Answered5 years ago
Can I enter Thailand on a tourist visa and then renew my OA visa or apply for a retirement visa?
I'm an expat working in Balikpapan in Indonesia at the moment, my Thailand OA visa has just expired & I'm planning on returning home to Thailand in December, would I be able to entre Thailand on a tourist visa then get my OA visa renewed once I'm home or get a retirement visa which I used to have before I had the OA visa. Any help on this matter would be great.
Answer summary
The user is inquiring about the possibility of returning to Thailand on a tourist visa after their OA visa has expired. Community responses clarify that the OA visa cannot be obtained while in Thailand and suggest that the user may enter Thailand on a tourist visa and then apply to convert it to a Non-O visa based on retirement conditions, as long as they meet the necessary requirements, such as showing sufficient funds in a Thai bank account.
17 repliesnewest first
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Bob **********
You cannot get an O-A inside Thailand come back and apply for a non-o and extend it for a year
Jonas *************
Transfer to a non-o visa inside Thailand 15 days before your stay expires. You need to show the money in a Thai bank account. That gives you 90 days, which can be extended after 2 months to 1 year.
At the moment everyone needs insurance to enter I believe.
At the moment everyone needs insurance to enter I believe.
Jonas *************
Yes. Of course. I meant non-o.
That was what I was describing.
OA is only if you want it in advance.
That was what I was describing.
OA is only if you want it in advance.
James ********
@Jonas ************
you cannot get the OA visa inside Thailand. Only in your home country.James ********
You cannot get the OA visa inside Thailand
Ken ******
@James *******
not useful in the sense pre existing health problem not protected, and premium gets more expensive with advancing ageKen ******
@James *******
why not get O visa (instead of OA)as O means you do not need to pay expensive but not useful health insurance to renew your visa?
Alan *********
OP@James *******
Thanks James, visa on arrival it is for me then, easier way to go.James ********
@Alan ********
wise decision. Alan *********
OP@Tod ********
Thanks Tod for the advise, think this is the best way to go for me.
Tod *********
@Alan ********
your best bet is to come in on a 60 day tourist visa, then apply for the in country Non-O visa at your immigration office for 2000baht and after that get the year extension based on being over 50 for 1900baht . Alan *********
OP@James *******
Thanks James, that's what I thought, so I'll just go back to my retirement visa as I meet all the requirements for that no problems thanks.Bim *******
The OA you can only get in your home country. You can come in on a tourist visa and convert to a non O based on retirement if you meet the requirements.
Bim *******
@Garrett **********
no... Never 
Garrett ***********
@B**
Didn't you buy a vollenteer visa?Bim *******
@Alan ********
I am in Thailand and my visa isn't convertible inside the country and have to leave and come back on a tourist visa and that's how my local immigration explained it to me. The only reason I know. You won't need all the insurance requirements that are needed for the OA either. Although I have insurance already anyway. Good luck.Alan *********
OP@Bim ******
Ye I meet the requirements, I used to have a retirement visa before my OA visa, I had to get the OA visa last year as I was outside Thailand when that expired also, thanks for the advise @Bim ******
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