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Can I obtain a non-immigrant O-A visa before entering Thailand?
Non-Immigrant O-A VisaThailand VisaVisa RequirementsHealth InsuranceVisa Application ProcessExpat Information
Aug 7, 2024
2 years ago
Vin *********
ORIGINAL POSTERHas anyone ever gotten a non-immigrant O-A before entering Thailand before?
Everything I've read says it can be done. (But we all know Thailand policies...)
I don't quite have the $800k, but easily the $65k monthly, and not sure about using an agent yet.
Thanks.
Everything I've read says it can be done. (But we all know Thailand policies...)
I don't quite have the $800k, but easily the $65k monthly, and not sure about using an agent yet.
Thanks.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The Non-Immigrant O-A visa can only be obtained from a Thai embassy or consulate in your home country, such as the USA or UK. It typically requires specific documentation including a health certificate, a police record, and proof of funds (approximately 800,000 THB). However, the process is generally straightforward, with many expats sharing successful experiences. Some explored alternatives like the Non-O visa, citing fewer requirements regarding bank deposits and insurance. It's advised to check embassy-specific requirements as they may vary.
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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Ken *******
I am in the United States and I have gotten them before. The requirement isn't bad.The only thing is the insurance
Greg *********
Yes, I just got my OA visa in Michigan, USA, from the evisa website about a month ago. I entered Thailand with it a week ago.
Tim ********
@Greg ********
did you have any issues getting the Foreign Medical Certificate filled out?Tim ********
What about the document from the Ministry of Health of Thailand that is supposed to be filled out by your insurance company?
Greg *********
@Tim *******
The insurance lady we dealt with did all that and sent it as a pdf file in email for us. I can give you her contact info if you want. She knows exactly what you need for your visa. She came recommended by a Thai friend of my wife.Tim ********
@Greg ********
yes, please do. I would very much appreciate that.Greg *********
@Tim *******
Her name is Nim and her number is 66-86-430-2288. You might have to dial 011 before that number to get out of the U.S.Tim ********
@Greg ********
thank you!Greg *********
@Tim *******
You’re welcome. The only problem I had was getting my criminal background check. They said get it from your local police department, so I went to my city police and got the form and the evisa website rejected it and said it had to be from a state or federal agency. So I googled criminal background in Michigan and a website came up that is run by the Michigan State Police and you pay $10 and get your criminal background. It only took a few minutes. Can’t remember if I had to print it out and then scan it so I could attach it as a pdf on the evisa website or if I was able to download it as a pdf file. Anyway, just know they want a state or federal agency to issue the criminal check.Tim ********
@Greg ********
good to know. Thank you!!Greg *********
@Tim *******
Okay I will get it from my wife. She will give you price options and coverage options and let you choose the insurance plan that you like.Reply to
Greg *********
Reply
Greg *********
@Tim *******
No, my doctor signed it. Very easy.Reply to
Greg *********
Reply
Tor ******
Of course it can be done, but I wouldnt recommed it unless you are planning to get a Thai health insurance. A little know fact is that if you have some kind of international insurance you will have to have it certified by your embassy for the extension after a year. Many embassies are simply not going to do this. Therefor I would recommend the non-o instead, which is basically the same (with a little more effort in the first year) minus the health insurance requirement.
Ron ********
None of my business and I am no expert by far, but why go for the O/A over the O?
Andy *********
@Ron *******
We do the OA basically because don't want to drop the money in a bank in Thailand, we'll buy insurance anyhows, and isn't hard to get. so, fits our needs as we'll not move there full time. On our 3rd one nowRon ********
@Andy ********
Roger that.Reply to
Ron ********
Reply
Paul ********
I did the OA in England and had to go to Embassy but very easy to do but you get to Thailand you need to open a bank account and put 800,000 in you can’t do 65k a month as you need to have 12 months deposits to qualify. I believe
Bob **********
@Paul *******
you’ll get almost two years out of the initial visa so you’ll have plenty of time to get a string of 12 monthsGraham ******
@Paul *******
You don't go to the Embassy now in the UK, it's all eVisaPaul ********
@Graham *****
was 5 years ago sorryReply to
Paul ********
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John **********
@Paul *******
that is for the Non-O. The Non-OA doesn't require any money in a Thai bankPaul ********
Reply to
Paul ********
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Brian *********
I did, no problem. But your words are crossing over the O and the OA. But you do need to have the approximate equivalent of 800k tbh in your home country bank.
Vin *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brian ********
Not sure how they are crossing over. From the Thai embassy page, I must have a Thai bank account and rental agreement for a Non OA to apply while in my country (US).Yet I have heard otherwise and hence my question.
Brian *********
@Vin ********
I think you’ve had enough feedback to show you are not understanding and/or combining information wrongfully. Follow the OA instruction from your most local embassy. Mine was in LA. Those instructions got me a non OA.
Oh, when you do apply, put your name as it appears on your passport. I got dinged for that and literally needed to pay to apply again (because gosh forbid editing a single field value is so hard 🙄).
Jan ******************
@Vin ********
No, this is from the immigration in Thailand and only if you apply for a Non O in Thailand. You’ll need to check the Thai embassy/consulate who serves your area and you can use your bank and income/pension at home to qualify if you can meet the required 65K baht a month.
Vin *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jan *****************
I thought I went to the Thai embassy in Wash DC site, but I will try again.Vin *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jan *****************
Yes, that is the O. I asked about the long stay, O-A.
I did get it. Doesn't mention anything about extensions, but that is easier to do.
Jan ******************
@Vin ********
Ok, you can stay for up to two years in Thailand on a Non O-A visa as long as you update your health insurance for the second year. The one year visa has multiple entries. If you want to leave and maintain your second year stamp, you’ll need to buy re-entry permits. The extension of stay in Thailand for a Non O and Non O-A is almost equal, but unlike the regular Non O, you maintain the mandatory health insurance requirement also for your future extensions of stay.
For the Non O you apply for extension of stay within 90 days. For the Non O-A you can stay for two year first.
You use your bank in US when you apply. If you want to apply for extension of stay in Thailand you’ll need to open a bank account and bank the required 800K baht two months before the application.
***************************************************
Vin *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jan *****************
This goes against everything heard and read prior. Retirement visa (non O-A), can be extended perpetually (provided approved by immigration).
Multiple entries or single entries is paid for separately (whichever you choose.).
Even the link you post says different.
But thank you.
Jan ******************
@Vin ********
I don’t think you understand. The Non O-A visa can only be applied for at your permanent residence and the one year Non O-A is a visa that’s valid for one year. Every time you get stamped in within the validity of the one year visa you get one year stay. So if you enter short time before it expires you still get stamped in for one year if you update your health insurance. This is how you can get two years of a one year visa. The first year you have a multiple entries visa. The second year you only have a stamp or permission to stay and you’ll need to buy re-entry permits if you want to leave and re-enter.
After two years the Non O-A visa is history. It cannot be renewed but you can apply for a new one at the embassy of your permanent residence.
If you anyway want to continue your stay in Thailand after two years, you can apply for a one year extension of stay at the immigration in Thailand. This is not a visa, but a permission to continuous stay for one year.
The requirements are almost the same as for the Non O-A visa, you’ll need to maintain a health insurance but you also need to deposit 800K baht in a Thai bank account two months prior to the application.
This you can repeat every year and for the extension of stay you’ll need to buy single or multiple re-entry permits to maintain your stamp or permission to stay.
If this goes against everything then everything is wrong or you have some wires crossed regarding what a visa and an extension of stay really is.
Jan ******************
@Vin ********
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Reply to
Jan ******************
Reply
Jan ******************
@Brian ********
..yes, and at home the 800K baht also can be income within a year, -65K baht a month.Chris ****
@Brian ********
or shares and securities.Reply to
Chris ****
Reply
Chris ****
i made my O-A in Vienna 2015. Of course its possible. Health Certificate, Police Record, and proof of money.
Jan ******************
@Chris ***
and health insurance I guessChris ****
@Jan *****************
was not required 2015 , but of course i had one .Reply to
Chris ****
Reply
Brandon ************
An OA visa can only be obtained from the Thai embassy in your home country. Check their website for requirements as it can vary from embassy to embassy.
Reply to
Brandon ************
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