Recently arrived here last month on an O/A visa. I believe I have to report or send some forms or something every 90 days?

I'm living in a province that doesn't have an immigration office (about 2 hours away in Khon Kaen?) so Im hoping I can post or email.

Can some one give me a basic outline of what I need to do? Costs?

When my visa expires in 1 years time....is it a renewal process or do I basically have to go through the same original process

again (medicals, paperwork etc). Will this have to be done in Bangkok etc or can be done by post?

Any assistance appreciated

You have to report to Immigration every 90 days.

They might accept it by mail.

It would help if we knew were you were.

If you have a multi entry you do a border run just before it expires and get another 12 months. Apply for a 12 month extension in 2 years at immigration in Thailand.

No medicals or police checks needed.

Where are you and what O-A Visa do you have? Probably Multi Entry.

Chaiyaphum province. As stated I think Kohn Kaen the closest imm office.

As far as I know O/A means multiple entry? O is single entry.

What do you mean extension in 2 years? Does that mean my O/A visa is 12 + 12 months?

Thanks for your reply

If it is a multi entry yes. Have a look at the visa in your passport

Yes your office will be Khon Kaen.

90 day reports are free.

They might accept reporting by mail.

To be honest I would pop along to see them and have a chat.

Very friendly office.

Might just do that first time around

From BKK Immigration website:

Photocopy of passport pages with following pages
- front page showing name / surname / Passport No., ect.
- current visa
- last entry stamp of immigration
- last extension of visa
Photocopy of departure card TM.6 click to view Example TM.6 card
Previous notifications of staying over 90 days (if any) click to view Example document
Completely filled in and signed notification form TM.47 click to view Example document (Don't forget to sign name.)
Envelope with 10 Baht stamp affixed and return address of foreigner for the officer in charge to send back the lower part of form TM. 47 after having received the notification. This part must be kept for reference and for future notifications of staying over 90 days.
The above mentioned documents must be sent by registered mail and the receipt of the registration kept by the foreigner.
Send the mail before the renewal date 15 days

Chaiyaphum province. As stated I think Kohn Kaen the closest imm office.

As far as I know O/A means multiple entry? O is single entry.

What do you mean extension in 2 years? Does that mean my O/A visa is 12 + 12 months?

Thanks for your reply

O/A is multiple entry. Every time you leave the country during its initial year, you will be stamped back into the country for one year permission to stay from the date you re-enter the country (e.g., if you leave on 20 December and return on 25 December, your new permission to stay will be 25 December 2015.)

Your O/A visa has an "enter before date".....let's say for discussion purposes that date is 1 June 2015. If you were to leave the country on 25 May 2015 and return on 29 May 2015, you'd be stamped in until 29 May 2016 thus making your initial OA visa - for practical purposes - good for two years. That said, if you then want to leave the country again during that second year, you'd need to purchase a re-entry permit prior to departing or your permission to stay is cancelled when you leave and you start all over again.

Regarding 90 day reporting, you have to file one every time you are in country for 90 consecutive days. If you leave and come back, the clock starts over again. Where I live, one is encouraged to mail it in.

(A lot of the information you requested has been posted here many, many times previously. Take some time, use the search function, look at some of the "pinned" threads and you can find a lot of what you might need in the future.)

Chaiyaphum province. As stated I think Kohn Kaen the closest imm office.

As far as I know O/A means multiple entry? O is single entry.

What do you mean extension in 2 years? Does that mean my O/A visa is 12 + 12 months?

Thanks for your reply

O/A is multiple entry. Every time you leave the country during its initial year, you will be stamped back into the country for one year permission to stay from the date you re-enter the country (e.g., if you leave on 20 December and return on 25 December, your new permission to stay will be 25 December 2015.)

Your O/A visa has an "enter before date".....let's say for discussion purposes that date is 1 June 2015. If you were to leave the country on 25 May 2015 and return on 29 May 2015, you'd be stamped in until 29 May 2016 thus making your initial OA visa - for practical purposes - good for two years. That said, if you then want to leave the country again during that second year, you'd need to purchase a re-entry permit prior to departing or your permission to stay is cancelled when you leave and you start all over again.

Regarding 90 day reporting, you have to file one every time you are in country for 90 consecutive days. If you leave and come back, the clock starts over again. Where I live, one is encouraged to mail it in.

(A lot of the information you requested has been posted here many, many times previously. Take some time, use the search function, look at some of the "pinned" threads and you can find a lot of what you might need in the future.)

I am in a similar position but obviously with different dates. The end of my second year is 15 Nov 2015. What are my options for renewing at that point? Can this be converted to a so called retirement visa and if so what would the advantages be?

I'm still not clear? Is the O/A visa for 2 years or only two years if I leave the country during the first year? I thought it was one year with 90 day reporting and renewal every year?

As far as I can tell there is no actual thing as a retirement visa?

Chaiyaphum province. As stated I think Kohn Kaen the closest imm office.

As far as I know O/A means multiple entry? O is single entry.

What do you mean extension in 2 years? Does that mean my O/A visa is 12 + 12 months?

Thanks for your reply

O/A is multiple entry. Every time you leave the country during its initial year, you will be stamped back into the country for one year permission to stay from the date you re-enter the country (e.g., if you leave on 20 December and return on 25 December, your new permission to stay will be 25 December 2015.)

Your O/A visa has an "enter before date".....let's say for discussion purposes that date is 1 June 2015. If you were to leave the country on 25 May 2015 and return on 29 May 2015, you'd be stamped in until 29 May 2016 thus making your initial OA visa - for practical purposes - good for two years. That said, if you then want to leave the country again during that second year, you'd need to purchase a re-entry permit prior to departing or your permission to stay is cancelled when you leave and you start all over again.

Regarding 90 day reporting, you have to file one every time you are in country for 90 consecutive days. If you leave and come back, the clock starts over again. Where I live, one is encouraged to mail it in.

(A lot of the information you requested has been posted here many, many times previously. Take some time, use the search function, look at some of the "pinned" threads and you can find a lot of what you might need in the future.)

I am in a similar position but obviously with different dates. The end of my second year is 15 Nov 2015. What are my options for renewing at that point? Can this be converted to a so called retirement visa and if so what would the advantages be?

If you want a new "O-A", return to your country and apply, as you did for the current one, that is the closest thing to a "Retirement Visa".

If you want to apply for a one year "Extension of Permission to Stay", apply at the nearest Immigration office with about 30 days remaining on your current permission to stay. For the extension, no need for a medical, or background check, just proof of funds, choice of 800K in the bank, or 65K per month, or a combination of the two. Nothing really is converted, and the procedures above, discussed numerous times, so you should be able to find information for you area.

Also, if departing Thailand during the second year, be sure to obtain a re-entry permit, single and multi entries are available.

Edited December 3, 201411 yr by beechguy

I'm still not clear? Is the O/A visa for 2 years or only two years if I leave the country during the first year? I thought it was one year with 90 day reporting and renewal every year?

As far as I can tell there is no actual thing as a retirement visa?

The multi "O-A" is valid for a one year period, and upon each entry, you are granted a one year permission to stay period while it is valid. So if you enter just before expiration, you will be given a year to stay. But if you leave after the first year, the visa is no longer valid, that is why it is necessary to obtain a re-entry permit to preserve that period of stay.

As discussed dozens of times, the 90 day report has nothing to do with your period of stay, it is simply an address report for people remaining in the country 90 consecutive days or more.

For renewal, which do you want? Go back to your home country and apply for a new "O-A", or apply for a one year "Extension of Stay" based on retirement, available at the Immigration office in your area.

The "O-A" is the closest thing to an actual visa for retirement.

What is the current cost of the multi entry visa?

I'm still not clear? Is the O/A visa for 2 years or only two years if I leave the country during the first year? I thought it was one year with 90 day reporting and renewal every year?

As far as I can tell there is no actual thing as a retirement visa?

The multi "O-A" is valid for a one year period, and upon each entry, you are granted a one year permission to stay period while it is valid. So if you enter just before expiration, you will be given a year to stay. But if you leave after the first year, the visa is no longer valid, that is why it is necessary to obtain a re-entry permit to preserve that period of stay.

As discussed dozens of times, the 90 day report has nothing to do with your period of stay, it is simply an address report for people remaining in the country 90 consecutive days or more.

For renewal, which do you want? Go back to your home country and apply for a new "O-A", or apply for a one year "Extension of Stay" based on retirement, available at the Immigration office in your area.

The "O-A" is the closest thing to an actual visa for retirement.

Thank you. That does make sense and is 100% clear. Appreciate it. I assume you have to apply for an extension of stay in person and not by mail? When I first decided to come and live in Thailand from what I had read it was a "retirement" visa but have since found out that is wrong. It is disconcerting in someways to try and build a life here yet you are never certain of having your extension renewed even with the appropriate funds.

Yes. Apply for a 12 month extension in person when the time comes.

2.22 In the case of retirement:

Each permission shall be granted for no more than one year.

The alien:

(1) Must have been granted a non-immigrant visa (NON-IM).
(2) Must be 50 years of age or over.
(3) Must have evidence of having income of no less than Baht 65,000 per month: or (4) On the filing date, the applicant must have funds deposited in a bank in Thailand of no less than Baht 800,000 for the past three months. For the first year only, the applicant must have proof of a deposit account in which said amount of funds has been maintained for no less than 60 days prior to the filing date: or
(5) Must have an annual earning and fluids deposited with a bank totaling no less than Baht 800,0000 as of the filing date.

For renewal, which do you want? Go back to your home country and apply for a new "O-A", or apply for a one year "Extension of Stay" based on retirement, available at the Immigration office in your area.

I assume you are being colloquial here. The obvious thing to do is to continue applying for one year extensions of stay indefinitely if I want to live here?

For renewal, which do you want? Go back to your home country and apply for a new "O-A", or apply for a one year "Extension of Stay" based on retirement, available at the Immigration office in your area.

I assume you are being colloquial here. The obvious thing to do is to continue applying for one year extensions of stay indefinitely if I want to live here?

Actually, some people prefer not to keep very much money in Thailand, so it may make sense to keep their money in their home country.

I don't have a problem with it, and also there is the 65K income or a combination method.

As to your other comment, I've heard of very few, if any, being denied an extension, if they simply follow the procedures.

Chaiyaphum province. As stated I think Kohn Kaen the closest imm office.

As far as I know O/A means multiple entry? O is single entry.

What do you mean extension in 2 years? Does that mean my O/A visa is 12 + 12 months?

Thanks for your reply

O/A is multiple entry. <snip>

No it isn't. It can be, but it might not be. Mine wasn't.

O-A means you've gone through the Approvals process in your home country. You are A-pproved. O-A. Show the Immigration Officer at the airport your O-A Visa and he/she MUST give you a one year stamp, i.e. the "Admitted Until" date in the stamp they put in your passport must be one year from the date you arrived.

The single entry O-A is then dead. You can't use it again if you leave - get a re-entry permit instead before you leave. After 11 months, get a year's extension based on retirement.

The multiple entry is not dead. Other's have said what you can do with that. I never had one.

Edit:

Apparently the rules may have changed and single entry O-A Visas are now like rocking-horse poo... very difficult to find.

My apologies.

Edited December 8, 201411 yr by JetsetBkk

Everything I have read on the Australian immigration website states O visa single entry, O/A multiple entry. Mind you nothing would surprise me have seen so many different versions of government forms etc here. And no one seems to know whats

what. I may actually go out of the country for a quick trip and instigate the extra 12 months on the 11th month of my initial year stay. Reason being I don't want to bring 800k TB into the country if the exchange rate will be as low as they are predicting.

When applying for extensions after the first year does anyone know if it's ok to show the required funds in a bank in say Australia as opposed to actually having 800k TB in a Thai bank account? I got 2 different versions of this from the Thai embassy in

Australia too. Sounded like it was up to the person who checked your application....the lady actually told me that in an email.

When applying for extensions after the first year does anyone know if it's ok to show the required funds in a bank in say Australia as opposed to actually having 800k TB in a Thai bank account?

Funds must be in a Thai bank. That is clearly stated in regulations, and no exceptions are made.

O-A means you've gone through the Approvals process in your home country. You are A-pproved. O-A. Show the Immigration Officer at the airport your O-A Visa and he/she MUST give you a one year stamp, i.e. the "Admitted Until" date in the stamp they put in your passport must be one year from the date you arrived.

So, an O-A Visa is kind of like the Letters of Transit Peter Lorre stole in Casablanca: "...cannot be rescinded, not even questioned?" Good to know in these uncertain times.

Everything I have read on the Australian immigration website states O visa single entry, O/A multiple entry. Mind you nothing would surprise me have seen so many different versions of government forms etc here. And no one seems to know whats

what. I may actually go out of the country for a quick trip and instigate the extra 12 months on the 11th month of my initial year stay. Reason being I don't want to bring 800k TB into the country if the exchange rate will be as low as they are predicting.

When applying for extensions after the first year does anyone know if it's ok to show the required funds in a bank in say Australia as opposed to actually having 800k TB in a Thai bank account? I got 2 different versions of this from the Thai embassy in

Australia too. Sounded like it was up to the person who checked your application....the lady actually told me that in an email.

For Non 'O''A'

taken from thaiconsulatesydney.org/thai/visa

Validity of visa

The validity of visa is 12 months with multiple entries.

Validity of stay

Upon arrival, you will be allowed to stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 12 months.

For Non'O'

taken from thaiconsulatesydney.org/thai/visa#country/a/australia

The Non–immigrant “O” visa has 2 categories:

• Single entry visa will allow you to stay up to 90 days in Thailand and is valid for 3 months.

• Multiple entries visa will allow you to stay up to 90 days in Thailand on each visit and is valid for multiple entries within 12 months.

Everything I have read on the Australian immigration website states O visa single entry, O/A multiple entry. Mind you nothing would surprise me have seen so many different versions of government forms etc here. And no one seems to know whats

what. I may actually go out of the country for a quick trip and instigate the extra 12 months on the 11th month of my initial year stay. Reason being I don't want to bring 800k TB into the country if the exchange rate will be as low as they are predicting.

When applying for extensions after the first year does anyone know if it's ok to show the required funds in a bank in say Australia as opposed to actually having 800k TB in a Thai bank account? I got 2 different versions of this from the Thai embassy in

Australia too. Sounded like it was up to the person who checked your application....the lady actually told me that in an email.

I got my single entry "O-A (Long Stay)" visa over a decade ago, so it was quite a surprise to me to discover that single entry O-A visas are hard to get these days.

Regarding the money in the bank, I didn't take any chances all those years ago. I opened an account while on a tourist visa, and transferred the money before I applied for the O-A visa.

At that time you didn't have to do that - you had to show the money was in Thailand only when applying for the one year extension. But that was over 10 years ago. Times change.

I read on this forum a little while back the 800k only had to be in the Thai bank account prior to and at the time of applying for extension. As soon as the extension was granted you could take the money out again? Is that correct?

I read on this forum a little while back the 800k only had to be in the Thai bank account prior to and at the time of applying for extension. As soon as the extension was granted you could take the money out again? Is that correct?

Yes, correct.