59 minutes ago, jerrybeirne said:

i am hoping to get the non imm o visa for u.k. pensioners in a couple of months time when i'm 65.

after reading your post yesterday evening , i phoned hull and they said it was still available.

i also phoned london a couple of days ago to check if i could get it there, and they said yes.

 

 

Are you talking about Single Entry or Multiple Entry Type O. Both available at Hull - but for how long? And at the Embassy in London by post or in person.

Thinking more about the Re-Entry permit option, if I get Non O Single Entry visas from Liverpool for 90 days, that will leave 29 days remaining when we leave on 61st day and return 4 days later. We then stay for 53 days so the extension plus a 30 day extension at Immigration in Khao Lak seems to be a viable option. 

11 minutes ago, Arandora said:

Are you talking about Single Entry or Multiple Entry Type O. Both available at Hull - but for how long? And at the Embassy in London by post or in person.

Thinking more about the Re-Entry permit option, if I get Non O Single Entry visas from Liverpool for 90 days, that will leave 29 days remaining when we leave on 61st day and return 4 days later. We then stay for 53 days so the extension plus a 30 day extension at Immigration in Khao Lak seems to be a viable option. 

A re-entry permit only keeps the 90 day entry valid.  When your return you would only get the remainder of the original 90 days when you enter the country.

There is no 30 day extension possible for the 90 day entry from a non-o visa.

1 hour ago, Arandora said:

Given the confusing advice coming out of the Embassy in London and Consulate in Liverpool, that is my Plan B after a trip to Phang Nga Immigration when we arrive to nail down which if any option they offer - it's a nice drive from Khao Lak anyway. I phoned the Consulate at Hull and they had not been informed that they could not offer Type O multiple entry visas for retirees over 60-65 in receipt of state pension. So that remains an option if we do it quickly. 

Any suggestions for cheapest routes for a throw away ticket? AirAsia has a Big Sale on at the moment and we can get the extension locally in Khao Lak at the once a week Immigration caravan there. 

 

Can book a 'throw away' ticket, use this, https://flyonward.com/en/ or book a refundable ticket with a full service airline and cancel later.

As for getting a multi entry visa at an honourary consulate, the situation around the world seems to be very opaque at the moment.  I have been reading some of the reports on the forum and will add that I called the honourary consulate in Edmonton, Canada last week and was assured I could still get a Non O multi entry (based on marriage) there.

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

A re-entry permit only keeps the 90 day entry valid.  When your return you would only get the remainder of the original 90 days when you enter the country.

There is no 30 day extension possible for the 90 day entry from a non-o visa.

.... and another one bites the dust! Thanks.

1 hour ago, kanook said:

 

Can book a 'throw away' ticket, use this, https://flyonward.com/en/ or book a refundable ticket with a full service airline and cancel later.

"Rent" a  throw away ticket? No thanks. 

Edited September 9, 20169 yr by Arandora
Updated.

3 hours ago, Arandora said:

Given the confusing advice coming out of the Embassy in London and Consulate in Liverpool, that is my Plan B after a trip to Phang Nga Immigration when we arrive to nail down which if any option they offer - it's a nice drive from Khao Lak anyway. I phoned the Consulate at Hull and they had not been informed that they could not offer Type O multiple entry visas for retirees over 60-65 in receipt of state pension. So that remains an option if we do it quickly. 

Any suggestions for cheapest routes for a throw away ticket? AirAsia has a Big Sale on at the moment and we can get the extension locally in Khao Lak at the once a week Immigration caravan there. 

 

Hat Yai to KL all up 1190 baht on a Wednesday booked in advance.

8 hours ago, Arandora said:

.... and another one bites the dust! Thanks.

"Rent" a  throw away ticket? No thanks. 

 

I suggested 3 options.

1)  Book a 'throw away' ticket

2)  Use fly onward  https://flyonward.com/en/ 

3)  Book a refundable ticket with a full service airline and cancel later

32 minutes ago, kanook said:

 

I suggested 3 options.

1)  Book a 'throw away' ticket

2)  Use fly onward  https://flyonward.com/en/ 

3)  Book a refundable ticket with a full service airline and cancel later

Yes you did and I have taken all those on board and am considering 1) especially as I can get an AirAsia flight Hat Yai to KL for 735 baht All In and 3) but not 2) 

The comment "... and another one bites the dust" was in response to UbonJoe pointing out that a Non Imm O visa cannot be extended. 

Thanks for your advice. 

23 hours ago, Arandora said:

Are you talking about Single Entry or Multiple Entry Type O. Both available at Hull - but for how long? And at the Embassy in London by post or in person.

Thinking more about the Re-Entry permit option, if I get Non O Single Entry visas from Liverpool for 90 days, that will leave 29 days remaining when we leave on 61st day and return 4 days later. We then stay for 53 days so the extension plus a 30 day extension at Immigration in Khao Lak seems to be a viable option. 

sorry for not replying sooner, i dont have instant access to a computer.

you can get a multiple entry type 'o' in person at hull and by post or in person in london.

this info was correct on thursday. i will phone again on monday.

 

It would be interesting to learn (from a real life experience of a member) if those new rules apply to METV and multiple-non-B as well ? so far, only the non-O is being discussed here

7 minutes ago, siam2007 said:

It would be interesting to learn (from a real life experience of a member) if those new rules apply to METV and multiple-non-B as well ? so far, only the non-O is being discussed here

Where?

In some countries honorary consulates cannot issue any multiple entry visa. Only a embassy or official consulate can issue them now.

2 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Where?

In some countries honorary consulates cannot issue any multiple entry visa. Only a embassy or official consulate can issue them now.

 

yes I know and this is what I wrote earlier in this topic. But I was surprised that another member just mentioned that HULL is obviously still issuing multiple non-immigrant Visas as recent as this week, and nobody obviously has tried to get a METV or non-immi-B-multiple since those new rules have been implemented

Having waited over an hour on hold at the Thai Embassy in London to receive further clarification, I gave up to wait until later to try and get a straight answer. I will be interested to hear what further enquiries to Hull say. 

1 hour ago, siam2007 said:

 

yes I know and this is what I wrote earlier in this topic. But I was surprised that another member just mentioned that HULL is obviously still issuing multiple non-immigrant Visas as recent as this week, and nobody obviously has tried to get a METV or non-immi-B-multiple since those new rules have been implemented

From what I understand as long as you are over 65 and in receipt of the UK State Pension

That is exactly what I am trying to get but cannot now at Liverpool and was told that applied to all UK Consulates albeit Hull had not been informed up to last Thursday. Hence the confusion and search for alternatives. 

4 hours ago, Arandora said:

Having waited over an hour on hold at the Thai Embassy in London to receive further clarification, I gave up to wait until later to try and get a straight answer. I will be interested to hear what further enquiries to Hull say. 

Unless you have the extension number of the department you require, it's normal for the London Embassy to never answer the phone. When and if they do answer, I will tell you 100% that they will not be very helpful. It is probably the busiest Embassy I have ever been too anywhere in the world. The place is snowed under with people.

They prefer to deal by email and post.

It is extension 5500 and I got through very quickly last Wednesday but I agree the young lady was quite abrupt and not as helpful as I'd hoped and cut off before I'd finished. 

After all the advice, suggestions and corrections, for which I am extremely grateful, I have decided on the Throw Away ticket on re-entry option. This is costs compared:
* Multiple Entry Non-Imm Type O (if I could still get from Hull) = £125 plus admin £10 x 2 = £270 

* Single Entry Non-Imm Type O (appointment and hotel already booked at Liverpool) = £50 + £10 x 2 = £120 plus AirAsia flight Hat Yai to KUL £16 (735 baht) x 2 = £32 plus 30 day extension in Khao Lak £41 (1900 baht) x 2 = £82 Total £234. 

Abrupt.....That describes them perfectly! At least you had the extension or you would probably still be on hold

Even better! Got AirAsia flights from Krabi to KUL for 435 baht each, 1090 baht for both of us, £24 including card processing fee. 

On 9/10/2016 at 1:36 PM, ubonjoe said:

Where?

In some countries honorary consulates cannot issue any multiple entry visa. Only a embassy or official consulate can issue them now.

 

So who exactly issued this directive?  Is it Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs?  Are the individual honorary consulates subjected to additional requirements for multiple entry visa, and some decide not to take on the requirements (and instead just stop issuing certain visas)?

 

We know that some consulates do have their own policies.   

1 hour ago, 4evermaat said:

 

So who exactly issued this directive?  Is it Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs?  Are the individual honorary consulates subjected to additional requirements for multiple entry visa, and some decide not to take on the requirements (and instead just stop issuing certain visas)?

 

We know that some consulates do have their own policies.   

 

I doubt a busy consulate like Melbourne suddenly decided to stop issuing multiple entry visas on their own volition. After many years of good service, their authority was probably withdrawn from up high, possibly for security reasons or because the Thai government simply wanted tighter control of who gets to enter Thailand long term.

8 hours ago, 4evermaat said:

 

So who exactly issued this directive?  Is it Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs?  Are the individual honorary consulates subjected to additional requirements for multiple entry visa, and some decide not to take on the requirements (and instead just stop issuing certain visas)?

 

We know that some consulates do have their own policies.   

The directive to the Royal Thai Consulate in Liverpool came from the Royal Thai Embassy in London who, as far as I am aware, is the conduit for controlling what Consulates in their country can and cannot do presumably in accordance with the requirements of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I don't know about other countries but in the UK, the Consulates receive no funding from the Embassy or Thai Government and rely on the fees from the services they provide for their existence. It is therefore not in their interest to stop issuing visas that earn them income without being directed to do so. 

The following German honorary consulates do not issue non-immi-O visa for mutliple entries after 15 August 2016:

Essen, München, Hamburg, Stuttgart.

The honorary consulate in Dresden has closed its doors on 31 May 2016.

 

Non-immi-O visa get only be obtained at the Thai embassy in Berlin and the consulat general in Frankfurt.

 

The new visa requirements (effective 15 August 2016) apply worldwide to all honorary consulates.

 

11 hours ago, nofarang said:

The following German honorary consulates do not issue non-immi-O visa for mutliple entries after 15 August 2016:

Essen, München, Hamburg, Stuttgart.

The honorary consulate in Dresden has closed its doors on 31 May 2016.

 

Non-immi-O visa get only be obtained at the Thai embassy in Berlin and the consulat general in Frankfurt.

.......

 

 

11 hours ago, nofarang said:

..........

The new visa requirements (effective 15 August 2016) apply worldwide to all honorary consulates.

 

Really?  Is there a complete list of new requirements?

Is it possible to obtain a snapshot of the notice where this was spotted?  

Where is the directive coming from?

36 minutes ago, 4evermaat said:

 

 

Really?  Is there a complete list of new requirements?

Is it possible to obtain a snapshot of the notice where this was spotted?  

Where is the directive coming from?

It has been confirmed in at least 4 countries. In one it is only non immigrant visas that are effected but in the states it is tourist visas also.

This topic was the first one that mentioned it.

 

Having, I thought, solved my visa requirements that gave rise to me starting this topic i.e. Non-Imm O Single Entry Visa for retirees over 65 with State Pension for first entry, then Visa Exempt entry with POOT for second entry plus extension at Immigration for balance of stay, this has raised another concern.

My original Thai Driving Licence and subsequent 5 year renewal were done with us travelling on Non-Imm O Multi Entry Visas. My DL needs to be renewed again in January which is within the period of the Single Entry Non-Imm O visa but will there be a problem when I go to the Immigration Office in Phang Nga City to obtain the necessary residence certificate because it does not cover the whole period? 

Sorry if this on wrong forum but I have posted it here as a related issue as well as on the Motor Forum.

 

21 hours ago, nofarang said:

The following German honorary consulates do not issue non-immi-O visa for mutliple entries after 15 August 2016:

Essen, München, Hamburg, Stuttgart.

The honorary consulate in Dresden has closed its doors on 31 May 2016.

 

Non-immi-O visa get only be obtained at the Thai embassy in Berlin and the consulat general in Frankfurt.

 

The new visa requirements (effective 15 August 2016) apply worldwide to all honorary consulates.

 

 

 

what about non-immi-B multiple, ED-Visa or METV ? Any first hand experiences since Aug 15th ?

 

 

21 hours ago, siam2007 said:

 

 

what about non-immi-B multiple, ED-Visa or METV ? Any first hand experiences since Aug 15th ?

 

 

You cannot get an METV from a Consulate only the Embassy in the UK.