Visa change

Thanks for sharing the story Les, I am delighted that you got yourself out of that O-A and into a much simpler O.
Thanks for sorting that confusion @CO-CO . This is the first time I have ever heard of a visa exempt to non O without a brown envelope. Is this now a thing ????
UNLESS...... Mrs Dearculler slipped the envelope while hubby was not looking. . Not that I am casting for a Sturgeon. :)
 
Thanks for sorting that confusion @CO-CO . This is the first time I have ever heard of a visa exempt to non O without a brown envelope. Is this now a thing ????
UNLESS...... Mrs Dearculler slipped the envelope while hubby was not looking. . Not that I am casting for a Sturgeon. :)
My wife did not slip any brown envelope to anyone.
I followed all the instructions that IMO's gave me and everything was above.
board.
 
This post appeared a few days ago on Thai Visa Advice, and might interest some on here too (though it is nothing to do with me.) Seems the guy concerned had only a Tourist Visa extended for 60 days, and wanted a Non-O:

"10 Nov 2024

Thai Visa Advice

a day ago
·
UPDATE. Petchabun Immigration. Non O visa (over 50) application yesterday. Irish passport. With my Thai partner.
First we had to update my TM 30 in person as I have just got back here. Entered on visa exempt and got 60 days.
Then we were told to go to the bank and get a letter and statements showing 800000 for the last 2 months. Luckily I have a bank acc and had put the money in the account before my arrival here. The IO wrote down what we needed in Thai to help us before we went to the bank.
Back to the IO and they did all the paperwork. Pages and pages of my bank book transactions and all kinds of other stuff. I just had to sign my name about 50 times on both sets. 2 recent photos. My partner had to hand draw a map of where the house is as they said they would come and visit in the next 2 weeks and provide all kinds of docs about herself.
Now it is 'under consideration' for 3 weeks and we have to go back on 28th to get the Visa confirmed and stamped in my passport.
2 points to note:
First that I needed the money in my bank 2 months before I even applied for the Visa, not the extension.
Second that they will come and visit for a retirement Visa not a marriage visa.
Not many people use Petchabun IO but thought the update might help some of you."
 
First we had to update my TM 30 in person as I have just got back here. Entered on visa exempt and got 60 days.
This is very confusing statement to begin with. I mean why? "We had to update it" ? Only the land lord submits that a foreigner is lodged on the property nothing to do with the foreigner. How is this even a requirement to get a visa ?

Second that they will come and visit for a retirement Visa not a marriage visa. Do they really do this backwards in Petchabun? Makes no sense. But this is Thailand.


 
My wife did not slip any brown envelope to anyone.
I followed all the instructions that IMO's gave me and everything was above.
board.

Nice work @Deerculler , it is nice to read a good news story.

I am aware that this process is available through Jomtien Immigration but it is good to learn that Surin Immigration has also stepped up to the plate.
 
Thanks for sharing the story Les, I am delighted that you got yourself out of that O-A and into a much simpler O.
OK then , It must be a thing now. But one thing I like to point out. Before I retired I visited every year visa exempt then when I retired I stayed 3 months on a non O. On the very next trip I came in visa exempt. I was pulled a side at Immi Swampy and they threatened me with non entry. I had proved the last trip I had a Thai wife and entering the country visa exempt was not the right way/visa to enter Thailand. It was stamped in my old passport to note no visa exempt. Fork that was 2016.

Yes Yes @CO-CO It is always me. :confounded:
 
OK then , It must be a thing now. But one thing I like to point out. Before I retired I visited every year visa exempt then when I retired I stayed 3 months on a non O. On the very next trip I came in visa exempt. I was pulled a side at Immi Swampy and they threatened me with non entry. I had proved the last trip I had a Thai wife and entering the country visa exempt was not the right way/visa to enter Thailand. It was stamped in my old passport to note no visa exempt. Fork that was 2016.

Yes Yes @CO-CO It is always me. :confounded:

Nothing new there @Rice (I don't mean just you being the victim all the time :) )....

The authorities don't like repetitive exempt entries - never have, and they have periodic purges. I believe that it comes under their umbrella of 'having the appropriate visa to match your circumstances in Thailand '....visa exempt is for short-term tourism; being married to a Thai (or having retirement accommodation) does not fit with visa exempt.

Classic case is workers in the oil and gas industry who typically work one month on, one month off. Visa exempt suits them perfectly - but it doesn't suit Thai Immigration who would rightly claim that the visa exempt system was being abused when they were effectively living in Thailand for half the year.

IMO the situation you described (not sure if 1 x 3 month Non-O and 1 x visa exempt is the full story) you were not abusing the system - the Non-O was appropriate for what was a longer stay and no one in their right mind would pay for another visa if they knew they were staying less than a month.
 
This is very confusing statement to begin with. I mean why? "We had to update it" ? Only the land lord submits that a foreigner is lodged on the property nothing to do with the foreigner. How is this even a requirement to get a visa ?

Second that they will come and visit for a retirement Visa not a marriage visa. Do they really do this backwards in Petchabun? Makes no sense. But this is Thailand.



Beware of the poster's nuances in telling the tale. :cool:
 
Nothing new there @Rice (I don't mean just you being the victim all the time :) )....

The authorities don't like repetitive exempt entries - never have, and they have periodic purges. I believe that it comes under their umbrella of 'having the appropriate visa to match your circumstances in Thailand '....visa exempt is for short-term tourism; being married to a Thai (or having retirement accommodation) does not fit with visa exempt.

Classic case is workers in the oil and gas industry who typically work one month on, one month off. Visa exempt suits them perfectly - but it doesn't suit Thai Immigration who would rightly claim that the visa exempt system was being abused when they were effectively living in Thailand for half the year.

IMO the situation you described (not sure if 1 x 3 month Non-O and 1 x visa exempt is the full story) you were not abusing the system - the Non-O was appropriate for what was a longer stay and no one in their right mind would pay for another visa if they knew they were staying less than a month.
Absolutely correct. I had no argument with them over this. I was pointing out this is why Immi did not permit visa after exempt entry. But there seems to of been a policy change. Until I try. No I won't only kidding.

An aside does anyone know what is the earliest you can renew your extension of stay?
 
Absolutely correct. I had no argument with them over this. I was pointing out this is why Immi did not permit visa after exempt entry. But there seems to of been a policy change. Until I try. No I won't only kidding.

An aside does anyone know what is the earliest you can renew your extension of stay?

"Officially" Thai Immigration quote 45 days (I haven't got time at the moment to find the exact reference point).

Jomtien say 30 days and Buriram did 40 days for me on one occasion.

Using an agent you can do it 3 months before the extension expiry date.
 
I drove to Phnom Penh last week and arrived back home today.
I was granted a Cambodian Retirement visa and 12 months extension with multi entries

Very easy. No 90 day reporting and no bullshit to extend later. Just gave it to a travel agent and they send it to Immigration. Had it back within a day. Went to PP to do it so no waiting for it's return to Siem Reap.
Coming back through Chong Chom Immigration today I was asked why I had 2 countries Retirement visas. My response was, to get the word out regarding the concerns for new rules, or enforcing old rules that will include many Foreign expats. There's going to be a line coming through your gates, who are fed up!
 
I drove to Phnom Penh last week and arrived back home today.
I was granted a Cambodian Retirement visa and 12 months extension with multi entries

Very easy. No 90 day reporting and no bullshit to extend later. Just gave it to a travel agent and they send it to Immigration. Had it back within a day. Went to PP to do it so no waiting for it's return to Siem Reap.
Coming back through Chong Chom Immigration today I was asked why I had 2 countries Retirement visas. My response was, to get the word out regarding the concerns for new rules, or enforcing old rules that will include many Foreign expats. There's going to be a line coming through your gates, who are fed up!

Good on you too !

Seriously I haven't met too many folks with retirement visas for both countries.

Did you specifically do this as a backup plan to dropping Thailand or just adding ease of travel to a holiday destination ?

Surin, you might even want to commence a new thread on making a visa based on retirement in Cambodia inclusive with the minimum requirements for other expats to do so.
 
Cambodia's retirement visa, also known as the ER visa, is available to foreign citizens who are at least 55 years old and can financially support themselves. The visa can be extended for up to 12 months. To apply, you must:


  • Apply for an E-class visa
    You can apply online through the Cambodian E-Visa website or at a Cambodian embassy or consulate in your home country. You will need to select the Type-ER Retirement Visa option and upload the required documents and pay the fees. You should receive an approval letter within 1–3 business days.


  • Extend your visa to an ER visa
    Once you arrive in Cambodia, you can extend your visa at the Immigration Department of the Cambodian National Police or through a visa agency. You will need to provide the following documents:

    • A passport with at least six months of validity


    • A blank passport page for the visa


    • A passport-sized photo


    • Proof of retirement, such as pension or social security documents


    • Proof of sufficient financial means, such as retirement fund or bank statements


    • A health certificate


    • A criminal background check

You must also register under the Foreigners Present in Cambodia System.



  • How to Get a Retirement Visa to Cambodia
    Retirement Cambodian visa requirements To apply for a retirement visa (Cambodia), you should provide the following documents: a pa...
    1732255585786.png
    go-cambodia-online.com


  • Retiring in Cambodia: A Guide for Expats
    Aug 20, 2567 BE — Retirement Visa Cambodia offers a straightforward visa process for retirees through its ER visa program, designed f...
    1732255585796.png
    AG Cambodia


  • Guide to Retiring in Cambodia in 2024 - LinkedIn
    May 31, 2567 BE — Retirement Visa Regarding visa options, it is quite straightforward with its ER visa program, which enables foreign...
    1732255585806.png
    1732255585816.png
    LinkedIn ·
    Realestate.com.kh


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The cost for a Cambodia retirement visa is around $290 to $300 for a one-year visa. The visa can be extended for 1, 3, 6, or 12 months, and there is no limit to the number of times it can be extended. The extension fee is around $275.
 
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