O-A visa. Advice on the "bound and notarized....." requirement

[jacksam]

Can't seem to find advice on this requirement. Specifically it states. ..."the documents must be bound and notarized by a Notary public person OR witnessed/certified by a JP" ....

So the notary actually does the binding? What you leave them and pick them up at some stage?

Anyone have advice on easiest way to do this and who do I use. Thank you in advance

[ubonjoe]

This has come up before. The notary or JP binds each set of documents together and notarizes them as set.

I guess you would use which ever of the two is easiest and least costly to get done.

[jacksam]

Thank you ubonjoe. Just trying to get this part done when I'm back in AU. Melbourne does not process them and you have to post to Canberra.

Arriving Dec 30 makes time of the essence and this minor thing I don't need to hold me up.

Still trying to work out why it can't be done in Melbourne. Guess city of 4 million isn't large enough.

[ubonjoe]

Only the embassy in Canberra and the official consulate in Sydney can do OA visas. The others like Melbourne are honorary consulates and are not authorized to do them.

[Gramps]

I had my OA visa issued in Canberra last month after having the documents bound and notarised at considerable expense. When I collected the visa (I lived in Canberra), the issuing officer advised me that I should have saved myself the cost and just had them certified by a JP. Too late for me - hope it helps you.

[jacksam]

Yes to Gramps. Couple of days ago shot an email to Thai consulate Canberra. Couldn't believe I got a reply within couple of hours. They said that just use a JP to certify. That service is free in AU.

They also said I do not need a solicitor to BIND application. I still don't know if I am suppose to "bind" the docs.

In website it states " the documents should be BOUND and CERTIFIED by ...."

What exactly they mean by BOUND I'm not sure and also who does it?

[Gramps]

Jack

No binding necessary. The key word in the instructions issued by the Embassy in Canberra (see link below) is "OR" - "The documents must be bound and notarized by a Notary Public person OR witnessed/certified by a Justice of the Peace (JP)"

If you choose the JP option (and you'd be crazy not to considering the cost of a Notary Public's services - mine charged me $360 and told me he was giving me a discount!) the binding and notarising bit becomes irrelevant. It's something only Notary Publics do, not JPs

Hope this helps,

Graham

http://canberra.thaiembassy.org/doc/form/Long%20stay%20Visa%20O-A%20(5)%20updated%20020114.pdf

[jacksam]

Finally I get my answer. Thanks so much Grumps.

When I get the OA (if I do) I will post my experience to maybe assist the newbies like myself.

This TV is like the good cop bad cop. Meaning you can get so much positive help and at times get people having a crack at you for no reason. On balance its a helpful forum. Ta

[JIMJFOX]

Jack

No binding necessary. The key word in the instructions issued by the Embassy in Canberra (see link below) is "OR" - "The documents must be bound and notarized by a Notary Public person OR witnessed/certified by a Justice of the Peace (JP)"

If you choose the JP option (and you'd be crazy not to considering the cost of a Notary Public's services - mine charged me $360 and told me he was giving me a discount!) the binding and notarising bit becomes irrelevant. It's something only Notary Publics do, not JPs

Hope this helps,

Graham

http://canberra.thaiembassy.org/doc/form/Long%20stay%20Visa%20O-A%20(5)%20updated%20020114.pdf

You saved me a heap of cash AND inconvenience! WHY can't the Thai website be kept up to date, I wonder?

Will try the link another day- "Website not available".... typical

[JIMJFOX]

Again, many thanks for the REAL advice, cutting through the fog of bureaucratic waffle!

[jacksam]

JIMJFOX I Feel your pain (frustration) . Last month I was in Melbourne for tax and to obtain non imm o visa.

The Melb Thai consulate web site states you can obtain this visa for various reasons. One is to visit friends etc.

They then tell you that they do not .....only do non imm o based on visiting spouse/family. Official website is still incorrect.

Apparently if you post application to Brisbane they issue them.

Bit like my bar. Rule number 1..... There are no rules.

Actually that's wrong, there are many rules just no consistency.

[JIMJFOX]

JIMJFOX I Feel your pain (frustration) . Last month I was in Melbourne for tax and to obtain non imm o visa.

The Melb Thai consulate web site states you can obtain this visa for various reasons. One is to visit friends etc.

They then tell you that they do not .....only do non imm o based on visiting spouse/family. Official website is still incorrect.

Apparently if you post application to Brisbane they issue them.

Bit like my bar. Rule number 1..... There are no rules.

Actually that's wrong, there are many rules just no consistency.

Thanks Jack

I went to Brisbane Consulate in 2008 and 2010 and was issued visas within the hour on both occasions.

However, they were tourist visas (90 day) so I'm wary that the process may be different for the so-called

'Retirement Visa', plus that rules change and the website is so lacking in clarity.

Thanks...

[ubonjoe]

<snip>

However, they were tourist visas (90 day) so I'm wary that the process may be different for the so-called

'Retirement Visa', plus that rules change and the website is so lacking in clarity.

Thanks...

You will not get the so called retirement visa which in reality is the OA long stay visa from Brisbane.

You can only get a single or possibly a multiple entry non-o visa there for being 50 or over.

[jacksam]

Ubonjoe is correct. The Brisbane suggestion was for non imm O visa.

I rang them and stated I wanted to apply based on retirement ONLY . Meaning no wife or family etc... She said " no probem, post it"

I did not so cannot say this is water tight. Email or ring yourself.

When you obtain your non imm o from brissie just do your extension here in Thailand as moderators like ubon have detailed many times. Post cost $10aud each way and you get to play darts while waiting for passport return. Too easy