Answered4 years ago
Can I enter Thailand on a one-way flight with an O-A retirement visa?
Good morning group,
I have a straightforward question though the embassy webpage wasn’t very clear.
I’m getting an O-A retirement visa here in the USA. Probably staying in Thailand approx 9 month but not certain. Will they accept a one-way flight to Bkk since my return date isn’t certain.
Thanks for your help
I have a straightforward question though the embassy webpage wasn’t very clear.
I’m getting an O-A retirement visa here in the USA. Probably staying in Thailand approx 9 month but not certain. Will they accept a one-way flight to Bkk since my return date isn’t certain.
Thanks for your help
Answer summary
The user inquired about the acceptance of a one-way flight to Bangkok when entering Thailand with an O-A retirement visa, expressing uncertainty about their return date. Responses from the community clarified that long-term visas, including the O-A, do not require proof of onward travel, indicating that a one-way flight should be acceptable. However, there were additional discussions about health insurance options for O-A visa holders, with suggestions to consider other visa types to maintain more flexible insurance choices.
15 repliesnewest first
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Josh **********
How to get that visa?
David ****
OP@Josh *********
you have to be age 50 or above to get a retirement visa.Josh **********
@David ***
Ahhhh. You look like 40 maximum 😝👍David ****
OP@Josh *********
thanks Josh. I look and feel 20 years younger when I’m in Thailand 😆Brook ********
Fellow American here.
I urge you to consider coming to Thailand on a tourist visa and apply for a Non-O and then an extension based on retirement instead.
Preserve your option to buy health insurance from any company anywhere, or no insurance at all.
Otherwise, on an OA, you must choose from one of 14 Thai companies who may reject you and then you may have to leave the kingdom.
Don’t make the same mistake I did. I can stop by insurance but the world is my market.
I urge you to consider coming to Thailand on a tourist visa and apply for a Non-O and then an extension based on retirement instead.
Preserve your option to buy health insurance from any company anywhere, or no insurance at all.
Otherwise, on an OA, you must choose from one of 14 Thai companies who may reject you and then you may have to leave the kingdom.
Don’t make the same mistake I did. I can stop by insurance but the world is my market.
David ****
OP@Brook *******
thanks for the advice. You do make some good points but I’d rather not need to transfer the relatively large sum of money to a Thai bank just yet. Haven’t checked the health insurance rates yet but I’m sure they’ll be significantly less than here in the states. At least initially I think it’s good to have insurance. ThanksBrook ********
@David ***
I’m not saying don’t have insurance. I’m saying it’s better to have choices.
If you have any medical issues, a disability or, even if you are overweight, you can be denied insurance coverage by the 14 approved Thai companies, and you will have to leave the country.
Even the OA visa will have to transfer money in as a condition of renewal unless you use the monthly option.
Mark ********
Did you know you can get 2 years' stay out of an OA visa?
Peter *********
Yes
Brandon ************
Long term visas (OA included) do not require proof of onward travel. A one way flight is fine unless the consulate says otherwise.
David ****
OP@Brandon ***********
thanks for explaining this to me. Have a good day.Robert ******
@Brandon ***********
yes. Some airlines won't sell you a ticket that far in advance....Robert ******
Not a reason, but when I gave the officers that excuse, they agreed.
Brandon ************
@Robert *****
that's not the reason. The reason is because that's a visa for people to live in Thailand unlike a tourist visa or others. So you're not expected to leaveRobert ******
@Brandon ***********
they saw my OA visa and asked for exit ticket. You can apply for OA extension, but it's not guaranteed. The whole business of exit ticket requirement is awfully outmoded. Nowadays you can get a ticket online in 10 minutes. The requirement impinges on your flexibility. C'est la via собачья...Activity
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