Need Logistic Advice For Penang/georgetown

[Lake]

Hi All, Would those of you who have 'been there, done that' reply to following questions. I am over 55, American, so far done 16 'visa runs'. Going on minibus from Krabi to Georgetown Sunday 17th, my third 'visa run' on 19th new rules.

What do I need to bring for "O" visa besides evidence of monthly income? (don't have yet req. bank acct)Do I need pictures, application? What is the cost?

Do I need pictures for single entry tourist visa? Cost?

How long does it take to get the papers?

Recs on hotels and agents. I prefer ensuite bathroom.

Or better to go to Thai Immigration Office in person?

I know 3 people already who have successfully rec'd single entry from there, so I'll let you all know how it went with me.

Thanks in advance, AoNang Lake

[lopburi3]

I am not sure what visa you are trying to obtain as you mention non immigrant O visa in one place and tourist visa in another.

I suspect, unless married to a Thai, you will not receive a non immigrant visa from Penang - especially without a bank account (but not sure even that will work these days).

So you are talking about a single entry tourist visa which you can probably obtain either yourself or from a service. You submit application workday morning and receive visa next workday afternoon. Several 4x6cm photos and application/fee required. Believe fee is about 1,000 baht (in RMB only).

The Continental Hotel on Penang Street is a good quality business type hotel in the 1,000 baht range and near the backpack/eating area.

You might want to consider retirement extensions of stay if you have income of 65k per month or can get 800k into a bank account for 3 months (or combination).

[Lake]

I am not sure what visa you are trying to obtain as you mention non immigrant O visa in one place and tourist visa in another.

I suspect, unless married to a Thai, you will not receive a non immigrant visa from Penang - especially without a bank account (but not sure even that will work these days).

So you are talking about a single entry tourist visa which you can probably obtain either yourself or from a service. You submit application workday morning and receive visa next workday afternoon. Several 4x6cm photos and application/fee required. Believe fee is about 1,000 baht (in RMB only).

The Continental Hotel on Penang Street is a good quality business type hotel in the 1,000 baht range and near the backpack/eating area.

You might want to consider retirement extensions of stay if you have income of 65k per month or can get 800k into a bank account for 3 months (or combination).

Thanks for answering, I either want an O visa to begin the process of one year retirement visa OR a single entry OR whatever I can get. I thought that one obtains the O visa out of country and finishes the process at Thai Immigration in Thailand.

[lopburi3]

The long stay (retirement) visa can be issued in your home country in the form of a non immigrant O-A visa. This provides a one year stay on entry into Thailand and does not require Thai bank account until your are ready to extend it.

The second option, which seems to be what you are thinking about, would be to obtain a non immigrant O visa by saying you wish to check out retirement options. They may not issue in this case and under new rules you would not have time to open a bank account of 800k and have 3 months record of it before application for extension in Thailand. If you can meet the requirement with the 65k monthly income it may still work.

You can also just use tourist visas and when your are ready to extend you convert the tourist visa to non immigrant visa at immigration at a cost of 2,000 baht prior to making application for extension of stay.

I would recommend the home country O-A in multi entry version as that can be used for the first two years if you exit/return just prior to the visa expiration date.