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What is the best approach for applying for a retirement O visa in Vientiane considering future travel plans?
O-A Retirement VisaO VisaVientiane Visa ApplicationRe-entry PermitVisa TypesThailand Immigration PoliciesRetirement Visa Extensions
Feb 15, 2023
3 years ago
Carsten ******
ORIGINAL POSTERI checked all the posts #vientianelaosthaiconsulate but unfortunately did not find anything answering my question, so it would be great to get some advice this way.
I am currently on an O-A retirement extension in Thailand, but would like to switch to a 90 day retirement O visa, applied for in Vientiane after breaking the O-A line by entering Laos close to the end of my current extension of stay without buying a re-entry permit before.
Now I see on the Vientiane visa application form that I will have to chose from 'single-', 'double-' and 'multiple entry'. My plan would be to return to Thailand after the visa has been issued and then apply for the 1-year-extension of stay in due time at my local immigration office. But I will have to leave Thailand for a short trip to Germany about one month after I will get the visa in Vientiane.
So, should I apply for the visa with double or multiple entry already in Vientiane or just with single entry and then in Thailand buy a re-entry permit for my trip to Germany? Do these two approaches result in different consequences/requirements regarding my return to Thailand and/or my intended extension of stay? Or would it be advisable to schedule the visa application (with single entry) that early, that my Germany trip would be only after the first extension of stay, i.e. later than 90 days after issue of the visa (and buy a re-entry permit then)? I understood, I can quit my current extension of stay at any time by leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit, right?
Sorry, if all this sounds rather trivial, but I of course want to avoid risking the visa and/or extension of stay.
Thanking you so much in advance,
Carsten
I am currently on an O-A retirement extension in Thailand, but would like to switch to a 90 day retirement O visa, applied for in Vientiane after breaking the O-A line by entering Laos close to the end of my current extension of stay without buying a re-entry permit before.
Now I see on the Vientiane visa application form that I will have to chose from 'single-', 'double-' and 'multiple entry'. My plan would be to return to Thailand after the visa has been issued and then apply for the 1-year-extension of stay in due time at my local immigration office. But I will have to leave Thailand for a short trip to Germany about one month after I will get the visa in Vientiane.
So, should I apply for the visa with double or multiple entry already in Vientiane or just with single entry and then in Thailand buy a re-entry permit for my trip to Germany? Do these two approaches result in different consequences/requirements regarding my return to Thailand and/or my intended extension of stay? Or would it be advisable to schedule the visa application (with single entry) that early, that my Germany trip would be only after the first extension of stay, i.e. later than 90 days after issue of the visa (and buy a re-entry permit then)? I understood, I can quit my current extension of stay at any time by leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit, right?
Sorry, if all this sounds rather trivial, but I of course want to avoid risking the visa and/or extension of stay.
Thanking you so much in advance,
Carsten
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is currently on an O-A retirement extension in Thailand and seeks advice on switching to a 90-day retirement O visa while navigating travel to Germany. They inquire whether to apply for a single, double, or multiple entry visa in Vientiane, and the potential implications for returning to Thailand and applying for a one-year extension. Responses indicate that Vientiane typically issues single-entry visas, with recommendations for handling re-entry and the importance of displaying sufficient funds for the visa application.
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Tod *********
@Carsten *****
seems like you got a good plan. Keep in mind there are NO <- as in ZERO verifiable reports of anyone getting a 90 day Non-O visa based on retirement from either the consulate in Vientiane or Savannakhet Lao since the borders re-opened after covid. Whether you can or can't get that visa will depend on you showing 800K baht in a thai bank account in your name only WITH the bank book updated as close to the day you're going to apply for the visa as you can
I tell people to do a transaction to MAKE the book update just before you cross the border because if the last update is days old they aren't gonna take it..
Carsten ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
Thanks again to everyone for all the helpful input. We phoned with the Thai embassy in Vientaine just yesterday and they confirmed that they are issuing Non-O based on retirement for foreign nationals. And they confirmed that the requirements according to their website are up-to-date. So I am confident, that it would work.I have just one question left and if I could get some input from people who know and not just guess, it would be great, too. On the eVisa page of the Thai embassy Berlin they write that the application can be done only, if the applicant is doing it from Germany. As said, I would prefer to do it while still in Thailand because my stay in Germany is 9 days only and I don't want to risk not to get the visa in time (they write it might take 15 working days). Does anyone know on whether this requirements will be checked/enforced?
James ********
@Carsten *****
bottom line.. you cannot get the Thai Visa you are wanting using the Evisa online application system. As @Tod ********
stated... You MUST show PROOF of your flight to Thailand starts in your home country.Carsten ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
'Cannot', as my flight from Germany to Thailand will be the return flight on my ticket? So, if booking single flights from Germany to Thailand and from Thailand to Germany, it however would work (as I could show the GER-THAI ticket only), right?BTW: The system does not require me to upload any ticket.
James ********
@Carsten *****
at this point, I am going to wish you success.Reality is that you have to be in your home country when you apply/use the Evisa online application system.
ASK your Thai Embassy in your home country
Good Luck
Comments Closed
Reply to
James ********
Reply
Tod *********
@Carsten *****
you show your FLIGHT to thailand FROM Germany to thailand as proof you're "in Germany"Reply to
Tod *********
Reply
Wannikea *********
The multiple entry would be a 1 year visa and you'd have to leave the country every 90 days, Im not sure they actually sell it, and you don't want it.
James ********
@Wannikea ********
as Ellie states... Not available in SE Asia Thai Embassy's or Consulates.Ellie *******
@Wannikea ********
, I don't think there are consulates that issue multiple entry Non-O based on retirement to a foreigner without legal residency in that country. At least around Asia.Reply to
Ellie *******
Reply
John **********
Why bother getting a visa in Vientiane? Come in visa exempt which you can extend 30 days if need be. Go to Germany, return visa exempt again and apply for the Non-O visa inside Thailand?
Carsten ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
When applying for a Non-O in Thailand, as far as I know, you have to prove the funds in the Thai bank account being from overseas. This requirements is not relevant for Vientiane (at least there is nothing accordingly on their website).John **********
@Carsten *****
this is true. But you're going to need funds for your extension anyway. Unless of course you are from a country who's embassy issues an income affidavit, in which case that's all you need both for the initial application and the following extensionCarsten ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
I do have funds 800k+ THB in a Thai bank account since years, but transferred them via Wise. And they, according to their business model, categorize them as Local Bank Transfer. And my Kasikoen Bank is not able (or willed) to provide me with a certificate, stating they come from abroad.And for the extension my immigration office does not ask for the funds' origin. They just ask for the bank statement (1 year), the general bank certificate and a copy of the updated bank book.
Tod *********
@Carsten *****
OR get the 90 day Non-O visa from the thai consulate in Germany before you come back seeing as it's done with the eVisa website all online, you won't even have to go to the consulate.Tod *********
@Carsten *****
GO talk to your immigration office and see if you can show the funds you have to get the in country Non-O visa when you come back in on a visa exempt entry not all offices require proof of funds origin (Bangkok does but not any other one I am aware of) for the initial 90 day Non-O based on retirementCarsten ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
Good point, however, I have been there already, asking exactly that question, but they don't issue Non-O visa at all there. They recommended to go to Laos.John **********
@Carsten *****
they certainly list the Non-O visa as an option on their websiteJohn **********
@Carsten *****
fair enough but am I right in assuming you are German? So actually you don't need funds in Thailand at all as I think your embassy issues income affidavitsCarsten ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
Maybe, but I am 58 years only and don't get any retirement income yet. And the third option, applying for the visa through the Thai embassy in Germany, I read their website, that I would need to have German residency, which I gave up when I moved to Thailand a few years ago. So unfortunately it seems as if applying through Laos will be the most convenient option. Therefore I would concentrate on that option now.John **********
@Carsten *****
so you no longer have a German passport?Carsten ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
I still do have a German passport. And they issue Non-O retirement visa. But their requirements for applying for a Non-O visa say, that I have to prove my German residency. And as the passport does not state a residencial address, I would need something else to do so. My ID card however has the sticker 'no German residency'.Tod *********
@Carsten *****
I think you are confusing what they ask for and what you can provide, you just upload the data page of your passport again for proof of residence and proof you can use that consulate, It's the eVisa system, there is no issue with doing that at all. BUT
now we're just going round and round on the minutia, so you either apply when you're back in Germany via the eVisa system or you come back and go to Lao to get the Non-O visa
I wouldn't go get the Non-O first then exit the country, (meaning you need a re-entry permit) then come back and get the year.
Just get your trip to the west out of the way come back in visa exempt, then go to Lao and get the Non-O single entry.
Carsten ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
Thank you so much, Tod. So I understand that apart from the data page of my passport I will not need any proof of my residence. That sounds great. But the Germany trip I mentioned is scheduled one month after my current extension of stay expires (which will be in early October) and therefore no way to wait for that trip. However, I am facing another trip to Germany this March and of course could apply for the Non-O via eVisa in Berlin before leaving here (to be on the safe side to get the visa in time for my return to Thailand), go to Germany then without a re-entry permit and return with the new Non-O. Applying for the extension of stay in April and visiting Germany in November with a re-entry permit again. This way I still would need one re-entry permit but would have sorted everything including the 1-year-extension the soonest possible in a quite convenient way. Without the need to go to Laos. And if the Non-O through Berlin will not be issued for any reason, I still can return via visa exempt, then go to Laos and apply for the visa there. :)John **********
@Carsten *****
I'm wondering if you are confusing national residence with tax residence? I'm also non resident for tax simply for having been out of the UK for so long but I'm still a UK taxpayer. Keep my UK bank account so can always show an address which is good enough for most things.Reply to
John **********
Reply
Ellie *******
Vientiane would issue only single-entry visas to foreigners. The "double entry" visa doesn't exist. You get a single entry visa, then apply for a re-entry permit in Thailand before you travel out.
*********************************************
Carsten ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ellie ******
Sounds great and exactly had been my initial thought. But I was a little confused when reading their application form. One side question: On their application form they also ask for name and contact of a Guarantor in Laos. Does anyone know whether this is an essential information? Frankly speaking, I do not know too many people over there...!
Ellie *******
@Carsten *****
, put your own nameCarsten ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ellie ******
Really? That is the trick and will work? Wow. Thank you so much.Reply to
Carsten ******
Reply
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