I am a Canadian and have had a Retirement visa for 10 years. This time it expired while in Canada and I entered on a VOA as instructed by both Chiangmai Immigration and the Consul in Vancouver. Trying to get the Type O upon my return to Thailand has been a long story of frustration, conflicting stories, and incompetence on the part of Chiangmai Immigration.

Sparing hearing my tale of woe, the situation now is that I need to apply for a Type 0 non immigrant visa. I cannot do this now as I have a travel schedule that conflicts with their 15 day approval time.

Do I need to apply for the type O visa in my home country, or can I apply in Manila or Penang when I am there in 2 weeks?

If you have financial proof you can get a single entry non-o in Penang. Not sure about Manila.

Whatr about doing the transformation from VOA via Non IMM O direct to Extension based on retirement again? And this without even leaving Thailand....

Isnt that a good idea for this guy?? Maybe Ubonjoe can descibe that way to do this guy...

Glegolo

Edited November 3, 201411 yr by glegolo

I am leaving for Manila Nov 14 and there is no time for the 15 days Chiangmai Immigration requires to issue the type O.

My VOA has now been extended once

It was not a VOA that you got on entry it was a visa exempt entry.

I already had understood the problem.

Spoke to Penang on the phone and confirms that he will issue me the 3 month typo O that can be converted into a 1 year retirement

The embassy in Manila has replied:

With reference to your Thai visa inquiry. This is to inform you that the visa section cannot issue you a retirement visa if your not a residence of the Philippines.

Penang has no such qualms

The embassy in Manila has replied:

With reference to your Thai visa inquiry. This is to inform you that the visa section cannot issue you a retirement visa if your not a residence of the Philippines.

Penang has no such qualms

Perhaps a misunderstanding. Did you ask about a single entry non-o visa or did you ask for a retirement visa,

It sounds like they replied with a requirement for a OA visa which some people call a retirement visa.

manila replies once again to my quirey about single entry non-O

Non-Immigrant O is for dependent or volunteer work. Non-Immigrant O-A is for retirement visa.

If non of this applies to you TR visa is your last option. I don't have knowledge with other Thai Embassy or Consulate in other countries but If you will apply at Manila that's what we follow.

My other alternative is KL and they tell me this mornign that I have to go back to my home country to apply. When pressed on the issue they say too busy and call back later

Edited November 6, 201411 yr by Hog Head

Just wait and get your visa in Penang.

Manila is just being unhelpful.

I am also married to a Thai so that is my other alternative. Lets see what Manila has to say about that

I am in manila anyway so easier and cheaper for me rather than go to Penang on a roundabout route home to Chiangmai

Manila will issue me a married visa. Seems a bit odd as they will not do the retirement

When I extend this at CNX Immigration during the first 90 days for a year, state for the reason for extension as retirement?

If so, then goal of retirement is acheived and a sucessful end run on the extremely helpful cretin in Manila

Non-o based upon marriage is often easier to get than for retirement.

You use the non-o entry to get an extension based upon retirement.

Deal done - thanks for all the help Ubonjoe