Non Immigrant Visa "o"

[aka_jack]

Hi !!

I am a little bit confused as i have only been here a short while and have just come back from my first visa run to laos. I am staying here on a non imm "o" visa and have been reading some of the visa forums on them. Some posts say that you can go to a thai immigration centre/office to renew extend your visa does this mean no border crossing is needed ?? By the way this is my first post and it took me some while to even find out how to post!!

Edited September 14, 2006 by aka_jack

[thaiflyer1]

Sounds like you are on a multiple entry Non Immigrant O?

The 3 most used ways of extending this type of visa so no border runs are neccessary are,

1. If you are over 50 and meet the qualifying conditions.....

or

2. You have a Thai spouse and meet the qualifying conditions.

or

3. You are employed here and meet the qualifying conditions.

If none of the above apply to you then 90 day border runs are the norm.

(Note by making your last border run just before the expiry date printed on the visa you can stay for approx 15 months in total).

Welcome to Thaivisa by the way.

Edited September 14, 2006 by thaiflyer1

[Thaiquila]

I have a point of clarification question.

I have a SINGLE ENTRY O visa, not a multiple entry.

Is there are any problem getting an extension for ONE YEAR based on retirement for this visa, or did I need a multiple entry visa for that? I was of the understanding that I could get a one year extension with the year starting from the date of the first activation date of the visa.

[thaiflyer1]

I have a point of clarification question.

I have a SINGLE ENTRY O visa, not a multiple entry.

Is there are any problem getting an extension for ONE YEAR based on retirement for this visa, or did I need a multiple entry visa for that? I was of the understanding that I could get a one year extension with the year starting from the date of the first activation date of the visa.

Yes you can extend with just a single entry or within the last 30 days of any of the multiple entry visa entries............i.e no need to wait until the last entry to extend if you do not wish to do so.

[lopburi3]

Correct. Single entry is all you need for an extension of stay and the period will start from your current entry date. See Immigration during the last 30 days of your current permitted entry to obtain the extension of stay with passport, arrival card, medical certificate, bank passbook, bank letter, proof of pension from Embassy if using that, 4x6cm photo, TM.7 and 1,900 baht. Copies and multi copies if upcountry.

[wpcoe]

Oh. I hadn't realize one needed the medical certificate for visa renewals.

Is it ok to keep the original from the first visa application and continue to submit copies of it, like supposedly one can with the embassy's income verification letter? Or, do you need a fresh medical cert each time?

[lopburi3]

The question was specific to a one year extension of stay for retirement and that always requires a new medical certificate be presented.

[aka_jack]

I have a thai wife here and i am on a multiple entry visa so does this mean i do not have to do the border runs every 90 days ?? or is that still the norm?

[thaiflyer1]

I have a thai wife here and i am on a multiple entry visa so does this mean i do not have to do the border runs every 90 days ?? or is that still the norm?

Yes you still must do the 90 day runs unless you wish to extend your stay on the grounds of having a Thai spouse............the main requirement for which is you must have 400k in the bank here to qualify ( there are other requirements).

Once said stay is granted you can stay a year at a time without leaving providing you meet the qualifying conditions come renewal time.

[lopburi3]

The grounds for the extension of stay would be "support Thai wife" and that is the reason the 400k bank deposit is required.

[thaiflyer1]

"support Thai wife" and that is the reason the 400k bank deposit is required.

[aka_jack]

So if i have 400k in the bank i should be able to get a extension of stay for 1 year without leaving the country, by the way my visa runs out next year the end of may!, is there any other conditions that i might stumble on??

[lopburi3]

You have to be living with wife and supporting here with your money and both of you will have to apply at an immigration office together with a short list of documents (which you should have). Not hard and can be done at the end of any 90 day stay so you do not have to wait until next year.

[astral]

I have a thai wife here and i am on a multiple entry visa so does this mean i do not have to do the border runs every 90 days ?? or is that still the norm?

I suggest you plan on getting the one year extension before your visa expires as you may find it VERY

difficult to get another multi-entry visa, if the current tightening up is anything to go by.

[Khutan]

The grounds for the extension of stay would be "support Thai wife" and that is the reason the 400k bank deposit is required.

A Work Permit will also help. Last extension I did, they could not care about my wife or even where she was, rather they were more interested that I had paid my last years tax

I entered on a Single 3 Month Non-O a long time ago, and I just keep getting it extended with the Work Permit.

[aka_jack]

Great stuff !! i shall look into getting it extended at the end of the 90 days, saves me travelling to the border every 90 days, not that its to much of an inconveniance but you never know in the future it may fall on a bad day , have lots of more questions but they can wait for another time dont want to bore you all too much !!

Thanks all for your input it has been very helpfull and am glad i posted !

[Zed]

As for the people working in the Penang Consulate…

I recently married a Thai national (who works for the government so not a 'shady deal') and am awaiting a letter from my own embassy to confirm my single status (another story in itself...) before registering the marriage.

Bad timing I know, but my (Non-o) visa (with 15d extension) was due to expire so I applied in Penang for a new Non-O 90 day visa. I explained my situation, showed bank book in excess of 800k (in BOTH our names), a lease on our home (3 years paid up front). and I showed proof of income (I contract world-wide 3 - 6 months a year). I even had wedding photos with me!

To cut a long (and VERY bitter) story short - I now have a SINGLE ENTRY TOURIST VISA!

DO NOT EXPECT COMMON SENSE TO PLAY ANY PART. If they had granted the Non-O I believe I could have extended it to 12 months in Samui once the marriage is registered.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, and WELL DONE for recognising my very elaborate scam!

Consequences:

The consulate' ignorance has cost me almost 7000 baht already. Even more money will have to be spent once the marriage is registered, I estimate at least another 8000 baht.

If I have problems getting the confirmation from my own (even more pathetic) embassy, I am likely to fall into the 90 day in 6 month category, meaning I have to find a new home. I fully intend applying for permanent residence here.

A question:

If the Thai marriage ceremony is not good for anything then why bother?

Is this good for the traditions and culture of the LOLS? (Land Of Lost Smiles)

Edit reason: Inappropriate language

/Admin

Edited September 15, 2006 by george