Non Immigrant O Single Entry 3 Month Visa

[popshirt]

I am 50 years old, US citizen, and wish to apply for a non immigrant O single entry 3 month visa. My intention is to then apply for a retirement visa after I am in Bangkok. I meet all the requirements for the retirement visa. I have heard the Los Angeles consulate may or may not approve the non immigrant O visa and instead will issue a 90 day tourist visa. Does anyone have experience with this? I am travelling to Los Angeles next week and wonder if it is worth the effort or whether I should apply at some other consulate (Denver? Houston?). Any advice will be appreciated.

[lopburi3]

You don't seem to have much time so I would give it a try by showing them tickets as you do not have time to obtain the O-A; but not be too surprised to end up with a 60 day tourist visa. You can then convert that tourist visa with more than 21 days remaining on your permitted to stay to a non immigrant visa here in Thailand (Consulate will probably not know this so don't even ask). An extra step and 2,000 baht but can be done.

[popshirt]

You don't seem to have much time so I would give it a try by showing them tickets as you do not have time to obtain the O-A; but not be too surprised to end up with a 60 day tourist visa. You can then convert that tourist visa with more than 21 days remaining on your permitted to stay to a non immigrant visa here in Thailand (Consulate will probably not know this so don't even ask). An extra step and 2,000 baht but can be done.

I fly from LAX to LOS on Sept 30

[lopburi3]

I took the travel to LAX next week to mean you were departing then. If you have time by all means try a Consulate other than LA in that case. You could also probably do the O-A process in the US with that much time.

[popshirt]

Thanks Lopburi.

[popshirt]

Update: Los Angeles Consulate will NOT issue a type O visa unless for the specific reasons listed on their website. This does not include "preparing for retirement". They do issue O-A however. But there is not time for me, so I will get a 90 day and deal with the O and O-A when I get to Bkk.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Update: Los Angeles Consulate will NOT issue a type O visa unless for the specific reasons listed on their website. This does not include "preparing for retirement". They do issue O-A however. But there is not time for me, so I will get a 90 day and deal with the O and O-A when I get to Bkk.

Just extend the O at an Immigration office in Thailand.

[JimGant]

so I will get a 90 day and deal with the O and O-A when I get to Bkk.

No, you will get a tourist visa, which will get you a 60-day (not 90-day) stamp upon arrival in Thailand. So, based on the 21-days-remaining rule Lop mentioned, you'll need to get cracking by day 39 in Thailand, not day 69. And the term "O-A" evaporates once you leave the States, tho' the end result will be the same, i.e., permitted to stay for one year from date of entry into Thailand.