Non-Immigrant Visa “O-A” (Long Stay) - Clarification

[ravip]

I hope this question was not answered anywhere else in the forum...

One requirement for the above mentioned visa is...
"A copy of bank statement showing a deposit of the amount equal to and not less than 800,000 Baht or an income certificate (an original copy) with a monthly income of not less than 65,000 Baht, or a deposit account plus a monthly income totalling not less than 800,000 Baht".

My question is;
Could this 800K Baht be deposited in Thailand itself when opening the account OR is it mandatory that this money comes direct from a foreign bank?

Thank you.

[Tod-Daniels]

First off, sorry this is long, but I hope it will be of help to you

Secondly; lets get some terminology regarding visas sorted out so we're talkin' about the same thing.

A foreigner is only able to secure a "Multiple Entry Non-Immigrant Type-OA" (also called a "long stay") visa in their home country from a Thai Embassy (not an honorary consulate). This type of visa cannot be had in Thailand or neighboring countries Thai Embassies. It is good for unlimited entries into Thailand for the validity of the visa; each entry gives the person a calendar year here. People who have secured this type of visa from their home country before coming here, and who are savvy about the visa expiration date, can get TWO years out of this visa. If you exit just before the visa expires and re-enter, you get another year's permission to stay. (If you were to exit Thailand during that second year, you'd need a re-entry permit to keep your permission to stay active though).

I think what you may be talking about is applying for a "yearly extension of stay based on retirement", which you get here in Thailand at the Thai Immigrations office. In Bangkok it's out at the Government Complex on Changwattana Road. What you get inside the country is NOT a visa, but an "extension of stay" for a calendar year based on being retired and meeting the financial criteria Immigrations has for that type of extension. It is often referred to as a "retirement visa", but it ain't. ..

For retirement the three methods are exactly as you outlined;

Banked Money Method; 800,000 in a bank in Thailand (for at least 60 days the very first time you apply for a yearly extension, and 90 days for every subsequent yearly extension you apply for after that). You show this by copying all the pages in your bank book and having the bank type a letter showing you have sufficient funds (usually that costs 100-200 baht depending on the bank). You also hafta update your bankbook the day you apply for the extension so it shows the balance on the day you're applying.

Overseas Income Method: The "Verification of Overseas Income" statement method requires you to go to your embassy and get a notarized paper stating you have at least 65,000 baht income per month. Australia calls it a "stat dec" form, the US calls it a notarized letter of income. Different Embassies require different documentation to secure this letter. The US and Australia require NO documentation, you just fill out the form and they notarize it. The UK requires bank statements, pension letters, Canada requires bank statements and/or pension letters.

Combination Method: This is where you have some money in a Thai bank and the Embassy letter of income from abroad which together total 800,000baht. Unlike going for the extension using ONLY banked money there is no time limit the money must be "seasoned" in a Thai bank using the combination method.

Now when I moved here almost 7 years ago, I flew in with quite a large wad o' cash from the US. I just went to a Thai bank 'n opened an account. No questions were asked. I also have done wire transfers from my bank accounts in the US to my Thai account too over the years.

Immigrations (at least in Bangkok), doesn't ask for proof of where the money came from IF you're going the banked money or combination route. However IF you wire in the money the code in your Thai bank book will show it was an overseas transfer, as opposed to just showing up with a wad o' cash which just shows as a cash deposit.

Over the last 3 or 4 months I assisted several acquaintances who went from "30 day visa exempt stamps" to a Non-Immigrant Type-O visa, and then to a yearly extension based on retirement. This is basically a "three step process".

First step; apply for a Single Entry Non-Immigrant Type-O visa (cost 2000 baht). The application is accepted and you are given a receipt and told to return in two weeks as the visa is "under consideration".

Second step; return to Immigrations after two weeks and have the visa stamped into their passport (cost free)

Third step: once there are 30 days or less remaining on the Non-Immigrant Typ-O visa, apply for a yearly extension of stay based on retirement (cost 1900 baht). The extension will be a calendar year from the expiration of the Non-O visa.

Interestingly enough, when going from a 30 day visa exempt stamp or a Tourist visa and applying for the Single Entry Non-Immigrant Type-O visa at Changwattana, each person was required to show proof that the amount on the Embassy verification letter was real; in the form of pension letters and/or bank deposits. (The people were from Canada, the US, and the UK).

However when we subsequently went back out and applied for their yearly extensions of stay based on retirement NO proof was required (although they did need a NEW Embassy letter) seeing as they take the other one when you apply for the Non-O visa.

Obviously going the banked money route necessitates getting another bank letter showing you still have sufficient funds and updating your Thai bank book too.

I hope this wasn't too confusing, I make "Thai visa stuff" a hobby of mine, just like learning Thai. If you have any questions, you can P/M me or send me an email.

Good Luck. ..

[ravip]

Thank you very much Tod for that comprehensive explanation. I sure will revert back to you with any questions that might crop up.