Enormous shakeup of visa and immigration rules

Post by **banpaeng** » October 10, 2006, 6:36 pm

I have been told on more than one occasion that an "O" visa can not be issued but in ones home country. I to have heard the rumors that the "O" visa has been issued in a nearby country. Was this fact, I do not know. Was it issued under a special case, again I don't know. Seems like when folks go back to their home country it is not an issue.

Is it cheaper to go home once or move? That is something one has to answer himself.

Good luck to all in this visa search questions.

Post by **rickfarang** » October 10, 2006, 7:11 pm

Dakoda,

What reason was given for your being turnd down for the O visa?

From the post, the guy who posted on Thai Visa (gzu88bv) was following bad advice or, just as likely in my mind, misunderstood what he was told to do. For example, he should have been told to bring 800k into the country rather than obtain a letter from his bank in Europe. So far, the stories I have read of people coming away frustrated that they didn't get the visa they were after did not include enough detail to understand whether they complied with the October rules or not.

I am interested in what happened in your case, if I'm not being too nosey.

banpaeng, I came here on a tourist visa on the advice of the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles, and had it converted to an O in Bangkok. That was a few years ago, and as we have seen, things change, but that and the experiences of two friends were exceptions to the "rule" that one could only get an O in one's home country.

Post by **Bump** » October 10, 2006, 7:19 pm

I'm actually very surprised to see the recent turn of events, since my O visa was issued in Vientene, which was the first step in getting my annual. That is not a rumor it is fact.

Now that beign said I have now spoke to two people and read Dakodas experience, all of which are supporting Thai's I don't know about Dakoda. But, the other two are married to Thai's. One has a child with his wife, the othre supports his step son.

Again I can't speak of Dakoda, but the other two work internationally and have excellent incomes, own homes, vehicles and motorcycles here, But all were truned down. This is very confusing to me.

I realize that anytime there is change, there is confusion, but the two guys I spoke with yesterday have to leave within three weeks as they could not get O visas. With these guy not really that big deal, they have to return to work anyway.

One guy did want to stay a bit longer but is now afraid if he were to go to Lao and apply for anothre turist visa extension of 30 days extension on his tourist visa having been turned down on his O that he could not return to pick up close say good bye to his wife and kids. So he is opting to go back to work early instead, Under the present circumstances can't say a I blame him.

But based on the information that we have seen here, each qaulifies for a O visa.

So the question that seems to be left unanswered is why are they not getting them?

I can tell you one thing now that my wife has seen the direct effect of what is happening at the moment is now very anxious to go to Khan Kean and get that passport.

valentine · Post by **valentine** » October 10, 2006, 7:31 pm

Well somethings haven't changed. Went with a friend toAek Monday he got his 3rd in a row one month extension of a 2 month tourist visa, not a murmer. He has gone to Laos at the expiry of the previous two + one and got a new 2 month without hassle.
On the subject of non o marriage. A few years back Singapore refused me one because my wife wasn't with me. Don't know if thats the current problem

Post by **rickfarang** » October 10, 2006, 7:37 pm

ray23 said:
"So the question that seems to be left unanswered is why are they not getting them? "

That's my question. I'm plenty worried, but without actual information, I'm not packing my bags yet :-} valentine's report is reassuring.

I'd like to hear the details of why some of these people were turned down.

Post by **Bump** » October 10, 2006, 7:45 pm

Well I'm not packing either I haven't heard of an renewal problems as of yet and that would be what I would face.

But I'm definetly seeing things that seem to be different then the past.

Post by **wickder** » October 10, 2006, 7:56 pm

Ray,the two guys you know that were refused,what was the reason given to them?

Post by **Bump** » October 10, 2006, 7:57 pm

No they didnt give a reason said they were just told no.

Post by **wickder** » October 10, 2006, 8:00 pm

Well going to Laos seems out for sure so i shall try an e mail to Singapore to see if that is an option.I feel kind of punch drunk with all that is going on.

Post by **Bump** » October 10, 2006, 8:01 pm

Dakoda did you run into this?

From Thaivisa:

I haven't seen any mention of this, but sorry if it's been posted but I just didn't see it.

The cost to get a visa on arrival in Laos is now $35 as of October 1. The old price was $30. All the signs still say $30, but when you go to pay, the guy shows you a paper that says it's now $35. Imagine other fees may have increased also. Saw something that said $42, but he took the paper away from me too quickly before I got a chance to see what that was for.

Post by **Dakoda** » October 10, 2006, 8:25 pm

Like always this is all getting confusing, because no one reads all the posts, but posts anyways. I know the link that I posted was long, but if read over a couple of times, I think all your questions would be answered.
And "YES" he should have been given the "non-O" . No ands if or buts

Even one official across the way said so, to his gf. (a later post)

To state my facts, I have been given 3 - 90 day "O" visa's based on marriage in a border country with no problem. Nothing has changed for me on how I did it! I have chose not to bring funds here!

My case is No surprise to me! Am I packing, No am getting ready for phase 5 of building, does it cause problems, dam straight it does, is my wife happy, not yesterday.

Each case is different even though the same, and the "Thai Rules" are only suggestions, so that each place does what it #!@#$% pleases!

sorry everyone but I just hate repeating myself. cheers!

yes its now 1700 baht That also was in the link.

Post by **Bump** » October 10, 2006, 8:48 pm

OK what am I missing what link?

I saw a link that you posted about Malyasia is that what your talking about?

Saw another where you said a friend would be posting a link to Thai Visa, but no link.

But, I have been know to miss things.

Post by **Dakoda** » October 10, 2006, 8:58 pm

after I posted it I got the link, so to keep things neat I edited and added it.

Here it is again

you do need to click on again

Post by **Bump** » October 10, 2006, 9:15 pm

Thanks good link.

Post by **arjay** » October 10, 2006, 9:23 pm

Ok I read that link, and Ok they are giving people the run around and trying to make things difficult, but he didn't meet the requirements for a Non Imm "O" visa at that time, did he. He had his money in a Swiss bank account, not in Thailand.

I think we must expect that they (Immigration) are going to hide behind the rules and try and interpret them in their favour. In turn we must ensure that we meet all the criteria and have all our paperwork in order to support that fact.

Post by **Bump** » October 10, 2006, 9:26 pm

Yep, got to beat them at thier own game.

I would believe at this juncture if you want to stay, then your going to have to conform until things settle down and then it will be business as usual agian.

The second you give them a way to use the denied stamp, my guess is they will at the moment.

You know things were much easier here, from what I'm told when the baht was 56 to one. They really wanted outside monies anyway they could get it. That is not the case today, so far.

I assure you I will review all my documents when I go to renew and I will be careful about it. If yuo don't make it easy to use the denied stamp thye will probably go the path of least resistance and approve it.

It's just as an individual spoke last night Thailand is in crisis, this just may be another little piece of that.

Did you notice that there were over 500 posts in that link.

This has a lot of people worried.

I would say if you have any doubt about what to apply for, the documents needed, the process needed to accomplish what you want and you really want to stay. Get professional help at least or the first one. My experience has been as long as I duplicate the first one I have no problems with renewals.

It really does looks like they are looking for reaons folks so don't give them one

Post by **Dakoda** » October 10, 2006, 9:54 pm

I disagree with you both.

And "YES" he should have been given the "non-O" . No ands if or buts Even one official across the way said so, to his gf. (a later post)

You can not apply for a retirement visa when on a tourist visa period

First they need to give you an "non-o" and while on that you file your paper work!

With the "new rules" they can now give you the "non-o" in country, but if there is not enough time left on the tourist visa, then they can't and you need to go out of country to get the non-o period.

same same goes for married period

Post by **Bump** » October 10, 2006, 10:15 pm

I don't see any change there, that is why I had to go to Laos to get the non O I was here on a trourist visa. If they say you can get it here but won't issue it . Doesn't it still go back to going out of country for the Non O?

I followed the directions given by immigrations and everything went smoothly.

Post by **Dakoda** » October 10, 2006, 10:58 pm

If you look at the new rules, you need something like 20 days left on the tourist visa. (its kind of stupid, should not matter unless expired)

I think everyone confuses; "90 day non-o single entry", "90 day non-o muliti entry", "one year married", and "one year retirement".

They think they are the same thing, but they are not, each has its own requirments and the first two have NO money requirement!

Now if that women in lao knew her job, but had a question of why they in thailand had sent him there, then she should have called. For that is why she is there, its her job.

enough said on the subject.

ok I lied

I followed the directions given by immigrations and everything went smoothly.

Thats exactly what he did. not very smoothly, I think.

Now ya'al don't forget about the rumor of "New Rules" coming out on Nov 15, not so far off

Post by **rickfarang** » October 11, 2006, 12:28 am

Dakoda,

It had escaped my notice that the gzu88bv posting on another forum was your story. Sorry about asking you to repeat it here.

I can understand why you're upset -from your account, you were given very poor treatment by the Mukda Han Immigration Office and the Thai Embassy in Savannakhet.

Maybe if you were to bring the 800K into the country, another go at it (at a different immigration office!) would provide a better result. Can't blame you for feeling like you don't want to bring another baht into this country. I get the same feeling myself at times.

It may be interesting to note that I have not seen a report of anybody who met the requirements set forth in the October 1 rules and who was denied a "married" or "retired" visa.

This is not meant to minimize the excruciating experience to which you were subjected.

With respect to the rumored new rules for Nov. 15, was there more detail than that?