Ask question

This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

Can I apply for an O-A visa if I'm not yet retired but over 50?

O-A visa Thailand visa options expat visas immigration rules retirement visa

Aug 5, 2025

22 days ago

Bigd **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I have been on paid administrative leave since February 1, in a DOGE deal to retire September 30 (thank you US taxpayers!) I have not worked since February but receive full pay and benefits. I will have all my O-A visa paperwork ready next week. I will arrive BKK October 25. I don't see anything that says I must already be retired. Consulate says "This type of visa may be issued to applicants aged 50 years and over who wish to stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 1 year without the intention of working. Holders of this type of visa are allowed to stay in Thailand for 1 year. Employment of any kind is strictly prohibited."  Do they mean working in Thailand? I'd like to submit my package early September but maybe I wait till Oct 1?

1,698

views

6

likes

60

all likes

35

replies

0

images

14

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is in a position to apply for an O-A visa, as they are over 50 and meet the application criteria. There are no specific requirements regarding being retired, although the visa is colloquially known as a retirement visa. The key restriction is that holders cannot work in Thailand. Various comments from other users confirm that it's possible to apply for the visa without having officially retired, and they advise on submitting the application early.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

Pelle Eriksson

Pelle Eriksson★★★★★

Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...

recently on Facebook

Luca G.

Luca G.★★★★★

I used this agency for my DTV Visa...

recently on Google

Trusted Retirement Visa Agent

OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED

#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND

John ********

This should work out great for you!

You didn’t work at your job (DOGE proved that) and now you can’t in Thailand.

How many years have you been collecting benefits and didn’t do a thing?

Like

Reply

Jeff *************

I agree paid this guy since Feb full salary and benefits what a joke

Like

Reply

Bigd **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jeff ************

It makes up for all the free-time I worked over 34 years!

Like

Reply

John ********

@Bigd *********

Why would you have worked for free? Whose fault was that if it’s true?

Like

Reply

Bigd **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

some people have a good work ethic for the mission. No fault, good attitude.

Like

Reply

John ********

@Bigd *********

Apparently The Dept. of Government Efficiency saw it differently.

Like

Reply

Reply to

John ********

Reply

Darren ******

No comments mentioned wanting to work in Thailand

Like

Reply

Jeremy ********

If you want to work in Thailand you have to have a work permit

You can’t work in any capacity on a retirement non-o visa

If you want to work in any capacity you will have to change your visa type

Like

Reply

Max *************

@Jeremy *******

Or get married to a Thai.

Like

Reply

Jeremy ********

@Max ************

even if you get married you still need a work permit

Like

Reply

Max *************

@Jeremy *******

The easiest way to work in Thailand is via a marriage to a Thai. Period.

Like

Reply

Jeremy ********

@Max ************

you still need a work visa…no matter how easy it is

Like

Reply

Max *************

@Jeremy *******

No "work visa" is needed when you're married to a Thai and on a Non-O based on marriage. Just the work permit.

Like

Reply

Jeremy ********

@Max ************

I want you to read very very very slowly what you wrote

Read it until you understand it

I’ll wait patiently for you to understand and reply

Like

Reply

Max *************

@Jeremy *******

A piece of advice, learn the correct terminology before you comment anything.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Max *************

Reply

Steve ***********

I'm in the same boat arriving 2 days later

Like

Reply

Pete ******

I will do the same thing. I have a contract with my company that says if I work until Feb 28 before I retire, they will give me six months salary continuance and six months paid benefits. I plan on calling myself retired. I also plan on going back to Thailand in March to live. I will get a type O visa here in the US before I leave.

Like

Reply

Peter *******

You might want to check the requirements for an O-A visa from the U.S. and an O visa obtain in country. Last I knew, there were different, with the O-A having more requirements.

Like

Reply

Donald **********

- You can get an O from outside Thailand. Just have to drill a little deeper into the visa options rather than pick O-A or O-X

Like

Reply

Pete ******

it's my understanding I can choose type O or OA while in the US.

Like

Reply

Graham ******

but the main requirement is being over 50 so mai pen rai

Like

Reply

Peter *******

I have not checked for a while but it used to be an O-A from the U.S. required continuous proof of medical insurance in Thailand while the O in country did not.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Peter *******

Reply

Kevin *********

Hey Bigd, I am on the same program that you are on. The family and I are flying out on September 2nd. You will be fine 😀. Congrats on your retirement.

Like

Reply

Bigd **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Kevin ********

Kevin, did you choose retired or employee on application?

Like

Reply

Bigd **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Kevin ********

thx! Congrats and enjoy!

Like

Reply

Reply to

Bigd **********

Reply

Roberto *********

As Brendan has said, although the O, OA and OX are colloquially referred to as "retirement visas", there is no requirement at all to be retired, only that the applicant is over 50. As with most visas in Thailand, employment in Thailand is prohibited. Many FIFO workers use the "retirement" visa as it's more convenient when making multiple trips to Thailand (where many have homes, wives, girlfriends, boyfriends), and the retirement visa means they don't ever get hassled by immigration when entering

Like

Reply

Jo **********

@Roberto ********

excellent response

Like

Reply

Reply to

Jo **********

Reply

Brandon ************

Although referred to as retirement visas, they are actually visas for people over 50, and the law that created them doesn't mention retirement at all.

The work prohibition for these visas is that they are work restricted for Thailand.

Like

Reply

Terje ***************

@Brandon ***********

Sorry to hijack this post, but I have a question regarding work in Thailand that I need a clear answer to; I am retired due to disability, but have an online business in Norway that I work with when my health allows me to. If I work with that, even when I'm in Thailand, would that be illegal?

Like

Reply

Brandon ************

@Terje **************

It's a grey area. Are you allowed to work? Not really. Is there any way for anyone to know you are working or to enforce it? Not really. A LOT of people work remotely without being on a visa specifically for that. A lot of people volunteer while on a visa that does not allow work. The odds of anything happening to you are incredibly low. Just don't advertise to everyone that you are doing it and you'll be fine.

Like

Reply

Dan ***********

@Terje **************

no

Like

Reply

Kim **********

@Terje **************

you cannot work in any form IN or FROM Thailand without a valid visa. You don’t need a work permit for remote work but you need either a dtv or ltr visa

Like

Reply

Max *************

@Terje **************

Maybe you should look into the DTV. It covers digital nomads.

Like

Reply

Terje ***************

@Max ************

That was not the question. I'm aware of the DTV, but for the time being that don't apply to me and my situation.

Like

Reply

Max *************

@Terje **************

Then the official answer to your question is yes. Thats why they came up with the DTV.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Max *************

Reply

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

... members · 60% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

Should I start the O-A visa process in the US or apply for a Non-O visa to get my retirement visa in Thailand?

31 comments

a month ago

Can I apply for a Non-O Visa in Thailand if I am not yet retired?

9 comments

2 months ago

What are the requirements and limitations of the Non-Immigrant O-A visa for Thailand?

17 comments

3 months ago

Can I apply for an extension of stay based on retirement before I turn 50?

6 comments

3 months ago

Can you apply for the non OA visa if you are under 50 years old?

5 comments

a year ago

Can I apply for an OA retirement visa in Thailand with a Thai bank account and health insurance?

48 comments

2 years ago

Can I apply for a NON-O visa in Thailand while working part-time for a US employer?

14 comments

2 years ago

Can I apply for a retirement 'O' visa at age 55 if I'm leaving Thailand at the end of June?

11 comments

3 years ago

Can I apply for a Non-Immigrant 'O' (Retirement) Visa if I'm not technically retired yet?

7 comments

4 years ago

Is it advisable to enter Thailand on a visa exemption when planning to apply for a retirement visa (OA) while over 50?

12 comments

4 years ago

What are my options for obtaining a Thai O Visa if I'm under 50 years old and currently retired?

56 comments

4 years ago

How can I obtain a Non-OA visa from the Thai embassy in the UK?

5 comments

5 years ago

Is Thailand currently issuing Non-Immigrant O-A retirement visas?

16 comments

5 years ago

What are the benefits and application details of the O-A Visa for retirement in Thailand for expats aged 50 and over?

0 comments

6 years ago

What are the benefits of applying for a Long Stay O-A visa in advance before retiring in Thailand?

5 comments

6 years ago

What is the O-A visa for Thailand and are there new health insurance requirements for foreigners over 50?

0 comments

6 years ago

What are the requirements and process for applying for a Thai retirement visa?

13 comments

7 years ago

Can a person under 50 with early retirement in their home country obtain a retirement visa in Thailand?

15 comments

7 years ago

Can I apply for a retirement extension on a Non-Immigrant O visa if I am not retired but over 50 and meet the income requirement?

5 comments

7 years ago

Can I apply for a retirement visa in Thailand before turning 50, or must I wait?

12 comments

7 years ago

How does the retirement visa work for expats in Thailand, including age requirements and financial criteria?

34 comments

7 years ago

Can I apply for a Non-O visa in Thailand if I am over 50 for retirement purposes?

14 comments

7 years ago

How soon before turning 50 can I apply for a Retirement visa in Thailand if I currently have a Non O visa based on marriage?

18 comments

8 years ago

What are the options for obtaining a long-term retirement visa in Thailand for someone over 50?

17 comments

8 years ago

Can someone under 50 apply for a retirement visa in Thailand just before turning 50?

4 comments

8 years ago

What is the best cannabis dispensary in Bangkok?

7 comments

a month ago

Where can I find the best cannabis dispensary in Chon Buri?

9 comments

a month ago

What are the best dispensaries in Phuket?

21 comments

a month ago

What is the best cannabis dispensary in Surat Thani?

16 comments

a month ago

Where can I find the best weed in Chiang Mai?

8 comments

a month ago

Data protection policy Terms and conditions Disclaimer Privacy policy Refund policy

The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.