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What Are the Application Procedures for a Non-Immigrant O Visa in Thailand?

Non-O VisaImmigration ProceduresVisa Application
Jan 9, 2020
5 years ago
Colin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I wish I had found this group earlier. Might as well share a lesson I learned due to Thai govt incompetence. According to counter C1 you can file at ANY Thai immigration center for a Non-immigrant O and that they cannot help you if you and your wife don’t live within proximity to that immigration center. Oh! Well let’s check the website shall we?

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3. Channels to submit application

Applicant may submit their application at the Royal Thai embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General in their home/residence country or at the Office of the Immigration Bureau in Thailand located onGovernment Center B, Chaengwattana Soi 7, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Tel 0-2141-9889.”

There it is! Clear as day! Go to Bangkok to file. I don’t see anywhere else listed! I get to Bangkok they turn me away and tell me to go to Phuket to file because my wife and I live in Phuket. There goes 200 USD for their incompetence. Just another day dealing with the awful Thai government.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user shares their frustrating experience with Thai immigration regarding the application for a Non-Immigrant O visa. They initially believed they could apply at any immigration center in Thailand but learned that they had to apply specifically at the office servicing their residential area, which is Phuket. After being turned away in Bangkok and incurring costs due to misinformation, they received advice from community members about local immigration requirements, the necessity for their Thai spouse to be present during the application, and the limitation of services offered at different immigration offices. The discussion includes tips on navigating the visa process effectively.
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  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
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Colin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for all the responses everyone! It’s been helpful talking it through.
5 years ago
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Tod *********
Not all immigration offices offer the in country Non-Immigrant visa service and I know for a fact that C-1 at Chaengwattana will only deal with people who have an address in Bangkok.

You file for a Non-Immigrant Type visa at the immigration office that serves the area where you live IF they can issue it. If they can't you go out of the country and get the visa.
5 years ago
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Colin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Just called Phuket's office and they said I can file for a TM87 change from tourist to non-immigrant O. Hope that's true. Will double check by having my wife call and ask in Thai.
5 years ago
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Colin **********
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Robert *******
but just to explain a small thing: YOU shared a link of mfa.go.th

That is the link of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this Ministry sells Visa at their offices abroad called Thai Consulates.

For visa or Extension of Stay information INSIDE Thailand you visit the Royal Thai Police Immigration Bureau, a totally different organization.
5 years ago
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Alf ***********
Also note that this website was last updated 6 years ago
5 years ago
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Colin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Sorry, but Im not understanding what you are saying. You are saying then that I visited the wrong place? I don't believe that is possible. I visited the exact building listed on the MFA in order to file for a change of visa (via a TM87) at the Immigration Complex in Chaeng Wattana. So, is this incorrect and that actually there is absolutely no way to file for a change of visa from a tourst to non-immigrant within Thailand? I highly doubt that because I have done this change to a non-immigrant before (those were non-immigrant B's) in my 4 years here in Thailand, all of which have happened at the complex in Chaeng Wattana and all of which have worked out just fine.
5 years ago
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Robert *******
Consulates are Government representatives abroad, there is no Thai Consulate in Bangkok. You visited an Office from the Royal Thai Police Immigration Bureau with rules set for a Thai Consulate abroad.
5 years ago
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Colin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I thought I understood that, but what is listed as the location to file for an O visa within Thailand is only their Bangkok complex. Unless I misunderstand what you are saying.
5 years ago
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Colin **********
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Ron *******
And before you get really upset, don't even think about using the income method in Phuket. They won't allow it unless your one of the fortunate ones who's embassy will issue an income letter. The UK, US and Australian embassy no longer issue them.
5 years ago
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Colin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Sorry, but I never mentioned that I was acting upset in front of those that hold the all-powerful ink stamps. Politeness in the face of immigration superiors is always the best course of action. Tried the polite, calm, caring route in Chaeng Wattana today, still got the "GTFO of here and go to Phuket" attitude from them back.
5 years ago
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Colin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
There's plenty enough demonstrated in a Thai bank account that has been proven to have come from abroad. Far beyond the minimum required amount. Bank letter, bank statement, bank book all demonstrated far above the minumum. All in my name.
5 years ago
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Colin **********
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Robert *******
Before you go to Phuket Immigration, you might contact these people, they know all the in and outs of the Phuket Immigration Office.

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5 years ago
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Colin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for this! Will talk to them now.
5 years ago
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Colin **********
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Ron *******
And considering you've posted a link regarding an O-A visa, you do realise you won't be getting one of those in Thailand either?
5 years ago
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Colin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Well, there doesn't seem to be any other information on MFA.co.th concerning an O visa that I could locate, besides what is listed on the O-A link
5 years ago
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Colin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I qualify for the O visa, as a husband to my Thai wife, do I not?
5 years ago
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Colin **********
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Robert *******
Did you apply for a conversion of your Visa Exempt Entry or Tourist Visa to an Non Immigrant O visa? On what basis did you apply for this conversion?

And as you are a tourist and your address is properly registered in one of hotels in Bangkok, how did the Immigration Officer got the idea to sent you to Phuket?
5 years ago
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Colin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
It also fails to mention that my wife must be with me during the submission of the application. Thai govt takes another L. Should have expected it and just asked the Phuket immigration if I could do it there before even listening to their government info online. I'll never follow their info on their website again. Direct, face to face talking with Govt seems like the only guaranteed way to get it right.
5 years ago
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Robert *******
That is correct as one of the requirements is that your wife is with you. And as she lives and works in Phuket it is more easy to apply for this visa in Phuket, so she does not lose many days of work. Great service from Immigration.
5 years ago
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Colin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
They immediately asked me where my wife was. I said she is in Phuket, where she lives and works. The officer immediately said I must file everything in Phuket and refused to help me further.
5 years ago
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Colin **********
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Reiner *********
Well living on phuket, using the local imigration, and not asking here for the requirements you need...is really incompetent ! I agree.....and if you read closer to the web page ....it tells you ...where to go...." The next immigration office "

< 5.2....area of their residency >
5 years ago
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Colin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Too bad that's listed under "Recommendations for foreigners WITH (keyword WITH) Non-Immigrant Visa “O-A” (Long Stay) while staying in the Kingdom" since I am not a person currently WITH an O visa, I then followed instructions on "3. Channels to submit application" which is what I am actually trying to do. Thus, incompetence stands.
5 years ago
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Colin **********
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James ********
And re TM30 filing requirements... Be sure to ask Phuket their requirement. As you have traveled outside of Phuket...inside Thailand...you may need to file TM30 upon your return to Phuket.
5 years ago
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Colin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
good point. Thanks! Flying back today, the hotel in Bangkok filed for me, so I’ll update in Phuket
5 years ago
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Colin **********
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James ********
Yes...your residence determines which Thai immigration office you must use. Always pick up their list of requirements for the service needed. There are 70+ Thai Immigration offices ..if you live in Phuket..that is where you go to.
5 years ago
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Colin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Lesson learned for sure. The website should be updated any century now...
5 years ago
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Colin **********
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