What Visa?

[JonathanBP]

Hi All,

I'm quite confused about which visa to get, if I can get any at all. I'm on a British passport.

I tried to get a Non Immigration B visa but was told I would need to go to Brisbane to do that, I'm in Bali (Indonesia) at the moment and did not want to do that.

I now have a 60 day tourist visa granted in Bali, which is possible to extend for 30 days I know. It's a bit of a bummer as it is only single entry.

I am old enough to qualify for a Retirement Visa, I'm 52, but I'm not retired, i'm a writer (books) and earn royalties plus income from an on-line buiness which more than covers the required THB minimum per month. The British Consulate said that it would be no issue supplying me with the income affadavit.

Here is my question:

Some information I hve read suggests that I cannot covert a tourist visa into an O Retirement Visa, is that correct?

Will an O Retirement visa give me multiple entires?

I thought about an Ed Visa, but I don't really want to be tied to going to school as I travel often.

I did think about getting a B vis but it seems rediculous to have to go all the way to the UK or Australia to get one.

Any clear advice greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[glegolo]

You will have an answer from an much better guy than me. But until than....Your tourist-VISA will be converted into an Non Imm O and than into an extension based on retirement which NOT is an VISA but just an extension....

There is no multiple whatsoever. So evertime you like to leave you must buy a so called Re Entry Permit, so your extension dont get cancedlled.... So you will have no problem..

Glegolo

[JonathanBP]

You will have an answer from an much better guy than me. But until than....Your tourist-VISA will be converted into an Non Imm O and than into an extension based on retirement which NOT is an VISA but just an extension....

There is no multiple whatsoever. So evertime you like to leave you must buy a so called Re Entry Permit, so your extension dont get cancedlled.... So you will have no problem..

Glegolo

Thank you. Is it difficult or time consuming ot get the Re Entry Permit? I mean if I spontaneously decide to go somewhere for a long weekend, like Singapore or KL? It's straighforward and done in a morning or so? Thanks.

[glegolo]

No real y easy - i use Khon Kaen Immigration. We are talking about fill in the application TM 8 I think the number is, and go there and 20 minutes later you will have your permit stamped into your passport at 1.000 baht in charge

Glegolo

[Sophon]

If you plan on travelling a lot you can get a multiple re-entry permit for 3,800 Baht, which will allow you to leave and come back to Thailand as many times as you wish during the period of your extension.

Sophon

[ubonjoe]

You can do a change of visa status from a tourist visa entry to a 90 day non immigrant visa entry at immigration here. You can do the change at any time after you enter the country up to the last 15 days of your entry. You will need the income letter from the embassy to this.

Then after 45 days you can apply for a one year extension of stay. You will need another income letter when you do this.

After you get the extension you can apply for a multiple re-entry permit that will cost 3800 baht.

You can only do the change at certain immigration offices. Where do you plan on living here?

[JonathanBP]

You can do a change of visa status from a tourist visa entry to a 90 day non immigrant visa entry at immigration here. You can do the change at any time after you enter the country up to the last 15 days of your entry. You will need the income letter from the embassy to this.

Then after 45 days you can apply for a one year extension of stay. You will need another income letter when you do this.

After you get the extension you can apply for a multiple re-entry permit that will cost 3800 baht.

You can only do the change at certain immigration offices. Where do you plan on living here?

To start off with I am going to Krabi.......I may end up back in Chiang Mai, but for now it is Krabi.

Thank you for your helpful response.

Is it better to use a lawyer for this process? Or simple to do it own?

[Mario2008]

Unknown if Krabi will do it, Phuket might do it with proof of address and CM will certainly do it.

It is all straight forward so don't waste any money on lawyers. Simply collect the required paperwork and fill in the form.

[JonathanBP]

Unknown if Krabi will do it, Phuket might do it with proof of address and CM will certainly do it.

It is all straight forward so don't waste any money on lawyers. Simply collect the required paperwork and fill in the form.

i'm thinking about a lawyer as reading all the regulations is a challenge for me, for example I read somewhere that I a letter from my bank to verify my bank statements, but elsewhere I've read that all I need is an affidavit form the British Consulate?

[Mario2008]

A simple confusion that doesn't require a lawyer. For the conversion (and later for the extension) you must show:

- an income of 65,000 a month (This is done with a letter from your embassy confirming your income)

OR

- 800,000 baht in bank account in Thailand (That is done with a letter from your bank and your bank book)

OR a combination of the two totaling 800,000

You are going for the income route, thus only need the letter from the embassy.

[JonathanBP]

A simple confusion that doesn't require a lawyer. For the conversion (and later for the extension) you must show:

- an income of 65,000 a month (This is done with a letter from your embassy confirming your income)

OR

- 800,000 baht in bank account in Thailand (That is done with a letter from your bank and your bank book)

OR a combination of the two totaling 800,000

You are going for the income route, thus only need the letter from the embassy.

wow, that simple?

so, to re-cap, and thanks everyone for the generous time you are giving to answer my questions....thank you for adding the all important 'OR'.....

1. I need the letter form the Consulate verifying my income, that's it?

2. Police & Health Reports?

3. Anything else?

[Mario2008]

1. Yes.

2. No.

3. proof of address (rental contract preferred, with copy of house book and ID-card of home owner)

Plus copies of you passport and arrival card, a passport photo and 2,000 baht for the conversion.

[ubonjoe]

I am not sure Krabi can do the change of visa status. I suspect no.

Bangkok immigration will do the change of visa status with any address but it may take two trips to the office to get it done. Then you could apply for the extension at the Krabi immigration office.

[JonathanBP]

1. Yes.

2. No.

3. proof of address (rental contract preferred, with copy of house book and ID-card of home owner)

 

Plus copies of you passport and arrival card, a passport photo and 2,000 baht for the conversion.

 

Hi Again,

 

Just spoke to Krabi office as the Consulate called me from Chiang Mai to say my letter of income was on its way to me.

 

So, it IS POSSIBLE to convert in Krabi, but he asked me about my bank account. I said that I did not have a bank account but a letter of income from my consulate. He replied 'We will have to talk when you come in about the bank account'

OK, now I'm confused..I thought it was either prrof of income OR THB800,000 in a savings account. No? Thanks.

[ubonjoe]

You don't need money in the bank if you have proof of income. Perhaps they are talking about back up proof for you income letter.

[JonathanBP]

1. Yes.

2. No.

3. proof of address (rental contract preferred, with copy of house book and ID-card of home owner)

 

Plus copies of you passport and arrival card, a passport photo and 2,000 baht for the conversion.

 

 

Visa Update : I am now truly confused. Was initially told that I could enter Thailand on a 60 day  TR visa and then convert to Non O at immigration with required papers for  immigration.

I did so today. They kept all the relevant papers for 'retirement' but said that as I entered on a tourist visa I would only get a 90 day O visa. They instructed me to return in 45 days to 'convert' this visa again for the princely sum of Thb 5,880 for a multiple entry new visa with travel permit.

 

I've read and re-read every piece of information given me and I can only conclude that either I didn't understand or this officer did not understand. Thoughts? Advice?

[sometimewoodworker]

It won't be a "multiple entry new visa with travel permit."

But an extension of stay with a multiple re-entry permit.

However you will either need to stay in the country until you get the extension of stay or get a rentry permit.

It should be ฿5,700 I'm not sure where the extra ฿180 came from. ฿1,900 extension of stay ฿3,800 multiple re-entry permit.

[JonathanBP]

It won't be a "multiple entry new visa with travel permit."

But an extension of stay with a multiple re-entry permit.

However you will either need to stay in the country until you get the extension of stay or get a rentry permit.

It should be ฿5,700 I'm not sure where the extra ฿180 came from. ฿1,900 extension of stay ฿3,800 multiple re-entry permit.

 

Thanks.....they told me to come back in 45 days to 'convert' again....sigh