OA visa London - A few questions

[madmitch]

I've been living in Thailand for several years on a retirement extension. After carelessly leaving without a re-entry permit and failing to get a non-imm O at Vientiane due to an unannounced change in the rules regarding bank letters, I'm now on a 60 day tourist visa. I'm in the UK for a week in November so a 30 day extension at immigration will take me to this date. During this trip I'm intending to apply for an OA visa.

 

Can anyone clarify the following, bearing in mind I've been in Thailand for the last 14 years:

 

1. Police report: Thailand, UK or both? How do I get them? I've never done this before!

2. Medical certificate: will a Thai report be acceptable as I'm no longer registered at a GP in the UK or will I have to find a private clinic?

3. Bank letters/statements. I would assume there's some leeway regarding the date as it would be unreasonable to expect a same/previous day's date, but these are Thai officials we're talking about so you never know!

4. Notarisation: if the documents are issued in Thailand then will a Thai lawyer suffice? If I need English issued documents then I'll have to get it done in the UK obviously.

 

 

My other alternative is a visa run to Penang to get a non-immigrant O, taking paperwork that isn't always asked for - just in case! The answers to the questions above will influence my decision as if I do need to get everything done in England then the time and expense involved will make it impractical. I have other things to do during that week.

 

It'll take several searches to find all this info, hence posting.

 

 

 

[ubonjoe]

One, 2 and 3 will need to be from the UK.

Info for the OA visa is here on London embassy website: http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/51

From that page "Note: Documents 4 to 8 inclusive must be certified by a Notary Public officer or Solicitors" Click on solicitors for info on a good place to get it done.

[Eclipse]

I very much doubt that a week would be long enough to obtain the items needed and then apply and receive a O-A Visa.

 

You would probably be better off applying for a non Imm O Visa and extending in Thailand.

[madmitch]

 

I had a feeling that this was going to be the case and I just can't afford to spend my whole week running around trying to get the documents together. 

 

Penang here I come!

 

Two, hopefully final questions:

 

Am I right in thinking that an extension of stay based on retirement can only be issued during the last 30 days of a non-imm O visa?

 

If so, may I assume that I can leave the country in the meantime, for my UK trip, with a single re-entry permit?

 

Thanks guys.

[ubonjoe]

Some offices will do the extension up to 45 days early while others only allow 30 days.

You can get a single re-entry permit for the 90 day entry from the non-o visa.

[OJAS]

53 minutes ago, madmitch said:

 

I had a feeling that this was going to be the case and I just can't afford to spend my whole week running around trying to get the documents together. 

 

Penang here I come!

 

 If you are old enough to be in receipt of the UK State Pension, you can apply for a single-entry non-O from the London Embassy on those grounds on production of the DWP letter stating your (forever frozen) rate.

 

Might be better than a trip to Penang if that option were open to you. But if it is not or you are still minded to opt for Penang on the basis of re-entering Thailand initially on the basis of the standard 30-day stamp, ensure you book your onward flight there within these 30 days while you are still in the UK. Otherwise you might run the risk of being denied boarding your return flight to Thailand at check-in.

[Evilbaz]

^^^

It is logical to get a non-O 90 day entry from Penang based on Retirement.

Easy Peasy to extend at your local Thai Immi office.

You just need to show evidence of the (unseasoned) funds.

[madmitch]

2 hours ago, OJAS said:

 If you are old enough to be in receipt of the UK State Pension, you can apply for a single-entry non-O from the London Embassy on those grounds on production of the DWP letter stating your (forever frozen) rate.

 

Might be better than a trip to Penang if that option were open to you. But if it is not or you are still minded to opt for Penang on the basis of re-entering Thailand initially on the basis of the standard 30-day stamp, ensure you book your onward flight there within these 30 days while you are still in the UK. Otherwise you might run the risk of being denied boarding your return flight to Thailand at check-in.

I'm not old enough for the UK state pension.

 

I'll (hopefully!) get the O visa in Penang before going to the UK, get a re-entry permit and do the retirement extension upon return. Leaves my extension date at the beginning of high season, unfortunately and several months after the pension cash is paid in . I'll take every piece of paper they could possibly request!

 

Thanks for the replies.