one year retirement visa

Post by **BKKSTAN** » May 26, 2007, 3:28 pm

rickfarang wrote:
My main complaint about the A/O for retirement is that once a year, I come up against the possibility of being kicked out of my home. The permanent residence visa could greatly reduce the annual bout of anxiety.

Of course they could always change the rules with the permanent resident visa!

Post by **polehawk** » June 11, 2007, 10:57 pm

a GOOD experience at Nong Khai Immigration today when I went in to do a 90 day report. The senior official looked through my passport, spotted my non-immigrant O-A multi-entry visa that was issued at Washington DC Embassy last August 29th and remarked, "This is a good one!". I thought to myself, "Oh oh, what now?". An image of being force marched to the Friendship Bridge and put on one of the transit buses emerged. It turned out he meant it in a positive manner. He explained to another couple with us, my wife and I (in Thai and English) that all I needed to do was cross the border, re-enter Thailand and I would get a new 1-year stamp but it had to be done BEFORE August 28th. $\:D/$

I was already making some plans to go to Bangkok Immigration in SEPTEMBER to get an extension since we arrived in Thailand on Sept 21 last year. I got an income statement last Friday when the US Consulate made a visit and was preparing to transfer funds. Now it appears that I may not have to make these arrangements until next year. I'll believe it when they put the visa stamp in my passport but will file a followup when I make my trip to Laos and back if anyone's interested?

Post by **jetdoc** » June 12, 2007, 9:26 am

I have an O-A and have renewed/extended it twice and did not have to leave the country, as a matter of fact after the first year they haven't required 90 day reports. I don't know why but that has been my experience;o)

Post by **Steve's Car Rental** » June 12, 2007, 10:13 am

As far as I know Everyone on long term (ie 1 year) visas/extensions has to do 90 day reports.
I am intrigued as to why you have been given dispensation.
Does anyone else not have to do 90 day reports and how was this notified to you ?

Post by **arjay** » June 12, 2007, 10:34 am

Yes, Jetdoc, I think you are on thin ice there.

I would suggest that it's a case of - you are expected to know that you have to do them, - rather than you don't have to do them if you haven't been told to!

Post by **jetdoc** » June 12, 2007, 11:18 am

TIT I'm not suggesting that 90 day reports are not required in some or most cases and it is very possible that I will have a big problem somewhere down the road. Here's a short rundown of my experience.
A Non-O-A was issued by the consulate in Honolulu on Dec 16 2005 and stated that ity must be utilized before Dec. 16 2005. I also paid a $125 fee for a multiple entry.

I came for a visit using this visa on Dec. 24 2004 and left on Jan. 10 2005. I went to Immigration before leaving and asked for an exit stamp and was told I didn't need it.

I retired and returned to Thailand on Jan. 31 2005, same visa and it caused some discussion but about 10 minutes worth, but Passport handed to me and no problem.

About Mar. 20th I went to AEK Udon for 90 day report. Nania asks why I come to early for 90 day report. I explain that I first come Dec. 24. She said Bangkok made a mistake and she doesn't want know about trip in Dec. because I don't have a multiple entry visa.

So I do the 90 day reports for the remainder of the year and when it is time to renew/extend the man at Immigrations says you get bank letter, etc, etc, and I give you ONE YEAR extension. Sooo I go to Nong Khai with all the info and he stamps passport and smiles and says I see you next year. I say see you in 90 days, he says no 1 year. I check my passport and no 90 day report stapled in.

Sooo in Jan of this year I go again to Nong Khai and no one says anything about 90 day reports and they stamp my passport and give it back with no 90 day stapled in it.

I have of others that have similar situation but I don't know anyone personally so it is just hearsay.

I read the Thai Gov. Immigration site and there is some language that suggests this is possible but not sure;o)

Post by **jetdoc** » June 12, 2007, 11:22 am

Correction to previous post
A Non-O-A was issued by the consulate in Honolulu on Dec 16 2005 should read Dec. 16 2004

Post by **Bump** » June 12, 2007, 3:36 pm

I think I would go confirm that one again, the last guy I know that beleived that was his case, ended up paying a heavy fine. But up to you

Post by **BKKSTAN** » June 12, 2007, 3:43 pm

In the past,NK immigration has shown a lenient attitude about the 90 day reporting!But with the current upheaval reported by some,I wouldn't count on it.Mandatory 90 day reports from the day you last entered the country and each 90 days after,are still required by law!
I missed one period and they would not give me another!Told me that the next time I left the country,come and report after 90 days!''Don't worry we don't charge you the 2000 baht fine''

Post by **jetdoc** » June 12, 2007, 4:13 pm

"I think I would go confirm that one again, the last guy I know that beleived that was his case, ended up paying a heavy fine. But up to you"

Naw! I've been living on the edge most of my life, so I'll just let it ride and see what happens;o)

valentine · Post by **valentine** » June 12, 2007, 4:48 pm

No need to guess or listen to others just log on www.immigration.go.th Its all on there

Post by **polehawk** » August 3, 2007, 3:43 pm

polehawk wrote:a GOOD experience at Nong Khai Immigration today when I went in to do a 90 day report. The senior official looked through my passport, spotted my non-immigrant O-A multi-entry visa that was issued at Washington DC Embassy last August 29th and remarked, "This is a good one!". I thought to myself, "Oh oh, what now?". An image of being force marched to the Friendship Bridge and put on one of the transit buses emerged. It turned out he meant it in a positive manner. He explained to another couple with us, my wife and I (in Thai and English) that all I needed to do was cross the border, re-enter Thailand and I would get a new 1-year stamp but it had to be done BEFORE August 28th. $\:D/$

I was already making some plans to go to Bangkok Immigration in SEPTEMBER to get an extension since we arrived in Thailand on Sept 21 last year. I got an income statement last Friday when the US Consulate made a visit and was preparing to transfer funds. Now it appears that I may not have to make these arrangements until next year. I'll believe it when they put the visa stamp in my passport but will file a followup when I make my trip to Laos and back if anyone's interested?

Made a trip to Vientiane this week and got the one year stamp from Nong Khai Immigration officer at the bridge, as advertised. So, won't need the income statement or show funds in Thai bank this year, after all. It did pay to jump through the hoops and get the non-immig O-A (retirement) visa in my home country (USA) before coming here last year.

Post by **rickfarang** » August 3, 2007, 10:54 pm

Thank you for the follow-up, Polehawk. I had wondered whether this was too good to be true or not.

Interesting. Had you been inside Thailand for a year before this event?

Do you have a theory to explain your good fortune? Why is your visa stamp from D.C. better than others? Inquisitive minds want to know.

Post by **polehawk** » August 4, 2007, 7:03 am

My first trip outside Thailand since arriving last September, Rick.

No theory to offer but also saw it mentioned in Thaivisa by Lopburi3, a knowledgeable source on Thai visas in that forum. Amounts to a 2 year visa without having to bring the 800K into Thailand or showing an income statement. I'm guessing that going through all of the hoops in your home country satisfies Immigration.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php ... try1232084

Post by **rickfarang** » August 4, 2007, 10:48 am

Hmmmm...the the posting on Thai Visa is as you said, but I fail to understand. In any case, let's be thankful for all wonderful things even though we don't understand them. Enjoy your next year.

By the way, did you have to pay the 1800 baht fee for the extension?

Post by **jackspratt** » August 4, 2007, 12:04 pm

It ain't rocket science Rick.

You apply to the embassy/consulate in your home country for a non-imm A-O visa for 12 months, for the purpose of examining retirement in LOS. It can be a single entry, or multiple which is more expensive, but allows unlimited departures and re-entries within 12 months of the visa issue date.

Every time you leave, and re-enter Thailand you will be given a further 12 months stay. Effectively this means if your visa (not entry stamp) is dated 3 March 2007, and you take a trip which sees you arrive back in LOS on 2 March 2008, you will be given a further 12 months stay. During the initial 12 months, and the 2nd 12 months you need to make 90 day reports, but do not have to do border runs.

The requirements to get the initial visa (police check, health check, etc, etc) are set out TV. Probably the greatest attraction is that your 800k can stay in the bank at "home".

During the 2nd 12 months you need to make the arrangements to get the next 12 month retirement extension eg 800k in a Thai bank for 3 months, etc. You will also need to get a re-entry visa prior to going outside Thailand.

I guess it is theoretically possible to start the whole non-imm A-O process in your home country again at the end on the 24 months, but there is a (I would think considerable) risk the the consul may not play ball for a further 12 months to "examine retirement".

I am here on the first 12 months of a non-imm A-O, and have been out and back in with no problems.

Post by **rickfarang** » August 4, 2007, 12:26 pm

The "examine retirement" provision is a new one to me. Thank you, jackspratt, for explaining it.

Post by **polehawk** » August 4, 2007, 4:23 pm

Now recall that I also showed "examining retirement" as purpose of visit on the visa form that can be downloaded from the Wash DC (or your home country) Thai Embassy's website.

No fee at all for the latest 1 year entry stamp.

Post by **BKKSTAN** » August 16, 2007, 2:49 pm

Korat sounds like it may be a good option!Here is a post from KonKaen.com forum:

Author Message
Gdhm
Senior Member

Joined: 13 November 2005
Location: Thailand
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 588
Topic: Retirement Visa Renewal - Korat
Posted: 09 August 2007 at 20:31
Hi All,

Just back from Korat. Arrived during the lunch break and had to wait 20 mins for service, but the staff (there) allowed my wife and I to sit and wait in their office and were friendly.

All staff were friendly and some smiley as well. The admin section had a radio on in the background. Overall atmosphere was calm and relaxing.

My wife and I were there 40 mins processing our forms. The officer was also processing a re-entry permit for me and was not racing as there were no queues and we we attended immediately the clock showed 1pm.

The Officer used 68 baht to the GBP to calculate my pension income so my Bank letter was needed to top it up slightly (68.4 would have been OK without it). I had the bank letter anyway so I offered rather than try to get just my pension accepted.

Only one photocopy of anything was needed. The bank letter was kept (but I had 2 originals), the Embassy Original letter was handed back to me.

All photocopies were stamped by the officer I suspect "saying that the copies were identical to the originals sited by him" (logical).

As I am married and was with my wife he asked to see her ID and House registration Book (Tabien Baan) We were prepared for that possibility (May I suggest other married members ask their wives to take these two documents with them as both Korat AND Udon Thani wanted site of them. Indeed Udon Thani last year also asked to see our original marriage Certificate -but the Korat Office today did not ask for that). I did not have photocopies of my wife's ID and Tabien Baan (silly me forgot). No problem the officer took my wife to the office photocopier and that was that.

The Officer told me when I had to COME for my 90 reporting. I said I intended to post it as usual. He advised that Postal 90 reporting sometimes gets lost or does not reach them or does not get the highest of priority but said it is OK to post. He recommended 10 days prior to expiry date of the last 90 reporting slip and chase keep an eye if not received back when expected.

We travelled the Korat from KKC by air con coach (as suggested by members on another thread). Price for ticket on the day was 200 baht each with meal. We came back with 407 (air con) without meal 160 baht each.

It was obvious booking with a Company like NCA in advance for the full KKC to BKK price of 380 ish is unnecessary (unless a peak holiday time etc.) as there are several different company buses making the trip (via Korat) many times a day for around 160 to 200 baht (one way) and there certainly were spare seats all the way (even allowing for pickups on route.

All in all a happy, relaxed, painless experience and I was asked for what I considered was the correct official requirements. No medical certificate was asked for (some are reporting other offices are still asking for this despite the change in Oct 2006 that it not now required.

I intend to continue with Korat.

I was asked by 2 people (out of curiosity only) why I was not using Nong Khai and I told them that I had only ever visited Udon Thani (closed last month) and that Korat is only 14 kms farther away form KKC than Nong Khai and easier to find and get to from the bus station. There was NO concern at my being at the Korat Office.

Now I can relax for 10 months or so

Regards to all, and good luck to upcoming Visa seekers - hope as painless as for me.

Dave

and his followup:

Had Udon been open I would have gone there mistakenly thinking it was my best option as it was 2 hours travelling and Korat is hours 45 mins, Nong Khai by train was about 3 hours.

Udon closing however, did me a big favour as Korat was a much more pleasant experience AND Udon was only open 2 days a week and closed in the afternoon which meant, as my wife and I do not have a car, we had to stay at a hotel overnight.

Korat was done EASILY in one day. (reasonable hours too). Left bus station 9am KKC (arrived 12:15pm) got on bus 4pm, home by 7pm (could have left Korat 2:30pm home by 5:30pm but visited Big C first).

As others have reported Korat Immigration Office is 5 mins walk from the Korat bus station entrance along the main road (walk right from bus station entrance, past hospital entrance and then you see the Assumption school and a big sign NorthEast Immigration office on a white building (all same side or road as bus station) - could not be easier to find and get to.

Regards, Dave