Answereda year ago
Can I reapply for an OA visa after a short stay in the UK, or do I need to establish residency for 183 days?
If you want to stay in Thailand without depositing 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank account I occasionally see people advise obtaining an OA visa, doing one border bounce after approx a year and then when the visa expires after nearly 2 years return to the UK and apply for a new OA visa to start the process again. I'm just curious if this can be done, for example, during a 1 month holiday or do you effectively have to stay in the UK for 183 days to re-establish yourself as a permanent resident before reapplying for the visa? The visa application does ask you to upload proof of permanent residency.
Answer summary
The discussion revolves around the feasibility of obtaining an OA visa and the requirements for reapplying after a border bounce. Participants clarify that a UK citizen does not need to re-establish permanent residency in the UK, as their citizenship signifies that right. However, for visa applications, proof of UK residency may be necessary, which could require a physical stay in the UK for a minimum duration. Opinions vary on visa options, with suggestions for alternative pathways like the Non-O Visa and considerations regarding health insurance requirements.
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Francois ********
OA visa
Requirements
40k Thb Op
400K Thb IP
By LMG th ins comp
Yrly premium 8,000thb
Requirements
40k Thb Op
400K Thb IP
By LMG th ins comp
Yrly premium 8,000thb
Phil ******
@Mark *****
make contact with @Mots *********
or @Tik ************************
both visa companies before doing anything
Max *************
No one with half a brain wouldn't even consider applying for an O-A. If you're going to stay another year, you'll need a Thai bank account anyway.
Sharon *******
It is also possible to extend your visa for 1 year without keeping 800k in Thai account, you would have to show 12x transfers of 65k a month to Thai account for the previous 12 months.
Mark ******
OPThank you everybody for your replies.
Andy ********
Permanent residence does not need to be 'reestablished', it is permanent. You might be confusing it with tax residency.
Mark ******
OP@Andy *******
It is confusing at times! Am I right to assume you mean as a UK citizen I have a permanent 'right to abode' in the UK? If I'm abroad for 2 years I'm not permanently resident in the UK which is what the Embassy seems to be asking proof of. Although establishing 'permanent residency' seems to be aimed more at non UK citizens it does require someone to be physically in the country for at least 183 days in a tax year (although there are other factors that can be taken into account). It's possible the Embassy purely wants proof you are a British citizen (or have the right to remain in the UK) and that you are physically in the UK when you apply for the visa.Andy ********
Mark Levy all UK citizens are UK residents, but not all UK residents are citizens. As a citizen when you leave the UK you can relinquish your 'tax residency' but not your 'residency'.
Andy ********
Mark Levy it is confusing as legalese and common parlance can be quite different. 'Residence' pertains to your rights not your location. You can be resident in multiple countries simultaneously but may or may not physically be located in any of them. 'Tax Residency' is a separate concept and pertains to your liabilities. You could be liable for taxes independent of your 'residency' and or your location. I'm a resident of both my home country and my wife's home country but live in neither.
Brook ********
Don’t forget, you must buy, maintain and renew health insurance from one of 14-16 Thai health insurance companies.
Age, pre existing conditions or high BMI may result in non acceptance.
Age, pre existing conditions or high BMI may result in non acceptance.
Keith *******
@Brook *******
If you're refused insurance for OA, you can simply show 800,000 baht equivalent in assets. Bank account, property etcBrook ********
@Keith ******
for the visa or the in country visa extension?
Nongnuch ********
@Brook *******
for the first two years out of a 365-days Non-Imm-O/A visa, the mandatory health insurance needn't be one of the tgia-listed Thai private insurances. He can chose any type of international health insurance. The mandatory Thai tgia-listed insurance companies are only needed when you change from the O/A visa to the 1-year Extension of Stay. That's why many O/A visa holders return to their home country before the second year staypermit expires, to restart the application process, so they don't have to use the partially worthless Thai insurancesMark ******
OP@Brook *******
Yes I am taking these things into account. The likelihood is I'll apply for the non O but don't want to rule out the OA before I've taken everything into consideration.Brook ********
@Mark *****
non O is what I recommend.
Chris ******
Do you have to return back to own country or can say do it in Laos?
Jakee **********
Any idea how long the new Non OA that takes on average - or is there no average? 😜
Graham ******
@Jakee *********
RTE London is usually fast, 3 to 5 days typically if your documentation is accepted first timeGraham ******
You only need ton stay in the UK for as long as it takes to get the new Non-OA issued
Brandon ************
You can just go home and immediately apply. Your passport from the UK shows that you are a UK citizen. There's no re-establishing yourself.
Mark ******
OP@Brandon ***********
Thank you but what would you upload as proof of permanent residency? Yes I'm a UK citizen but after being in Thailand for 2 years I would no longer be classed as being permanently resident in the UK which is what the OA visa requires. I am resident in the UK at the moment so if I apply now I would upload some sort of bill with my address on it as proof but in 2 years time if I popped back to the UK to apply for a new OA I wouldn't have anything that showed a permanent address. Are you saying it would be ok to upload my passport details to cover this requirement?
Graeme ******
@Mark *****
i would suggest so that it is easy for you that you use a family members address for your bank statements etc. So they can send you any details. It also if needed have somewhere to pop back to to fill out your new visa application. This way you will have your bank details with your uk address
Jan ******************
@Mark *****
If you apply in UK with a UK passport you can just upload the ID-page of your passport as proof of current location or residence, alternatively just your drivers licence.Jan ******************
@Wayne *******
Neither ID-page of your passport, drivers licence, utility bill or bank letter prove that you actually are on your current location, but you might risk they’ll ask you to upload all your passport pages including blank ones too and you’ll need to start the trip from where your visa was issued. If you apply elsewhere with a UK passport you just upload your latest stamp to prove current location. I applied recently for a Non O just with ID-page and no issues at all.This is from the Thai embassy in Norway.
Brandon ************
@Wayne *******
many reports of people using that and it being accepted
Wayne ********
@Jan *****************
how does your passport act as proof of current location. As far as I know, the only thing a Passport does is prove that you are a UK citizen.Graeme ******
@Jan *****************
that works just have to make sure you have an up to date driving license and not about to expire, a new one will need a uk addressActivity
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