Answered4 years ago
Can I switch from a Non-OA retirement visa to a Non-O visa while living in Mukdahan, Thailand?
I moved to Thailand 2.5 years ago from Germany on a Non-Immigrant O-A retirement visa and am currently living in Mukdahan province on my second extension of stay, valid until Oct 1, 2023.
As my German embassy in Bangkok refuses to certify my existing German health insurance, with which I entered Thailand and which runs until Sep 30, 2025 (such a certification is required by Order of the Immigration Bureau no. 312/2564 to use it for extension of stay), I unfortunately still have to buy a Thai insurance on top of my German one, to meet the requirements for extension of stay based on O-A. Therefore I am planning to apply for an O retirement visa at my Mukdahan Immigration Office now. I am aware that I cannot switch directly from O-A to O, but have to apply for the O visa new.
My plan therefore would be:
- Leave Thailand for vacation to Vietnam (or any other neighbouring country) late September without buying a re-entry permit
- Return to Thailand on a visa exempt (30 days) after the vacation in early October
- Apply for a 90 day O retirement visa at Mukdahan Immigration Office shortly after my return (I do have a 800k bank account since years and would do the paper work before/directly after the vacation)
- In due time apply for a 1 year extension of stay on that visa
Questions:
- Is it possibble to enter Thailand on visa exempt from a neighbouring country (or would I need to enter from Germany (where my passport is from)?
- Would I need to provide a return flight ticket, if entering on visa exempt?
- Does anybody know whether Mukdahan Immigration Office gives an under consideration stamp only first?
- Does anybody have experience with Mukdahan Immigration Office and knows, whether 30 days would be sufficient to run the full process?
- Does anybody know, whether I would have to proof a foreign source for the money in my bank account at Mukdahan Immigration Office, when applying for an O retirement visa? If so, would copies of the corresponding debits from my German bank account, transfer notes from Wise plus copies of the entries on my Thai bank account work?
- Anything else important I should think of / be prepared for, if trying the above?
Sorry for the long post, would be great if someone can help me bringing some light into the dark.
TIA, Carsten
As my German embassy in Bangkok refuses to certify my existing German health insurance, with which I entered Thailand and which runs until Sep 30, 2025 (such a certification is required by Order of the Immigration Bureau no. 312/2564 to use it for extension of stay), I unfortunately still have to buy a Thai insurance on top of my German one, to meet the requirements for extension of stay based on O-A. Therefore I am planning to apply for an O retirement visa at my Mukdahan Immigration Office now. I am aware that I cannot switch directly from O-A to O, but have to apply for the O visa new.
My plan therefore would be:
- Leave Thailand for vacation to Vietnam (or any other neighbouring country) late September without buying a re-entry permit
- Return to Thailand on a visa exempt (30 days) after the vacation in early October
- Apply for a 90 day O retirement visa at Mukdahan Immigration Office shortly after my return (I do have a 800k bank account since years and would do the paper work before/directly after the vacation)
- In due time apply for a 1 year extension of stay on that visa
Questions:
- Is it possibble to enter Thailand on visa exempt from a neighbouring country (or would I need to enter from Germany (where my passport is from)?
- Would I need to provide a return flight ticket, if entering on visa exempt?
- Does anybody know whether Mukdahan Immigration Office gives an under consideration stamp only first?
- Does anybody have experience with Mukdahan Immigration Office and knows, whether 30 days would be sufficient to run the full process?
- Does anybody know, whether I would have to proof a foreign source for the money in my bank account at Mukdahan Immigration Office, when applying for an O retirement visa? If so, would copies of the corresponding debits from my German bank account, transfer notes from Wise plus copies of the entries on my Thai bank account work?
- Anything else important I should think of / be prepared for, if trying the above?
Sorry for the long post, would be great if someone can help me bringing some light into the dark.
TIA, Carsten
Answer summary
The post discusses the challenges of transitioning from a Non-Immigrant O-A retirement visa to a Non-Immigrant O visa while living in Mukdahan, Thailand. The user plans to apply for a new visa due to a lack of health insurance certification from the German embassy. They inquire about entering Thailand on a visa-exempt basis, document requirements at the Mukdahan Immigration Office, and how to address the proof of funds necessary for the visa application. Responses highlight the importance of direct communication with the Mukdahan office regarding specific processes and requirements.
18 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Ellie *******
Okay, this post is not going to be how-to-get-cert-for-insurance-in-your-home-country thread. Thank you for your contribution, dear members.
James ********
I have placed the TOPIC of Changing Non OA to Non O for retirement.
CLICK on it and all posts about it will pop up to read.
CLICK on it and all posts about it will pop up to read.
Peter ****************
@Carsten *****
:There IS a form which normaly will be accepted by many imm. offices for a home country insurance. But...I hear/read that that form is difficult to get it signed by your home insurance company. Maybe give it a try ? (See form at my own answer)
Carsten ******
OP@Bernd **********
I do have that letter signed by my insurance. But Mukdahan Immigration insists on paragraph 5.2 of the TIB order ********
, which states that such a letter in addition has to be certified by either the German embassy in Bangkok or the Foreign Ministry in Berlin. And as said, the German embassy says they cannot certify an insurance.Peter ****************
Well
@Carsten *****
, sorry about that. "My" attempt did not work out then đ. Good luck with your "Non imm. O journey" đ¤Peter ****************
Carsten ******
OP@Peter ***************
No. They told me, they cannot verify the letter, as they cannot prove whether the coverage really exists. They further said, that checking and approving of health insurances solely is the Thai authorities duty.
Bernd ***********
@Carsten *****
have you asked your insurance already. They must sign that letter. I was on O-A before and I used Hanse Merkur insurance from Germany. They signed that letter .
Ingvar *******
Easy just to take a trip over Freedom bridge 2 and discover Savvannakhet in Laos, where you also can have a new visa if you need. The general consulate will surely help you to provide a O - visa.
Carsten ******
OP@Ingvar ******
On their website the Royal Thai Consulate Savannakhet writes, that a pension letter or a prove of retirement issued by the applicant's Embassy/Consulate has to be provided with the application. As I am not officially retired yet, I will not be able to bring such a prove. So your option unfortunately does not seem to be suitable for me.
Kevin *********
Hahaha in the time it took me to type my answer Tod answered. So there you have it.
Tod *********
okay I let this on BUT keep in mind YOU live in Mukdahan, and most of the questions you're asking are specific to THAT office, so I see a trip there to get your questions about proof of funds origin, answered in the near future đ
The plan as you outlined it is sound,
You can exit on this OA extension without a re-entry permit which will cancel the current extension when you stamp out.
You could enter visa exempt (which may or may not be 45 days as it's only proposed to run that to the end of the year, but for sure will be 30 days).
Then go get the bank letter, update the bank book, get the documents, copies, maps, etc go to your immigration office and apply for the 90 day Non-O visa for 2000baht.
MOST offices say you need a minimum of 15 days left on your current stamp to apply for the in country conversion (because it goes under review for 2 weeks before you go back to get the Non-O and new 90 day stamp inked in. SOME offices want 21 days or more left on the stamp because they have a longer review period.
That means there's another question you need to write down to ask the officers at the immigration office in Mukdahan. <- Once you come back visa exempt GO get the hand out listing the requirements for BOTH the 90 day Non-O and the year extension and ask them how many days you need on the current stamp. đ
Coming in visa exempt you'll get 30 and you can extend that for 30 more at the immigration office for 1900baht if you needed to buy more time
Sorry that I didn't answer your questions, the answers are at the Mukdahan office believe me đ
The plan as you outlined it is sound,
You can exit on this OA extension without a re-entry permit which will cancel the current extension when you stamp out.
You could enter visa exempt (which may or may not be 45 days as it's only proposed to run that to the end of the year, but for sure will be 30 days).
Then go get the bank letter, update the bank book, get the documents, copies, maps, etc go to your immigration office and apply for the 90 day Non-O visa for 2000baht.
MOST offices say you need a minimum of 15 days left on your current stamp to apply for the in country conversion (because it goes under review for 2 weeks before you go back to get the Non-O and new 90 day stamp inked in. SOME offices want 21 days or more left on the stamp because they have a longer review period.
That means there's another question you need to write down to ask the officers at the immigration office in Mukdahan. <- Once you come back visa exempt GO get the hand out listing the requirements for BOTH the 90 day Non-O and the year extension and ask them how many days you need on the current stamp. đ
Coming in visa exempt you'll get 30 and you can extend that for 30 more at the immigration office for 1900baht if you needed to buy more time
Sorry that I didn't answer your questions, the answers are at the Mukdahan office believe me đ
Carsten ******
OP@Tod ********
Thank you so much for your detailed answer. So I understand entering on visa exempt is possible. I was scared a bit, as I read that visa exempt is for tourismn purposes only. And when immigration sees that I loved in Thailand for the past 2.5 years and just was out of country 10 days to Vietnam, that they will not approve visa exempt to me. With regards to all the other questions, I anyway will have to see Mukdahan Immigration in March for my next 90-day-reporting and will ask them in person then. Just wanted to be prepared best possibly.
Ellie *******
Fill in some small racks
- as a general rule, you'd have to prove your funds are transferred internationally. This also should be in the requirements handout there
- If you are flying into Thailand on visa-exempt, your airline would require you to have an onward travel ticket rather than Thai immigration upon arrival. Check with your air career. If you enter via land border, might not be asked for onward travel at passport control, but better be ready in case.
- as a general rule, you'd have to prove your funds are transferred internationally. This also should be in the requirements handout there
- If you are flying into Thailand on visa-exempt, your airline would require you to have an onward travel ticket rather than Thai immigration upon arrival. Check with your air career. If you enter via land border, might not be asked for onward travel at passport control, but better be ready in case.
Tod *********
**********************************************
Tod *********
you want the 3rd number down that says ā¸ā¸˛ā¸ā¸ā¸Ŗā¸´ā¸ā¸˛ā¸Ŗā¸ā¸ā¸āšā¸˛ā¸ā¸āšā¸˛ā¸§ " service for foreigner"
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