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What should I know about entering Thailand on an O-A visa for the first time?
O-A VisaThailand ImmigrationVisa RequirementsTM.30 ReportingStay ExtensionNotarization RequirementsAddress RegistrationCondo RentalsBank NotarizationBackground Checks
Dec 17, 2018
7 years ago
Scott ********
ORIGINAL POSTERWoo-hoo! I got my O-A the other day. It wasn’t too difficult although I was worried about the notary requirement for most of the needed documents. No notary would notarize them because they can’t verify the documents are real. They basically notarize that I signed them in front of them and that I said the documents are truthful. Kind of like the catch-22 the embassies are in with the income verification letter. My questions/concerns are:
1. When I arrive Bangkok I need to make sure my arrival stamp is for 1 year. Before I leave the counter. Correct?
2. I’ll stay with a friend in Bangkok while I get a new passport with additional pages, I’m danger low. Bangkok does not require a TM.30, correct?
3. Although the address I submitted with my application is in Udon Thani (family home), I will go to Chiang Mai to search for land to build a house. (I know the rules, no need to comment on land purchases.) If I’m in a hotel no need to report. Once I settle into a condo rental I’ll need to have the house master report for me or if not, I need to do it myself. Is that correct?
Anything else I should be aware of? I normally come in on visa exempt so this will be my first entry on this visa and I'm sure there are things I don't yet know.
Thanks in advance
1. When I arrive Bangkok I need to make sure my arrival stamp is for 1 year. Before I leave the counter. Correct?
2. I’ll stay with a friend in Bangkok while I get a new passport with additional pages, I’m danger low. Bangkok does not require a TM.30, correct?
3. Although the address I submitted with my application is in Udon Thani (family home), I will go to Chiang Mai to search for land to build a house. (I know the rules, no need to comment on land purchases.) If I’m in a hotel no need to report. Once I settle into a condo rental I’ll need to have the house master report for me or if not, I need to do it myself. Is that correct?
Anything else I should be aware of? I normally come in on visa exempt so this will be my first entry on this visa and I'm sure there are things I don't yet know.
Thanks in advance
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the author's recent experience obtaining an O-A visa and poses several questions about the entry process in Thailand. Key concerns include ensuring that the arrival stamp grants a one-year stay, the necessity of TM.30 registration while staying with a friend, and the process for reporting address changes when moving. The comments provide additional insights and tips on navigating the visa process, including notary requirements and the importance of checking the immigration stamp upon arrival.
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Robert *******
As the OP has all the information, I don't see any benefit to keep this topic open for others to show their Non Immigrant O-A visa. To all remember, always check your stamp when enter the country, for this visa it must be 1 year. And the big benefit of this visa is if you enter just before or on the valid until / enter before date you still get 1 year of stay, but that year is not multiple entry any more so you need a re-entry permit to keep this stay alive. Good luck.
Bjørn *********
Never need to notorize DOC.
James ********
Its a requirement in the USA to have four items notarized.
Reply to
James ********
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Bjørn *********
I get my Non imm o a multiple, from embassy in Oslo ..for many years..
Marty *********
Yes. The notary thing was a little weird. Not everyplace would do it. There were a lot of documents and copies to notarize. Expensive!
Patricia **********
Nothing good is cheap 🙏🏻
Scott ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
Me too. It was nice having visibility on its travels.James ********
@Scott *******
.I used USPost Office 2-3 day Priority Mail. As recommended by the Thai Consulate. I could track the day my passport was put back into the US Mail.Marty *********
@James *******
I did my with UPS. I got it in the mail in a week which was just fine. I have not record and the document was particularly unimpressive. I'm glad they accepted it.James ********
@Marty ********
my local police department took my form ...had me wait in reception area 20 minutes. Officer came out with the single page report Stamped by the Police Department...No Record.Scott ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marty ********
Ouch!Scott ********
ORIGINAL POSTERFree on base and $5 at the city hall because she didn’t know if her stamp would meet the requirements or not.
Marty *********
Congratulations.
Marty *********
Hmmm. Didn't think about the bank notary. Good for you. I think I spent over $200 with the notary. Paid for my criminal background check too. No fee for the doctor medical form though. I went to the LA Consulate in person and was under a time constraint so I did what was expedient. I didn't have a lot of time to research alternatives.
James ********
@Marty ********
my bank notarized all required pages..FREE. Copies cheap on my own copier. My hometown Police Report FREE. My doctor completed signed medical form FREE. Used my Annual Social Security Report for prior year as sent to me for use.in prep of my Federal Income taxes. As well as my Annual pension statement from my company that is submitted in prep of US Federal Income taxes.I signed and dated each and every page mailed to the Thai Consulate... Even though not required.
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James ********
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Bernd ***********
Welcome to Thailand and up-to 2 year stress free living if you keep your TM30 and 90day reporting in order. Enjoy ...🤗
James ********
Congratulations ... I got mine from Los Angeles a few weeks ago. As you stated...my signature was notarized on each of the four required pages needing notarization. Also I prepared a one page statement letter to the Thai Consulate stating that all included herein with my application was true and correct. Notarized signature on this letter too. The Consulate even replied to me same day as I sent an e-mail to them. Two week turnaround time for issue of the O-A. But we aware of holidays when Thai Immigration in USA are Closed.
Upon arrival into BKK ...Immigration Officer stamped me in for one year stay. Today my Thai friend is at Pattaya Immigration submitting the TM 30 form as I stay in a house owned by him.
No page taken up by the TM30 form in your passport. Enjoy Thailand.
Merry Christmas.
Upon arrival into BKK ...Immigration Officer stamped me in for one year stay. Today my Thai friend is at Pattaya Immigration submitting the TM 30 form as I stay in a house owned by him.
No page taken up by the TM30 form in your passport. Enjoy Thailand.
Merry Christmas.
James ********
😁😁😁
Scott ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
I totally agree.James ********
@Scott *******
..over my 12+ years being retired ...I have always found having my Thai friend with me at Thai Immigration was most helpful and works wonders at times.James ********
@Scott *******
we both went this morning. The lines were long and Desk Immigration Officer suggested my friend return after 1pm ..and no need for me to be with him. We had printed out the online TM30 form. I completed the second page which lists my info and O-A #.Scott ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
Quite the friend to go to immigration for you while you lounge around with a suitable cocktail! I’ll probably take my friend with me when I go to immigration in BKK (the city, not the airport.Reply to
Scott ********
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Robert *******
1. Yes, check the stamp, it must be 1 year of Admitted to Stay. 2. Many condo complexes in Bangkok now handing out documents that people need to register, if he has a condo ask him how they handle or just visit Immigration to make the registration. There are Police checks in Bangkok and no registration done means you will be fined. 3. If you stay at hotels they need to do this registration, you can ask for a print screen as proof they did it. If you stay on private address talk with the owner, who is going to make the report.
Liam *****
With respect, I wouldn't say that 'many condo complexes' require address registration in Bangkok. There are a small number that have advertised that you need to do it, and an even smaller number that have been checked by police. The overwhelming status quo in Bangkok is still that people don't file address registration (i know the law says you need to, but it hasn't been enforced). That situation may soon change. Ask your friend, but if he says "what's that" then I wouldn't take any further action, if I were you.
Robert *******
@Scott *******
If you change to Chang Mai you file the TM 30. The TM 28 is most of the time seen by Immigration as if you change address to live on that address in the same region under that Immigration Office.Scott ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ******
While actually using the search function for this forum I discovered that a TM.28 is a change of address form I believe. So if I file the TM.30 in Bangkok would I then need to file a TM.28 in Chiang Mai?Scott ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ******
Thanks Robert. Sounds pretty straight forward. Any mistakes are on me now.Reply to
Scott ********
Reply
Al *******
How do you plan on getting a new non imm o-a multi entry visa when your passport is replaced? I don’t believe visas can be transferred between passports.
Robert *******
Al Olsen Yes, but a country can not cancel a visa inside that passport from other countries. So he can use the visa for travel till the enter before / valid until date on the visa.
Al *******
Robert Lagas thanks, good to know!
Robert *******
Don't need to get a new Non Immigrant O-A visa, just use two passport while travel.
Reply to
Robert *******
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