Visa-on-arrival (VOA) regulations being tightened

Post by **farang** » September 12, 2006, 8:54 pm

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en ... ge=service#

Post by **banpaeng** » September 12, 2006, 8:54 pm

I forgot one thisn and that is if you are interested in this type of visa, call your counsulate in your home country as this can only be had from your home country. They will let you know if your situation qualifies for this type of visa. The rest is up to you on what you want.

Post by **farang** » September 12, 2006, 9:02 pm

http://www.mfa.go.th/web/12.php

Post by **businessman** » September 12, 2006, 9:04 pm

The whole visa and visa extention issues can be very stressful and its down to the individual to choose a path that makes them most comfortable.If you are married to a Thai you can either get a 90 day non immigrant "o" visa and extend in country for a year or go for multiple entry and leave every 90 days.It depends on whether you want to deal with immigration in Nong Khai and give them large quantiies of information.Many people do not and actually enjoy the trip every 90 days.

Post by **banpaeng** » September 12, 2006, 9:10 pm

Thanks Marcus. I wish I could write but you wrapped it up quite nicely. Thanks again.

By the way we do like out trips out of the country. Every 90 days take a vacation.

Post by **JimboPSM** » September 12, 2006, 10:35 pm

The following has appeared today on front page of Royal Thai Consulate at Hull website http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/

URGENT
There are big changes coming into effect about visas as from 01 October 2006 and this is creating a certain amount of concern resulting in us being swamped with telephone calls. Accordingly I would like to add a bold flyer to our website which will be seen by all as they access our website, the wording to be as follows:-

Major changes to visas with effect from 01 October 2006
Border runs to be stopped
Investment visa to cease

If you require more information please send an e-mail
with subject VISA CHANGES to enquiries@thaiconsul-uk.com

I think that as soon as they get clarification they will put details on website.

I have also posted under General Udon Thani Topics as a similar thread is running there.

Post by **Galee** » September 13, 2006, 12:15 am

Would anyone like to hazard a guess as to the % of falangs in Thailand at the moment who do monthly border runs?

Post by **kevh** » September 13, 2006, 1:40 am

about 3%

and before you jump all over this estimate it is based on the following assumptions

1, 90% of falangs in the country at any one time are genuinly on holiday and are here less than 30 days.

2, Of the remainding 10% of the total falang in the country at any one time at 60% must be retired and 10% are on non imigrant O visas.

Leaving only 3% of the overall doing border runs.

Thoughts anyone?

Post by **BKKSTAN** » September 13, 2006, 6:47 am

kevh wrote:about 3%

and before you jump all over this estimate it is based on the following assumptions

1, 90% of falangs in the country at any one time are genuinly on holiday and are here less than 30 days.

2, Of the remainding 10% of the total falang in the country at any one time at 60% must be retired and 10% are on non imigrant O visas.

Leaving only 3% of the overall doing border runs.

Thoughts anyone?

IMO, Those would be reasonably fair estimates.So,why are we getting so lathered up about 3%,of which most will find alternatives.They might have benefitted from taking advantage of the intent of the VOA's,but I don't see how that behavior has benefitted the expats that comply with the Visa rules and their intent.Any resentment by Thai authorities filters down to us!This could be a good thing!

Post by **sunbeltnortheast** » September 13, 2006, 8:13 am

Just to clarify a point. The multiple entry visa where you receive a 90 day entry stamp when enterying Thailand, is good for one year from the date of entry, and with which you recieve a 90 day stamp every time you enter Thailand thereafter is not a "Type O" visa, it is a multiple entry, non-immigrant "B" visa. You must obtain this outside of Thailand, but it does not necessary to obtain it at the embassy or a consulate in your home country. In order to receive one of these non-immigrant B visas, you usually need a sponsorship letter from a Thai company (or foreign company doing business in Thailand.)

It is true that there are many types of visas which allow you to stay in Thailand long-term including marriage to a Thai national, retirement (over 50), investment visa, and in limited cases for health reasons or to care for your minor child.

Post by **banpaeng** » September 13, 2006, 8:59 am

sunbeltnortheast wrote:Just to clarify a point. The multiple entry visa where you receive a 90 day entry stamp when enterying Thailand, is good for one year from the date of entry, and with which you recieve a 90 day stamp every time you enter Thailand thereafter is not a "Type O" visa, it is a multiple entry, non-immigrant "B" visa. You must obtain this outside of Thailand, but it does not necessary to obtain it at the embassy or a consulate in your home country. In order to receive one of these non-immigrant B visas, you usually need a sponsorship letter from a Thai company (or foreign company doing business in Thailand.)

It is true that there are many types of visas which allow you to stay in Thailand long-term including marriage to a Thai national, retirement (over 50), investment visa, and in limited cases for health reasons or to care for your minor child.

If I may clarify for you.

1. It is an "O" visa.

2. It does not change to a "B" visa. I am not here on Business.

3. You need no letter or sponsor.

4. You may only get them from your home country.

5. It is good only 360 days from the day the visa is issued not from the day you enter the Kingdom of Thailand.

6. I took the paperwork and visa to the Nong Khai immigration office and the commander reviewed the visa with me and explained to me how to keep it current and legal.

In all of the reading that I did, I had never heard of it till I went to the consulate. Usually when you read aboout "O" visas it will lead you to as described above by your post, retirement, business, wife, kid support, education, missionary, etc. I did inquire if this was new and the lady at the consulate said no. The folks at immigrations said no. It is just one of those confusing quirks. From Reading it seems Kevh got one to. I do not know all the ins and outs of this type of visa. AS stated before if you are interested in this type of visa, I would suggest you call your home country consulate and get your info from the horses mouth.

But I will tell you they are out there. Weather you can qualify is something else. Also as stated, the only requirement stated to me was that I was married to a Thai and we were visiting family.

Post by **Dakoda** » September 13, 2006, 9:06 am

Galee wrote:Would anyone like to hazard a guess as to the % of falangs in Thailand at the moment who do monthly border runs?

Well I am one that does the 90 day runs. On every trip I make, I run into many others from many different countries, living in different parts of Thailand. Most seem to be getting 60 day tourist visa's, others 90 day O visa's. And yes there is a one year muliti entry O visa, so with it you leave, and come back within the hour.

Looks like on my next trip, might not be coming back

Boy, that will make the wife happy

Post by **banpaeng** » September 13, 2006, 9:19 am

Can't do that Dakota, Gotta finish the house.

Post by **Bump** » September 13, 2006, 12:22 pm

You know things can be very confusing, when I went to Vientene to convert my tourist visa to a non O, so I could begin the process for my annual. They issued a B, no paper submitted by me requesting it. I almost spent another few day getting the right visa. But they convienced me it would be OK. Went straight to Nong Khia, to confirm this and yes it was. But it was probably not the way it was really supposed to be done.

As a side thought does this mean that the schools are now only going to be able to hire people with the proper visas and actually get work permits?

Wonder how many have been filling classrooms a teachers on tourist visas?

I know one guy who is going to have to adjust his travels a bit or at least I think he will, for years, he has been on a rotation between here, cambodia and Loa. He gets bored easily so I don't think he has been spending 90 days anywhere.

He doesn't work has a small retirement and he is a never ending tourist.

Post by **sunbeltnortheast** » September 13, 2006, 2:54 pm

Banpaeng:

Sometimes these message boards can be quite confusing. Nobody knows who is responding to whom ...

The post which you quoted from me was not intended as a response to any of your posts specifically. In fact, I would never give specific advice to somebody via email or on a message board. It is a very fact-specific inquiry in which each person's case will be different. It would be unethical for me or any other professional to give specific advice to a person without first knowing all of the pertinent facts about his/her situation.

I often do not have sufficient time to read every post on a board. I read some of the posts, get a flavor for what people are talking about, and then provide some general advice which, in my opinion, would be most useful to most readers, generally. As stated above, to provide specific advice to any one person would be unethical and, more often then not, counter-productive.

Obviously, there are many different kinds of visas. The fact is that most foreigners living in or planning on moving to Thailand would only qualify for or best be served by a limited number of visas. I am glad that you were able to find a consular official who was helpful in allowing you to obtain a suitable visa with a limited amount of paperwork and cost.

Again, I apologize for the confusion regarding my post; it was not a response to any of your posts specifically.[/b]

Post by **Stevo** » September 13, 2006, 3:05 pm

sunbeltnortheast wrote:Just to clarify a point. The multiple entry visa where you receive a 90 day entry stamp when enterying Thailand, is good for one year from the date of entry, and with which you recieve a 90 day stamp every time you enter Thailand thereafter is not a "Type O" visa, it is a multiple entry, non-immigrant "B" visa.

Nope! mine is a multi-entry, Non-imm type "O" .... not "B", not "O-A"... just "O".
valid 1 year from date of issue, 90 day segments.

Exactly as Banpaeng says.

Post by **wokkawombat** » September 13, 2006, 3:12 pm

My non imm is a type O also and before I extended it into a "Retirement Visa" it was valid for 12 months and I had to leave every 90 days. Sunbelt, I feel your post has only made muddy waters more murky.

John

Post by **Galee** » September 13, 2006, 3:36 pm

Do you think it is better to come to Thailand with a Non-imm O visa or a retirement visa if intending to stay long term.

Post by **BKKSTAN** » September 13, 2006, 3:56 pm

Galee wrote:Do you think it is better to come to Thailand with a Non-imm O visa or a retirement visa if intending to stay long term.

Get A 60 tourist visa and when you get here ,go to immigration and apply for the 1 year retirement visa.Very simple if you are 50,have 65000 monthly income/or 800000 baht transfered from your country into a Thai bank,Get a medical cert. for 30-100 baht here 2 photos and your all set!Chok Dee

Post by **wokkawombat** » September 13, 2006, 4:22 pm

Galee, as I understand it the 'retirement visa" is a 12 month extension of your NON IMMIGRANT VISA. You require a Non O to get the extension in Thailand.

Get a non O single entry thats good for 90 days then go to AEK Udon or Nong Khai post haste and get the good oil from them. They will send you away and tell you to come back 2 or 3 weeks before the 90 days is up. They will grant an extension to the existing Non O if you meet the requirements. The 12 month extension dates from when you first entered Thailand on your Non O so in effect your first extension is only for 9 months.

Been there and done that.

John