Posted 2012-02-09 23:04:46
 daxbr, on 2012-02-09 22:10:42, said:
Not sure why anyone would want to get retirement visa from Thai consulate if it is so easy to have it done in Thailand.
My experience:
- Obtained 30 days stamp on arrival.
- The following day, I walked up to US embassy and got income statement.
- The day after, I got 90 days retirement visa at Thai immigration/Bkk office.
- 60 days later, I got another income statement from US embassy and 1 year retirement extension/multiple reentry permit from Thai Immigration.
The way I understand it, Is with a 90 day visa already in hand (issued in the US) I can then purchase a one way ticket vs having to purchase a RT with waiting until landing in BKK to secure the 90 day visa.
Posted 2012-02-09 23:07:00
Jayman, on 2012-02-09 22:14:28, said:
jwdub, on 2012-02-09 21:52:25, said:
2. Any recommmendation on the best and most inexpensive way for sending a return envelope fo from the consulate. Are they just recommending air only pertaining to Fed Ex?
Thanks
USPS priority mail with delivery confirmation. You can pay for the postage for both when you go to the post office and include the postage paid envelope that will be used to return your passport to you with your application to them. Just make sure they weigh the envelope and your passport to get the postage correct.
Also make you you record the delivery confirmation number for both envelopes so you can track them both when needed.
Thanks Jayman
Posted 2012-02-09 23:13:08
Quote USPS priority mail with delivery confirmation. You can pay for the postage for both when you go to the post office and include the postage paid envelope that will be used to return your passport to you with your application to them. Just make sure they weigh the envelope and your passport to get the postage correct.
Also make you you record the delivery confirmation number for both envelopes so you can track them both when needed.
Yes, Priority Mail is cheaper than Express Mail. I'd use certified mail stickers with it also, for the tracking. You keep both stubs, with the tracking numbers. No need to weigh the envelopes. These are "flat rate" envelopes -- and as the commercial says, "If it fits, it ships."
So, one trip to the post office with your two Priority Mail envelopes already addressed. Buy the money order there too. (Find out from Mary who this should be made-out to.)
Posted 2012-02-09 23:14:33
JimGant, on 2012-02-09 22:46:09, said:
Quote I didn't really inquire about financial issues as I'm just going after the 90 day visa and will take care of the full retirement visa after landing in BKK.. She stated nothing about financial requirements for this visa.
Well, when I asked Mary about getting a Non Imm O for being retirement eligible, she answered: " I can issue the one-year multiple entry for you – just be sure to send the proof of income/pension."
Which only makes sense, since it's being issued for being retirement eligible. And thus some financial evidence would need to be supplied. Now, whether this is restricted to "income/pension," as she asked -- or whether a bank account with a certain amount in it also is acceptable -- I don't know. I never followed-through with the application, as this was just a drill to ascertain Non Imm O requirements at Portland, But, I'm sure you'll need to provide something to show your financial bonafides -- and that's why I'm curious about just what this might entail...... Also, maybe proof that you're over 50......(?). Best sort this out before sending in your application.
Quote Do you need to have airfare purchased and reported on the application prior to submitting the application and would leaving the departure date blank (as I'm only looking at a one way ticket) raise any flags?
No. Just put in any departure date within 90 days of your application date. This is never checked by anybody -- but if longer than 90 days, they might return application since visa expiration would be before your indicated departure (single entry Non Imm). [Portland doesn't even require proof of airline ticket for Tourist visa -- for US citizen -- unlike many consulates these days.]
One of he main reasons I want to get the full retirment visa in BKK is that (from what I'm told) you pretty much by pass the medical and police requirements (not that I have any issues, just easier) when geting it there.
Interesting about the proof of airline ticket. Would it be safe to say that even though I don't have an exact date (I'm looking at the 2nd half of April) I can just put in any date, even though it may vary a day or 2 as an arrival date without any problem.
Thanks
Posted 2012-02-09 23:27:41
Quote Not sure why anyone would want to get retirement visa from Thai consulate if it is so easy to have it done in Thailand.
My experience:
- Obtained 30 days stamp on arrival.
- The following day, I walked up to US embassy and got income statement.
- The day after, I got 90 days retirement visa at Thai immigration/Bkk office.
- 60 days later, I got another income statement from US embassy and 1 year retirement extension/multiple reentry permit from Thai Immigration.
Might agree, if I had to go through the added hassle (medical, police, notary) of a Non Imm O-A visa. But we're talking here about just the "O" visa, which can easily be obtained by mail. (But only from selected consulates, still in the minority.) Then, no need to get an exit ticket from Thailand, to avoid possible denied boarding.
One trip to the post office, receive return package, jump on the plane, get just one income statement from the US Embassy, then just one trip to Thai Immigration for the one-year retirement extension......
......vs. throwaway airline ticket, plus two trips to Immigration, and two trips to the US Embassy. I won't even mention the 2000 conversion fee, plus the extra, what is it, 3000 baht for an income statement? Cheap, compared to all the hassle of those double visits.
Posted 2012-02-09 23:39:42
Quote Interesting about the proof of airline ticket. Would it be safe to say that even though I don't have an exact date (I'm looking at the 2nd half of April) I can just put in any date, even though it may vary a day or 2 as an arrival date without any problem.
Nobody at Swampy is going to have a copy of your visa application, showing the date you indicated for departure. They only care if your visa is still valid. So, yes, stick in any date -- at least a couple of weeks after application date, and before 90 days after application date. Not sure why they even ask for this, unless they just want to assure you indicate a date within the visa validity period.
Posted 2012-02-09 23:50:01
Income statements are $50 each. I only needed one but I'm extending based on marriage and not on grounds of retirement. Still the affidavit I did is the same.
Posted 2012-02-13 14:22:54
wayned, on 2012-01-30 16:30:24, said:
He should appy for a single entry Non-O visa for retirement planning, since he is over 50. He can apply for this by express courrier and does not have to go to the Embassy or consulate. The Royal Thai Consulate in Portland Oregon has been very "friendly" in the past and have indicated recently that they will do this. He should contact them.  Portland Non-O retirement.doc
In addition to his age, he must meet the financial requiremets. He can either show that his monthly income from outsuide of Thailand is at least 65000 baht/ month, or have 800000 baht deposited in a Thai Bank, in his name only, which has been there for at least 2 months before he applies for his 1 year extension - cost 1900 baht. He can also use a combination of both to meet the 800000 baht requirement. In that case the money in the bank does not have to be seasoned for 2 months.
If he uses the monthly income method he would have to get an "income affidavit" from the US Embassy in Bangkok or US Consulate in Chaing Mai. It is a sworn notarized statement and requires no proof of income - coast $50. He might require the proof to backup the letter at immigration.
If he uses the bank deposit method he would have to get a letter from the Thai bank along with a copy of his bankbook. If he is going to use this method he should coordinate the details of the transfer with his bank in the US before he comes to Thailand.
He can also get a multiple entry non-immigrant O visa and make border runs every 90 days. The visa is valid for a year and he could milk 15 months out of it. Thi route he only needs prove income and onward ticket.
Posted 2012-02-13 14:28:02
daxbr, on 2012-02-09 22:10:42, said:
Not sure why anyone would want to get retirement visa from Thai consulate if it is so easy to have it done in Thailand.
My experience:
- Obtained 30 days stamp on arrival.
- The following day, I walked up to US embassy and got income statement.
- The day after, I got 90 days retirement visa at Thai immigration/Bkk office.
- 60 days later, I got another income statement from US embassy and 1 year retirement extension/multiple reentry permit from Thai Immigration.
No sir, what you got was a single entry non-immigrant O visa valid for 90 days. After at least 60 of those 90 days had elapsed were you given the retirement extenstion of the Non-immigrant O visa.
Posted 2012-02-13 15:14:23
Mario2008, on 2012-02-06 08:12:06, said:
Some embassies and genral consulats will only issue an O-A via if you apply for a visa based on retirement. Honorary consuls cannot issue an O-A visa and can only issue a non-O visa.
yes she told me she did not do retirement visas in New Orleans as they are honorary.
Posted 2012-02-13 19:07:25
How do you convert a 30 day entry into a Non Imm O without leaving Thailand?
Its exactly what I need to do right now. Im British, 30 and have a child with a Thai.
TIA.
Posted 2012-02-13 19:12:23
You must qualify for one year extension of stay to convert/obtain non immigrant entry. Being the father of a child may not qualify. Are you taking care of child and legal father? This is more than being on birth certificate. Have 400k in bank account?
Posted 2012-02-13 19:21:58
lopburi3, on 2012-02-13 19:12:23, said: You must qualify for one year extension of stay to convert/obtain non immigrant entry. Being the father of a child may not qualify. Are you taking care of child and legal father? This is more than being on birth certificate. Have 400k in bank account?
Yes my name is in the baby's birth cert and I am taking care of him (we all live together in Ubon) but me and the mother are not married. Id usually have a non imm O from UK but it recently expired and I've not been back to the UK to apply for a new one yet.
I can send over 400k here if needed.
Posted 2012-02-13 19:26:10
KunMatt, on 2012-02-13 19:21:58, said:
lopburi3, on 2012-02-13 19:12:23, said: You must qualify for one year extension of stay to convert/obtain non immigrant entry. Being the father of a child may not qualify. Are you taking care of child and legal father? This is more than being on birth certificate. Have 400k in bank account?
Yes my name is in the baby's birth cert and I am taking care of him (we all live together in Ubon) but me and the mother are not married. Id usually have a non imm O from UK but it recently expired and I've not been back to the UK to apply for a new one yet.
I can send over 400k here if needed.
The 400k must be seasoned for a few months minimum. If you are not married to the mother when the child was born you are not the legal father (in the Thai legal system). It doesn't matter that your name is on the birth cert (she could have claimed any name as far as they are concerned). You will want to go to immigration to ask what they require for you but you might have to become the legal father of the child you are supporting which would require DNA tests and a petition to the thai courts.
I would start with immigration to see what they tell you.
edit: rather than the 400k in the bank you also have the option to show a min monthly income of 40k. If that is something you can do then no need to keep 400k in the thai banks.
Edited by Jayman, 2012-02-13 19:27:51.
Posted 2012-02-13 19:30:35
The requirement is 40k income or 400k in bank account - there is no requirement for it being there any amount of time for child extension of stay.
If child over age 7 procedure is not hard but below that age court action would be required taking several months in most cases.
Single entry non immigrant O visas should be available from Consulates in region and 60 day extensions of stay from immigration until conditions for one year are met.
Posted 2012-02-13 19:51:30
lopburi3, on 2012-02-13 19:30:35, said:
The requirement is 40k income or 400k in bank account - there is no requirement for it being there any amount of time for child extension of stay.
If child over age 7 procedure is not hard but below that age court action would be required taking several months in most cases.
Single entry non immigrant O visas should be available from Consulates in region and 60 day extensions of stay from immigration until conditions for one year are met.
Is that right? For spouse support it must be seasoned 3 months but for child there is no seasoning requirement? The requirement form I have from Thai Immigration is specific to Spouse support and says 3 months. It's nice to know that if I switch from spouse to child support then I don't have to season the funds. Good to know if I ever need to go that route.
Thanks.
Edited by Jayman, 2012-02-13 19:51:40.
Posted 2012-02-13 20:10:32
Your information sheet is incorrect - the requirement for Thai wife is two months not three. Only retirement is three months (although when new rules were first started some immigration offices did ask three months) it was overturned by hqs and two months as written in the law (police order 777/2551) is what is required.
Posted 2012-02-13 21:05:44
daxbr, on 2012-02-09 22:10:42, said:
Not sure why anyone would want to get retirement visa from Thai consulate if it is so easy to have it done in Thailand.
My experience:
- Obtained 30 days stamp on arrival.
- The following day, I walked up to US embassy and got income statement.
- The day after, I got 90 days retirement visa at Thai immigration/Bkk office.
- 60 days later, I got another income statement from US embassy and 1 year retirement extension/multiple reentry permit from Thai Immigration.
------------------------------------
Been some time since you got it then?
-
1. Obtained 30 days stamp on arrival.
Still possible, but having any visa avoids the "one way ticket" and/or "out of country ticket" hassle and even a single entry non O visa gives you 90 days to get a place to live, establish a bank account, etc.
-
2. The following day, I walked up to US embassy and got income statement.
No longer possible. Since September 2011 a appointment is required by the U.S. embessy. No more walk-ins.
In addition the fee for that income statement is now $50.
-
3. The day after, I got 90 days retirement visa at Thai immigration/Bkk office.
Still possible but if you use the income method. However, if you use the bank account method your funds need to be seasoned for 60 days before you can apply for the retirement extension (there is no retirement VISA but an extension of stay based on retirement....but that is often mistakenly called a retirement visa).
-
4. 60 days later, I got another income statement from US embassy and 1 year retirement extension/multiple reentry permit from Thai Immigration
Yes, still possible. However, now that income statement now costs another $50.
-----
I admit, however, that I recieved my original MULTI entry Non O visa back in 2010 when they were still available and it was good for one year. Therefore I spent 13 months living in Thailand on that visa (and doing border runs every 90 days) before I filed for my retirement extension. Getting that same multi entry non O visa is much more difficult now.
Edited by IMA_FARANG, 2012-02-13 21:08:53.
Posted 2012-02-13 22:10:23
lopburi3, on 2012-02-13 20:10:32, said:
Your information sheet is incorrect - the requirement for Thai wife is two months not three. Only retirement is three months (although when new rules were first started some immigration offices did ask three months) it was overturned by hqs and two months as written in the law (police order 777/2551) is what is required.
Actually it says on the sheet that it's 3 months but only 2 months for the first year. It's written in multiple places on the form the immigration gave me. problem is, you try going into the Thai immigration and telling them they are giving the wrong info and see how fast they change it for you.
Posted 2012-02-13 22:29:03
Show them the Thai version of the official rules.
RTP777_2551.pdf 848.98K
10 downloads
Posted 2012-02-13 22:49:05
Lite Beer, on 2012-02-13 22:29:03, said:
Thanks but no thanks. The last thing I want to do is show a Thai that is in a position of power over me that they are wrong. Best I just follow the rules they gave me. Plays better for my long term survival here.
Posted 2012-02-14 01:36:09
As a follow-up to the post by daxbr, be aware that the queues for the change of the thirty-day visa waiver to an initial ninety-day "O" single-entry visa and for the one-year retirement visa are different. I spent several hours today at Cheng Wattana in the "L" queue to obtain the retirment visa only to be told when I finally got to the agent at about 4:40 that I was in the wrong line and that I must go back tomorrow and wait in the "C1" queue. She did walk me over to the officer at the "C1" section who was able to look over my documents and tell me that I must bring in several bank statements to supplement the notarized declaration of monthly income that I received from the US embassy. I printed those out and and expect everything to go smoothly tomorrow. I will post further if there are any developments. In the meantime, anyone wanting to change the initial visa-less thirty day stay to the first ninety-day "O" single-entry visa, be sure to queue in the "C1" line!
Edited by ermooney, 2012-02-14 01:42:02.
Posted 2012-02-14 13:00:53
ermooney, on 2012-02-14 01:36:09, said:
As a follow-up to the post by daxbr, be aware that the queues for the change of the thirty-day visa waiver to an initial ninety-day "O" single-entry visa and for the one-year retirement visa are different. I spent several hours today at Cheng Wattana in the "L" queue to obtain the retirment visa only to be told when I finally got to the agent at about 4:40 that I was in the wrong line and that I must go back tomorrow and wait in the "C1" queue. She did walk me over to the officer at the "C1" section who was able to look over my documents and tell me that I must bring in several bank statements to supplement the notarized declaration of monthly income that I received from the US embassy. I printed those out and and expect everything to go smoothly tomorrow. I will post further if there are any developments. In the meantime, anyone wanting to change the initial visa-less thirty day stay to the first ninety-day "O" single-entry visa, be sure to queue in the "C1" line!
Which immigration office?
Posted 2012-02-14 13:19:09
" Cheng Wattana" per line two. That would be Bangkok.
Posted 2012-02-14 23:02:25
Update to change of visa-less 30 day entry to 90 day non-Immigrant "O" visa: After waiting in the "C1" queue for about an hour and a half today, my documents were accepted and I paid my 2,000 baht. I must go back on Feb. 28th for the decision on my application but expect that I will be given the visa since the officer seemed to approve my application and documents. I sure hope that I get it since I will have to do a quick border run in order to stay an extra eleven days until my flight out on March 17th if I don't. An in-country ten day extension would leave me a day short. I'm planning to get a single re-entry stamp before I leave but may not actually be able to get enough time off from work in Tokyo to return to Thailand before the ninety-day period expires. At least I know the drill if I must apply for another "O" visa from in-country. I hope that there is no limit to the number of "O" visas that they will grant! Does anybody know if there is a limit to the number of "O" visas that you can get?
Edited by ermooney, 2012-02-14 23:28:13.
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