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Can I frequently travel to the USA while on a retirement visa in Thailand?
Retirement VisaNon-O VisaNon-OA VisaMultiple Reentry PermitVisa RegulationsThailand ImmigrationExpat Visa Rules
Mar 1, 2022
4 years ago
Craig *********
ORIGINAL POSTERI plan to apply for the retirement visa in April. I have a general idea of the process and think I can work out the details. One thing I'm not sure about: I want to be able to go back and forth to my home country (USA) as needed/wanted. With the retirement visa, are there any restrictions on how often I can leave and re-enter Thailand?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The retirement visa in Thailand, whether it's a Non-O or Non-OA Visa, allows for travel back and forth to your home country without restrictions. However, after obtaining the one-year extension on your retirement visa, you must acquire a multiple re-entry permit to re-enter Thailand as needed. This permit ensures you can travel internationally and return to Thailand within the validity of your visa.
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.
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Ellie *******
Going to close this post for now. If Op has further questions, please contact one of Admins/mods.
Ellie *******
Which is more difficult or more "demanding" DOES totally depends on individual preference.
For Mr. A who is traveling between countries, visiting the local immigration office is a bigger task.
For Ms. B who always has insurance for her always and anyway, transferring her funds to Thailand is more painful.
For Mr. C who has an accidental incident record so his only option is Non-O.
These are situations that actually happened to people who are staying in Thailand now.
There is no point to debate which is better for OP by you all who don't know OP's conditions for his decision-making.
For Mr. A who is traveling between countries, visiting the local immigration office is a bigger task.
For Ms. B who always has insurance for her always and anyway, transferring her funds to Thailand is more painful.
For Mr. C who has an accidental incident record so his only option is Non-O.
These are situations that actually happened to people who are staying in Thailand now.
There is no point to debate which is better for OP by you all who don't know OP's conditions for his decision-making.
Robert *******
Alternative is the Non Immigrant O-A (long stay) visa (retirement visa) which is valid for 1 year and gives you during that year a 1 year of stay on entry in Thailand
Willem ****
The OA is a good option if you not want to extend it in Thailand and accept to apply for a new OA in your country every time it is expired. The financial demands are then to show from your country instead of on a Thai Bank Full health insurance is still demanded.
Willem ****
The criminal reccord and decease declaration both need to be certified by the police and a doctor. Costing you time and money. Nothing for free
Willem ****
The OA visa is more difficult to get. And always needs a full health insurance. NON O is still without the demand for insurance when you make a yearly extension.
Mike ******
@Willem ***
I got an OA from the Los Angeles Consulate in Jan. The process is involved and many documents have to be uploaded. It is difficult but definitely “doable”. Got my OA approved in 5 days and the got the Thailand Pass approved in 90 minutes. For my the best aspects of the OA are: 1) no need to keep a large amount of money in a Thai Bank 2) Also, Mult-Entry(which was worthless during the Pandemic).Craig *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Willem ***
How more difficult to get? Immigration is less likely to approve?John **********
@Craig ********
nothing to do with immigration. The OA visa is obtained in your home country, it can't be obtained in Thailand. So down to the embassy in wherever you normally liveReply to
John **********
Reply
Bobby ********
Willem Ha. If he's going to be in and out the OA is the better. Don't have to stick 800k in a Thai bank account and can use home country insurance OR self-insure.
Craig *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bobby *******
Why would OA be better than non O?Bobby ********
Craig Charron. No need to transfer 800,000 baht into a Thai Bank Account, and can get two years from the one visa with a well-timed out/in
Reply to
Bobby ********
Reply
Robert *******
After 60 days you can apply for the 1 year Extension of Stay based on being over 50 years of age (retirement visa) and when this 1 year is stamped in your passport you can apply for the mutliple re-entry permit, with that permit you can go and come back using this year until the last date.
Craig *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ******
Got it. The multiple re-entry permit is separate from (and is done after) I get the one year extension of stay.Reply to
Craig *********
Reply
Wannikea *********
No restrictions, just buy a multiple entry permit when you get your extension inked in.
Robert *******
There are multiple visa and an Extension of Stay all called retirement visa, to make things complicated.
With the Non Immigrant O visa based on over 50 years of age (retirement Visa) applied for in your home country gives you 90 days of stay inside Thailand.
With the Non Immigrant O visa based on over 50 years of age (retirement Visa) applied for in your home country gives you 90 days of stay inside Thailand.
Reply to
Robert *******
Reply
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