Visa Paranoia

[leither69]

My head is pickled with all the A's and O's and retirements etc I know pople are out there trying to help but the threads stray all over the place and it becomes difficult to follow -the posts start merging into 1 in front of my eyes - I dont want to be repetetive (although I am sure I am) I bought a triple entry tourist visa in the UK.. I am now on my first entry. I wanted to obtain the over 50 with sufficient funds in the bank visa (I call it this so as not to be berated by using the retirement word) the rules had changed at the start of the year and made it difficult for me to obtain in the timescales I had before coming to the kingdon hence the easy option of triple entry. My question - Can I change this to an non immigrant visa providing I have the sufficient finances in place in a thai bank (which I have already in kaisikorn) which will allow me to stay longer and get extensions etc or can someone offer a peice of (straight forward please) of advice as to best handle my situation happy to pay for mucho beer for assistance. I also rent a property in HH with rental ageement etc if this is of any help to my cause?

Many thanks in advance

John

[hhfarang]

So it sounds like you have a multiple entry O visa and want to change it to an O-A longstay visa for reason of retirement. I think that is possible but that 800k has to have been in the bank for 3 months.

Lomu will come along and verify if what I wrote is fact.

[HHTel]

The OP does say that he has a tourist visa in which case he will have to leave the country and obtain a 3 month non-o visa which he can then extend year by year. The 800K, I believe, only has to be in the bank for 60 days in the first instance then future extensions it's 90 days.

[Big Boy]

I thought that if you timed it right, you could even convert a 30 day visa exemption into something like a retirement extension without having to leave the country. I've read about it several times on this forum - just need to search.

[Big Boy]

Sorry leither69, I've probably just confused you even further .

[leither69]

Currently I have in excess of the required amount mentioned in a thai bank. In relation to the 3 month non o visa, can I go to malasyia or another adjoining country and apply for this? I would be reluctant to head back to the UK if I could do elsewhere.

Thanks again guys

[PeteC]

I thought that if you timed it right, you could even convert a 30 day visa exemption into something like a retirement extension without having to leave the country. I've read about it several times on this forum - just need to search.

I agree with that and I think the best course of action to avoid confusion is to simply go over to immigration and ask them. Several threads on here from people who did just that and had no problem getting the info they needed, and the results they wanted. Pete

[lomuamart]

Yes, you can upgrade your tourist visa to a single entry Non O at Imm in HH.
When you entered on your TV, you'll have got 60 days permission to stay. Within the last 30 days of that present yourself at Imm and explain what you'd like to do.
Have:
Yourself
Your passport
The required form (not having done this myself I'm not sure which one it is but the lady who sits outside of Imm will help you with that).
Your bank book showing at least 800K THB savings that have been in the account for at least 3 months beforehand together with a letter from your bank confirming the balance. The two must be the same amount and the letter must be the dated the same as your last transaction shown on your bank book ( see this thread for the latest on that viewtopic.php?f=9&t=25311 Dannie Boy's comment at the bottom).
A hand drawn map of where you live
1,900 THB fee.

That should do it. Imm will issue you with a single entry Non O visa which is good for 90 days.
Within the last 30 days of that, repeat the steps above to get your annual extension based on retirement.
Hope that's clear.

[lomuamart]

Just to clarify for the OP - there is no need to exit the country, let alone go back to the UK, to get the upgrade to Non O.

[leither69]

Thanks guys you have made my day.
Best regards
John

[Don East Stand]

Well hopefully all the "changes" to visas has settled down, and more people have first hand experience of the new requirements.

My wife and I are both UK nationals, over 50 but under 65. We had been in Thailand for over 6 years on Non - Imm "O" visa extensions however this lapsed when we returned to the UK to see the "Super Saints" lift the Scottish Cup for the first time in their 130 year history

So back to square one ........... I believe we could apply for the Non -Imm O-A (long stay) visa through the Royal Thai Embassy in London although there are a number of hoops to jump through.

So big question is ........ can we come back to Thailand on single entry tourist visa and then 30 days before it's expiry date, apply to Hua Hin immigration to change it to Non-Imm "O" for three months, and then 30 days before it's due to expire get a 1 year extension?

We can satisfy all the requirements for extending Non-Imm "O" visa i.e. financial, marriage certificate etc.

Hopefully someone can confirm or advise.

[lomuamart]

Yes, you should be fine with all that.
Edit - although I reckon you'll have to go through the financial requirements twice.

[Don East Stand]

Just returned from Hua Hin Immigration where I tried to change my single entry tourist visa into a Non -Imm "O" (3 month).

I had all the relevant documentation as previously discussed on here and satisfy all the criteria required, however the very nice Immigration official was very apologetic .... but Hua Hin Immigration can no longer do!!!

They used to be able to do it but "law change" so now I have to go to Bangkok ......aarrggghhh!

Does anyone know is it the main Immigration office at South Sathorn road that I need to go to?

Furthermore will they accept the bank letter confirming my savings, now that it will be dated the previous day, or will I need to find a bank in Bangkok to get a new letter?

Rather urgent now as I intend to travel to Bangkok tonight.

Thanks in anticipation!

[Nereus]

You need to go to the Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road, in the northern part of Bangkok. The Immrigration office is in the very most rear building of the complex. There is a big ramp that leads up to it and parking is supposed to be at ground level on the access road, although I have driven up the ramp in the past.

Your Bank letter issupposed to be good for 7 days, but some people have complained they will only accept 3 days old.

[Don East Stand]

Hi Nereus,

Thanks for the info. but the office on Chaeng Wattana road appears to be for foreigners resident in BANGKOK???

I'm resident in Hua Hin i.e. NOT Bangkok which is why I thought I would have to go to the Sathorn Road Immigration Bureau?