Trying to convert 30 day visa waiver to non Imm O. I visited CM immigration to verify my paperwork and one requirement caught me by surpriize. Along with the usual forms, I need a Thai witness for verification purposes? This is something I haven't read on any TV immigration threads. Anyone experienced this? Second, most of the TV immigration threads on this topic involves the Bangkok office which requires 2 weeks to covert to the non Imm o visa. Assuming my paperwork is correct, can CM give me a non Imm O in 1-2 days? Plan B....off to Vientiane for a tourist visa.

When Immigration officials spoke at a recent CM Expats Club meeting, they said that in order to convert a 30 day waiver into a 90-day O visa, you should come in to do it when there is still 21 days left on your waiver, because now they have to send all the paperwork off to Region 5 for approval. They can't do it as a "One-Stop" service in the CM office any more. They will stamp your passport as "30 day under consideration"

They didn't say anything about needing a Thai witness for verification purposes.

If you're planning to convert on the basis of retirement, then you'll need the Income letter from your consulate/embassy or evidence you've opened a Thai bank account and deposited 800,000 baht (it doesn't need to be aged, of course) and the account has to be solely in your name.

They did list those requirements, but nothing about a Thai witness.

While they didn't say anything about it, often they do ask for proof of where you live, like a letter from the condo office, copy of your lease contract, etc. Maybe that's what you're thinking about.

Thanks Nancy L ! This is exactly what I needed to know. I have all the needed documents but I do not have 21 days left on my stamp. Looks like plan B and a trip to the Thai embassy in Vientiane. Kind regards.

You still may want to go to CM Immigration to talk with them before you book a trip to Laos. They may be able to extend your 30-day entry another 30 days and use that time for processing of your conversion.

Don't just take the word of the first person you talk with -- that will probably be a college intern at the center Information Counter. Ask to speak to the Immigration officer responsible for handling conversions of visa exempt entries to 90 visas and have all your paperwork ready.

Edited November 9, 201411 yr by NancyL

When Immigration officials spoke at a recent CM Expats Club meeting, they said that in order to convert a 30 day waiver into a 90-day O visa, you should come in to do it when there is still 21 days left on your waiver, because now they have to send all the paperwork off to Region 5 for approval. They can't do it as a "One-Stop" service in the CM office any more. They will stamp your passport as "30 day under consideration"

They didn't say anything about needing a Thai witness for verification purposes.

If you're planning to convert on the basis of retirement, then you'll need the Income letter from your consulate/embassy or evidence you've opened a Thai bank account and deposited 800,000 baht (it doesn't need to be aged, of course) and the account has to be solely in your name.

They did list those requirements, but nothing about a Thai witness.

While they didn't say anything about it, often they do ask for proof of where you live, like a letter from the condo office, copy of your lease contract, etc. Maybe that's what you're thinking about.

Oh Nancy how can CNX send off something to its self when CNX Immigration is the HQ of Region 5 ? Approval must come from Bangkok.

khwaibah,

Nancy is usually pretty accurate. This link is to a story and it also says Region 5 HQ. Region 5 HQ is a building near the entrance to Huay Teung Tao. http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/current/business.shtml

Good advise Nancy. Indeed, I did speak with an intern who shuffled between the front counter and an immigration officer. She was very kind and gave me accurate information...I think. My arrival date was 1-11-14 and departure date is 14-1-15. I thought a Non-Imm O would be the path of least resistance (I am 54 + pension) but the new visa rules seems to be fluid. I think a tourist visa would give me the 30 + 45 days I need. Next time I'll arrive with a non-Imm O-A from my home country...much easier me thinks. Kind regards T

When Immigration officials spoke at a recent CM Expats Club meeting, they said that in order to convert a 30 day waiver into a 90-day O visa, you should come in to do it when there is still 21 days left on your waiver, because now they have to send all the paperwork off to Region 5 for approval. They can't do it as a "One-Stop" service in the CM office any more. They will stamp your passport as "30 day under consideration"

They didn't say anything about needing a Thai witness for verification purposes.

If you're planning to convert on the basis of retirement, then you'll need the Income letter from your consulate/embassy or evidence you've opened a Thai bank account and deposited 800,000 baht (it doesn't need to be aged, of course) and the account has to be solely in your name.

They did list those requirements, but nothing about a Thai witness.

While they didn't say anything about it, often they do ask for proof of where you live, like a letter from the condo office, copy of your lease contract, etc. Maybe that's what you're thinking about.

Oh Nancy how can CNX send off something to its self when CNX Immigration is the HQ of Region 5 ? Approval must come from Bangkok.

Yes, I've thought the same thing, but I've watched the video produced when the Immigration people spoke at Expats Club several times and K. Nicky plainly said the paperwork would be sent off to Region 5 for approval. As pointed out, their office isn't in the same building as the one we visit out near the airport. The point is that there is now a time lag that there wasn't in the past. I don't think it really matters if it goes to the Region 5 office or down to Bangkok -- it's not something that's approved the same day like it was before.

Incidentally, that video is in the Immigration office "under review".

Edited November 10, 201411 yr by NancyL

Good advise Nancy. Indeed, I did speak with an intern who shuffled between the front counter and an immigration officer. She was very kind and gave me accurate information...I think. My arrival date was 1-11-14 and departure date is 14-1-15. I thought a Non-Imm O would be the path of least resistance (I am 54 + pension) but the new visa rules seems to be fluid. I think a tourist visa would give me the 30 + 45 days I need. Next time I'll arrive with a non-Imm O-A from my home country...much easier me thinks. Kind regards T

I'm not a big fan of O-A visas. Hubby and I had to jump thru hoops to get the police reports, medical reports (doctor tested for every disease cha-ching!) and financial reports. Then we made the mistake of putting the applications together in the same envelope, so they gave Hubby the O-A and me a multi-entry O as a spouse, even though I clearly met all the requirements to get my own O-A.

What we should have done was apply to an Honorary Consulate and get a single entry 90-day O visa -- no need for police, medical or financial reports. List "investigating retirement" as the reason we were coming and then do a 12-month retirement extension during the final month of that 90-day O visa.

Edited November 10, 201411 yr by NancyL