Immigration Office Open Saturday?

[tuffy]

I spoke with a lawyer from this forum's sponsor recently and the information they gave me was there was no way to turn a 30day stamp into a 1 year visa and as mentioned previously the Non Imm O must be obtained out of the country before you can get the 1 year extension which is available in Pattaya.

[Kerryd]

I spoke with a lawyer from this forum's sponsor recently and the information they gave me was there was no way to turn a 30day stamp into a 1 year visa and as mentioned previously the Non Imm O must be obtained out of the country before you can get the 1 year extension which is available in Pattaya.

OK, that sounds right. Get the 1 year Non-O from outside the country, and when it is almost expired, convert it into a 1 year Retirement.

I thought for a brief second that maybe the Pattaya Immigration Bureau was offering some special service, maybe in exchange for certain financial incentives.

Good to know nothing has changed.

[Noel]

I spoke with a lawyer from this forum's sponsor recently and the information they gave me was there was no way to turn a 30day stamp into a 1 year visa and as mentioned previously the Non Imm O must be obtained out of the country before you can get the 1 year extension which is available in Pattaya.

OK, that sounds right. Get the 1 year Non-O from outside the country, and when it is almost expired, convert it into a 1 year Retirement.

I thought for a brief second that maybe the Pattaya Immigration Bureau was offering some special service, maybe in exchange for certain financial incentives.

Good to know nothing has changed.

There are two ways to get a twelve month extension of a Non-Immigrant 'O' visa on the grounds of retirement. You can apply for a Non-Immigrant 'O-A' visa in your home country, which will give you a permission to stay of one year on arrival. This route is more time consuming as you need to get a Police report and certain documents notarized etc, although you do not have to show funds in a Thai bank.

The easier way is just to get a single entry Non-Immigrant 'O' visa which will entitle you to stay for 90 days. You can then apply for the extension during the last 30 days of that 90 day period. You will then need to meet the financial requirements of ฿800,000 sourced from abroad in a foreign currency, or have proof of foreign sourced income of ฿65,000 per month or a combination of capital and income. You will need a medical certificate in both cases, although you do not need a Police report if you go the latter route.

And yes, you do have to be at least 50 years of age...

Edited June 7, 2006 by Noel

[Mobi]

I spoke with a lawyer from this forum's sponsor recently and the information they gave me was there was no way to turn a 30day stamp into a 1 year visa and as mentioned previously the Non Imm O must be obtained out of the country before you can get the 1 year extension which is available in Pattaya.

OK, that sounds right. Get the 1 year Non-O from outside the country, and when it is almost expired, convert it into a 1 year Retirement.

I thought for a brief second that maybe the Pattaya Immigration Bureau was offering some special service, maybe in exchange for certain financial incentives.

Good to know nothing has changed.

There are two ways to get a twelve month extension of a Non-Immigrant 'O' visa on the grounds of retirement. You can apply for a Non-Immigrant 'O-A' visa in your home country, which will give you a permission to stay of one year on arrival. This route is more time consuming as you need to get a Police report and certain documents notarized etc.

The easier way is just to get a single entry Non-Immigrant 'O' visa which will entitle you to stay for 90 days. You can then apply for the extension during the last 30 days of that 90 day period. You will then need to meet the financial requirements of ฿800,000 sourced from abroad in a foreign currency, or have proof of foreign sourced income of ฿65,000 per month or a combination of capital and income. You will need a medical certidicate in both cases, although you do not need a Police report if you go the latter route.

And yes, you do have to be at least 50 years of age...

Hi Noel,

You can also get a retirement visa if you enter with a non-immigrant B visa (Business visit or to take up employment). I can't remember why, but about 3 years ago when I was planning to get the retirement visa, I thought I might have a probem getting an O visa, and was assured by one of these visa companies in BKK that I could get it with a 'B'. 'B' visas are easy to get - all you need is a letter from a Thai company saying you are coming here to discuss some business with them. As long as the letter has the company stamp (chop) on it, the consulate will issue a B visa. Once here, immigration will accept it to do the retirement. They don't care whether it is O, B A or whatever, as long as it is non-immigrant.

The last visa I had was a B visa issued in Birmingham, and I have renewed my retirement visa twice since then.

[Chopper]

My understanding is that once you have a valid visa stamp; whatever the category, it can be changed to any other category once inside the kingdom. If you are on a thirty day permit to enter then you need to leave the country to secure a visa; as has already been stated.

BTW: Birmingham has to be the easiest and quickest place with perhaps the exception of Hull, to issue a visa. There is even a McDonalds next door why you wait.

It sure beats queuing up in London.

[Mobi]

My understanding is that once you have a valid visa stamp; whatever the category, it can be changed to any other category once inside the kingdom. If you are on a thirty day permit to enter then you need to leave the country to secure a visa; as has already been stated.

BTW: Birmingham has to be the easiest and quickest place with perhaps the exception of Hull, to issue a visa. There is even a McDonalds next door why you wait.

It sure beats queuing up in London.

I used to live in East Northants, so never saw the inside of their consulate. If I sent my passport by recorded delivery on Monday, it would be back in my hands by Wednesday, recorded delivery without fail. Wonderful, efficient service. I wonder if there are any Thais involved?

[Kerryd]

BTW: Birmingham has to be the easiest and quickest place with perhaps the exception of Hull, to issue a visa. There is even a McDonalds next door why you wait.

It sure beats queuing up in London.

Well that's nice !

But I really don't want to fly all the way to England, to get a visa to come back here (especially as I am Canadian, better and cheaper for me to fly the other way)

I was thinking more along the lines of an embassy in Malaysia, S'pore, UAE or other, close and convenient location.

Then there is the problem of the additional paperwork required (just for a normal Non-O visa).

[Chopper]

BTW: Birmingham has to be the easiest and quickest place with perhaps the exception of Hull, to issue a visa. There is even a McDonalds next door why you wait.

It sure beats queuing up in London.

Well that's nice !

But I really don't want to fly all the way to England, to get a visa to come back here (especially as I am Canadian, better and cheaper for me to fly the other way)

I was thinking more along the lines of an embassy in Malaysia, S'pore, UAE or other, close and convenient location.

Then there is the problem of the additional paperwork required (just for a normal Non-O visa).

Kerryd, I was referring to Birmingham in generic terms. I would not want to fly to England either (for whatever reason) and that is my home country.

[Chopper]

I used to live in East Northants, so never saw the inside of their consulate. If I sent my passport by recorded delivery on Monday, it would be back in my hands by Wednesday, recorded delivery without fail. Wonderful, efficient service. I wonder if there are any Thais involved?

Good grief, absolutely not.

[Noel]

I used to live in East Northants, so never saw the inside of their consulate. If I sent my passport by recorded delivery on Monday, it would be back in my hands by Wednesday, recorded delivery without fail. Wonderful, efficient service. I wonder if there are any Thais involved?

Good grief, absolutely not.

Hmmm, I do believe that Mobi has been known to pose the occasional rhetorical question.

Btw, anyone know why there seems to be a water shortage in the South Pattaya Thepraset area?

I was under the impression that the Mabrachan reservoir was almost full enough to float Mobi's wallet...

[Mobi]

I used to live in East Northants, so never saw the inside of their consulate. If I sent my passport by recorded delivery on Monday, it would be back in my hands by Wednesday, recorded delivery without fail. Wonderful, efficient service. I wonder if there are any Thais involved?

Good grief, absolutely not.

Hmmm, I do believe that Mobi has been known to pose the occasional rhetorical question.

Btw, anyone know why there seems to be a water shortage in the South Pattaya Thepraset area?

I was under the impression that the Mabrachan reservoir was almost full enough to float Mobi's wallet...

Strange you ask that - and seing as we've wandered completely off topic....

....One positive result from the land ownership crackdown has been a marked decrease in these bloody lorries traipsing up to Mapbrachan to get loads of earth to use for landfill. Ugly, slow, pollution spouting monsters that create havock on our quaint little picturesque country lanes....

but.... in their place has suddenly appeared even slower and more lugubrious water trucks which have been seen traversing the Mabprachan area over the last week. What is unsure is whether they are delivering water to the local commuinity and local building sites, or whether they are "stealing" water from our precious reservoir, and selling it to the folk down in the Theprasit area.

Either way, it won't have much effect on the Mobi wallet -as that was well and truly emptied last night, following an abortive attempt to celebrate a freebie at an esteemed new local establishment that doesn't know its sixes from its nines.

Edited June 7, 2006 by Mobi D'Ark

[Chopper]

I used to live in East Northants, so never saw the inside of their consulate. If I sent my passport by recorded delivery on Monday, it would be back in my hands by Wednesday, recorded delivery without fail. Wonderful, efficient service. I wonder if there are any Thais involved?

Good grief, absolutely not.

Hmmm, I do believe that Mobi has been known to pose the occasional rhetorical question.

A tongue in cheek response (or outside in this case). Please refer to emoticon.

[tuffy]

not sure which track I am getting off here but I am going to be in S'pore shortly and while I was there I thought I would get a visa. Still not sure which to apply for...3mo single entry or 1 year multiple O as I will convert it once I get back here to 1 year O. Is there a difference or downside to either?

[Noel]

not sure which track I am getting off here but I am going to be in S'pore shortly and while I was there I thought I would get a visa. Still not sure which to apply for...3mo single entry or 1 year multiple O as I will convert it once I get back here to 1 year O. Is there a difference or downside to either?

I take it you mean you are going to apply for a twelve month extension during your first 90 days back?

If so, why waste money getting a multiple?

In fact, in Singapore you might not even have the choice, as they are not known as the most accommodating of Thai embassies...

[Kerryd]

Hmmm, I do believe that Mobi has been known to pose the occasional rhetorical question.

Btw, anyone know why there seems to be a water shortage in the South Pattaya Thepraset area?

I was under the impression that the Mabrachan reservoir was almost full enough to float Mobi's wallet...

We're discussing that matter in another thread in this forum. It seems to be more than just South Pattaya that's affected (for now).

B.O.T.

Are there any embassies in neighbouring countries that are easy to deal with when it comes to 1 year visas ?

I've heard they can be difficult to acquire in Penang, but maybe that was old news.

[Mobi]

not sure which track I am getting off here but I am going to be in S'pore shortly and while I was there I thought I would get a visa. Still not sure which to apply for...3mo single entry or 1 year multiple O as I will convert it once I get back here to 1 year O. Is there a difference or downside to either?

I take it you mean you are going to apply for a twelve month extension during your first 90 days back?

If so, why waste money getting a multiple?

In fact, in Singapore you might not even have the choice, as they are not known as the most accommodating of Thai embassies...

There doesn't seem much point getting a multiple entry uinless there is any doubt that you will get the 12 month extension.

Can you let us know how you get on in Singapore and how long it takes. It would be useful to know for future reference.

Sounds like Kerryd for one could do with a nearby location to get his visa and cut down on the visa runs. If he had a multiple entry non-immigrant or tourist visa, he would only have to go out evry 3 months (60 plus 30 day extension), and then only across the border and back with a new 60 day stamp.

[Noel]

not sure which track I am getting off here but I am going to be in S'pore shortly and while I was there I thought I would get a visa. Still not sure which to apply for...3mo single entry or 1 year multiple O as I will convert it once I get back here to 1 year O. Is there a difference or downside to either?

I take it you mean you are going to apply for a twelve month extension during your first 90 days back?

If so, why waste money getting a multiple?

In fact, in Singapore you might not even have the choice, as they are not known as the most accommodating of Thai embassies...

There doesn't seem much point getting a multiple entry uinless there is any doubt that you will get the 12 month extension.

Can you let us know how you get on in Singapore and how long it takes. It would be useful to know for future reference.

Sounds like Kerryd for one could do with a nearby location to get his visa and cut down on the visa runs. If he had a multiple entry non-immigrant or tourist visa, he would only have to go out evry 3 months (60 plus 30 day extension), and then only across the border and back with a new 60 day stamp.

As far as I am aware, you apply in the morning and collect the following day in the afternoon.

I very much doubt you will get a multiple entry visa of any classification there, particularly Tourist.

It is probably wise to ask for people who have recent experience to give an insight into the current attitude...

[tuffy]

not sure which track I am getting off here but I am going to be in S'pore shortly and while I was there I thought I would get a visa. Still not sure which to apply for...3mo single entry or 1 year multiple O as I will convert it once I get back here to 1 year O. Is there a difference or downside to either?

I take it you mean you are going to apply for a twelve month extension during your first 90 days back?

If so, why waste money getting a multiple?

In fact, in Singapore you might not even have the choice, as they are not known as the most accommodating of Thai embassies...

As this is the first time I have attempted to apply for a visa i did not realize there was a cost difference in between the two. Yes I will be applying for the 12 month extension when i get back.

[Noel]

not sure which track I am getting off here but I am going to be in S'pore shortly and while I was there I thought I would get a visa. Still not sure which to apply for...3mo single entry or 1 year multiple O as I will convert it once I get back here to 1 year O. Is there a difference or downside to either?

I take it you mean you are going to apply for a twelve month extension during your first 90 days back?

If so, why waste money getting a multiple?

In fact, in Singapore you might not even have the choice, as they are not known as the most accommodating of Thai embassies...

As this is the first time I have attempted to apply for a visa i did not realize there was a cost difference in between the two. Yes I will be applying for the 12 month extension when i get back.

In that case it makes sense to just apply for a single entry. Do make sure you go armed with all relevant documentation, just in case they quiz you.

My experience with the Thai Embassy in Singapore is that their attitude seems to be that they believe you should be applying for any visa in your home country.

That is not to say that they will not (albeit seemingly reluctantly) oblige, but best be prepared to be 'extra polite' if that Muslim lady is still there...

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[tuffy]

As this is the first time I have attempted to apply for a visa i did not realize there was a cost difference in between the two. Yes I will be applying for the 12 month extension when i get back.

In that case it makes sense to just apply for a single entry. Do make sure you go armed with all relevant documentation, just in case they quiz you.

My experience with the Thai Embassy in Singapore is that their attitude seems to be that they believe you should be applying for any visa in your home country.

That is not to say that they will not (albeit seemingly reluctantly) oblige, but best be prepared to be 'extra polite' if that Muslim lady is still there...

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

So... besides the following can you recommend i have anything else? Also can I use the form I downloaded from the Consulate in Los Angeles (same form everywhere)?

1.) My passport, 2.)copy of picture page of my passport, 3.) (2) passport photos, 4.)copy of marriage cert. 5.) copy of wife's passport and house certificate 5)Letter from wife stating we are still married.

[Noel]

As this is the first time I have attempted to apply for a visa i did not realize there was a cost difference in between the two. Yes I will be applying for the 12 month extension when i get back.

In that case it makes sense to just apply for a single entry. Do make sure you go armed with all relevant documentation, just in case they quiz you.

My experience with the Thai Embassy in Singapore is that their attitude seems to be that they believe you should be applying for any visa in your home country.

That is not to say that they will not (albeit seemingly reluctantly) oblige, but best be prepared to be 'extra polite' if that Muslim lady is still there...

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

So... besides the following can you recommend i have anything else? Also can I use the form I downloaded from the Consulate in Los Angeles (same form everywhere)?

1.) My passport, 2.)copy of picture page of my passport, 3.) (2) passport photos, 4.)copy of marriage cert. 5.) copy of wife's passport and house certificate 5)Letter from wife stating we are still married.

All this may well turn out to be over the top, but it might also be an idea to have some sort of proof of funds, eg. Thai bank book.

[tuffy]

1 last question....for a single entry 90 day visa the cost is $50 in Los Angeles. Is it the same cost in S'pore? And can I pay with $, Baht or do I need local currency?

Edited June 9, 2006 by tuffy

[tuffy]

not sure which track I am getting off here but I am going to be in S'pore shortly and while I was there I thought I would get a visa. Still not sure which to apply for...3mo single entry or 1 year multiple O as I will convert it once I get back here to 1 year O. Is there a difference or downside to either?

I take it you mean you are going to apply for a twelve month extension during your first 90 days back?

If so, why waste money getting a multiple?

In fact, in Singapore you might not even have the choice, as they are not known as the most accommodating of Thai embassies...

As this is the first time I have attempted to apply for a visa i did not realize there was a cost difference in between the two. Yes I will be applying for the 12 month extension when i get back.

In that case it makes sense to just apply for a single entry. Do make sure you go armed with all relevant documentation, just in case they quiz you.

My experience with the Thai Embassy in Singapore is that their attitude seems to be that they believe you should be applying for any visa in your home country.

That is not to say that they will not (albeit seemingly reluctantly) oblige, but best be prepared to be 'extra polite' if that Muslim lady is still there...

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Just got back from S'pore. Had absolutely no problems getting the visa. The nice Muslim lady was in fact still there and even asked me if I wanted the 1 year multiple entry or not. Dropped it off the first morning and picked it up the second day afternoon. Piece of cake!

[Noel]

not sure which track I am getting off here but I am going to be in S'pore shortly and while I was there I thought I would get a visa. Still not sure which to apply for...3mo single entry or 1 year multiple O as I will convert it once I get back here to 1 year O. Is there a difference or downside to either?

I take it you mean you are going to apply for a twelve month extension during your first 90 days back?

If so, why waste money getting a multiple?

In fact, in Singapore you might not even have the choice, as they are not known as the most accommodating of Thai embassies...

As this is the first time I have attempted to apply for a visa i did not realize there was a cost difference in between the two. Yes I will be applying for the 12 month extension when i get back.

In that case it makes sense to just apply for a single entry. Do make sure you go armed with all relevant documentation, just in case they quiz you.

My experience with the Thai Embassy in Singapore is that their attitude seems to be that they believe you should be applying for any visa in your home country.

That is not to say that they will not (albeit seemingly reluctantly) oblige, but best be prepared to be 'extra polite' if that Muslim lady is still there...

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Just got back from S'pore. Had absolutely no problems getting the visa. The nice Muslim lady was in fact still there and even asked me if I wanted the 1 year multiple entry or not. Dropped it off the first morning and picked it up the second day afternoon. Piece of cake!

Congrats, tuffy!

I have had several people tell me that in their experience the Muslim lady was an officious tyrant, but I had no problem with her. However, I will say that I was on my absolute best behaviour when speaking with her as her initial manner seemed to suggest it to be a wise approach. Manners and attitude can never be a guarantee for success due to other factors, but they will certainly do no harm...