Situation:

I'm a European citizen (Belgium). If you're over 50 (I am), have enough funds on a BELGIAN bank account and you can submit a clean criminal record, you are granted a 1 year Non-Immigrant O (multiple entry) visa. (wich I have currently)

During May last year I moved to Thailand. Due to that, I have no more a fixed address in Belgium so I'm "written off" from all Belgian state records (taxes, justice, welfare, healthcare etc....) I have also NOT contacted my embassy that I live in Thailand. I have only my Belgian passport, wich I can renew at my embassy.

Question 1) Can I still apply for a Non-O visa in my own country, despite the fact that I'm "written off" ?

Question 2) My current visa is valid till 23/5/2016. I'm planning to go for 2 weeks to Belgium during March. Can I already apply for a new Non-O visa although the expiring date from my current visa is at that point 2 months away?

Remark: Of course I can here in Thailand apply for an extension of stay based on retirement. But I do not like to do that. Funds are no problem because I have to prove them in Belgium as well. But I'm not keen on putting too much money in a Thai bank account (You never now where politics will end) AND the fact that you have once a year to wake up at an unearthly hour to que at immigration + the 3 monthly reporting. Too much hassle for me.

Thanks a lot for some useful answers!

There is no reason which would prevent you applying for another visa in Belgium.

Are you sure you have an "O" visa and not an "O/A" visa ?

you can submit a clean criminal record

That sounds like you were applying for a non-imm O-A visa.

My current visa is valid till 23/5/2016.

If you have a non-imm O-A visa that expires on 23rd May, you can exit and return to Thailand before that date and get a new permission to stay good for 12 months from when you re-enter Thailand.

That permission to stay will remain valid even once the visa expires, but during that second year, if you want to travel in and out of Thailand, you would need a re-entry permit because the visa will have expired, but your permission to remain in Thailand would still be valid.

Check the visa in your passport ... see below

Edited January 22, 201610 yr by Suradit69

1. Yes. Shouldn't be a problem but you will have to give a Belgium address (relative/friend).
2. Probably but you should check at the embassy/consulate you plan to apply at. If they do issue a new visa they will cancel the existing one.

If you have a non 'O' visa that requires you to leave every 90 days, and don't want to apply for an extension of stay, you should consider getting an non 'O-A'. It would require 90 day reports, but that's easier than a border run and can be done by mail/online or representative. That visa can give you nearly 2 years before needing a new visa or applying for an extension of stay and you still don't need any money tied up in Thailand.

you can submit a clean criminal record

That sounds like you were applying for a non-imm O-A visa.

My current visa is valid till 23/5/2016.

If you have a non-imm O-A visa that expires on 23rd May, you can exit and return to Thailand before that date and get a new permission to stay good for 12 months from when you re-enter Thailand.

That permission to stay will remain valid even once the visa expires, but during that second year, if you want to travel in and out of Thailand, you would need a re-entry permit because the visa will have expired, but your permission to remain in Thailand would still be valid.

Check the visa in your passport ... see below

I have an "O" visa. Have to leave every 3 months, but that's fine to me.

Thanks for all the replies guys. Very useful!!