Visa Terminology is important

[MiclB]

I just read a very active post that the OP had asked for info on his specific situation; the thread is crap-full of actually great information but unfortunately about 90% of the info is not relevant to OP's question, partially because he didn't know the terminology and mostly 'cause lots of folks love to correct general misstatements as they relate to varying situations. I have been there. I came here on a Non-O from US/DC based on "to stay with spouse". Wife is dual nat and traveling with me but the embassy said no foul. I decided to apply for extension based on retirement (less reoccurring paperwork than spousal) as we come 1 or 2 times annually and like to stay 3-4 months.

I asked for UbonJoe's advise and after he somewhat painfully educated me on importance of terminology and I followed his advice.

Yesterday I went to local Imm Off with the correct papers and funds; arrived-processed-and out the door driving home in less than 30 minutes, with a 1 year extension of stay, re-entry permit, and directions as when to report, etc. (and they made copies and pics for me).

Thank You UBONJOE!

[glegolo]

Yes have to agree with you. Ubonjoe is doing a great job.. It is also very common that people in general just refuse to use the proper terms and words for what is what... Retirement-VISA is VERY common, there is no retirement-VISA but they just never stop.. it is being called extenstion of stay... and so on.....

Glegolo

[KhunBENQ]

Wish I could explain you the terminology chaos in the German language forums

[Suradit69]

Yes have to agree with you. Ubonjoe is doing a great job.. It is also very common that people in general just refuse to use the proper terms and words for what is what... Retirement-VISA is VERY common, there is no retirement-VISA but they just never stop.. it is being called extenstion of stay... and so on.....

Glegolo

Even worse is the incorrect idea that getting an extension of stay means getting an extension of the visa you used when entering the country.

Thinking that has meant some people with extensions of stay believe their visa has been extended, they travel out of Thailand and ... surprise, surprise ... when they return they get a 30 day visa exempt entry and no longer have an extension of stay.If you want to travel across borders you need a re-entry permit because the old visa is no longer going to get you back in Thailand if it's expired and even if it's not yet expired, using it will kill your extension of stay.

Visas have use-by or expiration dates printed on them and those cannot be extended. Extensions of stay mean just that. You can STAY IN Thailand for an extended period.

[masuk]

Yes have to agree with you. Ubonjoe is doing a great job.. It is also very common that people in general just refuse to use the proper terms and words for what is what... Retirement-VISA is VERY common, there is no retirement-VISA but they just never stop.. it is being called extenstion of stay... and so on.....

Glegolo

Immigration staff at Chiang Mai certainly refer to an extension as "retirement visa".

[glegolo]

Yes have to agree with you. Ubonjoe is doing a great job.. It is also very common that people in general just refuse to use the proper terms and words for what is what... Retirement-VISA is VERY common, there is no retirement-VISA but they just never stop.. it is being called extenstion of stay... and so on.....

Glegolo

Immigration staff at Chiang Mai certainly refer to an extension as "retirement visa".

Yes you see!! It is VERY IMPORTANT to use the correct words... Many of these immigration-officers do not know the correct words, so watch out......

Also they are using wrong words because so many falangs do not understand the proper correct words..... Like talking to adult babies....

Glegolo

[Upnotover]

Yes have to agree with you. Ubonjoe is doing a great job.. It is also very common that people in general just refuse to use the proper terms and words for what is what... Retirement-VISA is VERY common, there is no retirement-VISA but they just never stop.. it is being called extenstion of stay... and so on.....

Glegolo

Immigration staff at Chiang Mai certainly refer to an extension as "retirement visa".

The airport is not helping much either.....

[Nuddy]

Its very easy to use the wrong terminology especially when the officials use it as well but then they need to because so many foreigners wouldn't understand otherwise.

A retirement Visa would cost more than an extension based on retirement as well.

Its all about the money

[glegolo]

Its very easy to use the wrong terminology especially when the officials use it as well but then they need to because so many foreigners wouldn't understand otherwise.

A retirement Visa would cost more than an extension based on retirement as well.

Its all about the money

And here we go!!!

Glegolo

[laislica]

Beats the crap outa me! I only know about Visa waivers, Non Imm o Visas and retirement extensions.

Someone please explain about Education Visas, Work Permits, and the Executive thingy and permanent Residency.......

So, to get you experts started.....

1) attempt to enter Thailand for the first time - get a Visa Waiver - good for 30 days stay. However, don't think you can just pop across a border and come back and get another Visa Waiver...... You will get them as long as you look like a genuine tourist. Back to back Visa Waivers might look like you are working illegally.....

2) Buy a Visa in your home country. It has a Enter by date and a you can stay in Thailand for xx days. As you enter the visa is stamped USED - it is dead. You also get a stamp saying can stay till, date (the xx days).

(Someone please explain where how the initial xx days is 90 but a visa run is necessary for the other 30 days)

3) in Thailand on a Visa waiver, buy a Non Imm O visa for 30 days.

4) 45-30 days before that Non Imm O expires, get an extension based on marriage or retirement (assuming you qualify)

Also buy either a single re-entry permit or a multiple re-entry permit.

Now you can visit another country once or many times and return to Thailand.

Note once you use your single re-entry permit you must get another before you leave if you wish to re-enter during the period of your permission to stay.

5) Remember to do your "I'm at this address report" for every contiguous 90 days that you are in Thailand - the 90 day report.

OK Experst - go for it!

and thank you - this will be very helpful and maybe a good result - only the conclusion, should be pinned.

[glegolo]

laislica

Posted Today, 18:37

Beats the crap outa me! I only know about Visa waivers, Non Imm o Visas and retirement extensions.

Someone please explain about Education Visas, Work Permits, and the Executive thingy and permanent Residency.......

So, to get you experts started.....

1) attempt to enter Thailand for the first time - get a Visa Waiver - good for 30 days stay. However, don't think you can just pop across a border and come back and get another Visa Waiver...... You will get them as long as you look like a genuine tourist. Back to back Visa Waivers might look like you are working illegally.....

2) Buy a Visa in your home country. It has a Enter by date and a you can stay in Thailand for xx days. As you enter the visa is stamped USED - it is dead. You also get a stamp saying can stay till, date (the xx days).

(Someone please explain where how the initial xx days is 90 but a visa run is necessary for the other 30 days)

3) in Thailand on a Visa waiver, buy a Non Imm O visa for 30 days.

4) 45-30 days before that Non Imm O expires, get an extension based on marriage or retirement (assuming you qualify)

Also buy either a single re-entry permit or a multiple re-entry permit.

Now you can visit another country once or many times and return to Thailand.

Note once you use your single re-entry permit you must get another before you leave if you wish to re-enter during the period of your permission to stay.

5) Remember to do your "I'm at this address report" for every contiguous 90 days that you are in Thailand - the 90 day report.

OK Experst - go for it!

and thank you - this will be very helpful and maybe a good result - only the conclusion, should be pinned.

==================================================================================

Don´t you want to know about the meaning of life as well..... Seriously,,,,,,???

Glegolo

[laislica]

laislica

Posted Today, 18:37

Beats the crap outa me! I only know about Visa waivers, Non Imm o Visas and retirement extensions.

Someone please explain about Education Visas, Work Permits, and the Executive thingy and permanent Residency.......

So, to get you experts started.....

1) attempt to enter Thailand for the first time - get a Visa Waiver - good for 30 days stay. However, don't think you can just pop across a border and come back and get another Visa Waiver...... You will get them as long as you look like a genuine tourist. Back to back Visa Waivers might look like you are working illegally.....

2) Buy a Visa in your home country. It has a Enter by date and a you can stay in Thailand for xx days. As you enter the visa is stamped USED - it is dead. You also get a stamp saying can stay till, date (the xx days).

(Someone please explain where how the initial xx days is 90 but a visa run is necessary for the other 30 days)

3) in Thailand on a Visa waiver, buy a Non Imm O visa for 30 days.

4) 45-30 days before that Non Imm O expires, get an extension based on marriage or retirement (assuming you qualify)

Also buy either a single re-entry permit or a multiple re-entry permit.

Now you can visit another country once or many times and return to Thailand.

Note once you use your single re-entry permit you must get another before you leave if you wish to re-enter during the period of your permission to stay.

5) Remember to do your "I'm at this address report" for every contiguous 90 days that you are in Thailand - the 90 day report.

OK Experst - go for it!

and thank you - this will be very helpful and maybe a good result - only the conclusion, should be pinned.

==================================================================================

Don´t you want to know about the meaning of life as well..... Seriously,,,,,,???

Glegolo

Er 42?

[Greenhill]

Yes have to agree with you. Ubonjoe is doing a great job.. It is also very common that people in general just refuse to use the proper terms and words for what is what... Retirement-VISA is VERY common, there is no retirement-VISA but they just never stop.. it is being called extenstion of stay... and so on.....

Glegolo

When I said to an Immigration Officer at Jomtien that I would like an extension to stay based on retirement, he said 'Huh'? Then when he understood better, he said 'Oooooh' (you know the way they do) and said 'you want retirement visa'??? I didn't try to correct him and say there isn't such a thing, I just said 'yes, please'!!

[AYJAYDEE]

laislica

Posted Today, 18:37

Beats the crap outa me! I only know about Visa waivers, Non Imm o Visas and retirement extensions.

Someone please explain about Education Visas, Work Permits, and the Executive thingy and permanent Residency.......

So, to get you experts started.....

1) attempt to enter Thailand for the first time - get a Visa Waiver - good for 30 days stay. However, don't think you can just pop across a border and come back and get another Visa Waiver...... You will get them as long as you look like a genuine tourist. Back to back Visa Waivers might look like you are working illegally.....

2) Buy a Visa in your home country. It has a Enter by date and a you can stay in Thailand for xx days. As you enter the visa is stamped USED - it is dead. You also get a stamp saying can stay till, date (the xx days).

(Someone please explain where how the initial xx days is 90 but a visa run is necessary for the other 30 days)

3) in Thailand on a Visa waiver, buy a Non Imm O visa for 30 days.

4) 45-30 days before that Non Imm O expires, get an extension based on marriage or retirement (assuming you qualify)

Also buy either a single re-entry permit or a multiple re-entry permit.

Now you can visit another country once or many times and return to Thailand.

Note once you use your single re-entry permit you must get another before you leave if you wish to re-enter during the period of your permission to stay.

5) Remember to do your "I'm at this address report" for every contiguous 90 days that you are in Thailand - the 90 day report.

OK Experst - go for it!

and thank you - this will be very helpful and maybe a good result - only the conclusion, should be pinned.

==================================================================================

Don´t you want to know about the meaning of life as well..... Seriously,,,,,,???

Glegolo

Er 42?

on what basis can just anybody qualify for a non-o??

[csabo]

Yes have to agree with you. Ubonjoe is doing a great job.. It is also very common that people in general just refuse to use the proper terms and words for what is what... Retirement-VISA is VERY common, there is no retirement-VISA but they just never stop.. it is being called extenstion of stay... and so on.....

Glegolo

When I said to an Immigration Officer at Jomtien that I would like an extension to stay based on retirement, he said 'Huh'? Then when he understood better, he said 'Oooooh' (you know the way they do) and said 'you want retirement visa'??? I didn't try to correct him and say there isn't such a thing, I just said 'yes, please'!!

It's true. It's kinda like Coke vs. CocaCola. Popular opinion has modified an assigned term to what it probably should have been in the first place. It would be so much easier for everyone if they just issued actual visas and named them appropriately ie; a Retirement Visa, a Business Visa, a Marriage Visa. All this Non-B O/A 7/30/90 day or 12 month extension yadayadayada is a hassle to understand. It's understandable when people just slap incorrect terms on these things even though it perpetuates the cycle of misunderstanding.

[DoctorG]

Whilst it is important to "know" the correct term, it is not a hanging offence to use the common terms.

Everone knows what is meant by "retirement visa". There is no need for posters to jump on every misuse of this term.

Mods often jump all over the "grammar police" for their corrections, but they do not do so for the "visa police". Why is this?

Spelling on this forum is appalling, especially from NES's but I never attempt to correct it, I just do not read their posts with any interest.

[Crossy]

Swampy's re-entry desk also calls it a 're-entry visa', we can't win

The one that really can cause confusion is 'Visa Exemption' and 'Visa on Arrival' which really are two very different animals.

[glegolo]

Whilst it is important to "know" the correct term, it is not a hanging offence to use the common terms.

Everone knows what is meant by "retirement visa". There is no need for posters to jump on every misuse of this term.

Mods often jump all over the "grammar police" for their corrections, but they do not do so for the "visa police". Why is this?

Spelling on this forum is appalling, especially from NES's but I never attempt to correct it, I just do not read their posts with any interest.

Reasons for us humans to have different words for different things, are maybe to reduce the risk of missundertandings in our communications.

If you like to just let it go on without anybody pointing it out, you will just ends up like a unknowing knowing it all.

Many people call a Non immigrant O-A a "Retirement-VISA", and many people call extension of stay based on retirement also a "retirement-VISA", so

there you have it.....missunderstanding!!

I hope by this post the message reached you and obviosly even more importantly, I hope as a NES that I have spelled the words correctly, so you not just stopped reading due to lack of interest....

Finally-------learning is a human thing,,,,it is not bad at all.....

Glegolo

[Ballbearing]

UbonJoe,

Can I request a bit of advice please.

I am a 53 year old married to a Thai so I am eligible for the Marriage or Retirement options.

I work in Malaysia and return to Thailand every 4 weeks.

1 Can I get the Non Immigrant O Multiple entry visa in Penang ?

2 Is there anywhere in Cambodia this can be done ? (I live close to the border)

3 If I have the O visa can I apply for an extension of stay based on marriage or retirement at any time in the year covered by the visa ?

4 In your personal opinion which extension of stay is easiest to obtain and easiest to maintain ?

Any help greatly appreciated,

Cheers,

BB

[Diplomatico]

Whilst it is important to "know" the correct term, it is not a hanging offence to use the common terms.

Everone knows what is meant by "retirement visa". There is no need for posters to jump on every misuse of this term.

Mods often jump all over the "grammar police" for their corrections, but they do not do so for the "visa police". Why is this?

Spelling on this forum is appalling, especially from NES's but I never attempt to correct it, I just do not read their posts with any interest.

Yeah, there are a few posters in this forum (in this thread, even) who have some sort of delusional authority complex. They don't actually provide any knowledge, information, or insight regarding the visa processes but they enjoy inserting themselves into threads to tell others how they should post. Easy to just block their posts or ignore them (or call them out for being assclowns, lol.)

Kudos to ubonjoe, mario2008, and others who actually do provide information to people with legitimate inquiries who may or may not know the correct terminology when asking for assistance.

[DoctorG]

Whilst it is important to "know" the correct term, it is not a hanging offence to use the common terms.

Everone knows what is meant by "retirement visa". There is no need for posters to jump on every misuse of this term.

Mods often jump all over the "grammar police" for their corrections, but they do not do so for the "visa police". Why is this?

Spelling on this forum is appalling, especially from NES's but I never attempt to correct it, I just do not read their posts with any interest.

Reasons for us humans to have different words for different things, are maybe to reduce the risk of missundertandings in our communications.

If you like to just let it go on without anybody pointing it out, you will just ends up like a unknowing knowing it all.

Many people call a Non immigrant O-A a "Retirement-VISA", and many people call extension of stay based on retirement also a "retirement-VISA", so

there you have it.....missunderstanding!!

I hope by this post the message reached you and obviosly even more importantly, I hope as a NES that I have spelled the words correctly, so you not just stopped reading due to lack of interest....

Finally-------learning is a human thing,,,,it is not bad at all.....

Glegolo

A+ for your spelling

Comprehension - not so great.

Try reading my first line again. Knowledge is great but using language that everyone uses, including thai immigration, is also good.

Posters who jump on with " O-A" are usually just showing off, and add nothing to the thread.

[ubonjoe]

UbonJoe,

Can I request a bit of advice please.

I am a 53 year old married to a Thai so I am eligible for the Marriage or Retirement options.

I work in Malaysia and return to Thailand every 4 weeks.

1 Can I get the Non Immigrant O Multiple entry visa in Penang ?

2 Is there anywhere in Cambodia this can be done ? (I live close to the border)

3 If I have the O visa can I apply for an extension of stay based on marriage or retirement at any time in the year covered by the visa ?

4 In your personal opinion which extension of stay is easiest to obtain and easiest to maintain ?

Any help greatly appreciated,

Cheers,

BB

1. Yes if you can show 400k baht in the bank or 40k baht income. You can get it in Savannakhet Laos with no financial proof and they do the visa on the same day you apply.

2. No

3. You can apply for the extension during the last 30 days of any of the 90 day entries form the visa.

4. The only big difference between the 2 is that you will get a 30 day under consideration stamp and have to go back for the extension stamp for an extension based upon marriage. No under consideration period for retirement but need double the money in the bank and 25k baht more income.

I have done 7 extensions based upon marriage and have found them not to be that big a problem. It is certainly is not worth the extra money to get an extension for retirement IMO.

[Ballbearing]

UbonJoe,

Can I request a bit of advice please.

I am a 53 year old married to a Thai so I am eligible for the Marriage or Retirement options.

I work in Malaysia and return to Thailand every 4 weeks.

1 Can I get the Non Immigrant O Multiple entry visa in Penang ?

2 Is there anywhere in Cambodia this can be done ? (I live close to the border)

3 If I have the O visa can I apply for an extension of stay based on marriage or retirement at any time in the year covered by the visa ?

4 In your personal opinion which extension of stay is easiest to obtain and easiest to maintain ?

Any help greatly appreciated,

Cheers,

BB

1. Yes if you can show 400k baht in the bank or 40k baht income. You can get it in Savannakhet Laos with no financial proof and they do the visa on the same day you apply.

2. No

3. You can apply for the extension during the last 30 days of any of the 90 day entries form the visa.

4. The only big difference between the 2 is that you will get a 30 day under consideration stamp and have to go back for the extension stamp for an extension based upon marriage. No under consideration period for retirement but need double the money in the bank and 25k baht more income.

I have done 7 extensions based upon marriage and have found them not to be that big a problem. It is certainly is not worth the extra money to get an extension for retirement IMO.

Thank you for the assistance UbonJoe - appreciated

[lounger]

Surely it does not matter what word of English/jargon is used so long as it is not ambiguous and follows general usage.

I know of only one visa/extension used by faranges living here as though retired. It is >50years >800kbaht, I year stamp in the passport and it goes by the generic name of retirement visa. Is that ambiguous? I think not.

Someone leaving the kingdom during the life of their visa needs another passport stamp otherwise the visa lapses, This goes by the generic name of a re-entry permit/visa/stamp. Is it ambiguous? I think not.

Putting the immigration dept language under the microscope is absurd when we live in a country which for example calls soft drinks by colour nam green or red and whisky means spirit alcohol. Even the name Thai whisky can cover at least 4 brands Mekong, HongThong, SangSom, Blend. Every female is a sister. Splitting hairs over something as obvious as re-entry permits and stay extensions is distracting us from actually learning the new laws.........

[laislica]

UbonJoe,

Can I request a bit of advice please.

I am a 53 year old married to a Thai so I am eligible for the Marriage or Retirement options.

I work in Malaysia and return to Thailand every 4 weeks.

1 Can I get the Non Immigrant O Multiple entry visa in Penang ?

2 Is there anywhere in Cambodia this can be done ? (I live close to the border)

3 If I have the O visa can I apply for an extension of stay based on marriage or retirement at any time in the year covered by the visa ?

4 In your personal opinion which extension of stay is easiest to obtain and easiest to maintain ?

Any help greatly appreciated,

Cheers,

BB

1. Yes if you can show 400k baht in the bank or 40k baht income. You can get it in Savannakhet Laos with no financial proof and they do the visa on the same day you apply.

2. No

3. You can apply for the extension during the last 30 days of any of the 90 day entries form the visa.

4. The only big difference between the 2 is that you will get a 30 day under consideration stamp and have to go back for the extension stamp for an extension based upon marriage. No under consideration period for retirement but need double the money in the bank and 25k baht more income.

I have done 7 extensions based upon marriage and have found them not to be that big a problem. It is certainly is not worth the extra money to get an extension for retirement IMO.

Thank you for the assistance UbonJoe - appreciated

When you apply for your marriage or retirement extension of stay, remember to also apply for a multiple re-entry permit.

[Ballbearing]

UbonJoe,

Can I request a bit of advice please.

I am a 53 year old married to a Thai so I am eligible for the Marriage or Retirement options.

I work in Malaysia and return to Thailand every 4 weeks.

1 Can I get the Non Immigrant O Multiple entry visa in Penang ?

2 Is there anywhere in Cambodia this can be done ? (I live close to the border)

3 If I have the O visa can I apply for an extension of stay based on marriage or retirement at any time in the year covered by the visa ?

4 In your personal opinion which extension of stay is easiest to obtain and easiest to maintain ?

Any help greatly appreciated,

Cheers,

BB

1. Yes if you can show 400k baht in the bank or 40k baht income. You can get it in Savannakhet Laos with no financial proof and they do the visa on the same day you apply.

2. No

3. You can apply for the extension during the last 30 days of any of the 90 day entries form the visa.

4. The only big difference between the 2 is that you will get a 30 day under consideration stamp and have to go back for the extension stamp for an extension based upon marriage. No under consideration period for retirement but need double the money in the bank and 25k baht more income.

I have done 7 extensions based upon marriage and have found them not to be that big a problem. It is certainly is not worth the extra money to get an extension for retirement IMO.

Thank you for the assistance UbonJoe - appreciated

When you apply for your marriage or retirement extension of stay, remember to also apply for a multiple re-entry permit.

Is a multiple re-entry permit in addition to the multiple entry visa ?

I will be flying in and out of Thailand every 4 weeks so probably need to make sure I get everything in order.

[AYJAYDEE]

Is a multiple re-entry permit in addition to the multiple entry visa ?

I will be flying in and out of Thailand every 4 weeks so probably need to make sure I get everything in order.

when youre on an extension of stay, the visa is no longer in effect. thats why you needed an extension of your permission to stay.

[Ballbearing]

Is a multiple re-entry permit in addition to the multiple entry visa ?

I will be flying in and out of Thailand every 4 weeks so probably need to make sure I get everything in order.

when youre on an extension of stay, the visa is no longer in effect. thats why you needed an extension of your permission to stay.

Thanks Ayjaydee,

So, if I get a multiple entry visa I can come and go as required.

As soon as I apply for an extension of stay (or is that as soon as I receive an extension of stay ?) I will need to apply for a multiple entry permit in order to come and go as I please.

Is that correct ?

Cheers,

BB

[Lite Beer]

^^^ That is correct.

[Guest]

Whilst it is important to "know" the correct term, it is not a hanging offence to use the common terms.

Everone knows what is meant by "retirement visa". There is no need for posters to jump on every misuse of this term.

Mods often jump all over the "grammar police" for their corrections, but they do not do so for the "visa police". Why is this?

Spelling on this forum is appalling, especially from NES's but I never attempt to correct it, I just do not read their posts with any interest.

could not agree with you more, many posters on this forum just live to bag someone, and we know what the common terms mean so live and let live