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Can I enter Thailand on a one-way flight with an O-A retirement visa?

O-A Retirement Visa Thailand Immigration Visa Rules One-Way Flight Health Insurance Visa Application Process Expat Guidance

Jul 20, 2022

2 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

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TLDR : 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.

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.

Josh **********

How to get that visa?

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David ****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Josh *********

you have to be age 50 or above to get a retirement visa.

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Josh **********

Ahhhh. You look like 40 maximum 😝👍

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David ****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Josh *********

thanks Josh. I look and feel 20 years younger when I’m in Thailand 😆

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David ****

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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.

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David ****

ORIGINAL POSTER

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. Thanks

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Brook ********

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.

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Brook ********

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Mark ********

Did you know you can get 2 years' stay out of an OA visa?

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Peter *********

Yes

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

Long term visas (OA included) do not require proof of onward travel. A one way flight is fine unless the consulate says otherwise.

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David ****

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

thanks for explaining this to me. Have a good day.

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Robert ******

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

yes. Some airlines won't sell you a ticket that far in advance....

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Robert ******

Not a reason, but when I gave the officers that excuse, they agreed.

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

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 leave

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Robert ******

@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...

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Robert ******

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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

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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

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