Extending O-A Visa Current income / Thai or Non Thai Bank

[SheungWan]

Thanks Joe for confirming the bank statement side of things , As for making copys of all the required documents I have my own scanner + Printer so thats no problem . Ok on the space required in my passport yes that should ok but as I do have space just ! But the passport its self is due to expiry in March 2016 so it will mean the paper chase all over again for a new OA in 2016 but who knows the requirements may have changed by then .As for all documents being counter signed by a Public Notary or if you like Notary Public! The best deal I got on that was about £120 cash in hand but I went through the list and some were charging over £400 just to counter sign your documents . Oh yes I do have 2 British passports so that side of things is coved but getting a new passport from Hong Kong takes only a few a few weeks .

Thanks again

I will say it again. You do not need to have the documents signed by a Public Notary. A solicitor will do. BTW, the solicitor does not sign the actual documents but makes a copy and stamps/signs those. The cost of a solicitor doing the business is a lot less.

[ubonjoe]

Thanks Joe for confirming the bank statement side of things , As for making copys of all the required documents I have my own scanner + Printer so thats no problem . Ok on the space required in my passport yes that should ok but as I do have space just ! But the passport its self is due to expiry in March 2016 so it will mean the paper chase all over again for a new OA in 2016 but who knows the requirements may have changed by then .As for all documents being counter signed by a Public Notary or if you like Notary Public! The best deal I got on that was about £120 cash in hand but I went through the list and some were charging over £400 just to counter sign your documents . Oh yes I do have 2 British passports so that side of things is coved but getting a new passport from Hong Kong takes only a few a few weeks .

Thanks again

I mentioned the copies because you will have a new stamp and TM6 that you will need copies of when you apply for the re-entry permit. Are you going to make a trip home to do the scans before applying for the re-entry permit.

UK passports have not been renewed via Hong Kong for about a year now. You have to a apply for them in Bangkok now.

See: https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

[sub101uk]

Sorry but after having done the paper chase for a OA visa this year I can only tell you from first hand experience or if you go to the Thai Embassy web site it states :

Note: Documents as stated in 4 - 8 must be certified by Notary Public or from the competent authority concerned of the country of application.

In my case the person stamped and signed all documents and took him just a few minutes .Dont forget you must apply in person and any detail not correct means a return trip , Which for me is £57 on the train .

As for cost of a stamp they asked for a Notary Public and thats what they got ! As for Competent authority concerned of the country of application this to me sounds very vague .

I think at the end of the day it would be far better if they accepted applications by post .

[sub101uk]

Ok Joe I did not know they had changed from Hong Kong to Bangkok I wonder why ?, Before HK I used to go down to Singapore and get a replacement there , I do have 2 British Passports so there is no problem on that side of things .

Before I drive down to sadao I will have with me all the copys with me and the TM6 , Its only about 45 minutes drive there , So its a standard visa run job , Come back up the hill passport control fill out the new TM6 get stamped back in then walk 10 feet to the immigration office then I hope get the new extension

So I hope all goes well ! But like I said I wont be going down there until late january or very eary february about the 5th . My current OA was issued on 25th Feb 2014 so its good until the 24th 2015 so its well in date .

[Liquorice]

sub101uk, on 18 Nov 2014 - 08:47, said:sub101uk, on 18 Nov 2014 - 08:47, said:

Sorry but after having done the paper chase for a OA visa this year I can only tell you from first hand experience or if you go to the Thai Embassy web site it states :

Note: Documents as stated in 4 - 8 must be certified by Notary Public or from the competent authority concerned of the country of application.

In my case the person stamped and signed all documents and took him just a few minutes .Dont forget you must apply in person and any detail not correct means a return trip , Which for me is £57 on the train .

As for cost of a stamp they asked for a Notary Public and thats what they got ! As for Competent authority concerned of the country of application this to me sounds very vague .

I think at the end of the day it would be far better if they accepted applications by post .

The Thai Embassy do indeed state a Public Notary, or the competent authority of the Country of application.

The authority they mention is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, who legalise documents for use in another Country.

There is a precedence for everything. For example a foreigner getting married in China has to prepare an 'affidavit of freedom to marry' in his home Country first.

That involved getting documents 'notarised by a Notary Public, then legalised at the Foreign & Commonwealth office (who only accept Notary Publics and not solicitors), then legalised by the Chinese Embassy. That document will now be accepted as 'legal' in China.

Notarising, basically means a person qualified to do so can make a copy of the original, stamp it, sign it, and it is accepted as a genuine copy of the original.

Any Notary Publics are indeed authorised to do this, but not all Solicitors. Some solicitors though are authorised to 'notarise' documents.

Solicitors who are authorised tend to charge a solicitors price and not the Notary price.

An application for a Visa does not require any documents to be 'legalised', so technically many solicitors should be able to 'notarise' your documents.

I'd check with the Thai Embassy first, then find a qualified solicitor.

A Notary could charge £35-£40 for each notarised copy. A qualified solicitor will charge £5-£10 per copy.

[OJAS]

Thanks Joe for confirming the bank statement side of things , As for making copys of all the required documents I have my own scanner + Printer so thats no problem . Ok on the space required in my passport yes that should ok but as I do have space just ! But the passport its self is due to expiry in March 2016 so it will mean the paper chase all over again for a new OA in 2016 but who knows the requirements may have changed by then .As for all documents being counter signed by a Public Notary or if you like Notary Public! The best deal I got on that was about £120 cash in hand but I went through the list and some were charging over £400 just to counter sign your documents . Oh yes I do have 2 British passports so that side of things is coved but getting a new passport from Hong Kong takes only a few a few weeks .

Thanks again

I mentioned the copies because you will have a new stamp and TM6 that you will need copies of when you apply for the re-entry permit. Are you going to make a trip home to do the scans before applying for the re-entry permit.

UK passports have not been renewed via Hong Kong for about a year now. You have to a apply for them in Bangkok now.

See: https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

And as will be evident from the lengthy thread at http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713867-changes-to-british-passport-services-in-thailand/ this has been proving to be far from a smooth process! You'd probably be better off doing the renewal during 1 of your trips back to the UK if timing permitted.

[sub101uk]

Yes I see what you mean OJAS there are a total of 96 pages on that old topic , Well I do have a second British Passport plus 2 Seamans Books that I can still use but you maybe right while in the UK apply to london or peterborough .

[SheungWan]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Sorry but after having done the paper chase for a OA visa this year I can only tell you from first hand experience or if you go to the Thai Embassy web site it states :

Note: Documents as stated in 4 - 8 must be certified by Notary Public or from the competent authority concerned of the country of application.

In my case the person stamped and signed all documents and took him just a few minutes .Dont forget you must apply in person and any detail not correct means a return trip , Which for me is £57 on the train .

As for cost of a stamp they asked for a Notary Public and thats what they got ! As for Competent authority concerned of the country of application this to me sounds very vague .

I think at the end of the day it would be far better if they accepted applications by post .

You are not following what I said. Yes, the London Thai Embassy website specifies Notary Public, but the guide notes separately handed out at the Embassy specify Notary Public or solicitor. So there is a discrepancy between the two sources. So how do I know I am 100% correct on this matter. First, I personally visited the Embassy and asked whether they confirmed the Embassy guide notes that a solicitor could certify. Answer: Yes. Second, I subsequently submitted my O-A form with documents certified by a solicitor (no, not a solicitor who was a NP). The form was accepted and processed. When was this done? October 2014. Anybody who spends money on a NP is doing so unnecessarily. I hope that's all clear now. (PS I reported this to TV a few weeks ago)

[Bpuumike]

 

Thanks Guys

For the fast reply as I think you know my previous mail on this forum that the immigration office in Hat Yai had never seen a TM47 before and in the end they sent me down to Sadao however I went in there the other day for my 90 day reporting and all went well .

Yes thats a good Idea going down to Sadio and getting my Passport stamped but however they will still stamp me out of Thailand from Suvarnabhumi when I leave the end of January and since I wont return until April 5th I think I need a extension before I leave or its back to the Thai embassy in London yet again .

It looks like its going to be one of 2 options Open a Thai Bangkok 3 months before you apply for your visa extension , Or Apply all over again .

Police Cert

Doctors Cert

Bank Statements

Then all stamped by a Public Notary .

Then 2 trips to london

It would help if the london embassy would do all this by post but its all in person only they wont accept postal applications .As 2 trips to london by train is over £100 since you apply one day and return the next you cant do it all in one day .

But many thanks on clearing up that the bank statements have to be from only a Thai bank and a non Thai bank is not acceptable .

Many thanks to all .

 

I believe it must be a Thai bank and not a Thailand branch of a non-Thai bank such as HSBC, Citibank, etc.

[paz]

I believe it must be a Thai bank and not a Thailand branch of a non-Thai bank such as HSBC, Citibank, etc.

It can be any bank in Thailand.

[SheungWan]

I believe it must be a Thai bank and not a Thailand branch of a non-Thai bank such as HSBC, Citibank, etc.

It can be any bank in Thailand.

What you both believe is incorrect if your financial statement is on the basis of income and not the lump sum pathway.

[sub101uk]

Not sure if I can add to this old Topic but I am heading down to the Sadao tomorrow to extend my entry into Thailand so thought I would check to see if there had been any changes to the requirements since I fly back to the UK on 23rd and do not want to do the O/A paper chase all over again .

As far as I know I need to fill out the TM8 with attached Photo , Copy of Passport photo page , Copy of current O/A Visa , Entry / Permit to Stay Stamp and TM6 Departure card + 3800 Baht for Multiple Entry .

I am sure the requirements have not changed but its a long way to drive down there only to be told that I am missing some thing .Once I have got stamped back into Thailand with tomorrows date I will get a local copy shop to copy the stamp in passport and TM6 Departure Card then go into the main immigration office in Sadao the one next to passport control .

Many thanks

[ubonjoe]

No changes. You have it correct.

[sub101uk]

Thanks Joe I was going to PM you since we went into this a few months ago .

Many Thanks

[sub101uk]

Current visa Held O/A issued at London 25th Feb 2014

Hi Joe and all the others reading this , Well I got down to Sadao and got stamped out of Thailand down the Hill stamped in and out of Malaysia then back up the hill again into Thailand but this is were the problem started .

When I went to get stamped back into Thailand I was told " You Cannot re enter Thailand because I only stayed 1 day in Malaysia " and they told me to go the the office , The office told me to go back to a different counter , I did this 4 times until they they sent me to see some supervisor and then I was able to re enter Thailand .But its clear they do not like you getting stamped out only to get re stamped back in again in less than one hour .

So for other farang going to Sadao doing a Visa run its no longer a straight forward job and turned out a total nightmare getting stamped back in . I dont know if this is just Sadao or are all land base boarder crossing doing this .I know they were cutting down on normal tourist visas but I did not know

As far as Application for Re-Entrying Permit into Thailand using a TM8 " No Body Down at Sadao knows any thing about this ? Thinking all was lost I thought of stopping into the Hat Yai immigration office the one next to the main police station next to the railway , They knew straight away what a TM8 was and what the requirements were to gain a 12 month multiple Re - Entrying permit and within a short time the stamp was in my passport total cost 3800 Baht .

So I dont have to do the paper chase for a new O/A until 2016 .I hope this helps some other person as its a straight forward job but if you can no longer get stamped out then stamped back in within a hour that means over night stays at Sadao .

[Mario2008]

Sadao is notorious for making problems like this and best to avoid.

Re-entry permits can not be gotten at border crossings, with the exception of some airports leaving the country. You would have to go to an immirgaiton office, such as Hat Yai as you did.

[sub101uk]

Hi Mario2008

Thanks for the feed back but I have been using Sadao for many years so it was a bit of a shock to be refused entry back into Thailand .

I have never seen anything to say that you cannot stamp out and within the hour stamp back in again ,

But once I had the Re-Entrying stamp it was no problem to extend the life of the O/A at Hat Yai .

[ubonjoe]

Lots of bad reports about Sadao for the past 6 or 7 months. Reports of being told to put 500 baht in your passport to avoid problems.

[sub101uk]

Thanks Joe but I have never had any problems like this before I thought the problem might had been to extend the O/A but once at Hat Yai I was in and out in 10 minutes .

Understood on the 500 Baht in the passport , This is the type of thing we do in Africa but this is the first time I have heard it about at Sadao , But I went to 4 desks after going back to the office as many times other wise it means I will have to get a cheap flight to KL or a over night stay in Sadao. Anyway all is well now and I have my new Mult Re-Entrying Permit 19/01/2016 .

[mahjongguy]

"...the passport its self is due to expiry in March 2016"

If you travel to countries which require six months passport validity to enter, then before long you should begin the process of getting a new passport (or two).

[sub101uk]

Sorry this is not a issue with the expiry date of passport this was a issue of refused entry into Thailand because I was stamped out less than one hour ago and it would seem to cannot stamp out , Stamp into + out of Malaysia then stamp back into Thailand .

Yes I do have more than one passport but like I said its clear from what Joe was saying you now have to place 500 Baht in passport other wise you end up going from counter to counter until someone stamps you back again or it means staying in Sadao over night . But all of this is nothing compared with the paper chase for a new OA , I will be applying for a new O/A next year but to do it every year is not a option .

[mahjongguy]

"Sorry this is not a issue with the expiry date of passport..."

I understand your issue. And if it works better for you to get O-A visas rather than annual extensions then okay.

I only invited you to consider getting a new passport well in advance of its expiration. There are several good reasons for that, especially for UK citizens living abroad.

[sub101uk]

Sorry I dont think you understand in my job its standard Item for me to have a second passport in the same way I have got 2 Seamans books ,but I did not plan to be refused entry back into Thailand just goes to show you even the best plans get screwed up but I never thought there was a issue just stamping out of Thailand then stamping back in .