Genuine facts and experiences of Visas

[richard]

What say you Sarge?

Maybe I should hire Rambo as he knows this part of the world quite well

[Nereus]

My retirement visa is due for renewal in march

Twice this week I've been to immigration to ask, politely, what they require

First time - Bank statement, bank book with copies, passport with copies and medical certificate. If married 400k instead of 800k

Second time - Bank statement, bank book, passport all can be copied for free in immigation, and medical certificate not required

What can you believe? I'm going armed with the lot and maybe a rattling gun under my tshirt

Thought that this one would be pretty much cut and dried, but there you go--TIT!
Converted my (Australian) multi entry non img O visa last week in Hua Hin.

Certified letter from my bank showing over the 800k.(which was 5 days old)
Copy of passport front page and TM card / visa stamp.
My Bank Book, which they copied.
Pre-filled in application form (TM 7)

Armed with copies of house papers, drivers license and live Thai Daughter, none of which were required. It took about 45 minutes, and only then because the officer doing it made a couple of phone calls. I found out later from Daughter that one of the calls was for advice about the many comings and goings in my Passport. Seems he was not sure if they had any affect on issuing the retirement visa. I had put engineer down in the required place on the application, and he did ask me what sort of engineer. I have worked offshore for many years, in the Middle East most recently, and still had my ID card from Qatar, which seemed to please him no end!

One small point: the retirement visa is dated from the date of last entry into Thailand, which in my case was 5th November last year, not the day you get it.
They attach a small note inside the back of your passport showing the next required reporting date, which I thought was very good for us oldies!

All the staff seem to be very polite and helpful. Do enter through the police station door, seems the one on the end of the building is not in use.

So, like has been said on here and other threads, go with the required paperwork and there is no problem.

[PeteC]

Everyone see above from Nereus? This is the same crap that we've been talking about on 3 different threads. This one, Property and Two tier exchange rates.

Time and time again the experiences are different from the published rules.

A country can't continue to run this way with staff who are not familiar with the rules of law, even if they do change monthly.

My off the cuff opinion, right on you visa evaders. Live the happy life and don't worry about even going anywhere or doing anything. You'll die of old age before they are smart enough to catch you.

Form a company and buy a house, you'll be dead of old age before they get around to reviewing your case.

Bring in freight car loads of foreign cash and you'll be dead of old age before they open the door. Enjoy! Pete

[richard]

Well said Pete

Other option is to say fcku it and disappear into north east Thailand

[sargeant]

I am glad there has been some response but could we please stick to facts i have, i did, i have done, this happened to me
whilst i understand the frustrations it is only sure fire facts that is going to cut away the myth and crud from this subject
I am disapointed that we have to date not heard a single post along the i have been refused and got to go home people need to know this and can therefore think again if they are heading the same road
so come on chasps and chaspesses give us the facts good and bad

as for r/gattling guns a smile a nod a kop khun cap works every time for me i keep mouth shut jump and crawl and guess what they dont bother any more they seem to have grown bored of making me jump and crawl cos they smile and cop khun cap back scribble and stamp and i am in and out in less than 10 mins

[JW]

Takieb,

My lawyer has recently completed all of the paperwork for my non imm b, he called the embassy in Lao (Vientiane) and asked them exactlt what I needed to take, the visa was very easily done. If you want the contact detail of my lawyer send me a pm.
Hope all works out ok - congrats on the second nipper!

[STEVE G]

Whilst I recognize the sentiments behind this thread, you have to appreciate that you are talking about Asia and the rules are made of rubber.I spent six years working in Indonesia for a British company,with a work permit obtained by bribes in Singapore, simply because that was the quickest way of optaining one.This is the same company that has recently escaped investigation revolving around business practices in Saudia Arabia.
What one person manages to achieve one day is only an indication of what is going to happen to another person the day after, and anyone who thinks otherwise should rid themselves of such Western romanticisms.

[Burger]

You can obtain a non-imm 'B' visa, previously having a non-imm 'O' visa at Hua Hin Immigration office.
Had a work permit already so not sure that made any or all the difference.

Never had to leave the country, or even Hua Hin, was surprised how easy it was, one visit to Immigration, the other visits were done by legal clerk on my behalf.

Not sure if this info is of any help to anyone.

Burger

[sargeant]

thanks burgher thats exactly what this thread needs facts

[PeteC]

Let me comment again a wee bit, then no more. What Burger experienced may be completely different when the next person tries the same thing.

That was my point. There is no consistency office to office or even in the same office on different days and with different staff, therefore no firm facts. Pete

[TnT]

Hi. You are all worrying me a bit. My partner and I are looking to come over and "retire" in Hua Hin. We will be buying a property and living on a budget. Will have to get the non-imm O visa. Not old enough for a retirement visa. Both British. Have rang Hull and they said will get 12 months from them and then have to keep "bobbing" over the border every 3 months. Then after 12 months will have to get back to Uk and get another 12 month visa. Help... I am getting very confused with it all!! Is this the case?? Will use up quite a bit of our budget going back and forwards to the Uk. They also assured me that as long as I am law abiding they will continue to renew my visa indefinitely.. without any hassle??

[lomuamart]

What Hull will give you is a multiple-entry Non Imm O. It's valid for a year, but you must exit the country every 90 days. I got one when back in the UK with my Thai wife last year. As far as I'm aware, they are still issuing them on the basis of "visiting family or friends".
What is becoming more and more difficult and almost impossible to obtain is this multi-entry visa in a neighbouring country to Thailand, so what Hull are saying is correct.
Most long-termers here will have extensions to a Non imm visa that is valid for a year and obtained on the back of the visa in Thailand. If you have an extension like this, you do not have to leave the country, only report to imm every 90 days.
However the three main reasons for imm here issuing these extensions is that you're working here and have a work permit ( I can't really help you on this one, but it dosn't seem that that is the reason you're coming over), that you're retiring , so over 50 and meet the financial requirements, or you're married to a Thai and meet the financial requirements.
It's really as simple as that. If you don't fall into the above three categories, you're not going to get the magic year's extension here and so will have to make visa runs, even if they're back to the UK for the multi-enty.
Hope that makes sense.

[JimmyGreaves]

Not 100% certain but there maybe a fourth for your list lomu. I have heard that you do not need to be married; if you are supporting your partner and your thai child then you can get the 90 days reporting to immigration without leaving the country.

[lomuamart]

Not 100% certain but there maybe a fourth for your list lomu. I have heard that you do not need to be married; if you are supporting your partner and your thai child then you can get the 90 days reporting to immigration without leaving the country.

There's certainly something in supporting a Thai child, but I'm also not 100% sure how that works. Think you may have to be over 50 again, but don't quote me on that.

[JimboPSM]

"lomuamart" comment re the Hull Consulate.

I got my third NON-IMMIGRANT "O" Multiple visa from Hull last week to visit my wifes family. I did manage to get nearly 14 months (Oct 2005 to Dec 2006) out of my previous "O" visa.
Will now be back in Thailand this week and in HH from 20th Feb to 8th Mar