How To Apply For Non Immigrant O Visa --Inside Thailand Possible?

[NavaJauvana]

A good friend, a professional artist from California, is visiting Bangkok on a 30 day visa on arrival. He would like to make his base in Bangkok. He asked me for advice on how to change his visa to a 90 day non immigrant Visa.

Can he go to Immigration at Chaeng Wattana and apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa?

Will they issue that to him there? What would he need to show them to get the new visa?

If he needs to get it outside of Thailand, does anyone know the easiest places to get the Non-Immigrant visa in surrounding countries?

Again, what does he need to apply for the same?

Would it be easier for him to get the Non-Immigrant visa if he applies at the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles, than in a neighboring country?

Obviously, his first choice is to do it here at Chaeng Wattana, if this is possible.

Second choice is to do it at a neighboring country.

Those who are familiar with how to secure the Non Immigrant O visa, please inform.

Thanks to everyone!

[ubonjoe]

On what basis would he be getting the O visa? IE: marriage, retirement, Thai child.

Visas are not issued at immigration unless you also qualify for an extension of stay.

He would be getting a 30 day visa exempt entry not a visa on arrival.

If he cannot qualify for a visa his only choice would be to get a tourist visa (3 entry would be best) before he leaves the states.

[NavaJauvana]

On what basis would he be getting the O visa? IE: marriage, retirement, Thai child.

Visas are not issued at immigration unless you also qualify for an extension of stay.

He would be getting a 30 day visa exempt entry not a visa on arrival.

If he cannot qualify for a visa his only choice would be to get a tourist visa (3 entry would be best) before he leaves the states.

That is a very important question. He is single and does not have a Thai child. He is a well known artist, but it would probably be difficult to get a visa for being an artist. I think he could qualify for the O visa based on retirement...with his age (50) and his savings. Could he get the change done at Chaeng Wattana if he shows them the funds? Or does he need to do that at a Consulate outside Thailand? Again, which Consulates are "easier" in everyone's experience?

[lopburi3]

If he can show 800,000 in a Thai bank account he could change to non immigrant O visa entry and extend for retirement 60 days later. But this would normally require 15 days remaining on current stay so it might be better to visit Vientiane or other Consulate outside Thailand to obtain the non immigrant O visa and enter on that and then after 60 days apply for retirement extension with normal TM.7 form and proof of 800k in Thai bank account two months or 65k per month income from Embassy letter.

But remember he can not obtain a work permit if on a retirement extension of stay and he would need a work permit if he intends to work here.

[ubonjoe]

He could do a change of visa status for retirement at immigration to get the non immigrant visa entry but would have to show money in the bank (800K baht ) or income (65K) to qualify and then after 60 days get the extension.

The best choice would be to get a single entry non-o before leaving the states. The honorary consulate in Portland Oregon has been reported as being good.

He would not get it from the embassy or the consulates in LA, Chicago or NY. They only do OA visas for retirement.

[Lite Beer]

Without a Visa or an onward flight within 30 days he might not even be allowed on the flight from U.S

[NavaJauvana]

Without a Visa or an onward flight within 30 days he might not even be allowed on the flight from U.S

There is a Visa on Arrival program. I never heard of someone being denied on a flight from the US to BKK because he did not already have a visa.

The main question is this: with a 30 day Visa (on Arrival) and a letter from the US Embassy here attesting to a monthly income of more than 65,000 baht from the US, will the Immigration Office at Chaeng Wattana issue him a Non-Immigration O Visa....that he can later request a one year extension on the basis or Retirement?

[lopburi3]

There is no visa on arrival available for Americans. The 30 day entry is visa exempt and without a ticket out within that time period the airline has full legal authority to not allow boarding - and it does happen on some long haul flights.

I have already posted that immigration would provide change with financial proof and 15 days or more remaining on permitted to stay. The cost is 2,000 baht but as also said he can not work on a retirement extension of stay and OP seems to indicate he would be working here rather than on retirement.

[NavaJauvana]

There is no visa on arrival available for Americans. The 30 day entry is visa exempt and without a ticket out within that time period the airline has full legal authority to not allow boarding - and it does happen on some long haul flights.

I have already posted that immigration would provide change with financial proof and 15 days or more remaining on permitted to stay. The cost is 2,000 baht but as also said he can not work on a retirement extension of stay and OP seems to indicate he would be working here rather than on retirement.

Thank you, lopburi3. Your post is very clear. I will pass this information on.

[SunSeek01]

I got held up by United one time in the States for my return ticket was 7 months later. I ended up buying a full fare return right there at the counter! Luckily I had left myself a couple hours spare. I was at the counter for an hour and finally one of the 4 agents involved suggested I buy the full fare. I don't recommend, I easily canceled it later of course. Next long term I did a year later, I bought an Air Asia ticket from BKK (Probably Don Muang, can't remember) to Phen Pnom Phen for about $ 60 USD. Of course this time no one said anything (Asiana).