Can I enter Thailand while my OA retirement visa is being processed?

Apr 26, 2023
2 years ago
Michael **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello everyone

My OA long stay retirement visa is being held up because AXA has not put my info on the long stay website. I have emailed and call but they still have not answered. My question is can I fly in while waiting for visa approval from the embassy

Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster is facing delays in obtaining their OA long stay retirement visa due to AXA not updating their information on the long stay website. They inquire if they can fly to Thailand while waiting for their visa approval. Comments suggest that entry without a visa is subject to airline policies, allowing for a 30-day stay without a visa stamp. There is confusion regarding AXA's role and a long stay website. Experiences shared in the comments highlight varying requirements by different embassies regarding insurance documentation and additional papers needed. Some also suggest considering a Non-O visa for more flexible insurance options.
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Brook ********
You should apply for a Non-O visa instead.

Then you are free to choose any insurance company, anywhere in the world… or no insurance at all.
Andy *********
@Brook *******
Yes, but with the OA, there is no requirement for funds to be in a Thai bank. As we bounce between the US, Vietnam, and Thailand, the OA visa is more attractive for us.
Michael **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy ********
agree Andy also who wants to put money in a bank that you cannot touch.
Andy *********
What Embassy did you apply through?
Michael **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy ********
Washington dc
Andy *********
I just got our OA visas, with AXA insurance. It took 2 months because of the insurance not being up loaded to the web site. We went through the Washington DC, USA Embassy. I was told by AXA there is no site for them to upload the information, and the forms AXA provides are sufficient to get the visa. Thai Embassy was insistent that the web site had to be updated, or AXA had to fill out the Thai form. The Thai form, has the exact same information that would be on the Thai govt form. The Embassy even confirmed that. This is the link to the Thai form. It was crazy. If you want, you can pm me for more info how I resolved.
***********************************************************************************************************************************************************
*******
/New-Foreign-Insurance-Certificate.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0eaCO5fckZRM-6WiXoBpefejTWMyoQ-J1uAALCVK0Ez6_gKwIhVPUvH6A
Michael **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy ********
funny you mention form. I sent that form to them s as long with everything else and they still came back and ask for website to be updated and my air travel. Which I did send them. I think someone in the DC Thai embassy is a little lost on things.
Andy *********
@Michael *************
So, you got AXA to fill the form in for you?
Andy *********
After the embassy got the Thai form from us, they wanted updated travel dates, and then asked for a copy of our marriage certificate. You would have thought they would have asked for all that information in one email, instead of three. It was a cluster...
Michael **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy ********
yes I agree. I really think it’s who you get because I have had 3 visas so far and this is the first asking for this stuff
Andy *********
@Michael *************
Exactly. Same here. I found it tiring, especially when the embassy replied the information on the form AXA supplied was the exact same information wanted on the Thai form. And - the longstay web site link carries me to a godaddy site with that domain for sale. lol... T.I.T.
Michael **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy ********
same here website for sale.
Andy *********
This is the text of one of the emails I was sent: "Dear Mr. Hardwood,

Please note that the forms you sent to us are incorrect. Please use this form only :
**************************************************************************************
*******
/New-Foreign-Insurance-Certificate.pdf

Please forward this form to AXA or please also inform them to update their client's name on the tgia.longstay.org as well, thank you.

• Please note that the visa processing time could take up to 15 business days and additional documents submitted will be processed within 5 business days. If the status does not change within 5 business days after the additional documents are provided, please do not hesitate to contact the Embassy through this email.

• Per the regulation, the Embassy "can not" issue a visa for foreign nationals who are currently in Thailand. All travelers need to obtain a visa before entering Thailand. If you entered Thailand without a visa, please contact the Immigration Bureau (immigration.go.th) to explore the options in your case.

• Validity of a single entry visa is 90 days which begins from the date of issuance. Please do not apply too early since a visa may expire prior to the travel date and it is highly recommended to check the validity of your visa before travel."

thaiembdc.org
Wayne *********
Probably confused with the LTR which has nothing to do with the OA
Jeffrey ************
What "long stay website" ?
Ադամ ********
@Jeffrey ***********
Yeah? I have successfully applied 2x for OA from USA. Never heard of it 🤷‍♂️
Colleen *********
Michael Ganzermiller what website are you talking abt. As far as I know I got my oa visa by uploading the policy docs to my application. I now have the OA visa( retirement )
Michael **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colleen ********
this is the email the DC embassy sent

Dear Applicant,

Please submit following documents in PDF or JPEG file to email
************************
and include your Full name as Subject: 1. Flight itinerary to Thailand. Itinerary must include applicant's name, travel dates, airports, and flight number. 2. Please inform your insurance company to update your name list on the Longstay Website. ***ประกันสิ้นสุด 9 May 2024

*Please note this is an auto generated e-mail. Please do NOT reply to this email.

Best wishes,

E-Visa Team

Funny thing is I sent flight info also sent form with 3 signatures from insurance company.

I think someone is mixed up
Colleen *********
@Michael *************
what's DC stand for.. is this in the US I gather?
Michael **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colleen ********
Washington DC 🇺🇸 USA
Colleen *********
@Michael *************
ok different requirements to Australia I guess
Andy *********
@Colleen ********
The embassy sent me the same. I've already deleted those emails, but have the link in a messenger message. After reading this thread, I started looking for the link. I tried to access the cut and paste link from a month ago - tgia.longstay.org - and it comes up for sale on godaddy. lol. Strange... I went to the link at the time, and it was a Thai govt site. I'm wondering if the DC embassy was just behind the times on what is actually required now.
Wayne *********
When i did my OA and then the OX in Australia all i had to do was attach a copy of the policy, I did not have to wait for them to put on any long stay web site, it was a requirement on the application to be submitted with the application
Stuart *********
Whether you can fly with no visa (and no onward flight) will be up to your airline. On arrival with no visa you’d be stamped in for 30 days.

If the visa arrives after you then you’d need to leave Thailand and re enter to activate it.
Michael **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
thank you.
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