chaspul wrote:Both I and my wife got a one year multi OA visa at the Thai Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
I think that you will find that the reason you were able to do this is because to stay and work in Saudi Arabia you have to be a legal "resident", regardless of your passport.
georgy wrote:Thats not correct.
As mentioned earlier there are 2 ways:
- come to Thailand on any visa and get the extension of stay
- get a Non O-A (long stay) abroad, age > 50years
Actually there are SEVERAL ways, and as the OP is so confused what I have written is an attempt to make it a bit easier for him. As Lomu has written, I doubt that he is a legal "resident" of Germany, so to obtain an "OA" visa he would have to return to the USA.
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Hi All, this is my 1st time using the forum and i must say the info you give is excellent.
I have lived in singapore for 10 years now my wife and i are british and we have a home south of Hua hin, We were looking at moving to Here using the long stay visa with multi entry as i may have to leave for work in the new year, when i contacted the Thai Embassy in singapore and a company that do a visa service ( in Hua Hin ) both told me i would have to go back to the UK to apply. After reading this thread i am not sure that info they gave me is correct.
I went to the Thai embassy in Frankfurt and everything worked out fine. Followed the rules on the web site and now have the visa in my passport. Needed 6 pictures not the 3 the english web site in New York indicated but that was probably my fault. Also needed the police report translated from German to english or Thai even though it was the German Thai Embassy. I knew there would be something wrong but it was not that bad. Social security statement and Military retirement benefit statement from the Web was sufficient for the income certification.
IMHO, posters are confused between legal resident and illegal. You were legally resident in Germany due to your army service as I was legally resident in Saudi due to my work permit. The Thai rules do not say that you have to be a national of that country.
To become permanently a legal resident (national) of Saudi without a work permit, I would have to fill the criteria of living there 10 years (did 13) and becoming Muslim, so as I’m C of E, I'm still not a Saudi national!
No Embassy in the world should require you to return to the country that issues your passport to fill out forms. Embassies have power to act independently in representing the country, Consuls are responsible to the Embassy and all Embassies of different countries do talk to each other.
So my advice to Jungle is, fill out all the forms stating that you want a one year OA visa, with letters from your bank, doctor and I had to fill out an extra form stating that I wanted to retire to Thailand with my address and supporting documents, a local police check, (in English) should be OK if you have been there a few years. Take them to the Thai Embassy in Singapore, with the correct money.
Money is very important and a one year multi OA brings the Embassy a large cash inflow for a small piece of paper. So when confronted with a complete package and the staff don’t have much extra work to do it should be a “walk over *”.
Not sure if London Thai Embassy has a Consular section (I bet it has) if so, UK retirees may be better served in trying to obtain a one year OA visa (worth nearly 2 years with a border run) from the Embassy rather than a 90 day and extend it in Thailand, from the Thai Consul in Hull? I’m sure I will be corrected over this one but has anyone tried it?
This thread at least proves there are two places in the world which will issue long term Thai visas to people who are legal residents but are not nationals of that country.
Chas
"walk over*" Amateur boxing term where one fighter has withdrawn and the winner by default, walks across the ring from his corner to the opponents.
l'd like to come over next june get our kid started in school. hes finnished in june and they start in may in thailand no problem. but sooner he gets going the better. come over rent a place buy a bike you no get them settled. then l have to go back and wait for my birthday in aug. to retire. do l have time to get a 90 visa between trips or should i get one for the june trip
tood ling wrote:l'd like to come over next june get our kid started in school. hes finnished in june and they start in may in thailand no problem. but sooner he gets going the better. come over rent a place buy a bike you no get them settled. then l have to go back and wait for my birthday in aug. to retire. do l have time to get a 90 visa between trips or should i get one for the june trip
Our forum resident visa expert is on holiday and away from the forum and I think others, including myself, are not that confident that info we give is 100% accurate. Regardless:
1) If your June trip is less than 30 days, you don't need a visa at all. You can enter on a 30 day visa waiver stamp obtained at the airport when you arrive.
2) You should have time after you get back from your June trip to get your 90 day visa for your August move. You can get it in 1 day if you go to the embassy or consulate yourself with the proper paperwork. You probably also have time to do it all by mail. It depends upon the time between when you get back from your June trip and when you plan to leave in August. Be guided by what the Embassy says concerning time to process mail-in visa applications if you apply that way.
3) If you get a 90 day multiple entry visa before your June trip I think it should be valid for both of the trips you're planning. This is where I'm not positive though concerning the validity of the visa. If the visa expiration date is a date after your planned August arrival date, you're in good shape, You should call the embassy and ask how long 90 day multiple entry visas are valid for, or perhaps someone on here knows and will reply. I have a feeling it may be 6 months from issue date and if so, you're all set for both June and August. Pete
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
I'm not long back after a flight from southern India so hope I've read tood ling's post properly.
Firstly, a couple of questions. Where are you from? Do I assume that you're 49, turning 50 in August next year? Are you married to a Thai? Is the child your's from a Thai mother?
The above information will allow us to guide you better. But here are my initial thoughts.
When you come in June, the first questions are what sort of visa you travel on, where you're from and to whom you apply. These will make a huge difference. For instance, if a Brit, members have been giving good reports of the Thai consulate in Birmingham. The old stalwart of Hull is now playing things more by the book. These comments refer to getting an Non Immigrant O visa. Strictly speaking, you should be over 50, married to a Thai or taking care of a Thai child to get one. Birmingham currently seem pretty relaxed about giving the O visa out to "visit friends" whilst Hull are becoming more strict.
In order to retire - and by that I mean get an annual extension on the basis of retirement here in HH - you need to have an O visa. These come in either single entry or multi-entry varieties. You're best bet would be to get the multi-entry from your home country before you come next June. You'll get 90 days on entry and can exit and enter the country as many times as you like (getting another 90 days on arrival each time) as long as the visa is valid - that will be 1 year from date of issue. The multi-entry covers you ideally as you've got plenty of time to get your extension sorted out until basically June 2013. You can apply for the year's extension at any time during the last 30 days of any 90 day entry.
The single entry, giving a one off stay of 90 days might suit, but timing here will be crucial to fit in with your turning 50 in August.
Get back to us on the questions posed at the beginning of this post and we'll be able to guide you better. There are plenty of ways to skin a cat, it's just finding the best one to suit you.
first thanks for the reply pete, luma
i'm a american with a thai wife. we have a son with daul citizenship (born in thailand) if that matters. l will be 57 next aug. pulling the pin a few years early but 38 years in the cont. trades is long enough. it looks like the muti entry O-visa is the way to go. whats the difference between single and muti just cash?
OK. you've got a few options then.
You'll have no problem getting a Non Immigrant O visa either on the basis of reirement (over 50), married to a Thai or caring for a Thai child. The difference between single and multi-entry is that the single will be "utilised" on your visit in June. You'll get a 90 day permitted to stay stamp and the visa itself will be valid for 3 months. The multi-entry will be valid for a year and you can come and go from Thailand as many times as you want during that year. Each time you re-enter you'll get 90 days up until the visa expires.
Bearing in mind your traval plans, the multi-entry would be the one that I'd look to get. You'll not have to worry about getting a new visa for subsequent trips to Thailand and it should give you time to get your finances sorted out for the annual extension as well - that can be applied for within the last 30 days of any 90 day entry.
The only drawback is that not all Thai missions in the States will issue a multi-entry so you need to find one that's user friendly. I'm not too well-up on that there so hopefully other American members can give up-to-date information.
Yes, the multi-entry O costs more but will be worth it, IMO.
As you're over 50 already, another option is to get a Non Immigrant OA visa. These also come in single and multi-entry varieties. It's also valid for a year but the big difference is that you get a year's permitted to stay stamp on entry, not just 90 days. Again, multi-entry would be best. Leave and return a many times as you want and get allowed in for a year each time - as long as the visa is valid.
The drawback here is that there's more to prove to get one. You'll need to show a minimum average monthly income of equivalent 65K THB or have the equivalent of 800K THB in a bank account - dosn't have to be in Thailand. You'll also need a police clearance and medical certificate. None of these are requirements for an O visa. The O will be easier to get. The OA just gives you another avenue.
When you're settled here and are ready to extend the O or OA visa annually, you're best bet will be to do so on the basis of retirement. It's just easier (as long as you make the financial requirements which are the same as for getting an OA visa with the exception that the 800K must be in a Thai bank account) and you get it there and then from Imm. As that's some way off yet, we can guide you through the process nearer the time. As long as you're prepared, it's pretty painless.
PS: if you go down the O visa route say on the application form that you're applying on the basis of retirement - less flaffing around than with marriage to a Thai or caring for a Thai national.
As there was already a current thread on "Retirement Visa" I'm putting this here rather than start a new thread.
I'm going for my annual extension this week; non-imm O-A (for reason of retirement).
This is what I needed in the past:
For the Retirement renewal using monthly pension income:
1) TM7 form filled out
2) 1 copy of my passport - photo page, every stamped page, and the attached immigration departure card.
3) 1 4x6 photo
4) Certificate letter from the U.S. Embassy stating the amount of my monthly pension.
5) A copy of my Yellow Book (house registration)
6) A hand drawn map of where my house is located
7) 1,900 Baht fee
Anything new required this year?
(I read the rumors about additional proof of income along with the embassy letter for U.S. citizens so I am taking my monthly pension paycheck receipts to back up the letter).
Thanks
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
hhfarang wrote:
For the Retirement renewal using monthly pension income:
1) TM7 form filled out
2) 1 copy of my passport - photo page, every stamped page, and the attached immigration departure card.
3) 1 4x6 photo
4) Certificate letter from the U.S. Embassy stating the amount of my monthly pension.
5) A copy of my Yellow Book (house registration)
6) A hand drawn map of where my house is located
7) 1,900 Baht fee
Anything new required this year?
(I read the rumors about additional proof of income along with the embassy letter for U.S. citizens so I am taking my monthly pension paycheck receipts to back up the letter).
I renewed 2 weeks ago. Same requirements as you list except: 4) I used the 800k in bank method, and 5) I rent so provided a copy of the lease.
Those rumors are just rumors. Three weeks ago there was a 6 week old thread on a thai visa site (that can not be named here) which had grown to 35 pages. It all started with some prankster who claimed immigration now needed financial documents with the embassy letter. Didn't read the whole thread but the last several pages said nobody else who has renewed since the OP date was asked for the docs.
Thanks Homer! I like to go prepared, and they like it too! Removes the hassle for everyone involved!
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
Doing mine later this week as well and can't see anything that you're missing, hhfarang.
Just one bit of terminology - you're extending off a visa whether that be OA or O that you got maybe years ago. You don't get a visa at Imm here in HH - unless in exceptional circumstances such as upgrading.
