CHANGE 'O'' TO 'OA' VISA

[Brit Jim]

Quick question!

Currently on 1 YR Non Imm Cat 'O' Visa Multiple entry valid till March 2014.

Is there any way to change this to a 'OA' visa to eliminate these border runs every 90 days!

Do I just start the whole process again as oulined by Pagey at Hua Hin immigration.

Is the price 1900 B ?

[lomuamart]

You don't change the O to an OA but you can extend your O visa annually - which is what most of us do.
You need to meet the financial requirements - 800k THB in a Thai bank account and it must have been there for 3 months before application and not dropped below that figure, or an overseas income of 65k THB a month, evidence of which is obtained from your Embassy in BKK, or a combination of the two as long as the combined figure is more than 800k THB.
You have to be over 50 (for the extension based on retirement) or married to a Thai (in which case the financial figures are 400K savings or 40K income - no combination method here).
You can apply for the extension within the last 30 days of any 90 day entry - ie you don't have to wait for the visa itself to expire.
There's a bit more paperwork involved but the process is painless, especially if applying for the retirement extension. Marriage ones involve a bit more work and take longer to get.
So, as said at the beginning, you're not getting another visa. You'd need to go back to your home country to get an OA. It's the annual extension that you'll be after.

[Brit Jim]

Thanks Lomumart you Visa Guru!

Trying to avoid these border runs every 90 days! I fit all the criteria to make the 'OA' Visa, money and age.

I was at immigration last month. One of the officers asked me if I wanted to change my 1 yr Non Imm Cat 'O' to something else with 90 day reporting instead. Just show the money in the bank. I thought he was referring to the 'OA' retirement visa.

[Brit Jim]

Lomumart

Currently on a visa run now. Return Bangkok 6th June so will get stamped in for 90 days till September.

Last 30 days of this entry (August) I could apply for the year extension based on retirement

I presume this would be possible even though my current visa does not expire until March 2014

This would end my visa runs??

[lomuamart]

That's right. You'll be able to apply for the extension in August. Just count back 30 days from the date you're stamped in to this time and you can go for it any time after that.
My advice would be not to leave it until a couple of days before your permitted to stay stamp expires as this will give you time to get other paperwork if you're missing something. You don't have to worry about "losing" any time. Your year's extension will commence from whenever your permitted to stay stamp expires (ie September xyz even if you apply on August abc).
If you need a checklist of what to take, just ask closer to the time. Cost is 1,900 for the extension. No more border runs. You just report to Imm in HH every 90 days instead.

[Pagey]

Britjim, when you are back if you are passing immigration they have a printed checklist they hand out of what documents are needed for the extension based on retirement.

[Big Boy]

Is that the only check list they do, or are there others? I might nip up next week, and post them on here as a reference.

[Pagey]

Don't know, it's the only one I needed. Probably still got it somewhere.....................

[Brit Jim]

Thanks Guys very helpful! All clear now

Is that the only check list they do, or are there others? I might nip up next week, and post them on here as a reference.

This is the check List for the 1 yr extension based on retirement, thanks Pagey

You need to complete form TM7
A copy of passport
one photo
Fee 1,900 Bah
Proof of financial statement - bank or pension income proof. I used the 800,000 in the bank and needed a letter from the bank, order it the day before you need it cost 100 Baht and a copy of my bank book pages.
copy of house registration or rental contract and basic map of where you live.

The weather in the Uk is lovely at the moment shocked That said it was the coldest Spring in the last 50 yrs.
Give me Hua Hin any day!

[Pagey]

I have a copy of the form which I have scanned and is now a pdf but I cannot upload a pdf. Can one of you clever chappies tell me how to do this ?

[lomuamart]

Don't forget that if someone goes down the income route, a letter confirming income from their Embassy is necessary.
That's not mentioned on the checklist. you won't get very far without it.

[Pagey]

Lomu : It is on the full immigration list I am trying to post when I learn how to post a pdf file

[Pagey]

[attachment=0]phpd6623BAM.jpg[/attachment]

[Pagey]

Not sure that was worth the hour it took me to do!!

[Big Boy]

I've tried to improve it for you, but it's too small, and loses resolution.