Does anyone have recent experience getting a Type-O visa (90-day, retirement) from the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles? If so, were you asked to provide evidence of health insurance? The Type O-A has a health insurance requirement but the info on the LA Consulate's website does not list health insurance as a requirement for Type O. We've emailed the consulate to confirm but they just reply by sending a link to their website. Hopefully the info on the website is accurate but people's real experience is the best indicator. Thanks!

RECENT CHANGE at Thai Consulate in Los Angeles for Non-Immigrant O eVisa to stay with Thai Family residing in Thailand (Marriage)

Same time last year I successfully applied online and received a one year multiple-entry Non-Immigrant O eVisa (based on marriage). I have been traveling outside of Thailand frequently during the past year which has prevented me from extending it in Thailand. I’m now back in the US and trying to reapply for the same visa but the only option available is SINGLE ENTRY. I just contacted the consulate in LA via LINE and received quick response confirming that ONLY SINGLE ENTRY availble since “regulations changed on November 28, 2023.”

Hi everyone,

Does Thai consulate in Los Angeles offer multiple visa entry for 1 year for Non-O or just 60 days tourist visa(+30 day extension) at the moment? I am planning to go back to Thailand in near end Feb.

Thank you everyone

I'm American. Today, I called the Thai consulate in Los Angeles. They told me I could apply for a retirement visa there successfully, and they would give me a "fit to fly" certificate so I could enter Thailand. They told me I had to buy a plane ticket to thailand on one of four specific plane carriers. Of course, I'd need to buy health insurance and quarantine.

But they assured me that I could enter Thailand.

I've read hundreds of posts from people saying they can't get in, but the Los Angeles consulate says they are issuing many types of visas.

Any comments?

So Today I got my Long Stay OA Visa at the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles. Thank you to this Group who suggested I bite the bullet and go back to California to get the correct visa as I was using an ED visa and, genuinely learning Thai yet it was a pure headache (for me). James had recently been to L.A and handed out some great supplemental advise on top of everything.

Here is what I did. I dropped my paperwork off on Monday (25 minutes) and came back Tuesday (before lunch) and was out, back on the street within 15 minutes.

First things first, follow the L.A. Consulate website verbatim and you'll be okay. I prepared mine in a nice clear plastic paged binder in the same sequence as noted on the website with 4 copies of each document. It was noticed and she thanked me for such a nice presentation (I guess they see a lot) and said you only need two of this and three of that in the future, I just smiled back.

Here is the list I presented (nothing notarized per email communication with the consulate):

Passport Copies

Ventura County Sherrif (where I am from) background, criminal check

Medical Certificate (less than 6 months old) obtained in Bangkok prior to my return.

Airline ticket (email) back to Thailand

Application for Visa * Here, you put an original passport photo, not photocopied on each of the copies* BE SURE TO HAVE 4 photos (not 3). I always carry a few extra, saved me this time.

Additional Application (found on website as well)

Bank statements, I clarified with them prior to going via email, as my bank is in Hawaii, would be difficult for them to have been notarized by them. They said no problem to just print out and present. It is noted, they have my name and USA address (family member) along with, and she pointed out is a key factor, the branch name/adresss in Hawaii

I presented two months/quarters where relevant of both my US checking, US savings and My Thai Savings showing money going in and then out. Again, nothing notarized.

I showed her my health insurance quotes, she just said not necessary until next month. This is a seperate issue so enough said on that.

The rest of the information made available to them were: Copy of my Thai Drivers Licenses, Any copy of any document provided to me by Thai immigration, TM30, 90 day, etc., within the last year along with a copy of my current lease. And documentation from the school I was/am attending in Bangkok. She (pre check) flipped through everything and did not seem to care either way and handed me back my document holder. The visa issue guy, did not ask to see it.

This was my experience, I hope it helps. Feel free to ask any questions deemed relevant to my experience. I reiterate, I dont know what will happen with the insurance as I return in November, but, my visa is stamped/dated prior to the 31st.

Mission accomplished.

I got my Non-Immigrant O-A from the Thai consulate in Los Angeles. Here is what I did.

Filled in the the visa application ([members only]) and additional information form ([members only]). When I had filled in the forms before, I downloaded them as PDFs, so when filling them in this time, much of the information was already there. Made the process much easier and legible.

I got my medical certificate ([members only]) before I left Thailand from Bangkok Hospital in Phuket Town. 1800 B for the exam. Bonus, I'm healthy!

Got the passport photos from a CVS drug store. SMH, because I had extra ones at home and forgot to bring them with me. $35!

Went to a local Social Security office and got an "award letter" indicating my monthly SS payments. I could have downloaded them from the SSA website, but I decided that an actual original form would be better. Go to the office early and it shouldn't take much time at all.

Went to my pension plan's office and got income verification letter. Easy peasy.

Added the total of the SS and pension monthly amounts. Just barely made the 65,000 Baht minimum. Yay! No dealing with minimum balances in a Thai bank, one of the biggest reasons for getting the O-A in your home country (the other being the ability to extend the visa for almost another year without leaving Thailand).

Found a local place that does "Live Scan" verification. CA DoJ has a list of places ([members only]) The same kind of place that does notary services. They did the fingerprint scan and submitted it to the State of California DoJ. The guy said it would take 1 (Yay!) to 3 (Boo!) weeks, depending on if I had stuff on my record. A week later, the records came in the mail. The only thing on it was when I got fingerprinted for a job I had at a school 20 years ago.

Went back to the notary and got the medical certificate notarized. He said that I might need something called an "apostille" ([members only]) for additional verification, but I thought that the one report would be enough. I figured that I still had another week here and that if I needed one, I could come back. Turns out, I didn't need it (probably because Thailand is not a part of the "1961 Hague Convention").

Made 3 copies (1 original and 2 copies for consulate and one copy for me) of the visa form, additional form, first page of my passport (signed and dated, of course, because Thailand), return flight airline ticket from webpage, pension plan letter, Social Security letter, medical certificate and accompanying notarization, California DoJ criminal record and cover letter.

Got a money order for $200, made out to "Royal Thai Consulate".

I went to the consulate. Gave them my package and my passport. One person checked through all of my paperwork to make sure that everything was there, another person checked everything again, then started stamping all over the visa app. I assuming that that was the point that the application was approved. He said to come back the next day. The next morning, I went back and retrieved my passport with my new visa.

All in all, it was a pretty easy task. I allowed 3 weeks in LA to get this done and still have a week to spare. I hope this info will be helpful If you are, or will be in Southern California and want to get your O-A visa here.

Can I get a Visa for 87 days from The L. A. (USA) Thai Consulate. I bought a Round trip flight for a 87 day stay.

As I prepare to submit docs for my O-A "retirement" Visa to the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles, a couple of questions crossed my mind and my search through the site did not turn up any answers. That doesn't mean they're not there, but my search parameters may be inadequate!

1) Is a copy of my flight itinerary enough for the Consulate? I'm using award miles from one airline to fly on Star Alliance partner EVA Air and they have not issued an e-ticket. Instead I just have a detailed itinerary doc confirming flight details including my name, date, flight number, etc. That plus my passport will get me on the one-way flight, but is it sufficient for the visa application?

2) I bank with Schwab. Does anyone know whether a Schwab branch will notarize documents showing value of the bank and brokerage accounts?

TIA for answers to these questions!

Cheers,

William

Thai Consulate, Los Angeles - Today I received a E-mail from the Thai Consulate in LA in response to me asking them if a "Clearance letter" from my local Sheriffs office will suffice for the required police report - They asked me to scan and E-mail it to them for review. I'm happy to report that the $10 "Clearance letter" is just fine.

Hello, I am really confused on this VISA law. I am a US citizen still living in the USA. I am 71 next month. I want to move permanently to Chiang Mai In June 2019. I understand the income requirements and qualify. Which visa do I apply for thru the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles, CA. According to what I have read is I can ship my USED personal items into Thailand Duty-Free ONCE in conjunction with my move. It cannot be accomplished earlier than 30 days before my arrival and up to 6 months after my arrival. (Can be extended). I am not married and never lived in Thailand before. The confusion is which VISA and with my Customs Import Form I must attach a letter from Immigration giving me that DUTY FREE (one-time) status. Yes, I know how much that VISA costs. I hope my needs are clear. Please help. I do not know how to accomplish these requirements. I have all the forms, medical, police clearance, customs declaration, etc. I am taking a ‘tourist visit’ in April to open a Thai Bank account and find a condo to live.