Non IM OA - requirements @ Swampy?

[Lex Talionis]

I recently received the Non iM OA visa from the Thai consulate in New York City. I applied under the guideline rules for retirement in Thailand. I presented them with all the documents that they needed to verify that I more than qualified under the yearly income parameters. Curiously, the man I was dealing with claimed that the income requirement was not sufficient. When I looked at him perplexed he asked how much money I had in the bank. I told him a number and he asked me to write it down on a slip of random paper he handed me (not an application form.) Curious. Any way 2 days later I had my visa.

My question is: will I need to show any additional documentation when I arrive at the immigration counter in BKK? Or will they just stamp me in no questions asked?

Thanks.

[Jingthing]

No worries.

Write your visa number on your landing card and indeed they will stamp you in for a one year stay upon arrival.

There is no way they are going to question you about how you qualified for the O-A visa in your passport.

[Diplomatico]

Yeah, you're good to go.

[dddave]

I have learned that it's always a good idea to figure in advance what the correct date of the stamp should be when passing thru Immigration. If there is a discrepancy, you will be able to spot it immediately, while you are still at the booth. Immigration officers do sometimes make mistakes and it is so much easier to rectify if you can correct it right there.

[Langsuan Man]

I am just curios, since I have gotten numerous O-A visas from the New York Consulate, and there has never been a question regarding the submitted documents ( medical form, police check, and income statement) what exactly did you provide for income that caused the question in the first place ?

I always just submit my monthly annuity statement and that has never been questioned

[Lex Talionis]

I supplied copies of several monthly bank statements. They clearly showed evidence of more than enough income to qualify. He seemed to be saying that the income half of the equation was not good enough. Kept insisting that I show evidence of my net worth. I said I didn't have it with me. He asked me how much I had in the bank. As I said before I gave him a number and he asked me to scribble it on a blank piece of paper, which he then slipped in with the rest of my forms. Very odd.

This was the guy at the counter, not the actual person that, I assume, later reviewed all my forms. Bit of an odd duck i'd say.

He took my passport along with the forms and began reviewing them. Two minutes later he asked me for my passport. I replied that I already gave it to him but he insisted he didn't have it. In an exasperated manner he began searching on his desk. Then rifled through a big stack of passports he had in a box, opening each one to look for my name/picture. He finally found it but there were no apologies forthcoming. Yet I maintained my composure, keeping a little smile on my face the whole time.

When I came back 2 days later I was expecting trouble but the same guy simply handed me back my passport with visa attached. He even congratulated me. I smiled, waied and took my exit.

[Jingthing]

Maybe it was borderline based on exchange rates, which are always fluctuating.

He might have been concerned about later qualification when applying for retirement extensions in Thailand in which case you can use the combo method to make up any shortages in income with money in a Thai bank.

So xe today says 65K baht per month is 1973 dollars.

Was your income MUCH GREATER (like 20 percent more) than that or more borderline?

If borderline, I would understand the query at the consulate.

If not, I don't get it.

In any case, this will never be an issue on entering Thailand, but if applying for retirement extensions in Thailand then you must qualify for those annually at your local Thai immigration office under the rules in Thailand.

For example, if an applicant in New York had a current income of 1850 and almost no savings I'd say he was at high risk of later not being able to qualify for eventual retirement extensions in Thailand (both exchange rates change and also requirements can change as well). If he had half a million dollars in savings ... different story.

Just a theory about what the guy might have been thinking. Actually, it's really none of their business at the embassy or consulate whether you might be at risk for not qualifying for LATER retirement extensions. They are just supposed to see if you qualify for the visa you are applying for there and then, and that's it. It's not a lifetime visa after all!

[Lex Talionis]

The income that I showed him was much greater. Not even close to being borderline. He had no problem with the amount of income. He seemed to be implying that income alone was insufficient. That money in the bank was the critical factor. At least twice I said "I thought income of 65,000฿ qualifies me." Each time he shook his head and said "800,000฿ in bank."

I really think the dude didn't know what he was talking about. And I'm sure the person that later formally processed my application had no problem with it at all. Anyway just a minor snafu. Got my O-A.

[Jingthing]

The income that I showed him was much greater. Not even close to being borderline. He had no problem with the amount of income. He seemed to be implying that income alone was insufficient. That money in the bank was the critical factor. At least twice I said "I thought income of 65,000฿ qualifies me." Each time he shook his head and said "800,000฿ in bank."

I really think the dude didn't know what he was talking about. And I'm sure the person that later formally processed my application had no problem with it at all. Anyway just a minor snafu. Got my O-A.

Yep. You're right. Yet another case where staff at Thai embassies and consulates don't have a clue about the actual rules for Thai immigration matters IN THAILAND. My theory gave him too much credit. Best wishes for your time in Thailand.

[Langsuan Man]

I supplied copies of several monthly bank statements. They clearly showed evidence of more than enough income to qualify. He seemed to be saying that the income half of the equation was not good enough. Kept insisting that I show evidence of my net worth. I said I didn't have it with me. He asked me how much I had in the bank. As I said before I gave him a number and he asked me to scribble it on a blank piece of paper, which he then slipped in with the rest of my forms. Very odd.

This was the guy at the counter, not the actual person that, I assume, later reviewed all my forms. Bit of an odd duck i'd say.

He took my passport along with the forms and began reviewing them. Two minutes later he asked me for my passport. I replied that I already gave it to him but he insisted he didn't have it. In an exasperated manner he began searching on his desk. Then rifled through a big stack of passports he had in a box, opening each one to look for my name/picture. He finally found it but there were no apologies forthcoming. Yet I maintained my composure, keeping a little smile on my face the whole time.

When I came back 2 days later I was expecting trouble but the same guy simply handed me back my passport with visa attached. He even congratulated me. I smiled, waied and took my exit.

He was probably confused because the New York Consulate web site instructions are also confusing (especially the part about the Letter of guarantee from the bank)

1. Three copies of bank statement showing a deposit at the amount equal to no less than 800,000 Baht, or an income certificate (an original copy) with a monthly salary of no less than 65,000 Baht, or a deposit account plus a monthly income of no less than 800,000 Baht a year.
2. Letter of guarantee from the bank (original copy).

source: http://www.thaicgny.com/%E0%B8%A0%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A9%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%AD-%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A4%E0%B8%A9-english-version/visa/o-a-visas/

Since I apply by mail I always enclose the requirements for the "documents" with a check mark next to each item as sort of a cover sheet to the packet

[NancyL]

Perhaps the guy was having trouble deciphering the bank statements to figure out an exact monthly income amount. The OP said the statements he submitted showed he met the "yearly" income parameters. If it was investment accounts that paid on an irregular basis, then I can understand why the consular officials could be confused.

I doubt they have problems with something like a regular monthly Social Security pension or a private pension from, say, a union or a Fortune 100 company where statements could easily be produced to show a regular, monthly income stream.

[Lex Talionis]

Follow up: I just came through immigration at BKK this morning. The IO said not a single word.

I looked to verify the date stamp afterwards. The only one I could find was on my departure card. Is that normal?

[mahjongguy]

"I looked to verify the date stamp afterwards. The only one I could find was on my departure card. Is that normal?"

No. Look again. You should find the same stamp on one of the passport pages.

[ubonjoe]

There should be one someplace in your passport. Normally it should be on the page next to your visa.

[Langsuan Man]

On my latest entry the Immigration officer stamped my "admitted until " stamp on the page opposite an older expired O-A Visa

Since I check before leaving the counter I politely asked her where it was. After showing me, she said she put it there to save me some space

Hopefully when I depart I can politely ask the outbound Immigration Officer to place the exit stamp there also, other wise, I am going to have a whole page opposite my current O-A Visa with only an exit stamp on it

[Lex Talionis]

"I looked to verify the date stamp afterwards. The only one I could find was on my departure card. Is that normal?"

No. Look again. You should find the same stamp on one of the passport pages.

Thanks. I found it a few pages further up.

[bbi1]

"I looked to verify the date stamp afterwards. The only one I could find was on my departure card. Is that normal?"

No. Look again. You should find the same stamp on one of the passport pages.

Thanks. I found it a few pages further up.

Immigration sure do like to stamp random pages in the passport rather than following & stamping the pages in order. I can never understand why they do this....