O Visa question

[ken.p]

Having read a fair amount posted here, I have been unable to find answers. {probable missed}
Should I choose to apply for a multiple entry O visa in the UK, with a view to retirement in Hua Hin. After arriving in Thailand when do I need to start 90 day reporting and when do I need to provide prof of income or the required fixed amount on deposit in a Thai bank account.

Thank

[lomuamart]

Definitely get an O visa first - multiple or single. That will give you 90 days on arrival and make all the further process so much easier.
As far as any extension is concerned, Imm normally like to see you within the last 30 days of your entry stamp.
Your 90 day reporting stuff starts from day 1 when you enter. You'll have an arrival card stapled into your passport confirming that, just look at the date.
Proof of income/savings are best dated as close to application date as possible.

[Big Boy]

Proof of income/savings are best dated as close to application date as possible.

Don't savings have to be in a Thai bank for a period first?

[Takiap]

Yes, I think the money must be in your account for at least two months before applying for a year's extension the first time, and then three months before any subsequent applications.

OP.......If you get a 1 year multiple entry O visa you will need to leave the country every 90 days rather than having to report to immigration. If you leave the country again just before the visa expires, you'll get an additional 90 days. Once you apply for a yearly extension, that's when the 90 day reporting begins.

[Big Boy]

Thanks Takiap

[ken.p]

Takiap,
You say I need to leave and re enter should I get a multiple entry O visa, I don’t wish to keep leaving every 90 days, so what visa do I need for a stay of a year before needing an extension. And once I get this visa do I only start to report every 90 day once I have the extension. And proof of income/saving has to be in place 3 months before I apply for my extension.

[margaretcarnes]

Lomuamart is the best with this visa stuff and as he says, definitely get a multi entry O first. Which would make sense when you consider that you will need to be there to open your Thai bank account, and allow the required time for money to be in it.
There may be other ways - and hopefully Lomu will get back to you soon - but I can't personally see how you could get a retirement visa in the UK before having the Thai bank account.
The 90 day exits and re-entries really aren't too bad. It would only be 3 times - or 4 times to get 15 months intially - and depending on where you go can be done in a day to Ranong. Taking longer over a visa run to Cambodia, Malaysia or Laos can be combined with a mini break.

[lomuamart]

Proof of income/savings are best dated as close to application date as possible.

Don't savings have to be in a Thai bank for a period first?

Yes they do have to be "seasoned" but you'll need a letter from the bank confirming your status and that letter should be dated as close to your application date as possible. The same goes for an application based on income when a person is relying on an Embassy letter.
Needless to say, Imm won't be too impressed with credentials that are, for instance, a year old.

[hhfarang]

I got my first 12 month OA (reason of retirement) visa in the U.S. before moving here. I didn't even have a Thai bank account until I arrived so how did I satisfy the financial requirement? The first time I remember showing that I had 800k in a Thai bank account was after I had been here a year and went for my first extension. When I got the original visa I think it was enough to show that I had the money in the U.S.

That was nearly nine years ago so maybe things have changed, but for sure I did not even open a Thai Bank account before getting my visa and arriving here using it. Maybe if you get the annual visa in your home country, they understand that you don't already have money here in a Thai bank account since you are not here yet.

[kendo]

For Chong Chom border runs the Kap Choeng Immigration office was closed down a year ago but the word is that, it is going to re open, i think you have to go to the immigration office in Korat at the moment.

Also i have been told of a visa agent in Jomtien that will take your passport show the funds on your behalf grease a palm or two, and next day you will get an O visa, a lot of skint farangs use him.

For anyone thats interested in border runs up here, there is a casino in the no mans land between the two sets of gates, thai side car park allways full.
There is also a large border market about 2 KM before the border and it's well signed from Surin.

Kendo.

[moja]

My suggestion would be to get a multi entry O visa before leaving UK; then you will have something to fall back on should you not be able to comply with the 1 year visa extension rules in time. You will of course have to qualify for an O visa which is not so easy these days. The rules can be found on the Hull Consulates web site.
As soon as you arrive here open a Thai bank account with 800000 baht as this will need to season for 2 months before you can apply for your extension after this first application 3 months will be required. This is if you are using the lump sum method for the financial requirements; if you are using monthly income then you will need to go to the UK Embassy for verification of your income within the 90 days.
Before your 90 days are up and once your money has seasoned for the 2 months go to immigration and apply for your one year extension. Should there be a problem then all you need do is a quick visa run and you can stay for another 90 days and hopefully during that time you can sort out any problems.
The advantage of doing your yearly extension here rather than getting an AO visa in the UK is that there is no need for a police report or medical.

[ken.p]

Sorry guys.

Sorry guys.

I have everything in place Wife, Bank account, House etc. I’m unsure at the moment what method I will use in the way of finance, proof of income/money in bank.

If getting a multiple entry O visa I have to leave every 3 months, what’s the case with the single entry O visa?

Thanks again.

[Dannie Boy]

Sorry guys.

Sorry guys.

I have everything in place Wife, Bank account, House etc. I’m unsure at the moment what method I will use in the way of finance, proof of income/money in bank.

If getting a multiple entry O visa I have to leave every 3 months, what’s the case with the single entry O visa?

Thanks again.

If you already have a Thai bank account, wouldn't an OA visa be better, that way all you have to do is the 90 day reporting during the first year and then renew in 12 months time?

[moja]

A single entry O visa means you can enter once only then you have to leave, a multi entry means you leave after 90 days and can return again for another 90 days; it just gives you more time/leeway to sort out your year's extension. Is your wife Thai or British? Your 800000 must be in your name only.

[ken.p]

Hi Dannie Boy,

That’s what I’m unsure of, I don’t want to keep doing a visa run every 90 days, so if reporting is the other option, I may as well just get the 3 month single entry O visa, then apply for an extension having all the necessary in place at the correct time before.