Both consulates in Laos will issue a single non-O visa. For a lot of people Vientiane is simply better located to travel to.

... I was told by an authority here, no, people on O-A would be seen as already being in the retirement system here and would be eligible for any grandfathering granted people already on extensions. I reckon you can figure out the connection I see between these two situations.

Hi Jingthing, I get the connection and it fits in with what Lopburi3 said about the O-A having originally been conceived as a pre-approved extension. My feeling is that if the English translation of Police Order 777-2551 is accurate (i. e. the word "extension" is an accurate translation of the Thai counterpart) then it really makes no sense for Immigration to treat the O-A these days as an "extension" in itself, so my upcoming extension should be my first. The reason is that I got my O-A in Canada and it was the very first visa or permission of any kind I ever got, and I entered Thailand for the first time using it. It was not an "extension" of anything, as I had nothing at all before that. However, I realize that this analysis might not be shared by Thai Immigration, for whatever reason, maybe owing to history rather than the clear language of the police order.

Cheers,

TG

I think you are over thinking this thing, everytime wwe do an extension we are at the mercy of the officer we see so basicly anything could happen. Go do your extension at BKK immigration see what happens and then take proper steps if needed.

Both consulates in Laos will issue a single non-O visa. For a lot of people Vientiane is simply better located to travel to.

Hi Mario, thanks. I'd probably go to Vientiane. So do I take it all I need to bring there for the non-O visa is my passport, photo, and the THB 2,000 fee? No bank book, nothing else?

Cheers,

TG

That's about it. Before going to the consular section of embassy (different location than embassy) you need to get copies made of your Lao visa and entry stamp.

It never hurts to have anything you might need with you such as the bank book.

Try for the extension first before going to Vientiane.

Edited January 22, 201313 yr by ubonjoe

That's about it. Before going to the consular section of embassy (different location than embassy) you need to get copies made of your Lao visa and entry stamp.

It never hurts to have anything you might need with you such as the bank book.

Try for the extension first before going to Vientiane.

Thanks Ubonjoe. I'll definitely try the extension first.

TG

... getting a single entry Non Imm O would be a better alternative (saving you one trip to Immigration, and 2000 baht, for the conversion process). Ubonjoe says this can be done at Vientiane. Not so at Savannaket?

Thanks. Do I take it it's impossible to get a one-year non-imm O, and therefore you first have to get a 90 day O visa and then apply for a one year extension? Is that why using a tourist (or exempt) entry at Vientiane would be awkward, since you would then need first to convert it to a 90 day O visa, and then apply for a one year extension?

Cheers,

TG

Getting a multiple non-O in aneighbouring country is very unlikely, so it would be a single non-O.

It would indeed make more sense to get a non-O than to get a tourist visa and then convert, as it is less paperwork and costs less.

Hey all, on the combo method, here's a specific question in case I try to use it to avoid the seasoning problem:

I understand the combo requires bank deposit plus annual earnings equal to at least THB 800,000. Now, I have more than THB 800,000 in my account. I could possibly demonstrate annual earnings of say THB 150,000. If I were to use this method, should I first withdraw some money from the account so it is less than THB 800,000 (for example, lower it to 700,000 so that, combined with the earnings, the total is 850,000)? I'm wondering whether, if I leave the account with over 800,000, Immigration may say I am not allowed to use the combo because my deposit is in itself more than enough - but then stick me with the seasoning requirement! My reading of the Police Order is that I should not have to reduce the account for the combo to work but I don't know what the practice is. Any thoughts/experience?

Thanks!

TG

Hey all, on the combo method, here's a specific question in case I try to use it to avoid the seasoning problem:

I understand the combo requires bank deposit plus annual earnings equal to at least THB 800,000. Now, I have more than THB 800,000 in my account. I could possibly demonstrate annual earnings of say THB 150,000. If I were to use this method, should I first withdraw some money from the account so it is less than THB 800,000 (for example, lower it to 700,000 so that, combined with the earnings, the total is 850,000)? I'm wondering whether, if I leave the account with over 800,000, Immigration may say I am not allowed to use the combo because my deposit is in itself more than enough - but then stick me with the seasoning requirement! My reading of the Police Order is that I should not have to reduce the account for the combo to work but I don't know what the practice is. Any thoughts/experience?

Thanks!

TG

That's a great question. I don't recall that one ever being asked before and don't recall any specific reports on this issue.

Edited January 23, 201313 yr by Jingthing

I think I'll start a new string to ask that question. Not sure people are noticing it here ...

Nobody can predict what the immirgation official will do.

It should be OK, since you didn't season the money long enough so the combo is the only option and normally immirgaiton officers are accomodating.

I think I would lower the amount in the bank just in case. If they question the withdrawal just tell you had an emergency situation that required the money.

What immigration expects to normally see when doing combo the that the money in the bank is making up the shortage if you cannot make the 65K baht number for income not the reverse.

But even without lowering the amount you should have no problem if you are doing the extension in Bangkok.

Hi All, I'm reporting in, having just returned from Chaeng-Wattana. I got my retirement extension (and while I was at it, my re-entry permit and residence certificates for drivers licences). I decided to just go ahead and hope they accepted the 60 day seasoning on my THB 800K (actually I had a fair bit more and I didn't bother to reduce it after all). It went as smoothly as could be, no discussion at all about whether this was the "first year" (given I already had a one-year non O-A and re-entry "extensions" beyond its expiry date). I'm not sure the officer really even thought about it. She did look at my bank letter and my bank passbook. In fact she made me go downstairs to Krungsri and withdraw some money so there would be a transaction in my passbook dated today (the last entry was a few days ago so I guess, notwithstanding the bank letter, she thought the book looked stale). Anyway, I'm relieved not to have to head out to Vientiane or fuddle with the "combo" on a second try.

I want to thank all of you who gave me advice on this. This forum has been extraordinarily helpful!

Cheers,

TG