Changes To Requirements For " O " Class

[digitalchromakey]

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.

The Consular Facility in London is attached to the Thai Emabassy and is run by Thai Civil Servants.

London will/can only issue ful Retirement Pre Approved Non Immigrant 'OA' visas, these are more far ranging allowing one to be stamped into Thailand for one year at a time; hence the extra paperwork.

The other UK Thai Consulates are of the Honorary Consulate type, these are often run by locals as businesses, they cannot issue non immigrant 'OA' visas but can do non immigrant 'O' visas covering retirement, which have less stringent requirements.

To further confuse, each Thai Consulate will also in addtion have it's own read on the regulations and may well ask for different papers/conditions from place to place.

Best advice is to check with each consulate before you visit to establish what papers., etc they require.

[sub101uk]

Well I only know is that I have now a nice new OA ,As you can read from the start of this topic I have been getting a O visa from Hull for many years since I was in the age group 50 - 65 however they told me :-

Dear Mr ********

Thank you for your message.

The Royal Thai Consulates are sub offices of the respective Royal Thai Embassies and the UK Consulates rely on the London Embassy to update us on any changes to rules relating to the issuance of visas.

I checked the London Embassy website yesterday and it clearly said as follows (you will see that I have highlighted the relevant part in red):-

Category "F"

To perform official duties.

Category "B"

To conduct business, to work, to study teaching course, to work as an English teacher, to take scuba diving or boxing lessons, to work as a sport coach, to do an internship, to work as a film-producer, journalist or reporter for a short period.

Category "IM"

To invest with the concurrence of the Thai Ministries and Government Departments concerned.

Category "IB"

To invest or perform other activities relating to investment, subject to the provision of the established laws on investment promotion.

Category "ED"

To study, to come on a work study tour or observation tour, to participate in projects or seminars, to attend a conference or training course, to study as a foreign Buddhist monk.

Category "M"

To work as a film-producer, journalist or reporter.

Category "R

To perform missionary work or other religious activities with the concurrence of the Thai Ministries or Government Departments concerned.

Category "RS"

To conduct scientific research or training or teaching in a research institute.

Category "EX"

To undertake skilled work or to work as an expert or specialist.

Category "O"

To visit Thai spouse, children, parents or voluntary job.

Category "O" with multiple entries

Pension earners or Applicants over 50 years of age, following document is required;

- Pension statement if the applicant is a pension earner, or
- Proof of income with a minimum of £1,400.00 per month or
- Thai Spouse visa with a copy of marriage certificate and passport or Thai ID of spouse and (3 months bank statement showing monthly income of more than
£1,400.00 or £16,500 annually for those who have been issue category O with multiple entries)

Following an exchange of emails yesterday with the London Embassy on this subject I have now been informed that it is no longer allowed for persons aged between 50 and 65 to be granted the non immigrant O visa whatever amount of money they may have in a bank account.

Accordingly I have updated our website and understand the Embassy will do likewise.

As of now, anyone aged between 50 and 65 can be granted only a tourist visa by the Consulates or the O-A (Long Stay) visa by the Embassy subject to the applicant having to undergo a face-to-face interview with an official at the London Embassy.

Yours sincerely

*************

Honorary Consul

Royal Thai Consulate

Hull (UK)

But not sure what the requirements will be next year as they dont seem to give any warning it just happens but I do wish they did a postal service as the train fare up and down to London just to pick up your passport is a pain .

But I hope this topic has been of some help to the others who live in Thailand .