Non Imm O Savannakhet

[PeteDmoose]

Recently went to Savannakhet with my partner to get a Non Imm O with a view to retirement, took copy of every document needed for the retirement extension to show, rent contract, utility bills, even copy of my landlady's ID and the property registration card. I have a UK pension and have the relevant letters from the UK Embassy and I was OK, my English partner ( not married) does not, being a housewife for many years prior to us coming here. But she does have well over 800,000 bhat in a Thai bank account and all the same evidence of residence as me, as per what we thought were the rules !!!

At the super efficient new Consulate the Officer asked her for the letter proving she was retired !!!! In English and not having enough Thai to argue we explained that the Embassy could not and would not provide one as she would not be a pensioner for some years but he refused the O visa on the grounds she could not prove her retirement.

She is of age, has the rest of the requirements but we could not make him understand that she was retiring TO Thailand....... no budging so we both asked if we could have Tourist Visas, no problem and we picked them up the same day......we are trying to do the right thing and not abuse 'back to back' tourist visas but now what do we do ?????

[paz]

It is known that Savannakhet is reluctant to issue non-imm 'O' for people over 50.

You should have applied for the non-imm visa for yourself anyway because your paperwork was satisfying.

Now you both will have to apply for visa conversion, most likely in Bangkok, with the same documentation. That bust be done at least 15 days before permission of stay expires.

[kdrayong]

It is known that Savannakhet is reluctant to issue non-imm 'O' for people over 50.

You should have applied for the non-imm visa for yourself anyway because your paperwork was satisfying.

Now you both will have to apply for visa conversion, most likely in Bangkok, with the same documentation. That bust be done at least 15 days before permission of stay expires.

I'm able to second that, even if I didn't read here that Savannakhet was difficult, some months ago. So I recommended a German lady to apply for the Non-Imm-O at Savannakhet. (Refused, Tourist-Visa only.)

With the exactly the same documents, she was able to convert her TV to a Non-Imm-O at Chaeng Wattana a few days later without any problems, but a two trips to BKK were required.

[ubonjoe]

Savannakhet has gotten difficult to get a non-o for being 50 or over for retirement. unless you have proof getting a pension or an income letter along with financial proof.

Vientiane is a better choice. They will do it with an income letter or a bank book showing 800k baht in the bank.

[PeteDmoose]

Thanks for the replies.

We went there because a French friend had no trouble a couple of months earlier, and Ventiane is mayhem, but on the websites they have the same rules, I think the officer was either unclear or just not in the mood.

We have heard that Immigration in Chiang Mai have just started 'conversions' ( we live in Pai ) so that will be our next place to try for the non imm O, then apply in Maehongson at our usual office for the retirement.

I just wish it was standardised for all nearby embassies and consulates and they stood by the it, we would have confidence in what to expect.

We will still try and do it right...... unlike the Russians in the queue behind us bragging about the restaurants they run in Pattaya. for the past few years....... and the visa they got...... Tourist !!!