Changes To Requirements For " O " Class

[sub101uk]

Thanks Ubonjoe not sure were my local immigration office is in Hat Yai ? or maybe I can I go down to Sadao and ask there .

Well I did contact ACRO and that cert will cost £45 for a 10 day service or 2 day service at £85 .

[ubonjoe]

Your immigration office will be the one in Songkhla if that is the province where you will be living.

[cornishcarlos]

Have you been on an overstay for 19 years ??

You don't seem to have a grasp on the basics, even down to not knowing where your local immigration office is !!

Why don't you take peoples advice, either go to Liverpool, Birmingham or Hull in person or open a Thai bank acc and sort it out in country.

London aint gonna give you zip

[Jip99]

Have you been on an overstay for 19 years ??

You don't seem to have a grasp on the basics, even down to not knowing where your local immigration office is !!

Why don't you take peoples advice, either go to Liverpool, Birmingham or Hull in person or open a Thai bank acc and sort it out in country.

London aint gonna give you zip

I think his wife must tie his shoe laces for him.

Clearly, black and white instructions are beyond him and relying on the previous laxity of the Hull consulate is unwise. Hull would never answer emails either.

[sub101uk]

Many thanks for feed back guys but like I have said if I had feed back from the Thai Embassy in London we would not be having this conversation now .

The OA visa requirements are totally new so why not contact the main embassy in London asking for details on what they will and wont accept

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

1. Validity of passport at least 1 year
2. Three (3) visa application forms and 3 passport size recent photographs
3. Non-Immigrant “O-A” (Long Stay) Form
4. Copy of bank statement having in possession of annually income equivalent to Thai currency at
   least 800,000 Baht or monthly income 65,000 Baht. (approximately GBP 14,000.00/annum)
5. In case attached copy of bank statement, the original reference letter from the banking concerned is necessary.
6. Criminal Record from own country and country of permanent residence with validity of at least 3 months. Applicants residing in the United Kingdom will need to have a police clearance issued only from the Scotland Yard.
7. Medical Record proving applicant has never been infected with contagious disease with validity at least 3 months (in accordance with Immigration Act B.E.2522)
8. In case wishing to be accompanied by spouse, the marriage certificate will be attached. But spouse will be granted Non-Immigrant “O” instead of “O-A”(Long Stay)

As far as we can say back in 2008 they did accept a ACRO cert but what about now ? Unless you happy spending £45 - £80 for nothing .

Yes I having been living in the south for over 19 years and it was a very straight forward job to get a new O class every year but its clear like most places all over the world there making it harder for farang to live there , Yes they want tourist but not people living there long term .

But if your going to start being rude then best pm me as I dont think the other members of this forum want to hear your comments .

[olddoc]

It is not "difficult" for an "alian" to live here. Meeting the requirements of an extension of stay either for retirement or marriage is easy.

For those who wish , for whatever reason, to complicate issues, then serious difficulty will be encountered.

[cornishcarlos]

You keep complaining about the embassy in London and posting their requirements !!!

There are easier and less stressful routes to take but you seem to be intent on pursuing this avenue...

If you are not getting any response from them and then ask on here for advice, maybe make use of the advice you receive or don't bother asking....

[sumrit]

For starters for this OA visa you need to provide them with a medical I just had a full medical in Bumrungrad Hospital only last month same as I do every year for my work , So will this be acceptable or do I need to fill out there form and go for a yet a second medical ?

As for the police check well like you say Scotland Yard no longer do them

Are you working in Thailand? If so do you not have a work permit?

Have you looked here to obtain your CRB check (on line)?

http://www.criminalrecordchecks.co.uk/

For overseas applications http://www.criminalrecordchecks.co.uk/basic-disclosure-overseas.htm

Their direct phone number is +44151 691 1803

No idea if it'a acceptable to the Thai Embassy or not but they advertise the service 'for visa applications'. I just saw the link a while ago and saved it.

[OJAS]

Are you working in Thailand? If so do you not have a work permit?

Have you looked here to obtain your CRB check (on line)?

http://www.criminalrecordchecks.co.uk/

For overseas applications http://www.criminalrecordchecks.co.uk/basic-disclosure-overseas.htm

Their direct phone number is +44151 691 1803

No idea if it'a acceptable to the Thai Embassy or not but they advertise the service 'for visa applications'. I just saw the link a while ago and saved it.

A CRB check definitely WON'T be acceptable to the Thai Embassy! This is what prospective teachers and others planning to work with minors in the UK are required to obtain!!

As I pointed out in post #21, the OP needs to request a Subject Access Disclosure from his local police force - despite the small "fortune" which he believes this will cost him!

[sub101uk]

Sorry for the delay to reply to you guys but had problems with the lap top , Thanks again for the feed back , Well for starters I do not work in Thailand but I do live there when working in south east asia .

As for the requirements for the OA visa I thought that the ACRO check was acceptable since OJAS said back in 2008 thats what he used for a OA application .

As for the medical requirement well there format has been done by my local GP plus the full offshore medical I had done in Bumrungrad Bangkok 3 weeks ago

But at the end of the day its all down to what they will or wont accept , I have 3 UK passports so they can keep one for a month while there doing there checks .

But if after all this is a non runner its not the end of the world as Vietnam is just a good place to be on stby after all this feed back on this topic it may help someone in the future .

[olddoc]

Vietnam would a good choice !

A visa is required !

[sub101uk]

Yes been working out of Vung Tau for many years its very nice now , The update on the O-A visa is this after all the emails sent to the London Thai Embassy this confirms what the requirements are :-

3 Passport sized photos.

3 completed application forms, available here: visa application forms

3 completed O-A application forms, available here: Non-Immigrant “O-A” (Long Stay) Form

Copy of your bank statements having in possession an annual income equivalent to at
least 800,000 Baht or monthly income 65,000 Baht. (approximately GBP 14,000.00/per year) These funds can be in either a Thai or English Bank, in your name. *Must be certified by a public notary*

1 medical certificate, available here : Medical Record This form must be fill out by your GP and also certified by a public notary.

1 ACPO criminal records check certificate, available here: ACPO *This must be certified by a public notary*

Royal Thai Embassy

So its 3 x Visa Application forms

3 x Non - Immigrant " O-A " ( Long Stay ) forms

1 x Thai Format Doctors Cert that must be counter signed

Yes they will accept the Police check form from ACPO , That also needs to be counter signed

So theThai London Embassy can come up with the information it just takes a bit of time .

Cheers All

[diyer]

Sorry to rock the boat sub101uk, but;

The requirements you stated are for obtaining an 'O' type Visa within Thailand.

I'm retiring to Thailand in April so followed the rule changes with interest.

Yes, the websites are confusing.

The Consulate at Liverpool are very helpful and call you back almost immediately.

To obtain an 'O' Visa to enter Thailand valid for 90 days you only require the following;

1. Passport

2. 2 x Passport photos

3. Completed application form.

4. Bank statement confirming funds of £3,500 (to cover the 90 day period)

Applications must be in person and the Visa can be issued the same day for a fee of £10.

The Visa are £50 Cash or Cheque only.

This information was supplied verbally by Sue at the Thai Consulate, Liverpool.

For applications in Thailand you will also need;

1. A Health Certificate

2. Police Criminal Record Check.

3. Funds of 800,000 baht

Apparently many of the Immigration Centres in Thailand never ask for a Criminal Records certificate, but for the last 2 years they have had the right to request such a document. The consulate strongly advises taking such a document with you in the event it is requested.

They will accept CRB checks providing they are not older than 6 months old.

[olddoc]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Sorry to rock the boat sub101uk, but;

The requirements you stated are for obtaining an 'O' type Visa within Thailand.

I'm retiring to Thailand in April so followed the rule changes with interest.

Yes, the websites are confusing.

The Consulate at Liverpool are very helpful and call you back almost immediately.

To obtain an 'O' Visa to enter Thailand valid for 90 days you only require the following;

1. Passport

2. 2 x Passport photos

3. Completed application form.

4. Bank statement confirming funds of £3,500 (to cover the 90 day period)

Applications must be in person and the Visa can be issued the same day for a fee of £10.

The Visa are £50 Cash or Cheque only.

This information was supplied verbally by Sue at the Thai Consulate, Liverpool.

For applications in Thailand you will also need;

1. A Health Certificate

2. Police Criminal Record Check.

3. Funds of 800,000 baht

Apparently many of the Immigration Centres in Thailand never ask for a Criminal Records certificate, but for the last 2 years they have had the right to request such a document. The consulate strongly advises taking such a document with you in the event it is requested.

They will accept CRB checks providing they are not older than 6 months old.

Complete and utter nonsense.

Of course I may be mistaken and I am sure you will tell us all about your success in obtaining a visa in Thailand .

I would strongly suggest another discussion with "Sue" who if she persists in feeding false information should be sacked.

[Maestro]

For an extension of stay for retirement you need neither a health record nor a police criminal record check.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[olddoc]

I have just viewed the Liverpool Thai consulate web page.

It is littered with false and misleading information .

Caution should be exercised if dealing with this consulate.

[diyer]

I'll deal with getting my 90 day 'O' Visa first.

The point of my posting was to highlight the suggested requirements by the OP in post 1 are inaccurate to get an 'O' Visa from the UK.

Once I'm in Thailand I'll ask the Immigration office what documents they require to get a retirement extension.

[diyer]

For an extension of stay for retirement you need neither a health record nor a police criminal record check.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Thank you Maestro.

As I was advised, those already in Thailand will not be required to provide a Police Criminal Record Check.

However under the new rules, those who are entering Thailand for the first time on a 90 day 'O' Visa, could be asked for a PCRC for their first extension of stay.

It depends whether the Immigration office you apply at wants to enforce that new ruling or not.

[ubonjoe]

For an extension of stay for retirement you need neither a health record nor a police criminal record check.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Thank you Maestro.

As I was advised, those already in Thailand will not be required to provide a Police Criminal Record Check.

However under the new rules, those who are entering Thailand for the first time on a 90 day 'O' Visa, could be asked for a PCRC for their first extension of stay.

It depends whether the Immigration office you apply at wants to enforce that new ruling or not.

There are not changes to the rules. It has been the same for many years.

No police certificate nor a medical is required to get an extension of stay ever.

The consulate is confusing the requirements with those for a non-oa visa at the embassy.

[david555]

For an extension of stay for retirement you need neither a health record nor a police criminal record check.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Thank you Maestro.

As I was advised, those already in Thailand will not be required to provide a Police Criminal Record Check.

However under the new rules, those who are entering Thailand for the first time on a 90 day 'O' Visa, could be asked for a PCRC for their first extension of stay.

It depends whether the Immigration office you apply at wants to enforce that new ruling or not.

There are not changes to the rules. It has been the same for many years.

No police certificate nor a medical is required to get an extension of stay ever.

The consulate is confusing the requirements with those for a non-oa visa at the embassy.

By my latest non o multiple at consulate Antwerp Belgium (Oct. 2013), NOT UK!! they also mensioned that it "could" be to get a further request for a police record ( the request did not came ) so seems all over they are mensioning that (possible) rule , never before

[sub101uk]

Hi Guys

Well I just got back from the London Thai Embassy and all the paper work that was submitted was accepted :-

1 x passport

3 x photos

3 x completed application forms, available here: visa application forms

3 x completed O-A application forms, available here: Non-Immigrant “O-A” (Long Stay) Form

1 x Copy of your bank statements having in possession an annual income equivalent to at
least 800,000 Baht or monthly income 65,000 Baht. (approximately GBP 14,000.00/per year) These funds can be in either a Thai or English Bank, in your name. *Must be certified by a public notary*

1 x medical certificate, available here : Medical Record This form must be fill out by your GP and also certified by a public notary.

1 x ACPO criminal records check certificate, available here: ACPO *This must be certified by a public notary*

Now lets price all this up Medical Cert £16.00 from GP

Pubic Notary , Got the 3 x documents signed and stamped for £75 the whole lot. The guy I used was in Goodmayes but shop around as I did I contacted about 20 out of the list that I was given The max price was about £350 .

The ACPO check was £45.00 and took about 10 days or if you want express its about £80 .

But in my own case getting to the london embassy cost over £60 return. The problem is that they do not post your passport back to you must and collect it so thats a extra £60 .

1 x OA multiple entry visa £125

Total £381.00

Thats a far cry from sending off to Hull for a " O " for £135 including return postage .

I did ask how long is this OA visa valid for and was told one year unless you get it stamped before it runs out all very confusing .

I hate to think what changes they have planned in the future .

My Thanks to all those who supplied the feed back .

[olddoc]

Was it all worth the effort ?

A simple tourist visa would have ensured entry to Thailand.

Once in Thailand steps could have been taken to convert the tourist visa to an "O" visa (2ooobht)and a subsequent extension of stay would cost 1900Baht.

No need for criminal record checks, medical reports or expensive notarization of documents.

Evidence of income or money in the bank would however be needed.

Anyway, congratulations on receiving your O/A visa but you neglected to tell us if the visa is single or multi entry. If multi entry almost 2 years stay can be obtained.

Scan and post your visa here and people will assist you to obtain the maximum benefit.

[Maestro]

...

I did ask how long is this OA visa valid for and was told one year unless you get it stamped before it runs out all very confusing ...

It wouldn't be confusing if they explained it correctly.

1. The multiple-entry non-O/A visa is valid until the "enter before" date shown on the visa, which should be one year after the issue date. For this period of one year you are allowed to make an unlimited number of entries into Thailand.
2. On each arrival in Thailand during this one-year validity period of the visa, you will be given permission to stay for one year. Remember always to write the visa number on the arrival card.
3. Point 2 above means that if you make an entry into Thailand even on the last day of the validity of the visa, you will again receive permission to stay for one year.
4. On each arrival in Thailand during the validy period of the visa you get an arrival stamp in your passport showing the date of arrival and the date until which you are allowed to stay. This is the validity period of your permission to stay. Take care not to confuse it with the validity period of the visa.
5. Every time you stay in Thailand longer than 90 days at a time, you must report this to your local immigration office with the form TM.48

[rod2011]

Sub101uk

Could you give me some details of the notary you used in Goodmayes please.

I have been quoted £100 per document so £300.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[Johngillies]

there is a whole different story to that and I don't want to hijack this thread - and the London Embassy response so far has been less than helpful - which is an understatement, to say the least.

So winding back, are you a proactive, helpful Mod, knowledgeable in these matters or do you have an inside take on what the application rules really are (if indeed there is one set of rules)? Many thanks.

[sub101uk]

Hi Guys

For the amount of running around I had to do getting all the documents signed and the cost I may have to think about it for next year buts its all very much a very gray area as if there was not people like Maestro I would still not know what the OA can and cannot do , Sounds like the " O " but sounds like I will still have to get a new OA after this visa runs out since I am in and out all the year but after the visa has expired which in my case will be 25/02/2015 it will need to be replaced but fully understand if you do not leave Thailand the visa will still be valid .

Plus after every 90 days I need to fill out the form I wonder if I go the the boarded which is just down the road from me if I just went out and then came back in again as I have no idea were the immigration office is in Ha Yai or Songkhla there must be a office there due to all the boat traffic other wise its going to be Sadao were there is the boarder crossing .

Well just 3 more years and I will be able to get a " O " again but I still do not understand why they will not post your passport back I can only think it must be staff cut back in the embassy as it would remove in my case the cost of the return rail fare.

Yes I have been living in the south of Thailand for over 19 years but every year its been a very straight forward job getting a new " O " until now so I have been getting feed back from the guys who know .As you can see from topic most of the time its the blind leading the blind and if it was not for those guys in the know I dare say it would have been many trips down to the embassy in london .

The best route if you are going by underground to the Embassy is the south kensington underground station and go down the museum access tunnel and walk as far the tunnel goes and exit at the science museum when at the road level turn left then turn left again and walk down Imperiel College road walk down there till you get to Queens Gate then turn right just walk down there about and your see across the road of all the embassys and there flags hanging outside and the Thai Visa place is in the basement .

My OA is a multi entry I am in and out of Thailand some thing like one month in and one out , Rod I have sent you a PM but yes you must shop around but £75 for the lot was the best I could do other wise £110 to get all documents signed and stamped .

Cheers

[olddoc]

If after living in Thailand for 19 years immigration requirements are not understood it would seem there is little or no hope of an awakening !

[sub101uk]

Living in Thailand is one thing but to fully understand what is acceptable and not are 2 different things in the same way I am sending you this reply , yes I can reply but know nothing about computers .I learn from others who have more experience on this subject than myself , Its slow but I got there in the end .

[diyer]

In contrast to your experience sub101UK, I will be applying for a 90 day non Imm 'O' Visa (retirement) next month at Liverpool.

They are prepared to issue the Visa on condition I submit the following:

1. Valid Passport

2. 2 x Passport Photos.

3. Completed application form.

4. Proof of £3,500 Finances.

Whilst it was suggested that I would need a Health Certificate and a Criminal Records Check in order to extend my Visa within Thailand, this doesn't make sense and as Maestro has already stated these documents are not required for an extension. (I'll accept his knowledge on this issue)

If indeed you needed to provide a Health certificate and a Criminal Records check, then these would be required at the point of your original application in the UK, but these documents haven't been requested by the Liverpool Consulate.

Tourist entering Thailand don't require any checks! Why should an 'O' Visa be any different in this respect.

Secondly you advised a number of documents had to be Notarised. Again this makes no sense as a Foreign Embassy cannot accept a Notarised document as being true unless it has also been legalised by the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office).

A Notary merely signs a document based on the oath you make that the documents you have presented are from a genuine public body.

The FCO confirms the Notary is registered and qualified.

Such documents would not be accepted in Thailand as a legally binding document unless it was also legalised by the Thai Embassy in the UK following legalisation by the FCO.

I have knowledge and experience in the preparation of documents to be legally accepted in a Foreign Country.

1. The document must first be signed and stamped by a duly authorised Notary.

2. The FCO check he is an authorised Notary and attach a Vignette to the document.

3. The Foreign Embassy concerned will then attach a vignette to the document.

Without the vignette from the Embassy of the Country concerned, the document is useless in that Foreign Country.

That is the procedure to prepare a document that will be accepted as legal in a Foreign Country.

I can only conclude you have been given misleading information that has cost you time and money.

The amount of documentation you were required to supply may be consistent with applying for a Work Permit such as a teacher where you would work with children but I'm no expert on that.

The information given across the websites is confusing for the first timer, including the lack of direct information from the Embassy/Consulates.

I'll update with my own experience when I apply next month.

[Maestro]

there is a whole different story to that and I don't want to hijack this thread - and the London Embassy response so far has been less than helpful - which is an understatement, to say the least.

So winding back, are you a proactive, helpful Mod, knowledgeable in these matters or do you have an inside take on what the application rules really are (if indeed there is one set of rules)? Many thanks.

There is not one set of rules for applications for visas at Thai embassies and consulates.

Different consulates may use different requirements.

The same consulate may today use rules that are different from the rules they applied yesterday for the same type of visa.