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Posted

Yes but it was from a honorary Thai consulate I am sure. Maybe Hull, Birmingham, Liverpool or Cardiff.

AH - thanks Joe - yep that's right. Had no idea that the 'Honorary' made such a difference.

Be aware that the honorary consulates in the UK can not issue them anymore because of abuse, all multiple entry visas must be approved in London now.

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Posted

 

Yes but it was from a honorary Thai consulate I am sure. Maybe Hull, Birmingham, Liverpool or Cardiff.

AH - thanks Joe - yep that's right. Had no idea that the 'Honorary' made such a difference.

 

 

Be aware that the honorary consulates in the UK can not issue them anymore because of abuse, all multiple entry visas must be approved in London now.

The consulates do still issue them but must get approval to do it. They fax or email apps to the embassy.
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Posted

Thanks for all the extra replies, but the last few are making me more confused!

I'm sure that if you read all the posts, and then ask another specific question - but with full details of both your present situation, and what it is you'd like to get, someone would pick it up and revive the thread. Try it ?

Posted

Thanks for all the extra replies, but the last few are making me more confused!

I'm sure that if you read all the posts, and then ask another specific question - but with full details of both your present situation, and what it is you'd like to get, someone would pick it up and revive the thread. Try it ?

My OP <I then checked about the Thai police report and was informed that I need fingerprints and 4 months to get it from Bkk.

However, I went down to the local police station and they wrote a letter for me, saying that I lived here and don't have any police problems.

My question: would that letter ( translated ) be satisfactory at the consulate, or do I have to go to Bkk and get a "proper" one?>

I thought that was clear enough.

Posted

The site I looked at included a Thai police report. I thought it was a bit strange though.

Did it say this:

1.3 Having no criminal record in Thailand and the country of the applicant’s nationality or residence.

Then it's from the MFA website, here: http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/123/15385-Non-Immigrant-Visa-%22O-A%22-%28Long-Stay

MFA is somewhat confused about "long stay" requirements, especially when they're handled by Immigration. See this thread, and post 18, which attempts to decipher MFA's thinking.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/679414-non-immigrant-o-a-visa-obtainable-where/

Posted

 

The site I looked at included a Thai police report. I thought it was a bit strange though.

 

Did it say this:

 

 

 1.3 Having no criminal record in Thailand and the country of the applicant’s nationality or residence.

 

Then it's from the MFA website, here:  http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/123/15385-Non-Immigrant-Visa-%22O-A%22-%28Long-Stay

 

MFA is somewhat confused about "long stay" requirements, especially when they're handled by Immigration. See this thread, and post 18, which attempts to decipher MFA's thinking.

 

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/679414-non-immigrant-o-a-visa-obtainable-where/

What you posted is for eligibility to apply.

Under required documents it states this.

- A letter of verification issued from the country of his or her nationality or residence stating that the applicant has no criminal record (verification shall be valid for not more than three months and should be notarised by notary organs or the applicant’s

Posted

From MFA website, "Non-Immigrant Visa "O-A" (Long Stay)" http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/123/15385-Non-Immigrant-Visa-%22O-A%22-%28Long-Stay%29.html

Applicant may submit their [O-A] application at the Royal Thai embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General in their home/residence country or at the Office of the Immigration Bureau in Thailand located onGovernment Center B, Chaengwattana Soi 7, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Tel 0-2141-9889.

The above understanding by MFA, that O-A visas are obtainable in Thailand, is the source of all this confusion. The Embassy in Vientiane can be forgiven, since they are MFA, for going along with this erroneous assumption -- and thus subsequently writing their rules for how a potential retiree obtains a Non Imm O visa -- for the purposes of entering Thailand, so that he can then proceed to Immigration, receive his Non Imm O-A visa, and then, finally, the one-year permit-to-stay stamp. All perfectly logical, to MFA folk -- who wrote the rules on visas, who know darn well that one-year stays can only emanate from O-A "long stay" visas. And, therefore, Immigration has to follow this guidance. (For newbies nodding their heads, you CANNOT get an O-A visa in Thailand. One-year stays issued by Immigration spring from the Non Imm O visa. MFA would, of course, be shocked to know that Immigration has done what looks like an end run on them.)

And, of course, part of that guidance is the requirement for police and medical reports. So, before Vientiane issues a Non Imm O visa for the purpose of retiring in Thailand, it wants to pre-approve matters by requesting, not just financial evidence, but also medical and police reports (from Thailand, or home country, isn't said). Consulates, like Portland, Oregon, that actually know the correct story (i.e., no O-A visa is in the chain of events leading to a one-year stamp) only ask to see financials, not medical or police, before issuing a Non Imm O visa.

Hull is similar to Vientiane, in that they'll issue a Non Imm O visa for the purposes of retirement, but only after pre-approval of financials, medical, and police. However, they have an idea -- or probably know outright, but don't want to tweak MFA -- that getting an O-A in Thailand is bunk. Here's their rejoinder:

Please understand that the procedures outlined above are the official ones as issued by the Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangkok

Not all of the documentary requirements as listed 1 to 5 above may be required by all Thai Immigration Bureaux but you are advised to take everything with you just in case.

And, it also sounds like both Vientiane and Hull (and thus MFA) believe that one must have a Non Imm O visa prior to going to Immigration to obtain the Non Imm O-A. And, if that were true, they're actually trying to be helpful. However, since you can convert your visa exempt entry, or tourist visa, at Immigration to a Non Imm O visa, getting medical and police reports on the avenue to a not required O-A visa, makes no sense.

For the consulate the OP went on-line to (would be helpful to know who that is.....), they probably scratched their heads, reading between the lines for guidance that mainly refers to the correct avenue for an O-A visa, namely, getting it in your home country. So, yeah, in that case getting both your medical and police reports in the home country makes sense. But then the guidance says "medical report from the country where you apply." Hmmmmm. That would, of course, be Thailand in MFA's fairy tale world of applying in Bangkok. But, hey, on a parallel path, wouldn't a police report from Thailand also make sense -- particularly since MFA says 'having no criminal record in Thailand and home country.' What to do? Well, ask for police reports from both countries...

Anyway, maybe someday MFA and Immigration honchos can have lunch together -- and clarify matters.

Posted

The info for a OA visa on Vientiane website is only meant to be for Lao citizens and residents. It does apply to getting a singe entry non-o visa for being 50 or over . All they require is your passport as proof of age.

Getting an extension of stay from immigration is not a OA visa application.

Posted

Hijack time, did I read right?

For a UK male citizen under 50 married to a thai wanting a multiple non o visa does NOT have to show money in a thai or UK account?

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Posted

Hijack time, did I read right?

For a UK male citizen under 50 married to a thai wanting a multiple non o visa does NOT have to show money in a thai or UK account?

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

It will depend upon where you apply.

Locally the consulate in Savannakhet Laos does not require financial proof for them.

Your age does not matter.

Posted

Thanks Joe. I've only done the multiple O twice, both from Hull. Marriage certificate and a couple of photos and that was it.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Posted

The info for a OA visa on Vientiane website is only meant to be for Lao citizens and residents.

There's never the term "O-A" visa ever mentioned on the Vientiane website. Only the requirements for getting a Non Imm O visa, for the purposes of applying for "long stay" retirement in Thailand. That the financial requirement for such a visa says "Official letter from the concerned Embassy/Consulate certifying the monthly income of at least 65,000 Baht" tells me such a visa is not intended for Lao citizens, at least in totality.

How a Lao citizen or resident applies for an O-A visa (to be issued within Laos) is certainly not clear from the Embassy website. Probably not a large community, in any event.

Posted

It is an error. They just didn't write OA visa. Long stay visa is an OA visa. They have done and will do a single entry O there without all that stuff listed.

Posted

Getting an extension of stay from immigration is not a OA visa application.

Yes, most of us reading this understand that. The problem is, apparently MFA doesn't understand that.

It is an error. They just didn't write OA visa. Long stay visa is an OA visa. They have done and will do a single entry O there without all that stuff listed.

Maybe so. However, it is eerily similar to the guidance given by Hull, but with less detail. Anyway, it's just a matter of curiosity, to me anyway, as to why MFA believes Immigration issues O-A visas..... That they do believe this means continuing postings here from perplexed newbies. As well as "interesting" guidance from some Thai consulates.

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