Unrequested change in visa type?

[UKCanuk]

The wife and I just returned from CW where I was doing my first extension on a UK issued Non Imm “O” visa. The extension was achieved, but not in the way I expected - it appears that I’m now the proud owner of a Non Imm “A-O” extension!

We went down with as many obligatory and optional bits of documentation we could find, including marriage certificate, house book, letter from the British Embassy (sufficient funds), photos of the wife and I in the house, passport copies, etc etc etc. The officer asked me how old I was (58) and then started stamping everything with the “Retirement” stamp.

I pointed out that I still work overseas on contracts and asked if that would have any effect on my status - she simply asked if I was working (or had ever worked) in Thailand, to which I said “No”. Mai pen rai she said and looked at my passport, embassy letter and said no need to see any of the other documents or photos. We breezed through the next two people checking the application and were out the door with a one year extension and a reminder to do the first 90 day report stapled in my passport.

This was not something I asked for, but maybe because both the wife and I have matching grey hair they thought the visa type should be changed over (not that I'm complaining...)!

[ubonjoe]

If your income was over 65k baht that is why they did the extension of stay based upon retirement instead of marriage,. It is not a OA visa.

If you want one based upon marriage you have show less than 65k baht income. You are not first one this has happened to.

Did you get a re-entry permit while you were at immigration. You will need that to keep extension valid if you need to travel.

[elviajero]

You definitely don't have a non 'A-O' extension as it doesn't exist. It sounds like you've been granted an extension of stay based on retirement.

Maybe you didn't have all the documents required for a marriage extension and as the IO had everything needed for a retirement extension they granted that instead. It happens.

[oncearugge]

"it appears that I’m now the proud owner of a Non Imm “A-O” extension!"

There is no such thing ! Anyone over the age of 50, providing they can meet the requirements can apply for an extension of stay based on "retirement" .

The officer assisted you because a "retirement " extension is administratively simpler and can be issued on the day of application.

The "retirement" stamp merely indicates why the extension was given

It is entirely legal to continue working outside Thailand.

I hope you remembered to obtain a re-entry permit.

[UKCanuk]

If your income was over 65k baht that is why they did the extension of stay based upon retirement instead of marriage,. It is not a OA visa.

If you want one based upon marriage you have show less than 65k baht income. You are not first one this has happened to.

Did you get a re-entry permit while you were at immigration. You will need that to keep extension valid if you need to travel.

Thanks ubonjoe. Indeed I did get a multiple re-entry permit while I was there.

[UKCanuk]

"it appears that I’m now the proud owner of a Non Imm “A-O” extension!"

There is no such thing ! Anyone over the age of 50, providing they can meet the requirements can apply for an extension of stay based on "retirement" .

The officer assisted you because a "retirement " extension is administratively simpler and can be issued on the day of application.

The "retirement" stamp merely indicates why the extension was given

It is entirely legal to continue working outside Thailand.

I hope you remembered to obtain a re-entry permit.

Aah, that makes sense. Cutting down the paperwork...and yes, I remembered the re-entry permit. The immigration officer was a nice lady and had quite a chin wag with my wife about convincing me to permanently retire to Thailand. She seemed to think that the UK would be too cold for me to retire to. ;-)