Non-Imm 'O' at Hua Hin immigration office?

[Homer]

Does the local immigration office issue non-imm O visas? I understand the process (or at least I think I do :-), but I don't know if I can do it locally. Last week I found a page that listed what the local office did but now I can't find it again. Shoulda saved a copy.

[lomuamart]

No, it dosn't. A visa, by its very nature, has to be applied for at a Thai Embassy or consulate. Needless to say, they're all outside the country.
There is one exception though and that's when you want to upgrade your tourist visa or visa exempt stamp to a Non O. In this instance, you must have at least 21 days remaining on your permitted to stay stamp and you'll have to show that you're eligible for one - normally either married to a Thai or over 50 and looking to retire. You'll also need to satisfy the monetary requirements. You should then be upgraded to a single entry Non O - good for 90 days - and within the last 30 days you can apply for an annual extension, again normally based on marriage to a Thai or retirement.
A couple of other points. I assume you are talking about a visa and not an annual extension. The extensions are done locally.
Also, it's getting increasingly difficult to get a Non O visa from neighbouring countries unless you qualify - ie marriage or retirement again.

[tarakandi]

Lomuamart

Things have sure crack down since the days that I required visas, I used an agent and got my visas without leaving Hua Hin, now I can understand why there are so many topics on visa related issues

[sargeant]

hey lomu this agent do you reckon he means dunc of pie fame

[tarakandi]

Yep Sargeant you got it, Duncan a purveyor of bread, smoked ham, pies and special tobacco, a Hua Hin legend.

[sargeant]

Sheeeite that was a long time ago he did mine for 3 or 4 years after my first year work permit ran out
a great character god rest his soul

[tarakandi]

Yes I often reminisce with friends about the old days; live was so much simpler then, but Hua Hin it is still a great place to live. I like a few people I know have benefited greatly from the increase in tourism and long term expats

[Homer]

I see my question left out some critical info. I have a tourist visa and want to get a Non O for retirement. I understand the exeception described in the quoted text, I am hoping to use it.

I went to HH immigration today. I'm not sure how well I communicated but I think they do issue the Non O, but would not be surprised if I showed up with all the items on their requirment list only to find they don't.

lomuamart describes 'one exception' but it's not clear to me if he is referring to obtaining the Non O inside Thailand, or if it can be done and the HH immigration office, or both.

No, it dosn't. A visa, by its very nature, has to be applied for at a Thai Embassy or consulate. Needless to say, they're all outside the country.
There is one exception though and that's when you want to upgrade your tourist visa or visa exempt stamp to a Non O. In this instance, you must have at least 21 days remaining on your permitted to stay stamp and you'll have to show that you're eligible for one - normally either married to a Thai or over 50 and looking to retire. You'll also need to satisfy the monetary requirements. You should then be upgraded to a single entry Non O - good for 90 days - and within the last 30 days you can apply for an annual extension, again normally based on marriage to a Thai or retirement.

[lomuamart]

Sorry I wasn't clear.
As long as you have 21 or more days left on your permitted to stay stamp, based on the tourist visa, you should be able to upgrade to a single-entry Non O as long as you're over 50 or married to a Thai.
Immigration will want to see proof of funds - 800K in a Thai bank account or 65K a month overseas income or a combination of the two as long as the total amounts to 800K. Proof of overseas income is shown by a confirmatory letter from your Embassy in BKK. You'll need to liase with them as to any proof they want to see. For marriage, the figures are 400K and 40K a month. There is no provision for combination method in this instance.
Imm should then give you a single entry Non O, good for 90 days. Within the last 30 days, you go back to Imm and apply for an annual extension. The financial proofs will almost definitely have to be submitted again, but you need to check that with HH Imm.
Local offices do provide this service and after Imm was decentralised, HH is the place you should go if you're staying here.
Hope that's clearer. You've already visited Imm to get their checklist, so you're more than halfway there. Good luck and let us know how you get on. There aren't many of us on the forum who've gone this route, so your experiences will be valuable information.
If I were you, I'd make the non O application as soon as possible, certainly around 30 days out. If Imm require any more documents, you've got time to get them sorted out before you pass the 21 day barrier and have to mess around getting another visa.

[Homer]

...
Local offices do provide this service and after Imm was decentralised, HH is the place you should go if you're staying here.
Hope that's clearer. You've already visited Imm to get their checklist, so you're more than halfway there. Good luck and let us know how you get on. There aren't many of us on the forum who've gone this route, so your experiences will be valuable information.
....

Thanks for the clarification. Assuming I get the embassy letter and bank account in time I will go this route and will post a followup on the the steps I had to go through.

[cozza]

There aren't many of us on the forum who've gone this route, so your experiences will be valuable information.

Thanks for the info, I have also been looking into moving over full time in the next couple of years.

I am slightly different though, I am 30 and married to a Thai national. We married here in Australia over 4 years ago (not sure if that makes any difference) and my daughter was born here in Australia.

I am interested in studying Thai language and eventually setting up some business with my wife.

I am interested to know what is the most common and "easiest" legit way to get permanent residence. I have looked at the Thai immi and Thai consulate site and its not so clear which is best for me.

I am thinking to go for the Non imm O visa for three years and then apply for PR.

Anyone have experience with this route?

[buksida]

I am thinking to go for the Non imm O visa for three years and then apply for PR.

Anyone have experience with this route?

All of my experiences with PR indicate that you need really deep pockets - I've been here for 12 years on non-imm B/M visas, am close to your age and still don't really qualify for it, I've tried. Others will tell you different though, there are a few threads on it in this section.

[tarakandi]

Cozza

I have had PR since 1996 and it is not so difficult if you have a reasonable income and pay tax here. It has been discussed here a few times so have look at some of my posts

[cozza]

Thanks!

Buksida, have you had much trouble on the B/M visa & does the M mean multiple entry/12months?

I have seen that it costs 97k to get the PR cert once approved...seems like a lot.

Just wondering what 'most' people apply for & any feedback.

[Super Joe]

I am slightly different though, I am 30 and married to a Thai national. We married here in Australia over 4 years ago (not sure if that makes any difference) and my daughter was born here in Australia.

I am interested to know what is the most common and "easiest" legit way to get permanent residence. I have looked at the Thai immi and Thai consulate site and its not so clear which is best for me. I am thinking to go for the Non imm O visa for three years and then apply for PR.

Here's the basic financial criteria required for PR application (think it's up-to-date!?). The PR system is done on a points system, where you can gain additional points from having a biological Thai child, any contribution to Thai society (charity work etc), language skills and the like. I've no experience with it but people who have say this points system can be beneficial in balancing out those who do not score maximum points in the earning/tax paying department.

If it were me I'd take minimal initial advice from a lawyer specialising in it, to see what types of activities to start getting involved in that they like regards making a positive contribution to Thai society.

SJ