Changes to Category O Visas

[billyhouston]

Like many Brits, I have been in the habit of obtaining my 'non-immigrant Category O visa' from the (normally excellent) Thai Consulate in Hull. In the light of the changes regarding the back-to-back visa exempt situation, I decided to take a look at their latest 'Additional Evidence for Non-Immigrant Visas' document.

 

In comparing the document dated 15.04.13 with that of 10.02.14 I notice significant changes. The following are based on the documents which, presumably, reflect Hull's interpretation of the regulations:

 

1. Married to a Thai national.

 

Additional documents required including copy of Thai Spouses ID card (or passport). There is also a requirement to show a regular income of minimum Bht 65,000 per month with the admonition that this may be checked

 

2. Visiting non Thai family working and/or living in Thailand.

 

This category has been removed.

 

3. Visiting Thailand as Retired Person aged between 50 and 64 years.

 

This category has been removed.

 

Presumably those in 2 and 3 above are now required to get a Tourist Visa.

 

 

There are also changes, in the same document, to the requirements for a Category B Visa:

 

"Applicant taking up employment in Thailand with a company located in Thailand.

Evidence required:

a) Letter of Invitation from Thai company stating rationale for employing/hiring applicant and objective(s) of visit.

b) Copy of Contract of Employment with Thai company stating position and salary to be

signed by authorised Director and to include Company Seal.

c) Copy of corporate registration documents from Thai company including:-

1) List of shareholders

2) Business registration and licence.

3) Company profile

4) Details of business operation

5) List of all foreign workers stating names, nationalities and positions

6) Map indicating location of company

7) Company Balance Sheet and Statements of Income Tax and Business Tax

(Por Ngor Dor 50 and Por Ngor Dor 30) for latest year

Alien Income Tax Return (Por Ngor Dor 91)

9) Value Added Tax Registration (Por Ngor Dor 20)

10) Copy of all pages (including blank ones) of Work Permit (if applicable)."

 

Those of us old fogies in receipt of our NI Pension do not appear to be affected.

[ceejay]

The O-A category still exists on the Thai Embassy website ( http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/49 ) but the description has changed:

 

To applicants aged 50 and over who wish to stay in Thailand for an entended period without the intention of working.

 

No mention any more of the need to be a retired person at this age. If you look at the download "Visa application pack" on the Hull Consulate website, then you will see that this type of visa can only be issued by the Royal Thai Embassy, and so that is presumably why no mention of it is made in their (Hull's) "Additional Evidence........" doxcument.