Can I get an " O- retirement Visa" in Spain?

[Soulwy]

A friend living in Thailand with an O- retirement Visa, wants to live in Spain for 6 months a year.

She is 50+.

Can she get an O- Visa Spain?

And what does she need to do to get it?

Thanks!

[ubonjoe]

She might be able to get a single entry non-o visa that would give her a 90 day entry,

She could apply for a one year extension of stay here and still spend half a year outside the country without a problem. She would just need to get a re-entry permit to keep her extension valid when she returns. And be here to to renew it after a year.

[thepool]

I may be wrong but I have a feeling that the Spanish Embassy/consulates will only issue to bone fide residents .

Best check directly with the Spanish Thai embassy

[Bpuumike]

If she's in the South of Spain I used to find the Honorary Consul in Gibraltar vey helpful and wouild probably give a 1-year Non-O visa.

I'm 5 years out of date so hopefully he hasn't retired.

[Suradit69]

I may be wrong but I have a feeling that the Spanish Embassy/consulates will only issue to bone fide residents .

Best check directly with the Spanish Thai embassy

Depends on how you define " bona fide residents." If she's legally resident in Spain, though not a citizen, she might get by. I got my O-A visa from the Thai consulate in Dubai and was offered that option by the Thai embassy in Islamabad, while legally resident in the UAE and Pakistan, respectively.

[Bpuumike]

I may be wrong but I have a feeling that the Spanish Embassy/consulates will only issue to bone fide residents .

Best check directly with the Spanish Thai embassy

Depends on how you define " bona fide residents." If she's legally resident in Spain, though not a citizen, she might get by. I got my O-A visa from the Thai consulate in Dubai and was offered that option by the Thai embassy in Islamabad, while legally resident in the UAE and Pakistan, respectively.

to phone the Consulate first

I never needed to be 'legally resident' in Spain. Giving a private address there, plus one in Thailand was enough.

Always need to phone the Hon Consul himself rather than the Embassy if using Gibraltar. It's a one-man show and he makes an appointment to see you. All very Graham Greene. Otherwise, if using the Embassy in Madrid then yes, phone them first for requirements.

[ubonjoe]

I think getting the visa in Gibraltar will be harder now because they fall under the embassy in London and have to get approval from them for all multiple entry visas.

There are 2 honorary consulates in Span but from reports I have read they are not very helpful.

The embassy in Madrid has been reported as wanting proof of residency in Spain to issue a visa. They don't even show a non-o for retirement on their website only a OA visa. http://www.thaiembassy.org/madrid/en/services/19412-Visa.html

This from a translation of requirements to get a non-o based upon marriage.

Citizens legally resident in Spain but with no Spanish nationality, must provide

also photocopy of your green card (NIE) legalized by the police or the Notary to ensure

the authenticity of the photocopy. If you do not have legal residence in Spain, you can NOT request

visa at this consulate.

[Bpuumike]

I think getting the visa in Gibraltar will be harder now because they fall under the embassy in London and have to get approval from them for all multiple entry visas.

There are 2 honorary consulates in Span but from reports I have read they are not very helpful.

The embassy in Madrid has been reported as wanting proof of residency in Spain to issue a visa. They don't even show a non-o for retirement on their website only a OA visa. http://www.thaiembassy.org/madrid/en/services/19412-Visa.html

This from a translation of requirements to get a non-o based upon marriage.

Citizens legally resident in Spain but with no Spanish nationality, must provide

also photocopy of your green card (NIE) legalized by the police or the Notary to ensure

the authenticity of the photocopy. If you do not have legal residence in Spain, you can NOT request

visa at this consulate.

Sounds like things have tightened up a lot over the past few years.

I would still take a long shot and call the Hon Cons in Gibraltar if in the South of Spain.

[Soulwy]

Thanks guys, I guess it is a good thing she gathers information before she leaves to Spain.

We tried to email both Thai Embassy and Thai Consulate for information, but they never replied.

She might be able to get a single entry non-o visa that would give her a 90 day entry,

She could apply for a one year extension of stay here and still spend half a year outside the country without a problem. She would just need to get a re-entry permit to keep her extension valid when she returns. And be here to to renew it after a year.

The thing is, when you want to leave Thailand while staying with a non-O visa, you need to inform the Immigration the exact date of departing and returning in Thailand to obtain your status when you leave Thailand.

This limits your freedom a bit. So if getting a non-O visa in Spain is difficult, then this is probably the way to go.

But I understand a telephone call is needed to the consulate or embassy in Spain (thanks for the tip about Gibraltar!)

Thanks so far!

[thepool]

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Thanks guys, I guess it is a good thing she gathers information before she leaves to Spain.

We tried to email both Thai Embassy and Thai Consulate for information, but they never replied.

She might be able to get a single entry non-o visa that would give her a 90 day entry,

She could apply for a one year extension of stay here and still spend half a year outside the country without a problem. She would just need to get a re-entry permit to keep her extension valid when she returns. And be here to to renew it after a year.

The thing is, when you want to leave Thailand while staying with a non-O visa, you need to inform the Immigration the exact date of departing and returning in Thailand to obtain your status when you leave Thailand.

This limits your freedom a bit. So if getting a non-O visa in Spain is difficult, then this is probably the way to go.

But I understand a telephone call is needed to the consulate or embassy in Spain (thanks for the tip about Gibraltar!)

Thanks so far!

Bad and inaccurate information.

Immigration do not want to know when a person leaves and are not interested about return dates!

What is needed is a re-entry permit if it is desired to "keep" a current permission to stay date.

[PaddyBKK]

Would it be possible for her to arrive to THAILAND "visa exempt" and then apply for a change of visa after X number of days of arrival ?

[ubonjoe]

Thanks guys, I guess it is a good thing she gathers information before she leaves to Spain.

We tried to email both Thai Embassy and Thai Consulate for information, but they never replied.

She might be able to get a single entry non-o visa that would give her a 90 day entry,

She could apply for a one year extension of stay here and still spend half a year outside the country without a problem. She would just need to get a re-entry permit to keep her extension valid when she returns. And be here to to renew it after a year.

The thing is, when you want to leave Thailand while staying with a non-O visa, you need to inform the Immigration the exact date of departing and returning in Thailand to obtain your status when you leave Thailand.

This limits your freedom a bit. So if getting a non-O visa in Spain is difficult, then this is probably the way to go.

But I understand a telephone call is needed to the consulate or embassy in Spain (thanks for the tip about Gibraltar!)

Thanks so far!

If she had a non-o visa it would be a multiple entry visa that requires leaving every 90 days.

A re-entry permit is only needed if she has an extension of stay which is what I think she has.

A re-entry permit application form has spaces for proposed departure and return dates. You can put any date you want there or even leave them blank at some offices.

The actual re-entry permit stamp has no dates other than the date of issue and it's expiration date (same date that extension ends).

Many people get a re-entry permit when they apply for their extension just in case they have a unplanned trip.

[thepool]

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Would it be possible for her to arrive to THAILAND "visa exempt" and then apply for a change of visa after X number of days of arrival ?

She could however the lady would have to be able to place 800,00 Bht in a Thai bank or have evidence of income of 65.000 Bht/month before the conversion could be done

[shiatsuman]

If she's in the South of Spain I used to find the Honorary Consul in Gibraltar vey helpful and wouild probably give a 1-year Non-O visa.

I'm 5 years out of date so hopefully he hasn't retired.

I got my non O visa in Gibraltar last year, just make an appointment by phone or email, contact details under British Honorary consuls

[Soulwy]

Good to know about Gibraltar, Bpuumike. (She is from Europe, not from the UK, but I guess Gibraltar will be OK for her too)

Thanks guys, I guess it is a good thing she gathers information before she leaves to Spain.

We tried to email both Thai Embassy and Thai Consulate for information, but they never replied.

She might be able to get a single entry non-o visa that would give her a 90 day entry,

She could apply for a one year extension of stay here and still spend half a year outside the country without a problem. She would just need to get a re-entry permit to keep her extension valid when she returns. And be here to to renew it after a year.

The thing is, when you want to leave Thailand while staying with a non-O visa, you need to inform the Immigration the exact date of departing and returning in Thailand to obtain your status when you leave Thailand.

This limits your freedom a bit. So if getting a non-O visa in Spain is difficult, then this is probably the way to go.

But I understand a telephone call is needed to the consulate or embassy in Spain (thanks for the tip about Gibraltar!)

Thanks so far!

If she had a non-o visa it would be a multiple entry visa that requires leaving every 90 days.

A re-entry permit is only needed if she has an extension of stay which is what I think she has.

A re-entry permit application form has spaces for proposed departure and return dates. You can put any date you want there or even leave them blank at some offices.

The actual re-entry permit stamp has no dates other than the date of issue and it's expiration date (same date that extension ends).

Many people get a re-entry permit when they apply for their extension just in case they have a unplanned trip.

The lady has the right amount Baht per month/saving account and needs to go to the Immigration every 90 days to extend the O-visa.

And true, on the re-entry permit application form there are spaces to fill in the dates of departure from and arrival in Thailand again.(we have the form in front of us)

But as she will stay longer than 3 months in Spain, so longer than the extension for 90 days, the extension will be expired when she returns in Thailand. So correct me if I am wrong, the only choice she has is to re-apply an O-Visa in Spain.

[Bpuumike]

Good to know about Gibraltar, Bpuumike. (She is from Europe, not from the UK, but I guess Gibraltar will be OK for her too)

Thanks guys, I guess it is a good thing she gathers information before she leaves to Spain.

We tried to email both Thai Embassy and Thai Consulate for information, but they never replied.

She might be able to get a single entry non-o visa that would give her a 90 day entry,

She could apply for a one year extension of stay here and still spend half a year outside the country without a problem. She would just need to get a re-entry permit to keep her extension valid when she returns. And be here to to renew it after a year.

The thing is, when you want to leave Thailand while staying with a non-O visa, you need to inform the Immigration the exact date of departing and returning in Thailand to obtain your status when you leave Thailand.

This limits your freedom a bit. So if getting a non-O visa in Spain is difficult, then this is probably the way to go.

But I understand a telephone call is needed to the consulate or embassy in Spain (thanks for the tip about Gibraltar!)

Thanks so far!

If she had a non-o visa it would be a multiple entry visa that requires leaving every 90 days.

A re-entry permit is only needed if she has an extension of stay which is what I think she has.

A re-entry permit application form has spaces for proposed departure and return dates. You can put any date you want there or even leave them blank at some offices.

The actual re-entry permit stamp has no dates other than the date of issue and it's expiration date (same date that extension ends).

Many people get a re-entry permit when they apply for their extension just in case they have a unplanned trip.

The lady has the right amount Baht per month/saving account and needs to go to the Immigration every 90 days to extend the O-visa.

And true, on the re-entry permit application form there are spaces to fill in the dates of departure from and arrival in Thailand again.(we have the form in front of us)

But as she will stay longer than 3 months in Spain, so longer than the extension for 90 days, the extension will be expired when she returns in Thailand. So correct me if I am wrong, the only choice she has is to re-apply an O-Visa in Spain.

The Thai Consulate in Gib is for any nationality. I wouldn't like to make a definitive comment on her options but an application in Gib or Spain seems to be her best way.

[ubonjoe]

Good to know about Gibraltar, Bpuumike. (She is from Europe, not from the UK, but I guess Gibraltar will be OK for her too)

Thanks guys, I guess it is a good thing she gathers information before she leaves to Spain.

We tried to email both Thai Embassy and Thai Consulate for information, but they never replied.

She might be able to get a single entry non-o visa that would give her a 90 day entry,

She could apply for a one year extension of stay here and still spend half a year outside the country without a problem. She would just need to get a re-entry permit to keep her extension valid when she returns. And be here to to renew it after a year.

The thing is, when you want to leave Thailand while staying with a non-O visa, you need to inform the Immigration the exact date of departing and returning in Thailand to obtain your status when you leave Thailand.

This limits your freedom a bit. So if getting a non-O visa in Spain is difficult, then this is probably the way to go.

But I understand a telephone call is needed to the consulate or embassy in Spain (thanks for the tip about Gibraltar!)

Thanks so far!

If she had a non-o visa it would be a multiple entry visa that requires leaving every 90 days.

A re-entry permit is only needed if she has an extension of stay which is what I think she has.

A re-entry permit application form has spaces for proposed departure and return dates. You can put any date you want there or even leave them blank at some offices.

The actual re-entry permit stamp has no dates other than the date of issue and it's expiration date (same date that extension ends).

Many people get a re-entry permit when they apply for their extension just in case they have a unplanned trip.

The lady has the right amount Baht per month/saving account and needs to go to the Immigration every 90 days to extend the O-visa.

And true, on the re-entry permit application form there are spaces to fill in the dates of departure from and arrival in Thailand again.(we have the form in front of us)

But as she will stay longer than 3 months in Spain, so longer than the extension for 90 days, the extension will be expired when she returns in Thailand. So correct me if I am wrong, the only choice she has is to re-apply an O-Visa in Spain.

The 90 day reports are not extensions. They are only needed if you remain in the country 90 days or more. She does not need to worry about those.

As I said the re-entry permit is not a problem either.

[mahjongguy]

Since it seems likely that she has a 1-year extension, the next question is when does it expire? If that occurs while she is away, the Re-Entry Permit won't do her any good and she will need to consider her options for when she returns.

[Soulwy]

I didn't check the expiration date of the O-Visa, but this is how the story ended:

She had to fill in on the application form when she would return to Thailand (e.g. 1 Nov.). The Immigration office gave her a stamp with the date, 1 November. The O-Visa is still valid when returning before 1 November.

Again, thanks to you all!