What is the current situation regarding the issuance of the 90 Days Non-O Visa for dependents at the Thai Embassy in Penang?

Nov 21, 2023
a year ago
Andy ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi folks. I would like to share that the Thai Embassy in Penang(Malaysia) no longer issue the 90 Days Non-O Visa for Dependant based on spouse's Non-O Retirement Visa. My wife got her 1 Year Retirement Visa in Chiang Mai recently.

Please take note of the new regulation.

Here is a reply from <thaiconsulate.pen@gmail.com> that I received yesterday morning. You may further verify with them if you wish.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user reported that the Thai Embassy in Penang, Malaysia, no longer issues the 90 Days Non-O Visa for dependents of foreigners holding a Non-O Retirement Visa, following the issuance of a one-year retirement visa to their spouse. The discussion includes verification of this change, the implications for dependents, and confirms that the issue pertains specifically to the Penang consulate.
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Tod *********
okay, I think this went as far as it can. We thank the O/P for their post.

REMEMBER this is ONLY for the thai consulate in Penang, and ONLY about their change in policy for issuing 90 day single entry Non-O visas to spouses of foreigners who are on Non-O visa/extensions based on retirement.
Haley *******
Thanks for this. I need to know if Penang is still issuing the Non 'O' / 90-day for farang with Thai-wife / children...??
Tod *********
@Haley ******
They will issue the 90 day Non-O based on marriage and/or raising thai children like they always have
Jack *********
Still on their site. This is the application we used I think in August
Andy ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jack ********
The embassy in KL Malaysia also has similar description BUT they do not issue 90 days Non-O Visa for Dependant based on spouse's Retirement. I received the email reply from KL dated 09Nov.

Both Penang and KL have yet to update their websites.
Jack *********
@Andy *****
I remember in August the holiday calendar on their website was from 2021 I think
Marc *******************
i would double check it. i guess its a hoax. doesn't makes sense.
Andy ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marc ******************
I am the one who sent them the email to enquire if they issue such Visa Before I make travel arrangement to Penang.... or else travel expenses wasted.

It is still not updated on their website.

But always feel free to further verify with them. For Thailand, sometimes different officers may give different info even within same organisation.
Marc *******************
@Andy *****
no. thx. i don't need visa services. πŸ™ŒπŸ™
Tod *********
@Marc ******************
it would appear NOT to be a hoax, and it is indeed the email of the consulate in penang
Marc *******************
ok. strange.
Jack *********
The reply is from a Gmail address. That doesn't look correct.
Tod *********
@Jack ********
totally IS the correct address πŸ˜•
Jack *********
@Tod ********
Wow I just checked our email. I didn't notice before. Wow.
Jack *********
@Tod ********
We were there recently and got a non-o for my wife. Let me check the email address that we had
Tod *********
@Jack ********
you got the 90 day Non-O visa for your foreign wife based on you holding a year retirement visa/extension? When was recently? because even some of the big companies that push a LOT of paper down there (get visas for a lot of people) say they changed the issuing policy not that long ago

Its gonna really affect a LOT of people because that was the only place you could get that visa in S/E Asia
Steinar *****************
@Tod ********
for Malaysians and people living in Malaysia will iit no longer be possible to get this visa? Or can apply in another country (where we don't live)?
Jack *********
@Tod ********
We're both US citizens and we got one in August
Ellie *******
@Jack ********
, Penang seems to have changed their policy quite recently...
Andy ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Russell ********
This appears to say she cannot apply to be a trailing spouse on your Non O BECAUSE she already has her own retirement visa.

I wonder if they would still refuse if she applied from scratch.
Tod *********
@Russell *******
they are saying that the HUSBAND can't apply for trailing spouse Non-O because the wife has the retirement visa
Ellen **********
@Tod ********
I just returned from Penang with the same results .
Tod *********
@Ellen *********
you couldn't get a 90 day Non-O visa based on being the trailing spouse of a foreigner here on a year extension based on retirement?
Ellen **********
@Tod ********
They said because he held a non-o
Tod *********
@Ellen *********
and he had the year extension already too?
Ellen **********
Tod *********
@Ellen *********
really sorry to hear that πŸ™
Ellen **********
Russell ********
@Tod ********
thanks Tod. Bad news then.
Robert *******
That is correct, BUT as soon as your wife applied for and been issued the 1 YEAR Extension of Stay based on being over 50 years of age, which means she has long stay in Thailand you are able to apply.

NOT as you asked during the 90 days visits with a Non Immigrant O visa.
Ellie *******
@Robert ******
, Penang means that a spouse to a foreigner who has a Non-O retirement visa OR 1-year extension cannot apply for a Non-O dependent (trailing spouse) on that foreigner. That means even if the primary foreigner is on a 1-year extension based on retirement, a spouse cannot apply for Non-O dependent at the consulate in Penang anymore. (checked by myself)
Ellen **********
@Ellie ******
I just returned from that trip last week and did not receive it based on those reasons.
Ellie *******
Thank you for the report.
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