A matter of time. No blank pages in passport

[Samyan]

I am an Australian resident on a British passport currently staying in Thailand. I am returning to Australia on the 25th November and I need to be back in Thailand by the 26th January.

My passport has no blank pages. I had intended to apply for a new one on my return, but I have recently learnt that all passport processing is now done in the UK and there is a large backlog of applications resulting in considerable delays. As I have only 9 weeks in Australia after I return, I cannot take the risk of having my passport application delayed.

My only hope is to return to Thailand on a visa exempt and either extend for a further 30 days or convert to a Non Immigrant O which is my preferred option.

Can anyone tell me if the Non immigrant O visa requires a full blank page similar to a tourist visa. I do have two pages that are almost blank with only two stamps at the top of the page.

I would be grateful for any advice.

[ubonjoe]

The non immigrant visa issued by immigration is a stamp that will take about half a page plus there will be a new entry/permit to stay stamp.

[Samyan]

The non immigrant visa issued by immigration is a stamp that will take about half a page plus there will be a new entry/permit to stay stamp.

Thanks for your reply Ubonjoe.

What will be the requirements for conversion to a Non Immigrant O visa. I do have funds in a Thai bank account.

[ubonjoe]

You will need 800k baht in the bank on the date you apply or proof of 65k baht income or a combination of the 2 totaling 800k baht.

You will need 15 days remaining on your entry when apply.

[Samyan]

You will need 800k baht in the bank on the date you apply or proof of 65k baht income or a combination of the 2 totaling 800k baht.

You will need 15 days remaining on your entry when apply.

Ok. As it is my intention to apply for an extension based on retirement, perhaps I could do this at the same time.

Do you know if I could first extend the visa exempt then apply for the Non Immigrant O visa?

[ubonjoe]

When you apply for the visa you will be given a 90 day permit to stay. Then during the last 30 days of the 90 days you can apply for the extension. When you apply for the extension the money will need to be in the bank for 60 days.

You can do the 30 day extension and then apply for the visa.

[Samyan]

When you apply for the visa you will be given a 90 day permit to stay. Then during the last 30 days of the 90 days you can apply for the extension. When you apply for the extension the money will need to be in the bank for 60 days.

You can do the 30 day extension and then apply for the visa.

Sounds good. Thanks again!

[johninbkk71]

I got a 48 page passport issued in six and a half weeks. I applied in Bangkok.

[Samyan]

I got a 48 page passport issued in six and a half weeks. I applied in Bangkok.

I'm sure the situation is improving, but if it's feasible to use my current passport, I'd rather do so and avoid any stress.

[Samyan]

It would of course be far more convenient to obtain a visa at the local Consulate. I have peeled off an old Cambodian visa which was very loosely stuck in my passport to make a blank page in the hope that a new Thai visa will take it's place. But there is a faint glue mark and the Consulate may be reluctant to paste a new visa in it's place in the same way that they will not place a visa in a page that even has only one stamp.