Q: Timing non-imm-oa to retirement extension

[Swiss1960]

Dear All

I have followed loads of threads about timing of when to get the retirement extension and am still a bit confused about WHEN exactly I can request the retirement extention at the immigration office (will be Jomtien for me), thus my questions. I will move to Thailand this year. Situation is that I need to travel back and forth few times between August and End-of-Year and have the following provisional plan:

• In July I could apply for the Non-Imm-OA (multi-entry valid one year) here in Switzerland
• in August, I will spend 1 month in Thailand to set up everthing with the rented place
• September I have to spend in Switzerland to clean up the last things (appartment, car etc.)
• Starting End September / beginning October, I will be back in Thailand
• December, I will spend Christmas with family in Switzerland (only few days)
• Before New Year, I will be back in Thailand for good.

As I see it, I have two options:

1. apply in July for the multi-entry non-imm-oa and use it from August for all the travels I must do and with that, I do not have to care about retirement extension until next year
2. travel in August with a visa-excempt entry from Swampy valid 30 days, then apply for a single-entry non-imm-oa in September, arrive in October and apply for the retirement extension in December (last 30d of the VISA validity) and at the same time request a re-entry permit with the retirement extension.

Please note that my extension will be based on 800K on a Thai Bank account which I already have and the money is already there and seasoned for longer than 3 months. In order to decide which is better for me (cost is not the issue, otherwise I would not travel back and forth so many times), my main questions are these

1. I know that each entry on the OA Visa allows me 90d in Thailand without need to extend after 60d like with tourist Visa's. Then I will either have to leave and reactivate the next 90d entry OR apply for the extension of stay based on retirement.
   Question: What is the EARLIEST I can apply for the retirement extension? I did read many times that this must be done during the last 30d of the 90d stay and mostly I read that it is about the seasoning of the 800K, but the seasoning is not an issue for me. COULD I apply earlier than the last 30d or is this a "hard" regulation somewhere?
2. If I chose the second option (single-entry OA), then I MUST apply for (and get) the retirement extension in December before I travel back to Switzerland.
   Question: Assuming I fulfill all requirements and have all documents, how long does it take the Immigration Office (as I said, Jomtien for me) to issue the retirement extension?
3. Question: Will they issue the re-entry permit (either single or multiple) at the same time? I would prefer a multi-entry as I will definitely travel back to Switzerland for holidays and some private events at least twice a year.

I know, lot of details and questions, maybe not valid of too much use for others, but in order to get your recommendations and answers, I tried to be as precise as possible.

Thank you in advance for all the knowledgeable people for clarifying my questions.

[beechguy]

I think you need to do a little more research. I was under the impression, an "O-A", allowed a one year entry, every entry while valid. A one year,multi-entry "O", would allow a 90 day stay each entry, while valid. Which on are you actually intending to apply for?

Most Immigration offices don't want to do the one year extension, more than 30 days early, some will 45-60 days under certain circumstances. Issuing of the one year extension can be same day, but have read of some having to wait a day or two.

[ubonjoe]

You are confusing OA visas and non-o visas.

A OA visa gives multiple one year entries for a year. You would not have to do an extension for about 2 years. You would need to a medical certificate and police background check to apply for it.

A non-o visa gives 90 day entries. If you get a multiple entry non-o you have to leave the country every 90 days.

It seems you only need a single entry non-o visa and then apply for the extension during the last 45 days (Jomtien rule) of your 90 day entry.

I suggest you make your trip in August on a 30 day visa exempt entry then get the single entry non-o visa when you are back in home in September. Then apply for the extension of stay based upon retirement before going back in December and get a re-entry permit for your trip.

You can apply for your extension and then as soon as it done you can apply for a multiple re-entry permit. Jomtien often has you come back the next day to pick up your passport after applying for the extension. Then you could apply for the re-entry permit.

[Mario2008]

As said, the multiple O-A visa allows a stay of 1 year not 90 days on each entry you make while the visa is valid. So if you return in the new year, you will get another permission to stay for 1 year as the visa is still valid.

You apply for the extension of stay during the last 30 days and at many immigration offices now 45 days of your permission to stay, so that would be in Dec. 2016/Jan 2017. But if you travel again before July and return also before the July date your visa is valid for, you will get again a new 1 year extension of stay. If you travel before July but come back after your visa ends you need to get a re-entry permit.

The extension is usually given on the spot, in Jomtiem you might be required to come back the next day to pick-up the extension. Yes, they will issue a re-entry permit at the same time.

[skatewash]

Edit: The responses by Mario and UbonJoe weren't there when I started this. In the event anything I've written conflicts with what they say you'd be well-advised to follow their advice and ignore mine.

In particular, their recommendations to consider getting something less expensive than the OA, namely the single-entry O, which would allow you to do your retirement extension sooner and save yourself both money (which I understand is not an issue) and perhaps even some effort on your part since you would not need to bother with the medical certificate or the criminal records check (both needed for the OA visa, but not for the O visa).

Quick answers to your specific questions:

1) At Jomtien I believe you can apply for a retirement extension as early as 45 days before the end of your first 90 day entry (rather than only 30 days at some other immigration offices). To put it another way, you could apply for the retirement extension after being in Thailand for 45 days.

2) At Jomtien I believe you can get your retirement extension either the same day you apply or the the next day. (At some immigration offices there have been reports of applicants receiving an "under consideration" stamp in their passport and being required to report back to immigration in 30 days to receive the actual 1 year retirement extension.)

3) At Jomtien I believe you can apply for a re-entry permit the same day you receive your retirement extension. It's necessary to apply for the re-entry permit after you receive your retirement extension because the re-entry permit will then be valid for the duration of your retirement extension (that is, 1 year). At most immigration offices you must first queue for the retirement extension and then after getting your passport back with the retirement extension you would then have to queue again for the re-entry permit (which is usually a little faster process). At some immigration offices you can do both of these applications in one shot, but I don't believe Jomtien is one of those that allow this. So it's safe to say that obtaining both in a single day will be a several hour process (mostly waiting).

Jomtien is not my immigration office, I'm just basing my answers from reading other people's advice and experience.

If you really get a multi-entry non-imm OA visa then my understanding is that it is much more favorable to you than you may realize. It is possible to get almost 2 years of stay in Thailand if used correctly. The first year after you enter Thailand you could come and go as you please, without requiring a re-entry permit, and each time you re-entered Thailand you would get permission to stay for a year. If you were to leave Thailand and re-enter Thailand just before your OA visa were to expire, you would be granted another year of permission to stay. However, during this "second" year (that is, the year after your OA visa expires) you would need to get a re-entry permit to be able to leave and re-enter Thailand without losing your permission to stay. So basically you could postpone the need to do your retirement extension for almost 2 years. Something to think about.

If I've given any bad information, I'm sure there will someone along to correct it. Good luck!

[Swiss1960]

I think you need to do a little more research. I was under the impression, an "O-A", allowed a one year entry, every entry while valid. A one year,multi-entry "O", would allow a 90 day stay each entry, while valid. Which on are you actually intending to apply for?

Most Immigration offices don't want to do the one year extension, more than 30 days early, some will 45-60 days under certain circumstances. Issuing of the one year extension can be same day, but have read of some having to wait a day or two.

Good question, maybe I am confusing those Visa types... when i look at the application forms of the Thai consulates here in Switzerland (Basel and Zurich), both forms (even though looking completely different) only allow you to tick the "O" Visa type and the required number of entries, but do NOT have an "O-A" option... so I was under the impression that "O-A" equals a "O" multi entry valid for one year...

EDIT: Answered above by ubonjoe

[Mario2008]

At Bern you simply check "non-immigrant visa" and ask for a multiple, you also fill in the separate download "personal data form for O-A visa.

[ubonjoe]

The consulates cannot do the OA visa is the reason it is not shown on the application form. You can only apply for the OA visa at the embassy in Bern.

It seems you really only need a single entry non-o.

[Swiss1960]

At Bern you simply check "non-immigrant visa" and ask for a multiple, you also fill in the separate download "personal data form for O-A visa.

Thank you, Mario, did not see that one until just now... pretty hidden, when you google for Thai Visa in Switzerland, the consulates only issue normal "O" and looks like only the Embassy in Bern is allowed to issue "O-A" type Visa's

[Swiss1960]

The consulates cannot do the OA visa is the reason it is not shown on the application form. You can only apply for the OA visa at the embassy in Bern.

It seems you really only need a single entry non-o.

What would I do without ThaiVisa and you guys on here

Thank you for your recommendations, I will therefore go with a Visa excempt in August and apply for the single O in September and do the extension end of November

[Mario2008]

Often the consulates are only allowed to issue the normal O visa and only an embassy is allowed to issue an "O-A" visa. Many embassies will in fact insist on issuing an O-A visa and if you want an "O" visa you have to apply at a consulate.

[Swiss1960]

Edit: The responses by Mario and UbonJoe weren't there when I started this. In the event anything I've written conflicts with what they say you'd be well-advised to follow their advice and ignore mine.

In particular, their recommendations to consider getting something less expensive than the OA, namely the single-entry O, which would allow you to do your retirement extension sooner and save yourself both money (which I understand is not an issue) and perhaps even some effort on your part since you would not need to bother with the medical certificate or the criminal records check (both needed for the OA visa, but not for the O visa).

-----

If you really get a multi-entry non-imm OA visa then my understanding is that it is much more favorable to you than you may realize. It is possible to get almost 2 years of stay in Thailand if used correctly. The first year after you enter Thailand you could come and go as you please, without requiring a re-entry permit, and each time you re-entered Thailand you would get permission to stay for a year. If you were to leave Thailand and re-enter Thailand just before your OA visa were to expire, you would be granted another year of permission to stay. However, during this "second" year (that is, the year after your OA visa expires) you would need to get a re-entry permit to be able to leave and re-enter Thailand without losing your permission to stay. So basically you could postpone the need to do your retirement extension for almost 2 years. Something to think about.

If I've given any bad information, I'm sure there will someone along to correct it. Good luck!

Thank you also for the time answering my questions and your advice about the advantages of an O-A. I think the main hassle is the medical certificate, as I would have to find out whether the local doctors in Switzerland are allowed to issue this certificate or not... but since my health check is up anyway shortly, I will ask about that.

All other documents in Switzerland are easy to get (i.e. criminal record, credit record, debt enforcement register, civil status information) within 2 weeks from ordering them online and I anyway intend to get those documents before I leave. You never know when you might need them, if only they show that I am "clean" when leaving Switzerland

But as said above, I will go with the recommendations from ubonjoe, seems to be straight forward for me.

[skatewash]

Edit: The responses by Mario and UbonJoe weren't there when I started this. In the event anything I've written conflicts with what they say you'd be well-advised to follow their advice and ignore mine.

In particular, their recommendations to consider getting something less expensive than the OA, namely the single-entry O, which would allow you to do your retirement extension sooner and save yourself both money (which I understand is not an issue) and perhaps even some effort on your part since you would not need to bother with the medical certificate or the criminal records check (both needed for the OA visa, but not for the O visa).

-----

If you really get a multi-entry non-imm OA visa then my understanding is that it is much more favorable to you than you may realize. It is possible to get almost 2 years of stay in Thailand if used correctly. The first year after you enter Thailand you could come and go as you please, without requiring a re-entry permit, and each time you re-entered Thailand you would get permission to stay for a year. If you were to leave Thailand and re-enter Thailand just before your OA visa were to expire, you would be granted another year of permission to stay. However, during this "second" year (that is, the year after your OA visa expires) you would need to get a re-entry permit to be able to leave and re-enter Thailand without losing your permission to stay. So basically you could postpone the need to do your retirement extension for almost 2 years. Something to think about.

If I've given any bad information, I'm sure there will someone along to correct it. Good luck!

Thank you also for the time answering my questions and your advice about the advantages of an O-A. I think the main hassle is the medical certificate, as I would have to find out whether the local doctors in Switzerland are allowed to issue this certificate or not... but since my health check is up anyway shortly, I will ask about that.

All other documents in Switzerland are easy to get (i.e. criminal record, credit record, debt enforcement register, civil status information) within 2 weeks from ordering them online and I anyway intend to get those documents before I leave. You never know when you might need them, if only they show that I am "clean" when leaving Switzerland

But as said above, I will go with the recommendations from ubonjoe, seems to be straight forward for me.

I agree that the O Visa is easier and more appropriate for what you want to do, which is to get on the yearly retirement extension as soon as you can. The OA is really more than you need and the extra effort is not worth it.

The medical certificate (which you don't need) is kind of interesting in that it isn't a general health checkup, as they are really only interested in whether you suffer from 6 specific conditions: Leprosy, Tuberculosis [T.B], Elephantiasis, Drug addiction, Alcoholism, 3nd step of syphilis. Such a certificate can be obtained in Thailand from a walk-in clinic for about 100 Baht, without really even receiving an examination. Done outside Thailand it would certainly cost more, and might even involve an actual examination. By the way, the medical certificate you need for the OA is exactly the same needed for a Thai driver's license. Here's a link to the form if you're curious: http://www.thaiconsulatela.org/pdf/medical_certificate.pdf

I'm on a retirement extension so only have to visit the immigration office once a year. I can file my required reports of staying in the country every 90 days by mail. Soon I will be able to file those reports online (some already are able to do so).

Best wishes for a pleasant experience at Jomtien immigration. It is possible, maybe even probable, but certainly not guaranteed. If you've done your homework and all your documentation is in order, a retirement extension should be granted easily.

[gzu88bv]

I am not from Berne, slow but in the know.

Most has been said already and this you can take as a supplement.

I go by your provisional plan.

First tell me at what consulate in Switzerland or elsewhere you would apply/get that Non-OA-Visa you are talking about, if ever. But this issue seems now to be clear.

Second keep in mind that your earliest time to apply for a retirement extension is within the last 30 days of your present stay. You might be able to do it earlier in Jomtien as mentioned, but you will have a problem regarding the seasoning of the 800000 Baht as explained leter on.

In your case I would apply for a Multiple Non-O-Visa, that covers your provisional traveling plan and you can do the extension once you are settled. I don’t know, if you qualify for a Multiple Non-O-Visa.

If you can’t get that Multiple Non-O then apply for a Single Entry Non-O-Visa which you will get more likely and then go for retirement extension earliest within the last 30 or in Jomtien’s case 45 days of your present stay directly.

Make sure that the money has been seasoned for 2 months when you apply, or show Jomtien an income letter issued by Swiss Embassy in Bangkok of those 800000 Baht, or as a further alternative a mixture of it, i.e money in the bank and an income letter.

Good luck

[Swiss1960]

I agree that the O Visa is easier and more appropriate for what you want to do, which is to get on the yearly retirement extension as soon as you can. The OA is really more than you need and the extra effort is not worth it.

The medical certificate (which you don't need) is kind of interesting in that it isn't a general health checkup, as they are really only interested in whether you suffer from 6 specific conditions: Leprosy, Tuberculosis [T.B], Elephantiasis, Drug addiction, Alcoholism, 3nd step of syphilis. Such a certificate can be obtained in Thailand from a walk-in clinic for about 100 Baht, without really even receiving an examination. Done outside Thailand it would certainly cost more, and might even involve an actual examination. By the way, the medical certificate you need for the OA is exactly the same needed for a Thai driver's license. Here's a link to the form if you're curious: http://www.thaiconsulatela.org/pdf/medical_certificate.pdf

I'm on a retirement extension so only have to visit the immigration office once a year. I can file my required reports of staying in the country every 90 days by mail. Soon I will be able to file those reports online (some already are able to do so).

Best wishes for a pleasant experience at Jomtien immigration. It is possible, maybe even probable, but certainly not guaranteed. If you've done your homework and all your documentation is in order, a retirement extension should be granted easily.

Thank you for this. Yes, I did find the form for health certificate on the Bern Embassy website and I agree that doing those checks in Switzerland would definitely involve loads of tests and probably involve lot of head shaking when asking for such a certificate, so I will do it once I need it for the drivers licence

I guess online reporting should be working stable when I will need it first time, so looking forward to this experience also. About Jomtien, been reading mostly positive threads lately, the seem to have reorganized pretty well in the last months, but I will find out - and I will be retired, so I will have all the time in the world to go there and wait if necessary...

[Swiss1960]

I am not from Berne, slow but in the know.

Most has been said already and this you can take as a supplement.

I go by your provisional plan.

First tell me at what consulate in Switzerland or elsewhere you would apply/get that Non-OA-Visa you are talking about, if ever. But this issue seems now to be clear.

Second keep in mind that your earliest time to apply for a retirement extension is within the last 30 days of your present stay. You might be able to do it earlier in Jomtien as mentioned, but you will have a problem regarding the seasoning of the 800000 Baht as explained leter on.

In your case I would apply for a Multiple Non-O-Visa, that covers your provisional traveling plan and you can do the extension once you are settled. I don’t know, if you qualify for a Multiple Non-O-Visa.

If you can’t get that Multiple Non-O then apply for a Single Entry Non-O-Visa which you will get more likely and then go for retirement extension earliest within the last 30 or in Jomtien’s case 45 days of your present stay directly.

Make sure that the money has been seasoned for 2 months when you apply, or show Jomtien an income letter issued by Swiss Embassy in Bangkok of those 800000 Baht, or as a further alternative a mixture of it, i.e money in the bank and an income letter.

Good luck

Thanks for your input. As has been mentioned above, O-A is not the option to go for me, so I will go for a O-Visa from the consulate in Basel (Zurich would be my alternative), since I know that Basel will give further services like immediate translation of the Swiss Driver licence, so I will already have it when I arrive. Seasoning the 800K is not an issue, that money is already in one of my accounts in Thailand (I opened them years ago when it was still easy to do...)

Am still thinking about getting a multi (at least 2) entry Non-Imm-O from Basel (I know they give them with proof of finance), as this will enable me to come in August and during that stay

- get me my new Thai mobile number (I was told they want to see a non-imm-O for this)

- get my Thai driver's licence (I know that a non-imm-o is required)

- open further bank accounts and change the existing one's with the correct VISA and address information

then would use the second entry at end of September and at end of November, would apply for the retirement extension.

Again thanks to all who contributed and helped me get this issue together and refine my plans.

[skatewash]

Thanks for your input. As has been mentioned above, O-A is not the option to go for me, so I will go for a O-Visa from the consulate in Basel (Zurich would be my alternative), since I know that Basel will give further services like immediate translation of the Swiss Driver licence, so I will already have it when I arrive.

It is better to get an International Drivers Permit (IDP) while in Switzerland rather than a translation of your Swiss driver's license (DL). There are two reasons for this:

1) You will be able to legally drive for 90 days in Thailand having only your Swiss driver's license and the IDP.

2) You will be able to go the Land Transport Office in Thailand and present your Swiss DL and IDP and they will waive the requirements for a written test and a practical driving test. Having the IDP will make getting your Thai DL a very easy thing.

One other thing: if you are interested in driving a motorcycle in Thailand, know that Thailand has a different driver's license for driving a car and for driving a motorcycle. Don't know if Switzerland has different licenses for this purpose or not. But if you have a special endorsement for driving a motorcycle on your Swiss DL make sure that gets marked on your IDP. That way you can get a motorcycle license in Thailand without needing to take the written test or practical driving test.

[Swiss1960]

Thanks for your input. As has been mentioned above, O-A is not the option to go for me, so I will go for a O-Visa from the consulate in Basel (Zurich would be my alternative), since I know that Basel will give further services like immediate translation of the Swiss Driver licence, so I will already have it when I arrive.

It is better to get an International Drivers Permit (IDP) while in Switzerland rather than a translation of your Swiss driver's license (DL). There are two reasons for this:

1) You will be able to legally drive for 90 days in Thailand having only your Swiss driver's license and the IDP.

2) You will be able to go the Land Transport Office in Thailand and present your Swiss DL and IDP and they will waive the requirements for a written test and a practical driving test. Having the IDP will make getting your Thai DL a very easy thing.

One other thing: if you are interested in driving a motorcycle in Thailand, know that Thailand has a different driver's license for driving a car and for driving a motorcycle. Don't know if Switzerland has different licenses for this purpose or not. But if you have a special endorsement for driving a motorcycle on your Swiss DL make sure that gets marked on your IDP. That way you can get a motorcycle license in Thailand without needing to take the written test or practical driving test.

Thanks. I already have my IDP, as I am always driving when in Thailand. My Swiss DL has an option for "A1" (motorbikes up to 45kmh / 125cc), but not the A (all motorbikes), but given my personal traffic experience, I do not really have the intention to drive a bike in Thailand...

[gzu88bv]

Am still thinking about getting a multi (at least 2) entry Non-Imm-O from Basel (I know they give them with proof of finance), as this will enable me to come in August and during that stay

- get me my new Thai mobile number (I was told they want to see a non-imm-O for this)

- get my Thai driver's licence (I know that a non-imm-o is required)

- open further bank accounts and change the existing one's with the correct VISA and address information

then would use the second entry at end of September and at end of November, would apply for the retirement Extension.

Don’t worry too much about your Thai mobile number or your driving licence, once in Thailand with the right visa or extension these problems can be solved easily. But, good advice from skatewash re Intl. Driving Licence from Switzerland.

Yes I know, Basel issues 2-entry Non-O-Visa from time to time and if available get it! If not, as I told you, get the single entry Non-O with your money seasoned already and jump for extension as explained. Don¨t make any changes to your bank account prior application like a friend of mine who split up his bank account for whatever reason, failed so to meet the 2 months and had to start from scratch aagin.