Questions about tourist visa, retirement extension.

[howrub]

I'm a US citizen, age 67. I own an condo in Chiangmai.

Does owning a condo qualify me for a Non-O from Consulate in the US? It is not an expensive condo.

I've been spending about 5 months per year in Thailand since retiring 6 years ago, but using only Tourist visas as I've not stayed more than 60 days at any one time.

Now I plan to stay longer. I will enter on 7 October (from the US) and have a return flight on 20 February. I also have a round trip ticket to Hanoi for a short visit 28 November to 5 December.

I've thought two ways about the visa issue.

1. Get 2 entry Tourist visa. Oct 7 is first entry, Dec 5 is second. Then obtain 30 day extension of stay before second 60 days is up at CM immigration. My question about this procedure is whether the airline in US on Oct 6 will deny boarding as my return flight is more than 120 days later. Or are they happy just so long as I have a visa? I could get a 3 entry Tourist visa, but would have to get from an Honorary Consul as Chicago will not give more than two. That would also require getting to a border, so I thought it would be easier to get extension from Immigration.

2. Get single entry Tourist visa (provided airline will not deny boarding with just this), convert to Non-O and then get Retirement extension of stay during first 60 days (before leaving for Hanoi). I have 800,000B in a Thai bank and it has been there for some time. Alternatively, could I just enter on 30 day no visa entry?

I'd like to avoid the paperwork of getting Ret. visa here in the US as getting the criminal check and medical statement is a hassle, and as I understand it, not necessary in Thailand. My local police are not helpful and there are issues about when to get and use these documents. I don't really need the long term visa, as I don't know my plans for the next couple of years. I'll certainly be in Thailand some, but Tourist visa may suffice. Advantage would be that I could get a driver's license and actually own the motorbike my Thai friend "owns" for me.

Thank you in advance to anyone who can help me with this.

Howard

[lopburi3]

That trip does not help matters as a simple non immigrant O visa from an honorary Consulate in US would work otherwise but need 60 days before you can extend for retirement.

So a single entry tourist visa is best (that avoids any airline boarding issues that the 30 day entry without onward ticket in that time could cause). When you visit Vietnam obtain a single entry non immigrant O visa for your return and then 60 days later extend for retirement. Being 67 should be all that is required to obtain the non immigrant O visa.

[wayned]

My 2 baht worth:

Get a single entry Non-O for the purpose of "investigarting retirement options" just prior to leving for Thailand. The Honorary Consulate in Portland is very friendly and you can do everything by courier: Visa application porcedures, Portland Oregon.doc

Enter Thailand on 7 Oct, you will get 90 days permission to stay.

Go to immigrtion in Thailand and purchase a single entry re-entry permit before your trip to Vietnam. That will keep you current permission to stay alve when you come back from Vietnam on 5 December.

When you return go to immigration and apply for a 1 year retirement extension.

The 800000 baht must be in a Thai bank in your name only and must have been seasoned for at least 60 days for the first application, 90 days is required for follow - on aplplications. The extension costs 1900 baht.

Good luck!

[howrub]

Thank you to both responders. Wayned's solution is more appealing as I don't like the idea of spending my Hanoi time doing the visa there. The money has been in a Thai bank well over the required time although I'll likely move it to a new account, but at the same branch, to improve the expiring interest rate. Do I understand correctly that I'll need to show the passbook (and in this case the previous one) but also get a letter from the bank? Do I also need my tabien bahn?

[Antifreeze]

Pretty easy to do if you meet THB and age requirements. I entered Thailand on a tourist visa. Then went to immigration where the visa was converted to 90 days. Then a retirement visa was issued expiring almost 15 months later (90 days plus one year). Processed in the morning and available in the afternoon.

All I needed was an address, passport, letter from the bank, photocopies of the above and THB to pay for it all.

Hope I did not miss anything.

[lopburi3]

If using bank deposit it would be best to wait until after retirement extension application to make the account change as new account has been an issue for some.

[howrub]

Antifreeze, Were you able to do both conversion to Non-O and retirement extension at the same time? If so, how long had you been in the country at the time?

[Mario2008]

Depending on the office, they will do the conversion and extension at the same time. But of course if you go for the money in the bank option the money needs to have been seasoned to allow them to give the extension at the same time, otherwise you do not qualify.

No problem with the income or combined option.

[howrub]

One does not have to have been in the country for 60 days to convert to Non-O? My money is already well seasoned.

[Mario2008]

You can convert at any time, as long as you have at least 15 days left on your permission to stay.

Money doesn't even have to be seasoned, but if seasoned already they might give the conversion and extension in 1.

[Antifreeze]

Howrub, I had been in Thailand about two weeks when I did it. And yes, both were done simultaneously.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[howrub]

I have had contact with the Honorary Thai Consulate in Portland and have been informed that they cannot issue a Non-Immigrant O visa for "exploring retirement options", but can issue one based on condo ownership. I've now enquired about what paperwork is necessary, a deed or tabien baan. In fact, they said they could do a one year visa, which would avoid all manner of trouble, except the 90 day reporting.

[lopburi3]

Was that in regard to a single entry non immigrant O visa for retirement checking - or did you ask for multi entry? Normally only a single entry would be required as you would then extend at immigration if positive about retirement.

[howrub]

I inquired about a single entry.

[ubonjoe]

Seems like a bit of confusion.

You could contact one of the other honorary consulates listed here: http://www.visetkaew.com/wp/directories/

[howrub]

Update: I finally spoke today to someone at the Portland Honorary Consulate. Here is what I was told:

1/ Anyone can get a 90 day, single entry, Non-Immigrant O visa just for the asking (and the fee, of course). She was not certain that Thai Immigration would grant a re-entry permit to that visa.

2/ As the owner of a condo, I could get a one year, multi-entry Non-Immigrant O visa. With that visa I can come and go from the country as I please, but must exit at least every 90 days.

Any opinions?

Thanks.

Howard

[lopburi3]

Believe being over age 50 or having valid reasons would be required for para 1 - they do not issue to anyone asking I am sure. And yes a re-entry permit can be issued (but that is not a Consulate matter so understand them not knowing).

Yes a multi entry allow unlimited stays of up to 90 days during the one year it is valid.

[howrub]

Well, I decided to go the Non-Immigrant O, single entry. And thanks about the advise to use the Portland Honorary Consulate. Got my passport back very quickly.

So, my plan now is to enter Thailand on 7 October and obtain a re-entry permit prior to my departure to Vietnam on 28 November. I'll do that at CM Immigration.

I've two further questions.

1. Can one purchase two single re-entry permits at the same time? (one would be for VN and the other to re-enter the following October).

2. Might I do everything in one pass before going to VN? That is, purchase 2 re-entry permits as well as get one year extension of stay for retirement. Or, if can't get two re-entry permits at same time, get one and extension of stay, then get other one later?

Thanks, all.

[lopburi3]

Following October means this or next year? A visa entry is only 90 days so unless you extend for a year first no if next year. But if you extend (normally only allowed during last 30-45 days of entry) you can get multi re-entry permit valid for full stay allowing unlimited number of trips which might be better value.

[howrub]

Yes, would return Oct '14. Ideally, I would extend for a year shortly b4 my trip at end of November, when I would have less than 45 days left on my visa. At same time would buy 2 re-entry permits. 2 permits (if allowed) would cost 2000B. I know I would not need more, so don't see why I'd pay 3800B in this case.