel and lopburi3. Wish you guys worked at immigration!!! Will be going to Immigration this afternoon and pose this question to them.

LDB, heck, I'm in the process of getting my 'Retirement Visa' and have no idea what it's called until I get it. My brother and I both came to Thailand around the same time, using the Thai Consulate in El Paso, Tx. Several years ago, we both inquired with the El Paso Consulate on O-A visas. We were told, no less than 6 times, that there was no such thing as O-A. We hit a brick wall with her. Nothing would move her.

I really don't care what initials are attached, as long as it's a 1 year visa. Very tired of making monthly runs ya know? (Yes, it's always nice to say exactly what you mean and have the data to say things right the first time (and clearly). Learning curve on visas can sometimes be steep.)

jb

El Paso City.....by the Rio Grande .....great old Marty Robbins song....

Okay back on topic. I went for the 1 year multi-entry 'O' for exactly the same reason....no desire to make visa run each month......that must suck big time. I was lucky and got the 1 year 'O'. In June I'll be 50 and hopefully things will go smoothly when I try to convert to 'retirement' visa.

So, after reading this post am I correct to assume that the 'A' in 'O-A' stands for 'Abroad' as in 'issued Abroad'? Or does it stand for something else?

[Noel]

Thanks Noel and lopburi3. Wish you guys worked at immigration!!! Will be going to Immigration this afternoon and pose this question to them.

LDB, heck, I'm in the process of getting my 'Retirement Visa' and have no idea what it's called until I get it. My brother and I both came to Thailand around the same time, using the Thai Consulate in El Paso, Tx. Several years ago, we both inquired with the El Paso Consulate on O-A visas. We were told, no less than 6 times, that there was no such thing as O-A. We hit a brick wall with her. Nothing would move her.

I really don't care what initials are attached, as long as it's a 1 year visa. Very tired of making monthly runs ya know? (Yes, it's always nice to say exactly what you mean and have the data to say things right the first time (and clearly). Learning curve on visas can sometimes be steep.)

jb

El Paso City.....by the Rio Grande .....great old Marty Robbins song....

Okay back on topic. I went for the 1 year multi-entry 'O' for exactly the same reason....no desire to make visa run each month......that must suck big time. I was lucky and got the 1 year 'O'. In June I'll be 50 and hopefully things will go smoothly when I try to convert to 'retirement' visa.

So, after reading this post am I correct to assume that the 'A' in 'O-A' stands for 'Abroad' as in 'issued Abroad'? Or does it stand for something else?

It stands for 'Approved'.

[lopburi3]

I believe it is for "approved for one year stay".

[LoveDaBlues]

My visa was approved and contains no 'A'............just 'O'.

Doesn't the fact that one has the visa show approval? If you're denied you don't get a visa.

Surely the 'A' means something besides 'approved'.

I'm basically a rookie at this.....maybe I'm way off base.

Not trying to be difficult....just trying to educate myself.

[lopburi3]

You are playing the music way too loud.

What do you have is the question of the day? A non immigrant O visa is just that, either single entry of multi entry type. The O-A is when you apply for retirement one year stay while in your home country and show funds in your home country bank, medical report and police report. Then the visa is "approved" by Thai Immigration for a one year permitted to stay stamp upon your arrival in Thailand.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

10/10 Lop.

I am currently applying for a retirment visa (O). I should have this done by next week. I just found out that Payap University in Chiang Mai offers BS/BA programs to foreigners.

Is it possible to be attending University classes (2 year program) on a Retirement Visa? Do I have to switch to ED, then when done, switch back to O ?

jb

No Jungle. A Non Imm O is fine to undertake a course loke that. Go for it and good luck.

[JungleBoy]

Wow! Dr. Pat/Noel/Lop, I do wish you worked at immigration!!!

Just got back from CM Imm. After several attempts to clarify what the officer was referring to when he said, "No Problems", it appears that he was referring to the changing of visa types from O (O-A) to ED and back again to O (O-A). He said specifically that I must change to ED. This of course, is the 1st answer from Immigration. Need a concensus before that can be finalized.

Interesting that both Noel and Lopburi3 and the Immigration official all mentioned the word 'work'. I'm obviously missing something. My intention for going to the university is purely for personal reasons...life accomplishment thing. I have no intention of working after the degree. I am not being paid to go to school by an employer. The Official was very clear in understanding my intentions and very clear in explaining that there would be 'No problems'. As long as there is no 'work' involved, then ED would be the visa type while attending the university, afterwards changing back to O (O-A). He used the word 'Easy' when explaining changing these visa types. 'No Problems' and 'Easy' is yet to be experienced...I do hope it is so.

ED. Is that visa for people Taking classes (student) or is it for people Giving classes (teaching) OR....other? I always thought that a 'B' work visa was required for teaching and assumed that ED was for students.

Dr., you seem very confident in your answer about the non-Imm O being able to take courses. Wonder why the official told me what he did? Obviously, something is amiss here.

jb

[lopburi3]

The mistake was asking instead of doing. If you were ready for the retirement extension you should never have mentioned ED/student and muddied the waters. But as you were told it is no problem getting the retirement later. If you meet the conditions they will try to give you whatever you want.

[vinny]

It's always confusing when you fall under more than one category. Which one takes precedence?

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Thanks Noel and lopburi3. Wish you guys worked at immigration!!! Will be going to Immigration this afternoon and pose this question to them.

LDB, heck, I'm in the process of getting my 'Retirement Visa' and have no idea what it's called until I get it. My brother and I both came to Thailand around the same time, using the Thai Consulate in El Paso, Tx. Several years ago, we both inquired with the El Paso Consulate on O-A visas. We were told, no less than 6 times, that there was no such thing as O-A. We hit a brick wall with her. Nothing would move her.

I really don't care what initials are attached, as long as it's a 1 year visa. Very tired of making monthly runs ya know? (Yes, it's always nice to say exactly what you mean and have the data to say things right the first time (and clearly). Learning curve on visas can sometimes be steep.)

jb

Just go and sign up for the course and all will be well on your present visa. It is only a hobby after all.

[Noel]

Wow! Dr. Pat/Noel/Lop, I do wish you worked at immigration!!!

Just got back from CM Imm. After several attempts to clarify what the officer was referring to when he said, "No Problems", it appears that he was referring to the changing of visa types from O (O-A) to ED and back again to O (O-A). He said specifically that I must change to ED. This of course, is the 1st answer from Immigration. Need a concensus before that can be finalized.

Interesting that both Noel and Lopburi3 and the Immigration official all mentioned the word 'work'.

Regardless of what the 'well meaning' officer said about the requirement to change to ED, my advice would be to carry on and extend your Non-Immigrant 'O' visa on the grounds of retirement.

As things stand, the only thing that is clear is that you want to have your visa extended to allow you to stay in the Kingdom for a year. Provided you are over fifty and meet the other criteria, there is nothing to stop you proceeding on that basis.

Whilst it is currently your intention to study, it is quite possible that you may change your mind.

Once you have your visa extended on the grounds of retirement, I see nothing stopping you studying under that visa category. I am sure many retirees are currently studying the Thai language for example, and I would suggest that not one has been required to change to an ED category to so do.

It strikes me that it was a case of 'too much information' for the officer concerned.