Renewing the 90 day visa.

[exbrit]

Sorry, I have read the other posts on this topic, but am still a bit confused. I am over 60, Canadian and have sufficient funds.
I want to live in THailand on a "longer term" basis, but wan't to avoid the hassle/ paperwork for a 12 month "retirement" visa.I think I need a non-immigrant "O" multi-entry for 90 days then go from there.
1. How do I justify a multi-entry over a single entry?
2. It appears that with a multi entry, I can keep doing border runs every 90 days "indefinitely", Is this correct?, But with single entry I cannot do this?
3. If the 90 day Visa is valid for 1 year, is it from the date of issue, or the date I arrive in Thailand?
i.e. Can I apply now (Feb.) and not use the Visa to enter until September 12, and then do border runs every 90 days until September 13?

4. What happens at the end of the 1 year validity? Can I keep doing border runs to get 90 days each time, or must I apply for a new "O" visa, and if so, can I do that from within Thailand, or must I return to Canada?

I appreciate your help, and there will be free Chang at Bernies Golf bar for all respondents!

[Pleng]

Somebody will help with the details.

1. I think the question is 'how do you justify an O over a retirement Visa'? If you can justify the Visa type, the amount of entries is probably moot.

2. This is correct. You can enter as many times as you like on a multi-entry and each time you will get a stay of 90 days. So if you cross the border the day before your Visa expires, you essentially get an additional 90 days 'free'.

3. Date of issue.

4. When the Visa expires you will no longer be able to do runs. You will need to try and extend your Visa in some way. Again this is likely to be easier on a retirement Visa than it is on an 'O'

[chaspul]

Hi Exbrit

You don't say how much time "longer term" means, so difficult to advise, there are many variations on the question. By the way there is no such animal as a "retirement visa" although the long stay "OA" is often referd to as such.

Not had experience of "O' visa but link, Non-Immigrant http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2489 explains this in detail. Navigate the MFA site to find lots of good info on visas.

I understand the "O" to be a 3 month visa but Quote: "could be for 12 months" this I assume would be equivelent to an "OA" long term visa and would require more justification and paperwork. You will see that the "O" visa covers many catagories, education, work, etc, all requiring extra paperwork and justification to be longer than 3 months.

The 3 months, is the all importent stamp given to you at point of entry, this is in effect the start date of the visa. I assume you could get another 3 months stamp if you do border run before expiration date. This would give you nearly 6 months, you would have to get seperate exit/re-entry stamps during the second 3 months as the visa would have expired. At the end of of the 6 months you would have to leave and re-apply for a new "O" visa out of Thailand.

I have known people who have entered the country on an "O" visa and extended it for a year at local immigration, thus in effect turning it into an "OA" . However, sufficient funds have to be transfered into Thailand in the first month to allow the mandatory "2 months in Thailand" for first extension, 3 months susequent extensions. I'm sure to be corrected but this route only negates the need for medical and police checks required for a one year multi "OA" multi visa obtained out of Thailand.

If you search this forum for my user name also my post on "Sunandfun" (user name) question on visas, you will find my story and how by obtaining an "OA" multi out of country, the visa + entry stamps lasted almost 2 years, with no money needed in Thailand. Alternatively you are welcome to mail me direct by adding hotmail.com to my user name.

By the way what part of Canada, my wife is from Niagara on the lake?

Chas

[lomuamart]

A lot of this ground has already been covered by others, but for clarification:
We're assuming that by "retirement visa" you mean an OA Long Stay visa. This will give you a year's permitted to stay stamp on entry and the visa is valid for a year from date of issue - not entry. You'll need to provide the Thai Embassy in London with financial evidence together with medical and police reports. The OP has said that he/she dosn't want the paperwork hassle, so move on to a O visa. (I appreciate that some members have got OA visas from countries other than their own, but they have tended to be resident in those. Unless the OP is in that situation, he/she will have to apply through the Embassy in London - if a Brit).
First off, there's no such thing as a multi-entry 90 day visa. You may be just describing it wrongly. O visas come as single entry - one stay of 90 days and visa valid for 90 days from date of issue - or multi-entry which allows you as many entries of 90 days as you want, as long as the visa remains valid. Visa will be valid for a year from date of issue.
1. Multi-entries are becoming more difficult to get but if you apply through a consulate in the UK, say Hull, (I assume you're a Brit), then as you're over 50 you'll only need to show that you have over 900 GBP a month income. Reason for wanting the visa is to check out retirement here. Take a look at their site - http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/downloads-and-visas.aspx - under additional evidence for Non O visas.
2. You can do as many 90 day "border runs" as you want as long as the visa is valid. Explained above. This process won't last indefinitely.
3. Explained above. Single or multi-entry O visas.
4. At the end of the visa's validity, that's it. You might get another multi-entry O in neighbouring countries, but they're becoming more difficult to get - a single entry won't be a problem. Embassies and consulates constantly change their requirements so you're best to check back here closer to the time and we can advise on the situation then.

If you want to stay on more permanently, then get an annual extension to your O visa from Imm here in Thailand/Hua Hin. The extension will be for a year and there's no need to exit the country, just report your address to Imm every 90 days. If you consider this option, again let us know and we'll give more precise details of the process. As you're over 50, it's really quite painless as long as you've got your finances - income or savings - sorted out.

[fabman]

I'm coming over to hua hin very soon on an multiple entry "o" visa as i am married to a thai lady ( i'm under 50 )

i am hoping to get an extension of stay as i should just about have enough funds to qualify ( 40k baht per month )

is it really complicated to get this sorted ? i'm told i dont have to all of this income coming into a thai bank account just proof from bank statements in the uk ? is there anything else i need ( i'm self emplyed in the uk )

when/where do i have to apply for the extension ?

what happens when the year is up ? do i then have to show proof of income again for the last year to get the 1 year extension again ?

sorry if this has already been covered

thanks for any help

[lomuamart]

The marriage extension is a bit more complicated than retirement in as much as it'll involve more paperwork and interviews - Imm will want to speak to your wife as well as you.
The 40k per month dosn't have to come into a Thai bank account and you'll have to prove your income by means of a letter from the Embassy in BKK. It's the Embassy who'll set the rules for the proof you need to supply them to get the letter. Have a look here http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/en/help- ... you-retire The link talks about retirement but is just as applicable for marriage. I think you'll need your last 3 month's bank statements showing the required income. Contact ConsularEnquiriesBangkok@fco.gov.uk for clarification. They're generally good at replying.
Apply for the extension during the last 30 days of any 90 day entry stamp.
If you're living in HH, then you must apply through local Imm here.
After the year is up, you need another letter from the Embassy and reapply for a further year.
Marriage extensions are not granted by local offices, only by main Imm in BKK. However, you have to apply locally. You'll be given a "30 day under consideration stamp" whilst all the papers are sent to BKK for approval. Go back to HH IMM at the appointed time to get your one year extension.

[exbrit]

I am the OP, and just to clarify, I am Canadian, not British, and am resident of Canada.

After reading your responses I decided that an "O" visa with multiple entries is what I wanted, so I called the Thai consulate in Vancouver, and here is the bad news:
1. They only issue multiple entry "o" visas for those with a Thai spouse.
2. I can apply for 2 X 60 days, or 3 X 60 days (i.e. double or triple entry) but these must both be used within a 6 month period.
3. They said I should be looking at the A-O for retirees, so I asked about the necessity of depositing about $30,000 in a thai bank. I read online that Americans no longer need to do this, they simply get a letter from the US embassy in Thailand stating they have the funds on deposit with a US Bank. Unfortunately, The Thai consulate in Vancouver had not heard of this, and that it does not apply to Canadians, we must deposit the funds.
back to square one. Any Ideas?

[chaspul]

Lomuamart

Took me some time to decide to critique a moderator, but feel that you have not read OP post correctly.

I am over 60, Canadian and have sufficient funds.

Why direct him to Hull? (his forum name may have confused)

He has yet to elaborate but I feel that he was only trying to avoid the extra paperwork that an "OA" visa entails.

Don't know why people who qualify for "OA" are directed to start on an "O" and then extend, as seems the case with Hull.

It clearly sates on Thai MFA website that you can apply for one year Multi "OA" at any Thai Embasy or Consulate from either; country of origin, or residence, (where you live) or through Bangkok.

IMO this "O" route is just to get overseas cash into Thailand as soon as possible. Where as an "OA" allows you to keep your funds outside of Thailand for up to 2 years.

Chas

[chaspul]

Exbrit

Below is part of my experience when applying for "OA" out of Thailand. I took the whole page from MFA website and explained it to Sunandfun. Search visa on this forum and page 5 you will find the whole thing.

- A copy of bank statement showing a deposit of the amount equal to and not less than 800,000 Baht or an income certificate (an original copy) with a monthly income of not less than 65,000 Baht, or a deposit account plus a monthly income totalling not less than 800,000 Baht. "Equal to" means that this does not have to be in Thai Baht in Thailand, the only time you need it here is when wanting an extension, see last paragraph. This is the only time "in Thailand" is mentioned.
- In the case of submitting a bank statement, a letter of guarantee from the bank (an original copy) is required. All HSBC Jersey would give me was a letter saying that the bank statements were true copies, this was enough. This letter and the certificate of income is good for 2 applicants as long as accompanied by marriage certificate. Ask bank for 2 letters as original copies on each application.

Chas

[lomuamart]

Yeah. Looked at the user name and thought a Brit. Apologies. The rest of the info in the post is valid.
To exbrit:
1. That's unfortunate that you're not allowed a multi-entry as you're over 50 - ie to research retirement. Different consulates apply different rules.
2. The 2 and 3 entry visa will be a tourist visa. You get 60 days on arrival and can extend at Imm here for a further 30 days - cost 1,900 THB. As you've said, the visa will only be valid for 6 months so if you extend the first and second entries and use them to their fullest extent you'll never get to use the third.
3. chaspul has covered this. No need to bank the equivalent of 800K THB in a Thai bank account for the OA visa. Proof of those savings in Canada should suffice. You also should be able to get the visa on the basis of 65K THB monthly income as well if that's preferable.

The Embassy letter only applies for annual extensions on the basis of income that are got within Thailand either to an O or OA visa. The Vancouver Embassy probably hasn't heard of this as they don't deal with extensions, just visas. You're getting the two mixed up and you will have to show the deposit for the OA visa, but it can be in Canada.

As for as staying here longer term, the answer is eventually to extend either an O or OA visa annually. That's what most of us do. You need to show Imm here that you have a min monthly income of 65K THB or a min 800K THB deposited in a Thai bank account or combination of the two as long as the total over the year is 800K+. The 65K dosn't need to come into Thailand and is evidenced by a letter issued by your Embassy in BKK. You'll need to contact them to see what proof they require to issue it. Ie, Americans simply swear on oath that the figure they quote is true. Brits have to supply the Embassy with proof.

The way forward is either to get the single entry O visa - good for 90 days - and extend for a year here in HH. If you apply on the basis of overseas income, you'll have plenty of time to make the extension. However, if you apply on the basis of savings in a Thai bank and you don't already have the money in it, you'll be pressed for time as it must have been in the bank for 2 months before first application and not have fallen below that amount during those months. It's 3 months for subsequent applications.
Which means that you may need another O visa to tide you over. A single entry - good for 90 days - won't be difficult to get in Penang, for example, because of your age. Alternatively, there's the OA visa that you need to get sorted out in Canada first.

chaspul,
Although I realise now it's off topic, Hull advise O visa and then extension because they can't issue an OA. Only the Thai Embassy in London can.
You're probably partly correct in saying that Thailand wants your money in their banks, but only with reference to the 800K bank deposit. There's no need to bring the 65K a month income into the country. Indeed, I've been here for 14 years, coming up to 5 on retirement extensions, and have never had a bank account in Thailand.

[fabman]

thanks very much for the help and advice lomuamart

[Big Boy]

Slightly off topic, but I used a reference from this thread when applying for a single entry non-immigrant O visa prior to my move to Thailand i.e.:

1. Multi-entries are becoming more difficult to get but if you apply through a consulate in the UK, say Hull, (I assume you're a Brit), then as you're over 50 you'll only need to show that you have over 900 GBP a month income. Reason for wanting the visa is to check out retirement here. Take a look at their site - http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/downloads-and-visas.aspx - under additional evidence for Non O visas.

I made my application to Hull stating that I am over 50, and that I wanted the visa to investigate retirement in Thailand.

I received a phone call about 15 minutes ago, and was told that investigation of retirement was no longer a valid reason. The lady (who was very nice - no problems with her manner whatsoever) then advised that I would need to be married to a Thai lady. I now have to send copies of my marriage certificate and my wife's passport in support of my application.

In my case, this is not a problem. However, what about over 50s not married to a Thai?

Is this down to my mis-interpretation of what was required, or does this mark a further movement of the goal posts?

[lomuamart]

I'm speechless.
If a person is over 50 they have a valid reason for an O visa (or OA).
In order to retire with annual extensions here, the O or OA visa is necessary first.
I just can't understand why Hull have reused you, BB.
BTW, I've just looked at Hull's website and it's full of holes - http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/downloads-and-visas.aspx
Police and medical reports aren't necessary for an O visa.
When you get the O/OA visa, you extend here at Imm. Again, no need for police or medical records.
The spouse bit is rubbish. If the couple can prove de facto and de jure that they're married, only one set of financial proof is necessary. The other partner piggybacks.
Hull is going on about OA visas and, to the best of my knowledge, can't even issue one.
Must admit that I'm confused.

[lomuamart]

It gets worse. Missed the nugget of info regarding the 65K a month having to be transferred to a Thai bank account.
Utter drivel and misleading.

[exbrit]

Dear Lomuomart, many thanks for the clarification. My big hangup over applying for the OA was the eventual need(after the first year) to have 800,000 baht sitting in a Thai bank, basically doing nothing!

Now that you tell me I can just show 65 K a month income FROM OUTSIDE THAILAND for extensions to the first year means I can go for the OA. Makes sense that Vancouver knows nothing of this as it only applies to extensions of the initial one year, and extensions are only granted by Bangkok. That you have never needed a Thai bank account confirms what you say.

Thanks