BangkokBuddy Type O visa Retirement extension, alternatives to Elite

[Phaeton]

Hi all. I have been lurking and learning. I thought I would start a new topic based on my experience using a visa service, BangkokBuddy, to help me get my Type O visa, with a retirement extension.

Some others might benefit from my experience, if they are in a similar situation. Please see the bottom of the post to see things that were worrying me, or confusing me, as someone who has only been in Thailand since February.

Also realize that if everything goes well, all of these concerns will be erased by using BangkokBuddy.

Some data about me, 53 years old, retired, no wife or children, living in bangkok, in rental properties at the moment, currently in Thailand on a tourist visa, minimal Thai language skills. (mai pet krap).

I made contact with Tanya and Fon at BangkokBuddy yesterday, Thursday. I hope to have my Visa next Wednesday. So less than a week. According to Tanya, I will have 15 months of worry free time in Thailand (Type O, retirement extension). With multiple entry, so I can go back to the states if I need to. And Tanya will do the 90 day reporting for me.

My plan is to report back here in a week, and see if all goes well.

Tanya charges a fee for her services, of course. But I am very happy so far with the idea.

Tanya was also very upfront about alternatives. For example "We charge X to re-do your visa in 15 months, or you can do it yourself for Y amount of money."

Elite: For those of you considering elite status visas. Great. Maybe those are a good plan. But for some money, but a lot less money, BangkokBuddy seem to be able to provide worry free months, if not years, of happiness. One visit to their office. And no visits to any embassies etc.

That's my preview of the process. I will write back next week about how it worked out.

Below are some things that worried me about my particular situation.

There were things about the process that were bothering me. For example, the one time I went to Savanahkhet, in Laos, inquring about a Type O and retirement visa (I know, retirement extension), the officer asked for "proof of retirement." I ran my own business back in the states. A small business. What was I going to do, write a letter, on closed down business stationary, from myself? Saying I was retired? No, I am not drawing a pension or anything like that. I have savings. That's it. So I know that no one says that such a letter is needed. But the only person I have met "in the system", asked for this letter, so that after a lot of travel to Savanakhet Laos, all I had to show was a new tourist visa.

The one time I did a visa run, this trip to Savannahket, Laos, I got very lucky and met a super friendly husband (farang) and wife (Thai) who helped me with the process. For those of you with experience, these things are old hat, but for me, it seemed challenging. And I will say that other farang on the trip were very frustrated by the process. Without these two people helping me, it really would have been a struggle getting the right bus from Mukdahan, through Laos immigration on a border bridge, visa on arrival etc., why are some people going to that office over there, while others are not???, then to embassy, then to hotel. Then repeat in reverse the next morning. And there are somewhat rigid time schedules to worry about with the Savannakhet office. If you are not pretty clever about getting a bus in Mukdahan, you may not make it to the embassy in Laos in time to submit your visa application (which then will take a day to process). But if you miss this window of opportunity, you will have to wait another day.

Criminal background check: Do I really need a letter from my small town, part-time, Sheriff back in the states, saying I am not a criminal? The same guy that took three years to get me a concealed carry gun permit, and still hasn't? He's the guy that will determine if I can get a visa here in Thailand? His timely responses to a former resident of his town? And, by the way, that form has to be notarized. Great.

800,000 baht in Thai bank account for two months before application: I got "lucky" opening my bank account with just a tourist visa. A friend of a friend told me that Bangkok Bank opened an account for him with just a tourist visa. I was in Ubon Ratchathani, visiting friends, had some time, and walked in a mall from bank to bank, asking to open an account, and each told me, "Work permit? No? We can not help you." But finally a guy at XXX bank did not ask, and set up my account. But according to all, one piece of documentation needed for a Non-immigrant O visa, would be a letter, the day of visa application (or day before), from my Bank saying I had the 800K in my account for two months. 90% chance I could just go to a my Bank branch in Bangkok, but what if they said, "Nooooo... you have to go to Ubon, and ask the branch there." Just a concern.

My 800K Baht was in a Thai bank. But the date it would become "seasoned" for two months, was seven days after I would have to extend my existing tourist visa. So that was going to be at least inconvient. I guess I go to Bangkok immigration office to renew a tourist visa?

Proof of residence: I am staying in rental properties, somewhat month to month. So while I have a former girlfriend who could let me say I lived with her, getting her, or my rental landlords, to go to immigration (?) or whomever and vouch for me, fill out a TM7 form (I forget form name) etc. was seeming difficult. They would have to take a day off of work etc.

And there were other little concerns. Your visa needs to have at least 15 days left before expiration, so you can apply for type O?? So I was for sure going to have to extend my tourist visa, for 30 days, so my bank account could season another week. So what, extend tourist visa, wait one more week for funds to season? Then I would only have 8 days to get my Type O or now I'm into my 15 day window where it is too late? Not sure...

I would have to "first" get a non-immigrant O, and then somehow apply for the retirement extension. What is the timing of that? Where does that extension happen? Savannakhet, my favorite place? I guess Bangkok? Which is supposed to be difficult?

Medical certificate: I downloaded and had my doctor at a clinic in Bangkok fill out the medical certificate that said I didn't have certain diseases. But some people say this needs to be notarized? My doctor said it didn't. So was this going to cause a problem?

[ubonjoe]

You cannot apply for an extension based upon retirement with a tourist visa entry. You first have to apply a change of visa status (2000 baht fee) to apply for a 90 day non immigrant visa entry. The 800k baht does not have to be in the bank for 60 days. You must have at least 15 days remaining on your entry when you apply. It takes 2 trips to immigration 15 days apart to get the visa/entry stamp.

You can then apply for an extension of stay during the last 45 days of the 90 day entry you get from the non immigrant visa. At this time the 800k baht must be in the bank for 60 days.

You do not need a medical or police certificate to apply for an extension of stay

You can get a single entry non-o visa based upon being 50 or over in Vientiane.. You just need a bank book showing the 800k baht in the bank (no 60 day requirement. Savannakhet will not do one unless you have both an income letter and the money int the bank and even then they might not do it.

[Lite Beer]

You could do the whole process yourself with little effort and little money.

Plus it would be 100% legal.

[lostoday]

I would guess 99% of the folks reading Thai Visa don't use an agent. That is the reason they read Thai Visa. All the information is there to do it yourself. No problem, not much time spent. Just read Thai Visa.

I did it myself with the help of Thai Visa. Maybe 10 minutes work. 90 day reporting 5 minutes per time. Now you can do it online.

Getting a landlord to go to immigration for a retirement extension? I've never heard of such a thing.

[beano2274]

If I understand you correctly you are about to get a VISA not an Extension, but you never left Thailand but your passport did, highly illegal. You also gave someone else your passport.

If you did the Extension at Immigration then no waiting time to get the extension you get it there and then.

[stevenl]

If I understand you correctly you are about to get a VISA not an Extension, but you never left Thailand but your passport did, highly illegal. You also gave someone else your passport.

If you did the Extension at Immigration then no waiting time to get the extension you get it there and then.

Yes, I'd like to see a further explanation from the OP about the exact process: exiting country yes or no, required paperwork, etc.

[ubonjoe]

If I understand you correctly you are about to get a VISA not an Extension, but you never left Thailand but your passport did, highly illegal. You also gave someone else your passport.

If you did the Extension at Immigration then no waiting time to get the extension you get it there and then.

Yes, I'd like to see a further explanation from the OP about the exact process: exiting country yes or no, required paperwork, etc.

I am certain the visa is being done at Bangkok immigration. There have been posts about agents and etc being able to arrange a visa and extension all in one trip to immigration.

[stevenl]

If I understand you correctly you are about to get a VISA not an Extension, but you never left Thailand but your passport did, highly illegal. You also gave someone else your passport.

If you did the Extension at Immigration then no waiting time to get the extension you get it there and then.

Yes, I'd like to see a further explanation from the OP about the exact process: exiting country yes or no, required paperwork, etc.

I am certain the visa is being done at Bangkok immigration. There have been posts about agents and etc being able to arrange a visa and extension all in one trip to immigration.

If that is the case, which I don't doubt, it is illegal, right?

[ubonjoe]

If I understand you correctly you are about to get a VISA not an Extension, but you never left Thailand but your passport did, highly illegal. You also gave someone else your passport.

If you did the Extension at Immigration then no waiting time to get the extension you get it there and then.

Yes, I'd like to see a further explanation from the OP about the exact process: exiting country yes or no, required paperwork, etc.

I am certain the visa is being done at Bangkok immigration. There have been posts about agents and etc being able to arrange a visa and extension all in one trip to immigration.

If that is the case, which I don't doubt, it is illegal, right?

Not really illegal. Just outside the normal procedures by doing it under the table.

[Phaeton]

I would guess 99% of the folks reading Thai Visa don't use an agent. That is the reason they read Thai Visa. All the information is there to do it yourself. No problem, not much time spent. Just read Thai Visa.

I did it myself with the help of Thai Visa. Maybe 10 minutes work. 90 day reporting 5 minutes per time. Now you can do it online.

Getting a landlord to go to immigration for a retirement extension? I've never heard of such a thing.

The TM30 form, which is a proof of residency form, which I understood needed to be completed for a Type O? Needs to be filled out by a landlord. At the bottom of that form, it then has to be witnessed by an immigration officer. Therefore, I assume that my landlord, would need to take a day off of work, or time off of work, and we would both have go to wherever it is that immigration officers hang out, and sign this form in front of them.

Now whether a proof of residency form is required in this whole process, it seems not.

I got the impression it was.

===

I have relied a lot on this page http://www.thaiconsulatela.org/service_visa_detail.aspx?link_id=48

Which is talking about Type O-A visas. And which has made me worried about criminal reports, medical reports, etc. Although it must have been another page that talked about a TM30.

===

I have read many times on this forum of people, at various borders, handing over their passports to agents, who then disappear, and reappear with new visas, after, I assume going through both Thai and Vietnam(? I forget the thread) immigration. So releasing my passport to an agent, would not worry me.

[NancyL]

If you're getting an extension in Thailand or applying for a 90-day O visa in a neighboring country, you're not going to need a criminal background check or a medical report.

You don't have to be retired, just over age 50 and have 800,000 baht in a Thai bank, for the appropriate period of time. You can't work in Thailand, but you can work elsewhere.

You don't have to do 90 day reports if you aren't in Thailand.

You don't have to pay a visa agent to do any of this. Just ask a few questions here, read some posts and figure out which contributors know their stuff and you'll have it figured out.

What you can't do is get a "15 month permission to stay" all at once. That's something that's pretty shady, but some visa agents seem to have worked it out under the table at some Immigration offices. What is means, is that you're stuck using that visa agent and doing your 90 day reports at that Immigration office for the life of your extension because many other Immigration offices will refuse to deal with you, knowing something shady went on when you got your 15 month "visa".

Personally, I'd recommend you steer clear of this outfit -- they aren't your buddies, even if they are pretty and sweet and act like they're doing you all sorts of favors. Remember, you're paying them a large sum of money, aren't you?

[ubonjoe]

You can submit the TM30 form for your landlord if it is a requirement at the immigration office you go to, Many do not ask for it.

Thai consulate website does not give any info about applying for extensions.

Visas are not obtained at a border crossing, What you reading about was getting a new entry either from a visa or visa exempt. At some crossings there are people that are able to handle the entry and departure stamps for the other country.

[Phaeton]

Ah, I see.

I think it was that sort of inconsistency that was confusing me: "Many do not ask for it"

So on the day, my girl/guy, could ask for it. But not necessarily.

And looking at the TM30 form, it looked like an immigration officer had to "witness" the signature. But I understand. For sure worth a try bringing the form to immigration and seeing if they will sign.

===

I understand visas are not obtained at a border crossing. I was giving an example that many times forum members give their passport to agents, for whatever reason.

[Phaeton]

If you're getting an extension in Thailand or applying for a 90-day O visa in a neighboring country, you're not going to need a criminal background check or a medical report.

You don't have to be retired, just over age 50 and have 800,000 baht in a Thai bank, for the appropriate period of time. You can't work in Thailand, but you can work elsewhere.

You don't have to do 90 day reports if you aren't in Thailand.

You don't have to pay a visa agent to do any of this. Just ask a few questions here, read some posts and figure out which contributors know their stuff and you'll have it figured out.

What you can't do is get a "15 month permission to stay" all at once. That's something that's pretty shady, but some visa agents seem to have worked it out under the table at some Immigration offices. What is means, is that you're stuck using that visa agent and doing your 90 day reports at that Immigration office for the life of your extension because many other Immigration offices will refuse to deal with you, knowing something shady went on when you got your 15 month "visa".

Personally, I'd recommend you steer clear of this outfit -- they aren't your buddies, even if they are pretty and sweet and act like they're doing you all sorts of favors. Remember, you're paying them a large sum of money, aren't you?

Thanks N,

My tourist visa expires on the 30th, and was getting nervous about that. I will keep learning.

[lostoday]

Ah, I see.

I think it was that sort of inconsistency that was confusing me: "Many do not ask for it"

So on the day, my girl/guy, could ask for it. But not necessarily.

And looking at the TM30 form, it looked like an immigration officer had to "witness" the signature. But I understand. For sure worth a try bringing the form to immigration and seeing if they will sign.

===

I understand visas are not obtained at a border crossing. I was giving an example that many times forum members give their passport to agents, for whatever reason.

I think you don't submit the TM30 form; your landlord does. The only place I have ever heard of a TM30 form was on Thai Visa. I've never met anyone who has been asked for one or has filled one out.

I think that is another agency that is responsible for landlords and hotels and things like that. I don't see why immigration would want one.

Has anyone (not a friend) been asked for a TM30 at immigration when filing an extension?

[Mario2008]

Yes, when applying for an extension based on marriage. In case of that extension it is not unheard of that they want the wife to submit a tm30.

[lostoday]

Yes, when applying for an extension based on marriage. In case of that extension it is not unheard of that they want the wife to submit a tm30.

Sorry I meant retirement extension per this thread.

[NancyL]

Ah, I see.

I think it was that sort of inconsistency that was confusing me: "Many do not ask for it"

So on the day, my girl/guy, could ask for it. But not necessarily.

And looking at the TM30 form, it looked like an immigration officer had to "witness" the signature. But I understand. For sure worth a try bringing the form to immigration and seeing if they will sign.

===

I understand visas are not obtained at a border crossing. I was giving an example that many times forum members give their passport to agents, for whatever reason.

I think you don't submit the TM30 form; your landlord does. The only place I have ever heard of a TM30 form was on Thai Visa. I've never met anyone who has been asked for one or has filled one out.

I think that is another agency that is responsible for landlords and hotels and things like that. I don't see why immigration would want one.

Has anyone (not a friend) been asked for a TM30 at immigration when filing an extension?

Yes, Immigration is interested in TM30 forms from from landlords and hotels, but in many cases hotels, condo juristic persons, etc are filing TM 30 forms on-line or at a different office than the one we go to do obtain extensions, 90 days reports, re-entry permits, etc.

[gk10002000]

I have used Bangkok Buddy for visa runs. I do highly recommend Tanya. Sharp young woman. Very good English. I can't speak to the other visa types of activities they do as I haven't used them. But I know on my trip, several people were going for more than just quick in and out visa exemption stamps. They even have bi weekly casino run/visa run where something like they will drive you to Poipet on sunday, pick you up Wednesday, and same for Wednesday to Sunday. You basically get a few days to do Cambodia before coming back and you have a reserved seat on the return.

[gk10002000]

Being an American I appreciate Phaeton's concerns, especially the one about the local police department doing anything. I happen to live in Palm Beach, FL and quite surprising to me they actually did generate the letter within just a few days when I was there in person. I ended up not moving to Thailand as some lucrative work popped up in the states, but I was rounding up all my paperwork for heading to Thailand. But getting very close to retiring now. But I think I will just be splitting my time 50/50 between Thailand and the USA and just going with Tourist Visa extensions. Although I am still considering the Elite Visa just for convenience.

[lostoday]

Ah, I see.

I think it was that sort of inconsistency that was confusing me: "Many do not ask for it"

So on the day, my girl/guy, could ask for it. But not necessarily.

And looking at the TM30 form, it looked like an immigration officer had to "witness" the signature. But I understand. For sure worth a try bringing the form to immigration and seeing if they will sign.

===

I understand visas are not obtained at a border crossing. I was giving an example that many times forum members give their passport to agents, for whatever reason.

I think you don't submit the TM30 form; your landlord does. The only place I have ever heard of a TM30 form was on Thai Visa. I've never met anyone who has been asked for one or has filled one out.

I think that is another agency that is responsible for landlords and hotels and things like that. I don't see why immigration would want one.

Has anyone (not a friend) been asked for a TM30 at immigration when filing an extension?

Yes, Immigration is interested in TM30 forms from from landlords and hotels, but in many cases hotels, condo juristic persons, etc are filing TM 30 forms on-line or at a different office than the one we go to do obtain extensions, 90 days reports, re-entry permits, etc.

In keeping with what the OP asked I don't think anyone has ever been asked for a TM 30 while getting a retirement extension. Marriage yes, Retirement no. Has this been your experience?

[lostoday]

Being an American I appreciate Phaeton's concerns, especially the one about the local police department doing anything. I happen to live in Palm Beach, FL and quite surprising to me they actually did generate the letter within just a few days when I was there in person. I ended up not moving to Thailand as some lucrative work popped up in the states, but I was rounding up all my paperwork for heading to Thailand. But getting very close to retiring now. But I think I will just be splitting my time 50/50 between Thailand and the USA and just going with Tourist Visa extensions. Although I am still considering the Elite Visa just for convenience.

I also got a local police report in Florida. No problem took a couple of days and the doctor thing was not a problem either or bank account. Easy to get a visa in USA and then extend it in Thailand. Agencies scare me and I would never give another person my passport because if you lose 2 the validity goes down to one year.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

lostoday

"Has anyone (not a friend) been asked for a TM30 at immigration when filing an extension? "

I have been on Retirement extension since May 1998, for the first few years a Suan Plu, then when the Pathum Thani Immigration shop opened at A. Sam Khok, out this way.

At my most recent extension late January 2015, the nice Immigration officer asked if I'd submitted the TM30. I said I hadn't and she requested that I have my wife fill in the form and submit it the next day. I didn't as it's an hour ++ oneway drive so just waited until my 90-day report was due which was two weeks ago.

Dropped back into Sam Khok, handed over the form that my wife had filled in, the gal put the info into the computer then punched out a receipt that she stapled in my passport.

Note, I'm still on a RETIREMENT extension.

Mac

[partington]

Being an American I appreciate Phaeton's concerns, especially the one about the local police department doing anything. I happen to live in Palm Beach, FL and quite surprising to me they actually did generate the letter within just a few days when I was there in person. I ended up not moving to Thailand as some lucrative work popped up in the states, but I was rounding up all my paperwork for heading to Thailand. But getting very close to retiring now. But I think I will just be splitting my time 50/50 between Thailand and the USA and just going with Tourist Visa extensions. Although I am still considering the Elite Visa just for convenience.

I also got a local police report in Florida. No problem took a couple of days and the doctor thing was not a problem either or bank account. Easy to get a visa in USA and then extend it in Thailand. Agencies scare me and I would never give another person my passport because if you lose 2 the validity goes down to one year.

Yes, but nothing that the OP plans to do requires a police report, or ever has done. He is just confusing two separate procedures: 1. application for an extension of permission to stay on an existing 90-day non-Imm O on the grounds of retirement (no health or police certification required and in Bangkok for sure, no TM 30 required either), and 2. application for a long-term non-Imm O-A (retirement) visa that you can only do in your home country and requires police and health checks in documentary form.

Even when present in the country with a tourist visa there is no real problem or deadline. First step is to convert the tourist visa into a single entry non-Imm O, which gives you a 90 day permission to stay. Ths is one of the rare times when it is correct to say you get a visa within the country (normally they are approvals to enter the country, with a fixed period of stay attached to them , so only obtainable before you've entered). However this conversion is necessary within the country because you can only get a retirement extension from a non-Imm O visa type.

Once the conversion is approved, the visa is immediately stamped "used", so cannot be used to enter the country, (you have in effect had a valid visa for about 5 minutes). You are then left with 90 days stay in the country, enough time to extensively prepare for your extension with no haste or hurry at all, therefore no real point in getting an under the counter instant extension of that visa.

You can wait until 30 days before that new permission to stay is over, and then go and apply for the extension using TM7 form, an easy and brief procedure at Bangkok, taking about 25 minutes once your number is called.

This is the main problem with getting agencies to do visa and immigration procedures for you - you end up having no idea what has been done or why, and do not understand the terms under which you are allowed to stay or your actual visa status, or what the reports you have to do actually are for.

Unless you have real difficulties (and it seems from the OP there are none) it is better to do it yourself.

[lostoday]

lostoday

"Has anyone (not a friend) been asked for a TM30 at immigration when filing an extension? "

I have been on Retirement extension since May 1998, for the first few years a Suan Plu, then when the Pathum Thani Immigration shop opened at A. Sam Khok, out this way.

At my most recent extension late January 2015, the nice Immigration officer asked if I'd submitted the TM30. I said I hadn't and she requested that I have my wife fill in the form and submit it the next day. I didn't as it's an hour ++ oneway drive so just waited until my 90-day report was due which was two weeks ago.

Dropped back into Sam Khok, handed over the form that my wife had filled in, the gal put the info into the computer then punched out a receipt that she stapled in my passport.

Note, I'm still on a RETIREMENT extension.

Mac

The devil is in the details. I'm trying to get this straight. The TM-30 is to be filled in and turned in by the guest in the house or the Thai owner?

I'm assuming a single guy would not have been asked for a TM-30 and the immigration people asked you because they knew you were married. Correct?

If so, that's another reason not to take your wife to immigration with you.

[ubonjoe]

The devil is in the details. I'm trying to get this straight. The TM-30 is to be filled in and turned in by the guest in the house or the Thai owner?

If are renting a house you can do the form because you are considered the possessor of the house. The immigration act and the TM30 form state it can be the owner or possessor of the house.

[lostoday]

The devil is in the details. I'm trying to get this straight. The TM-30 is to be filled in and turned in by the guest in the house or the Thai owner?

If are renting a house you can do the form because you are considered the possessor of the house. The immigration act and the TM30 form state it can be the owner or possessor of the house.

Does the same thing apply in a hotel or condo? If the form is not done who pays the fine the owner or the renter?

[ubonjoe]

The devil is in the details. I'm trying to get this straight. The TM-30 is to be filled in and turned in by the guest in the house or the Thai owner?

If are renting a house you can do the form because you are considered the possessor of the house. The immigration act and the TM30 form state it can be the owner or possessor of the house.

Does the same thing apply in a hotel or condo? If the form is not done who pays the fine the owner or the renter?

For a hotel or a business doing the rentals it is different and the fines are higher.

If you were considered the possessor you could be fined for not reporting yourself but they don't normally do it.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Filled out by the "owner," in this case my wife, and in this case, I was just the messenger. The owner might have been someone else if I was single, or if my wife & I lived elsewhere, like a rental.

Mac

[lostoday]

The devil is in the details. I'm trying to get this straight. The TM-30 is to be filled in and turned in by the guest in the house or the Thai owner?

If are renting a house you can do the form because you are considered the possessor of the house. The immigration act and the TM30 form state it can be the owner or possessor of the house.

Does the same thing apply in a hotel or condo? If the form is not done who pays the fine the owner or the renter?

For a hotel or a business doing the rentals it is different and the fines are higher.

If you were considered the possessor you could be fined for not reporting yourself but they don't normally do it.

That is the question I was asking. Who is the possessor; the renter or the owner? If I check into a guest house as a renter do I have to file a TM-30? Where is the definition of possessor?