Kuala Lumpur non-O single entry, retired

[cadcat]

I would like to fly to KL in July and apply for an single non-O Visa.

I am retired, G7 (over 60) and have about 500K in a thai bank.

It seems, the Embassy is nowadays very strict.

Will they issue the visa, or do I need to show more money / additional docs ?

Thank you for your help !

[ubonjoe]

I have seen no recent reports for getting a single entry non-o for being over 50. I suggest you contact them. http://www.thaiembassy.org/kualalumpur/th/organize/17230-%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B1%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%88-%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A8%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%97%E0%B9%8C-%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%A5%E0%B9%8C.html

They probably will want to see 800k or proof of 65k baht income.

[cadcat]

I was prefering KL because of the convenient Air Asia flight back to Thailand in the evening.

Had my leg broken some month ago, so a van-trip is too stressful.

Quote from a recent post:

"Single entry non-o visas for being 50 or over are available at most nearby embassies and consulates. People get them all the time."

My second choice would be Penang but couldn't find any info here.

Can someone help with recent info ?

[rethaier]

Why don't you just go to local immigration and do your ap. That's what I do for my non-o every year. Why waste money flying to KL or any other out-of-country location.

[Greg Nixon]

I was told by the Thai consulate in Canada that you have to apply for the non-Immigration "O" visa outside Thailand. They sold me two 60 day Visitor Visas with the understanding that i would have to leave Thailand and return to activate the second 60 day visitor Visa.

If you work here the non"O " visa application can be extended in Thailand.

Now the correct information for 800,000 THB is that savings in a Thai bank and income of any kind must equal 800,000 THB. Your income must be vouched for by your Embassy in BKK. It is not either or but rather a combination. You can choose savings only if you have enough cash kicking around or you can choose income only if you have a great pension and choose not to put any money in a Thai bank. I started out proving my Thai bank account had 800,000 THB but then that was reduced to slightly more than 200,000 THB as my pensions were activated. Next renewal I will need anywhere from 50,000 THB to 110,000 THB in a Thai bank account ( proven by a letter from the bank) depending on the exchange rate.

The whole system seems daunting at first but once you have done it a couple of times it becomes clear what Thailand wants and why they want it. Just as any country would not want alien non immigrant senior citizens stranded in their country, Thailand does not want that either.

[MrWorldwide]

Just to clarify - when I transfer the 800K from my Australian account into my KT account next week, will I still have to meet the 3-month seasoning requirement for my initial 90-day Non-O visa ? It was my understanding that the seasoning requirement only applies to the 12-month OA visa - apologies to the OP for a minor thread hi-jacking. If I have to go and get another TV, so be it.

[danglars]

have had non o in penang malaysia with between 4 and 8k. but it is only 3 month visa duration not 1 year.

for 1 year u need 8k and embassy letter.

3 month can be extended in bkk to 1 year if you then have the seasoned 8k.

perhaps a year or two ago now.

have still got the embassy docs but couldnt be bothered looking at them. dont think there is a seasoning requirement for visas got outside of thailand while those in country need seasoned money.

edit: for outside, yes you need bank docs confirming international transfer of funds. ask at bank and they will give this for free. in addition, they also outside accept/need bankbook, not required the 100 baht letter that is require inside.

yes kasikorn is one of the better bank i have dealt with. perhaps only recommended one.

[ubonjoe]

Just to clarify - when I transfer the 800K from my Australian account into my KT account next week, will I still have to meet the 3-month seasoning requirement for my initial 90-day Non-O visa ? It was my understanding that the seasoning requirement only applies to the 12-month OA visa - apologies to the OP for a minor thread hi-jacking. If I have to go and get another TV, so be it.

To do a conversion form a visa exempt or tourist visa entry to a non immigrant visa entry the funds only has to be in the bank on the date you apply.

You will though need a letter from the bank confirming the funds came from abroad along with the letter confirming your balance.

When you apply for the extension of stay the funds will need to be in the bank for 60 days if doing your first extension.(3 months for the next one). And you will not need the letter confirming the funds came from abroad.

[Suradit69]

I was told by the Thai consulate in Canada that you have to apply for the non-Immigration "O" visa outside Thailand. They sold me two 60 day Visitor Visas with the understanding that i would have to leave Thailand and return to activate the second 60 day visitor Visa.

If you work here the non"O " visa application can be extended in Thailand.

Now the correct information for 800,000 THB is that savings in a Thai bank and income of any kind must equal 800,000 THB. Your income must be vouched for by your Embassy in BKK. It is not either or but rather a combination. You can choose savings only if you have enough cash kicking around or you can choose income only if you have a great pension and choose not to put any money in a Thai bank. I started out proving my Thai bank account had 800,000 THB but then that was reduced to slightly more than 200,000 THB as my pensions were activated. Next renewal I will need anywhere from 50,000 THB to 110,000 THB in a Thai bank account ( proven by a letter from the bank) depending on the exchange rate.

The whole system seems daunting at first but once you have done it a couple of times it becomes clear what Thailand wants and why they want it. Just as any country would not want alien non immigrant senior citizens stranded in their country, Thailand does not want that either.

"I was told by the Thai consulate in Canada that you have to apply for the non-Immigration "O" visa outside Thailand."

Visas of any kind are only available at embassies or consulates outside of Thailand. You can convert an entry stamp to a non-imm O entry at Immigrations under certain circumstances, but they are not really issuing a visa, just changing your entry status.

"They sold me two 60 day Visitor Visas with the understanding that i would have to leave Thailand and return to activate the second 60 day visitor Visa. "

They may have given you a double entry tourist visa (there isn't a "visitor" visa) , but if you planned to apply for an extension of stay based on retirement, why would you want to go in and out of Thailand on a tourist visa?

If you started with a non-imm O visa, you could apply for the extension of stay (not a visa) during the last 30 days. If you came in on a tourist visa and could meet the requirements, you could change your entry to a non-imm O at immigrations and apply for the extension of stay based on retirement during the final 30 days of your permission to stay.

"If you work here the non"O " visa application can be extended in Thailand."

No visa can be extended and working here is a whole different kettle of fish, which includes needing a work permit.

Now the correct information for 800,000 THB is that savings in a Thai bank and income of any kind must equal 800,000 THB. Your income must be vouched for by your Embassy in BKK. It is not either or but rather a combination.

It could be EITHER income with an affidavit from your embassy OR money in the bank with your bank manager's letter OR it could be a combination of the two.

"The whole system seems daunting at first but once you have done it a couple of times it becomes clear ..."

Or maybe not.

[MrWorldwide]

Just to clarify - when I transfer the 800K from my Australian account into my KT account next week, will I still have to meet the 3-month seasoning requirement for my initial 90-day Non-O visa ? It was my understanding that the seasoning requirement only applies to the 12-month OA visa - apologies to the OP for a minor thread hi-jacking. If I have to go and get another TV, so be it.

To do a conversion form a visa exempt or tourist visa entry to a non immigrant visa entry the funds only has to be in the bank on the date you apply.

You will though need a letter from the bank confirming the funds came from abroad along with the letter confirming your balance.

When you apply for the extension of stay the funds will need to be in the bank for 60 days if doing your first extension.(3 months for the next one). And you will not need the letter confirming the funds came from abroad.

Greatly appreciated - thank you.

[slipperylobster]

My understanding for a 90 day non immigrant O visa is:

1. It is done outside of Thailand, or, you can convert a tourist visa to a 90 day non immigrant O in Bangkok, as long as 21 days remain on your tourist visa.

2. I would bring proof of income/residence, but I think that is really only required when doing a one year extension based on retirement/marriage.

An OA is different.

[slipperylobster]

By the way, 3000 round trip to Kuala Lumpur from Chiang Mai was not expensive at all, compared to international flights elsewhere. Add to that the convenience of the airport in Chiang Mai (My hotel is 1 kilometer away). It is a viable option. Anyone else have (negatives/positives) about Visas at Kuala Lumpur?

[ubonjoe]

My understanding for a 90 day non immigrant O visa is:

1. It is done outside of Thailand, or, you can convert a tourist visa to a 90 day non immigrant O in Bangkok, as long as 21 days remain on your tourist visa.

2. I would bring proof of income/residence, but I think that is really only required when doing a one year extension based on retirement/marriage.

An OA is different.

1.There are several immigration offices (including Chiang Mai) that will do a conversion to non immigrant visa entry based upon qualifying for and extension of stay based upon retirement. For marriage to a Thai only Bangkok can do them.

2. A embassy or consulate normally odes not ask for proof of residence to get a non-o visa.

[slipperylobster]

My understanding for a 90 day non immigrant O visa is:

1. It is done outside of Thailand, or, you can convert a tourist visa to a 90 day non immigrant O in Bangkok, as long as 21 days remain on your tourist visa.

2. I would bring proof of income/residence, but I think that is really only required when doing a one year extension based on retirement/marriage.

An OA is different.

1.There are several immigration offices (including Chiang Mai) that will do a conversion to non immigrant visa entry based upon qualifying for and extension of stay based upon retirement. For marriage to a Thai only Bangkok can do them.

2. A embassy or consulate normally odes not ask for proof of residence to get a non-o visa.

Like this, as I have decide to stay in Chiang Mai. Will fly in from Kuala Lumpur on my 2nd leg of my tourist visa in two weeks. I will definitely try for the conversion within a month, and report back.