VISA INFO - URGENT!

[STEVE G]

Lomu, no, since they brought that rule in I’ve ensured that I’ve kept under 90 days. They do sometimes check as well, but I have so many stamps I’ve noticed that often they find the math’s too much bother and give up after a few pages.
This is a good point because I’m trying to change my working pattern to spend more time in Thailand, but that would mean either driving to Cambodia for a new 30 day stamp or getting a tourist visa every time. Seeing as how I would still have to work more than half the time, the visa run would perhaps be easier as long as they don’t make it too much bother.
Getting a tourist visa from Luxembourg is not as simple; there is no facility here and I would have to waste time going to Brussels or Frankfurt or where-ever.

[rosievictoria]

Hi Lomuamart & Nerus
As I said it's a different form than last year and it has November 2007 on the back.
I am applying for a 90 day Non-Immigrant Visa "O" for the period 13th June to 10th September 2008.
Yes you both gave me good information about the Retirement Visa but at present just doing the 90 day thing.
Also on the back of the new form it says:"A toursit visa is valid for either 30 day or 60 day stay in Thailand, from the day of entry.
Please contact the Consulate to determine whether your visa will give you a 30 day or 60 day stay in Thailand."
"The cost of a tourist visa is $45 per entry."
They have written on my form $90 per entry for 90 days.
I spoke to them and they said everything was different than last year.
So I would say November 2007 was when it all changed.
You now also have to provide two photos and an Itinerary.
Come 14th March I will see what happens .
This is my 12th trip to Thailand and as I said just used to get a visa a month before with no fuss.
I agree what if you decide to do a trip on the spur of the moment.
rosievictoria

[lomuamart]

rosievictoria,
Thats all a bit strange. As far as a "visa" for 30 days is concerned, take a look here:
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2490
Australian citizens don't need a visa to visit Thailand as long as the stay is less than 30 days.
A Tourist visa will give you 60 days on arrival and you can extend that within Thailand for another 30 days - fee 1,900 Baht.
I appreciate you're applying for a Non O visa which will give the full 90 days on arrival, but I just can't get my head around why you need to apply so far in advance - ie 90 days.
You mention that you'll know more on March 14th. Please let us know how it turns out because this does seem like a strange "rule". (For instance, I got my Non O visa in Penang last month and it took 24 hours to process. I had all the required documents).

[lomuamart]

rosievictoria,
Another thought, after looking at my single-entry Non Immigrant O visa. From the day it's issued and put in your passport, it's valid for 90 days. So, you've got to enter Thailand before that time limit. As long as you do, you'll get a "permitted to stay stamp" for 90 days from date of entry.
Maybe that's where the confusion is? You could apply for the visa on Monday, get it back on Wednesday, but you've got to use it before the 90 days is up. You could come over here on day 88 of the visa's validity and still get an entry of 90 days. The permitted to stay stamp superceds the visa's validity in that instance.
Hope I'm making sense.

[ozuncle]

rosievictoria,
You are confused and are confusing me.
Why do you bother with the non imm visa. That is for long stay.
Lomu told you the same thing last year.
Just get a 60 day tourist visa (easy) and extend for 30 days.

[Nereus]

rosievictoria,
Another thought, after looking at my single-entry Non Immigrant O visa. From the day it's issued and put in your passport, it's valid for 90 days. So, you've got to enter Thailand before that time limit. As long as you do, you'll get a "permitted to stay stamp" for 90 days from date of entry.
Maybe that's where the confusion is? You could apply for the visa on Monday, get it back on Wednesday, but you've got to use it before the 90 days is up. You could come over here on day 88 of the visa's validity and still get an entry of 90 days. The permitted to stay stamp superceds the visa's validity in that instance.
Hope I'm making sense.

Yes Lomu, I was just going to comment on that. If you travel on day 91 after the date the the visa was issued, then it it will be expired before you leave home. Something not right here; I am willing to bet that if you could find a way to get access to the Consulate records that you would find a change of staff around, or just before the date Rosie is quoting. I am also willing to bet that this "rule" does not apply in Perth. Perhaps ozuncle could call and ask them?

http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2489

[ozuncle]

The 90 day period is not relevant in Perth (at least not 2 months ago)
A mate got his retirement visa.
The police report must come from Canberra which I think can take 4 to 6 weeks.
But again, why go to all this trouble for a 90 day stay?
You can walk into the Consulate office and get a 60 day tourist visa immediately. Then extend.

[ozuncle]

Sorry, When a visa is issued it must be used within 90 days of the issuing date. I thought that was always the case.
It was rosievictoria's (must apply 90 days prior to travelling) which I was referring to as not being applicable in Perth.

[lomuamart]

Sorry, When a visa is issued it must be used within 90 days of the issuing date. I thought that was always the case.
It was rosievictoria's (must apply 90 days prior to travelling) which I was referring to as not being applicable in Perth.

Yup. Likewise, a Tourist visa must be used within 60 days. The Non Imm O single entry within 90 days and a multi-entry Non O within a year.

[Nereus]

Sorry, When a visa is issued it must be used within 90 days of the issuing date. I thought that was always the case.
It was rosievictoria's (must apply 90 days prior to travelling) which I was referring to as not being applicable in Perth.

No, it is not what she has written:

quote:They have changed the goal posts here in Australia and now you must apply and be stamped 90 days before you are to arrive in Thailand.
I will arrive on 13th June 2008 and must present all paperwork,money etc on 14th March 2008 at the Royal Thai Consulate in Melbourne.
unquote

I thought that the police clearance proceedure had changed since I got my last one in Perth, but I do not believe it has to go to Canberra?

http://www.police.wa.gov.au/OurServices ... fault.aspx

[ozuncle]

Nereus,
My mate had to apply to the Federal Police, not WA.
http://www.afp.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf ... _CR100.pdf
Page 6 shows the address it had to go to.
He told me the main problem in the time it takes, is the fingerprint check.

I've got to admit I am confused about what rosie said so perhaps I should just keep quiet.

[rosievictoria]

Hi Nereus
What you have written as my quote is correct.
I have to apply and be stamped 90 days before I leave for Thailand.
That is why I am going 14th March to put in my application and pay so that it will be correct for my arrival in Thailand on 13th June 2008.They changed the rules in November 2007 it seems.
All will be revealed on 14th March.
rosievictoria

[dtaai-maai]

Hi Nereus
What you have written as my quote is correct.
I have to apply and be stamped 90 days before I leave for Thailand.
That is why I am going 14th March to put in my application and pay so that it will be correct for my arrival in Thailand on 13th June 2008.They changed the rules in November 2007 it seems.
All will be revealed on 14th March.
rosievictoria

I still find this difficult to believe. I would strongly advise you to get confirmation of this from a supervising officer, because, as has already been pointed out, your visa would normally have to be used within 90 days - in other words you must arrive at your destination by the 90th day, or it will no longer be valid. It therefore makes no sense, even by the standards of Thai officialdom, to require someone to get a visa 90 days before they travel.

[Wanderlust]

I agree with dtaai-maai - it sounds a lot like someone at the consulate/embassy there misreading or misinterpreting the rule, and it is worth either a quick phone call to the same place, or to one of the other consulates in your country to check. I have just looked at the website for the Thai Embassy in Australia and there is no mention of this at all, but I did find this -

VISA FEES
Non-immigrant visa
AUSD $90.00 per entry and
AUSD $225.00 for multiple entries.
(for Investors & former Thai citizens)
Tourist visa
AUSD $45.00 per entry
Transit visa
AUSD $35.00 per entry
When submitting applications by mail, please include a self-addressed registered Australia Post envelope or arrange for the pick-up of applicant’s passport and visa via a pre-paid Federal Express, UPS, or DHL with applicant’s account number.
VALIDITY OF VISA:
Visa has a three (3) month validity and as a result, must be utilized within three (3) months from the date of issue. (more than 3-months up to 1-year validity of visa may be granted on a case-by-case basis if more than one or multiple entry visa is issued.)
PROCESSING TIME:
• Applications are usually processed within two (2) working days if submitted in person.
• Applying by mail will take approximately one week plus mailing time.

I think that pretty much answers the question, but the phone call has to be worth it. Or you could email them on info@thaiembassy.org.au. The website address is http://www.thaiembassy.org.au/ but you probably already knew that!

[rosievictoria]

Thank you dtaai-maai and Wanderlust for your interest.
What you have quoted Wanderlust is from last years application.
At the risk of repeating myself I will be at the Royal Thai Consulate in St Kilda Road Melbourne on Friday 14th March to get and pay for a 90 day Non -Immigrant Visa "O" so that I can arrive in Thailand on 13th June 2008.
I have checked and double checked and that is what is required this year for me to return to Thailand .
rosievictoria