Working 28 days and 28 days off in Thailand.

[surfinglife]

I've been doing this for many years (28/28). Just to be on a safe side I have two passports and alternate between them to enter Thailand. Never had any issues.

[Kerryd]

This change to the use of the correct terminology should start at the top and until this happens we, the readers of the Thaivisa forum, should not berate the members who use the technically incorrect jargon used by immigration.

Maybe while they are at it (if ever) they could also remove the part on the TM.7 where it asks "Kind of Visa" as that could mislead people into thinking that they need some kind of visa in order to apply for an extension of temporary stay.

And when I got a new passport and had to have my "visa" transferred and the stamps in the new one say "Visa Class (non O)" and "Retirement", and on the re-entry permit where they typed NON-IMM (as in visa type) in the "Category" box.

Also the part on the MFA website (http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908/15385-Non-Immigrant-Visa-%22O-A%22-(Long-Stay).html):

"5. Recommendations for foreigners with Non-Immigrant Visa “O-A” (Long Stay) while staying in the Kingdom

5.4 Foreigner who wishes to extend his or her stay shall submit a request for extension of stay at the Office of the Immigration Bureau with documented evidence of money transfer or a deposit account in Thailand or an income certificate showing an amount of not less than 800,000 Baht or an income certificate plus a deposit account showing a total amount of not less than 800,000 Baht. A one-year extension of stay shall be granted at the discretion of the immigration officer to the foreigner as long as he or she meets the above requirements."

Kind of makes it sound like you have to have a visa in order to apply for an extension of stay.

[elviajero]

Next time take a payslip with you, I did the same when I was FIFO doing 2 weeks off 2 weeks on but never got hassled in BKK. A payslip will prove you can support yourself and that your working somewhere else.

Again I don't see why oil/gas or offshore workers under 50 should get a different deal than others. They don't care if your working outside Thailand. What they want is proof you can support yourself. There are plenty of people under 50 that have solid sources of income. A simple one would be rental income etc. So everyone in that category can use stamps ongoing? I don't think so. Yes given they cannot be quick turn a rounds.

I agree, no special treatment needed - i work in oil and gas - but if you show a payslip and/or a work contract for somewhere other than Thailand, then this kinda proves you aren't working for 30k thb as a english teacher (or whatever) in thailand right?!?

Their big issue is illegal workers, of which there are plenty, but amongst the Oil and Gas people, I'm pretty sure there are none

So yes, I believe if you could show a good income, along with (approx) 6 months in, and 6 out, you'd have no problem using visa exempts

I don't think it's just about illegal workers anymore, but also that immigration are looking to reduce the use of tourist visas and visa exempt by anyone using it frequently. Time will tell, but I don't think O&G workers living here will get away with using visa exempt entry indefinitely and I'd be preparing for a plan B.

[ubonjoe]

Next time take a payslip with you, I did the same when I was FIFO doing 2 weeks off 2 weeks on but never got hassled in BKK. A payslip will prove you can support yourself and that your working somewhere else.

Again I don't see why oil/gas or offshore workers under 50 should get a different deal than others. They don't care if your working outside Thailand. What they want is proof you can support yourself. There are plenty of people under 50 that have solid sources of income. A simple one would be rental income etc. So everyone in that category can use stamps ongoing? I don't think so. Yes given they cannot be quick turn a rounds.

I agree, no special treatment needed - i work in oil and gas - but if you show a payslip and/or a work contract for somewhere other than Thailand, then this kinda proves you aren't working for 30k thb as a english teacher (or whatever) in thailand right?!?

Their big issue is illegal workers, of which there are plenty, but amongst the Oil and Gas people, I'm pretty sure there are none

So yes, I believe if you could show a good income, along with (approx) 6 months in, and 6 out, you'd have no problem using visa exempts

I don't think it's just about illegal workers anymore, but also that immigration are looking to reduce the use of tourist visas and visa exempt by anyone using it frequently. Time will tell, but I don't think O&G workers living here will get away with using visa exempt entry indefinitely and I'd be preparing for a plan B.

Why?

Do think they are going to issue a police order limiting the number of visa exempt entries or the amount of time spent on them over a period of time. At the moment the only denial possible is under section 12 of the immigration act.

[elviajero]

This change to the use of the correct terminology should start at the top and until this happens we, the readers of the Thaivisa forum, should not berate the members who use the technically incorrect jargon used by immigration.

Maybe while they are at it (if ever) they could also remove the part on the TM.7 where it asks "Kind of Visa" as that could mislead people into thinking that they need some kind of visa in order to apply for an extension of temporary stay.

And when I got a new passport and had to have my "visa" transferred and the stamps in the new one say "Visa Class (non O)" and "Retirement", and on the re-entry permit where they typed NON-IMM (as in visa type) in the "Category" box.

Also the part on the MFA website (http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908/15385-Non-Immigrant-Visa-%22O-A%22-(Long-Stay).html):

"5. Recommendations for foreigners with Non-Immigrant Visa “O-A” (Long Stay) while staying in the Kingdom

5.4 Foreigner who wishes to extend his or her stay shall submit a request for extension of stay at the Office of the Immigration Bureau with documented evidence of money transfer or a deposit account in Thailand or an income certificate showing an amount of not less than 800,000 Baht or an income certificate plus a deposit account showing a total amount of not less than 800,000 Baht. A one-year extension of stay shall be granted at the discretion of the immigration officer to the foreigner as long as he or she meets the above requirements."

Kind of makes it sound like you have to have a visa in order to apply for an extension of stay.

The reason 'kind of visa' is on the TM7 form is because the kind of visa used to enter the country determines what extension of stay is available.

Although a visas job ends at the door it is still relevant when it comes to extensions of stay which is why it will continue to be referred to. You need a re-entry permit because you no longer have a visa.

[recycler]

Maybe they want you to spend you money somewhere else?

[IMA_FARANG]

Turned 50 and you can get non imm based on retirement?

The OP is working off shore, so how can he apply for a non-o based on retirement?

I thought retirement meant that you no longer are working.

----------------------------

incorrect

You can work on a retirement visa/extension......you just can not work in Thailand.

It is perfectly legal to be working outside of Thailand, and still be officially "retired" according to the Thai immigration.

[chaawlepcha]

If I remember it correctly, the English-version of the relevant Police Oder uses the wording like
(entention) "in case of retirement";

however, the wording used in the original and authentic Thai version is
กรณีใช้ชีวิตในบั้นปลาย,

which means something like "in case of spending last part of one's life", which I understand no referrence is made to the notion of "leaving one's job".

[ubonjoe]

If I remember it correctly, the English-version of the relevant Police Oder uses the wording like

(entention) "in case of retirement";

however, the wording used in the original and authentic Thai version is

กรณีใช้ชีวิตในบั้นปลาย,

which means something like "in case of spending last part of one's life", which I understand no referrence is made to the notion of "leaving one's job".

That is only the title of clause 2.22 and is not that relevant. If you look at the requirements it only mentions being 50 or over and then the financial requirements. No mention of needing to prove you are retired.

[chaawlepcha]

Than you, joe in Ubon, for inviting me to make myself much clearer.

The intention of my previous post is to try to indentify the source of the cunfusion raised here in a high level of administrative legulation and to illustrate an exampale, in that expresions in a user-friendly way sometimes sacrifice the legality contained in the original and authentic text.

I would dare to add that, if we duly follow the authentic Thai text only, there would be no "retirement extentions" (or "extentions based on retirement reasons"), and the avairable one is, althogh I am not native English speaker, but dare to do it, something like "spending-latter-life extentions" (or "extentions based on spending-latter-part-of-life reasons"). If people bother to use this sort of terminology and can tolerate biting own tounge several times every month, there would be no possibility for the this kind of confusion.

Hope this makes much clearer.

[BritTim]

You could apply for an extension of stay based upon retirement and still do your trips for work by getting a multiple re-entry permit after you get the extension. Many people are doing it. You will need 800k baht in a Thai bank for 60 days or proof of 65k baht income, You could get proof of income by getting an income letter from the UK embassy by post.

You could make a trip to Penang while your are here after having the money in the bank (60 days not needed) or the income letter to get a single entry non-o visa for being 50 or over. You would then need to get a single re-entry permit for the 90 day entry and then apply for the extension after your return the next time since you cannot apply for the extension until the last 30 days of the 90 day entry.

One thing I have often wondered. A Non Imm O single entry visa allows a single entry of up to 90 days. I appreciate that most people will want the entire period. However, if for an O&G worker the dates are not convenient (to apply for a one year extension) if the full 90 days is given, would you have the option of asking the IO to stamp you in for a shorter period?

[ubonjoe]

You could apply for an extension of stay based upon retirement and still do your trips for work by getting a multiple re-entry permit after you get the extension. Many people are doing it. You will need 800k baht in a Thai bank for 60 days or proof of 65k baht income, You could get proof of income by getting an income letter from the UK embassy by post.

You could make a trip to Penang while your are here after having the money in the bank (60 days not needed) or the income letter to get a single entry non-o visa for being 50 or over. You would then need to get a single re-entry permit for the 90 day entry and then apply for the extension after your return the next time since you cannot apply for the extension until the last 30 days of the 90 day entry.

One thing I have often wondered. A Non Imm O single entry visa allows a single entry of up to 90 days. I appreciate that most people will want the entire period. However, if for an O&G worker the dates are not convenient (to apply for a one year extension) if the full 90 days is given, would you have the option of asking the IO to stamp you in for a shorter period?

They will only stamp the 90 days the visa allows. People have tried that before and were told no. The re-entry permit takes care of the problem in most cases.

[gk10002000]

When filling in the arrival card should i put my apartment address or a hotel address? Yesterday i just put the soi because i could not remember my exact address and the immigration guy just gave it back to me saying " more detail". Sorry for my naivety but i never had problems before as i used to get the 1 year multiple entry non immigrant O visa's

Yes they are now asking for more precise address detail to be entered on the arrival card.

My son who visited us a few weeks ago had to telephone us from the airport because he had forgotten the detail of our address !

Geez. When I enter I haven't even booked a hotel yet because I won't pay in advance without seeing the room. Sometimes I have just put "Flipper Lodge", Pattaya even though I probably wasn't going to stay there. I don't want to mislead them, but what they ask for is not realistically known. I guess I will jot down the Soi # also.