TB Immigration Info Brief 084/20: Important update of the web page of the Thai Embassy in The Hague
Reporter: RonnyLatYa
The website of the embassy in The Hague has received an important update (November 15). For example, the Non-Immigrant O (Retirement) visa and the Re-entry (Retirement residence period) are now also mentioned.
It doesn't actually say that you can't apply for that Non-immigrant O visa as "Retired" (or I should have read about it). However, readers who contacted the embassy received a response that this only concerns foreigners who already possess a Non-immigrant O, or who possess a Re-entry.
Not very clear that way.
“STEP 2 – Apply for a corresponding type of visa, (if you FIT in one of the groups above)
....
GROUP 10 : Non-immigrant O (retirement) visas, unless you have already had a valid re-entry permit (retirement) last at least until 3 days after the completion of your quarantine period
There is also a statement in the Non-immigrant O application requirements that the 400 Inpatient/000 Outpatient must now also be met. Just like applying for a Non-immigrant OA.”
You can read it all in detail here:
Information for non-Thai nationals planning to visit Thailand (during COVID-19 pandemic) (update 15 November) hague.thaiembassy.org/th/content/118896-measures-to-control-the-spread-of-covid-19
Non-Immigrant Visa O (others): /hague.thaiembassy.org/th/page/76474-non-immigrant-visa-o-(others)
Non-Immigrant Visa OA (long stay): hague.thaiembassy.org/th/page/76475-non-immigrant-visa-oa-(long-stay)
Note: “Reactions are very welcome on the subject, but limit yourself here to the subject of this “TB Immigration Infobrief. If you have other questions, if you would like to see a topic covered, or if you have information for the readers, you can always send it to the editors. Only use https://www.thailandblog.nl/contact/ for this. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation”
Unfortunately it is too late for me to take advantage of that rule 10 my extension immu o visa expires on December 3rd.
I live in Thailand (Chiang Mai), have a retirement Visa (faithfully renewed every year for more than 9 years) The validity expires on December 21, 2020, and until then I have a reentry permit. I am (still) stuck in Europe after a family visit in March 2020. Living in Chiang Mai on a long term rent and in a steady relationship but not married.
Until now, the rules didn't allow me to go back home.
Is that now possible with these new rules (finally)?
I can't see the wood for the trees anymore.
Ton. Yes, provided (= provided that) you are out of your quarantine period before December 18!
So probably here https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/
upload the necessary items. After that you get an initial approval, then upload flight ticket and ASQ hotel documents.
The Thai embassy has clearly made a translation error:
It says: “GROUP 10 : Non-immigrant O (retirement) visa, UNLESS you have already had a valid re-entry permit (retirement) lasted at least until 3 days after the completion of your quarantine period”.
UNLESS = unless.
However, it means: MITS (= provided that)
No, I got it wrong:
GROUP 10 : Non-Thai Nationals who wish to visit Thailand to spend their retirement (retired or is at least 50 years of age)
(So you can apply for a visa for retirement.)
“STEP 2 – Apply for a corresponding type of visa, (if you FIT in one of the groups above)
(Then you choose the right visa.)
GROUP 10 : Non-immigrant O (retirement) visas, unless you have already had a valid re-entry permit (retirement) last at least until 3 days after the completion of your quarantine period.
This means: you can apply for a non-O UNLESS (so you DO NOT HAVE to if) you already have one – with valid re-entry!)
No dear Sjoerd, the text is indeed good. What you are looking at is step 2 in the process and that concerns the application for a visa.
It says (translated to Dutch): GROUP 10 : Non-immigrant O (retirement) visa, unless you already have a valid re-entry permit (retirement) lasting at least 3 days after the completion of your quarantine period
Then if you belong to this Group 10, you apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa “unless” you already have 1 (and then it is still valid) and you have a re-entry which is still valid.
Sjoerd,
I don't think the Thai embassy in The Hague made a translation error with 'unless'.
Just look at:
https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/119247-requirements-for-certificate-of-entry-during-travel-restriction
“For retirement (Non-Immigrant O)
....
If your visa has expired, you have to apply for a new visa. You must meet the requirements for non-O visas, with the additional requirement that applicants have health insurance for outpatient not less than 40,000 Baht and for inpatient not less than 400,000 Baht. Please check for more information regarding the insurance requirement.”
I have more trouble with the words "had" and "lasted" in that sentence.
Better would be: “GROUP 10: Non-immigrant O (retirement) visa, unless you already have a valid entry permit (retirement), which will last at least 3 days after completing your quarantine period”
PS: I have not seen that 3-day requirement on the websites of Brussels, London, Berlin and Bern.
I just came from the embassy in Amsterdam. Went to apply for a tourist visa on good luck. The employee congratulated me. Since yesterday they were allowed to be provided again. I was the first Dutch person to submit an application.
Which forms did you have to submit Michiel? I have not yet found a visa service that confirms this. Also let us know if it worked. Good luck!
Is this fake news or can it raise the flag for many. As far as I know, the Thai embassy is in The Hague and the consulate is in Amsterdam. Where have you been now? It will surely be a tourist visa plus with all those additional conditions, because the Netherlands is not on the list of countries to which this package does not apply.
Hi Michiel, did you have to show a ticket and hotel reservation (quarantine stay).
When can you travel
In my opinion, the Netherlands is not yet on the list of low-risk countries
If you have the visa, you must apply for a Certificate of Entry and those requirements are attached to that.
I did not have to provide a ticket or hotel reservation.
Do show that I have € 15.000 in the bank for six months and the Menzis policy in English stating that I am insured without a maximum, also Covid related.
Paid € 35,00 and can pick up on Thursday if all goes well.
I have to arrange quarantine myself on some website.
Have applied for a visa for 90 days and indicated that I am retired.
And yes, I was in Amsterdam, sorry I accidentally write embassy. will never do that again.
Were you not told about the Certificate of Entry?
https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/
Bargain then, I see on the site of the Consulate in Amsterdam that the Non-Immigrant costs 70 Euro and a tourist visa 35 Euro. And that you cannot enter Thailand with a tourist visa, but you can if you belong to 1 of the 10 eligible groups and then need to have or apply for a Non-Immigrant visa. I would consult the site of the Thai embassy in The Hague again. Because you must then apply for a COE and then you must have a Non-Immigrant visa.
If you belong to group 9 then you should have a tourist visa, I read myself. Then 35 Euro is correct for a tourist visa.
This amount must be in a 'non-Thai' bank, because a tourist does not have a bank account in Thailand.
“Applied for a 90-day visa and indicated that I am retired.”
If you paid 35 Euro then you have a SETV. (Single Entry Tourist Visa). The validity period is 3 months, but you will only receive a 60-day stay upon entry.
Normally you can extend that once by 30 days at immigration, but I don't know whether that will also be allowed in Corona times.
That you have indicated that you have requested 90 days and that you are retired is not relevant for a Tourist visa.
Tourist visa (single entry) valid for a stay of sixty (60) consecutive days in Thailand.
– Completed and signed application form.
- Valid passport
– Copy of the passport ( page with the photo )
– Copy of the flight details
– 1 passport photo (colour, black and white, normal size)
– Costs are 35 euros, only cash payment with the application.
The visa is valid for ninety (90) days from the day of application. This means that you must enter Thailand within ninety (90) days from the day of your visa application. Your days of stay will count sixty (60) days from the day of entry through the day of departure.
https://www.royalthaiconsulate-amsterdam.nl/visum-toelichting/
According to the website of the Thai embassy, this is indeed possible and can indeed be requested from the Consulate. The Tourist Visa is limited to Single Entry.
GROUP 9 : Non-Thai Nationals who wish to visit Thailand for tourism purpose. You must be able to present a bank statement with a minimum balance of 15,000 EUR for the last 6 consecutive months.
GROUP 9 : Tourist visa (single entry only)
To apply for a visa, please prepare all required documents and contact Royal Thai Embassy, The Hague (prior appointment required) OR contact Royal Thai Honorary Consulate-General in Amsterdam (except Non-immigrant OA and OX visas) to submit your applications.
A CoE is now a requirement for every entry, so no one can escape that.
https://hague.thaiembassy.org/th/content/118896-measures-to-control-the-spread-of-covid-19
https://hague.thaiembassy.org/th/page/76467-tourism,-medical-treatment
5. EXTENSION OF STAY
……
The extension of stay as well as the change of certain type of visas is solely at the discretion of the Immigration officer.
Hello Michiel, could you explain what exactly you received from Menzis? The complete policy or a “proof of insurance letter” in English that does not mention any amounts? I received one like that, but I thought it was not accepted because no amounts were mentioned...
Such an English proof of insurance, in which no amounts are mentioned but Covid-19 coverage is mentioned, was accepted in my case when applying for the Certificate of Entry.
Indeed, an A4 sheet in English stating that all costs, worldwide, including Covid-related treatments, will be reimbursed. Without there being a maximum.
I submitted a Non-O to the Consulate in August, application was approved, paid 70 Euro. When everything was sent to The Hague, COE rejected it. So request collected again at Consulate.
By this I mean that you can apparently be approved for a visa, even if you do not meet the COE requirements of that moment. NL is currently a high-risk country.
So the congratulations seem a bit premature to me, but, I follow your follow-up with interest.
and that's why it's there now
STEP 3 – Apply for the Certificate of Entry (COE), (AFTER you obtain a correct visa)
https://hague.thaiembassy.org/th/content/118896-measures-to-control-the-spread-of-covid-19
You couldn't enter Thailand with a non-O in August, right?
You are absolutely right, my apologies. I've looked up the emails. I was around September 24th trying to arrive in BKK on October 15th. Sorry for the fake news 🙂
My extension of non-immigration o expires on December 3, so I can no longer use rule 10. Can I then apply for a tourist visa and then convert it into a non-immigration o in Thailand.
That is a risk that you are going to take in the current circumstances.
Under normal circumstances you can convert a Tourist status to a Non-immigrant status. This is usually accepted without any problems.
Whether people will accept it now, with the corona measures, is something else. I certainly wouldn't just assume that it is possible now.
If not, you should take into account that you may not be able to extend for 30 days and have to leave Thailand again after 60 days. You can then start from the beginning again.
https://hague.thaiembassy.org/th/page/76467-tourism,-medical-treatment
5. EXTENSION OF STAY
……
The extension of stay as well as the change of certain type of visas is solely at the discretion of the Immigration officer.
So I can if I read it correctly. Apply to return to Thailand. My O visa extension runs until March 17. Sitting here in a holiday home waiting until I can return. Jan
Yes, if you have applied for re-entry before you left Thailand. That re-entry will keep the date of March 17, 21 valid.
It is not just enough that your renewal stamp says March 17. You must also have a Re-entry before leaving Thailand. If you do not have a re-entry, your extension until March 17 has also expired.
If you do have that re-entry, you can submit the application.
My NON-O extension of stay and Reentry have unfortunately just expired. So I will have to start over. The fact that I now have to take out a health insurance policy that is completely meaningless to me does not make it any easier and a lot more expensive.
What is meant by: A prove of retirement / early retirement (Purpose 4)? I am over 50 and no longer work but no pension income (yet).
I wonder that too, I'm not officially retired yet, but I'm 50+ and can put the required 800.000 thb in a Thai bank.
A (disability) benefit from the UWV, AOW benefit from the SVB and pension benefits from pension funds are accepted as proof.
And yes Henk, in some cases it can be difficult to prove that you are no longer working.
Demonstrate with bank statements - with all credits and debits - of 3 or more months that you do not receive any wages?
Best to ask the embassy.
Hi Hank. I could show that I have money in the bank in NL. Then you do not have to prove that you are retired for your visa application.
Jack, thanks for the response.
I have just been in contact with the Thai Embassy about this; Sufficient income from assets is not important now. I must show an AOW or a (company) pension statement and/or another pension statement. But, and here it comes, with this and my other questions it was always explicitly stated that the handling “Officer” can decide otherwise. MAW I can try with bank statements!!! So it's a matter of luck or not.
The gentleman who works at the Consulate approved my bank statements/balances. Like you, I do not have an AOW or a pension and therefore cannot demonstrate this. You are right that the outcome can differ per applicant and per person who approves a visa application.
My retirement visa expires next June. I booked ASQ, bought a ticket from Lufthansa, KLM will no longer fly to Bangkok until February, uploaded the necessary bank details, retirement visa and residence statement, insurance, and voila, COE.
Piece of cake. December 13th I will be back in my own house.
Unfortunately my annual visa “O” expired in September, so I can't get back on it. Got stranded in New Zealand, which is considered a safe country. However, at the Thai embassy Wellington, only married or volunteers are eligible for an “O” visa. So no Retirement, for that again only “OA” visa applies. Which has so many requirements that they cannot be requested from here.
Another problem is that I also do not have a visa here, New Zealand does not issue it. May stay here on an intirum (temporary exemption) visa letter for up to 6 months (have been here for 9 months) and if rejected I have 21 days to leave.
Think I can only return to Thailand with a normal tourist visa. Just wait.
Since since 15-11 in Europe, holders of a NON-Immigrant “O” visa (plus Certificate of Entry) have been allowed back into Thailand, I advise you to contact (call or email) the embassy in Wellington and to ask whether you will be admitted again from now on with a new application for NON-Immigrant “O” (plus CoE).
Please note that you will now also need to provide proof of $400k In and $40k Outpatient insurance with your “O” application.
I submitted the form for a CoE application today and if all goes well I will receive a message in 3 days. I have a Non O visa until January 5, 2021 and a re-entry. I now started to prepare a bit and see what the ongoing costs are upon approval:
(Budgeting is important anyway, so to keep it fun)
Upon approval
1 = fit to fly (general practitioner)
2= test Covig-19
3=Flight with whom (and when)?
4= Cost of Quarantine Hotel (which one)
5 = The hospital if things go completely wrong (covig-19 2nd control A symptomatic positive)
Perhaps members can add more points