Ask question

This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

Can I reapply for an OA visa after a short stay in the UK, or do I need to establish residency for 183 days?

OA Visa Non-O Visa Thai Immigration Rules Visa Application Process Health Insurance Requirements Permanent Residency Expat Advice

Jul 14, 2025

2 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

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.

2,079

views

7

likes

54

all likes

28

replies

2

images

14

users

TLDR : 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.

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.

Pelle Eriksson

Pelle Eriksson★★★★★

Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...

recently on Facebook

Luca G.

Luca G.★★★★★

I used this agency for my DTV Visa...

recently on Google

Trusted Retirement Visa Agent

OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED

#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND

Francois ********

OA visa

Requirements

40k Thb Op

400K Thb IP

By LMG th ins comp

Yrly premium 8,000thb

Like

Reply

Phil ******

make contact with

@Mots *********

or

@Tik ************************

both visa companies before doing anything

Like

Reply

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.

Like

Reply

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.

Like

Reply

Kevin *******

Like

Reply

Mark ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you everybody for your replies.

Like

Reply

Andy ********

Permanent residence does not need to be 'reestablished', it is permanent. You might be confusing it with tax residency.

Like

Reply

Mark ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

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.

Like

Reply

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'.

Like

Reply

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.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Andy ********

Reply

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.

Like

Reply

Keith *******

If you're refused insurance for OA, you can simply show 800,000 baht equivalent in assets. Bank account, property etc

Like

Reply

Brook ********

for the visa or the in country visa extension?

Like

Reply

Reply to

Brook ********

Reply

Nongnuch ********

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 insurances

Like

Reply

Mark ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

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.

Like

Reply

Brook ********

non O is what I recommend.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Brook ********

Reply

Chris ******

Do you have to return back to own country or can say do it in Laos?

Like

Reply

Jakee **********

Any idea how long the new Non OA that takes on average - or is there no average? 😜

Like

Reply

Graham ******

@Jakee *********

RTE London is usually fast, 3 to 5 days typically if your documentation is accepted first time

Like

Reply

Reply to

Graham ******

Reply

Graham ******

You only need ton stay in the UK for as long as it takes to get the new Non-OA issued

Like

Reply

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.

Like

Reply

Mark ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@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?

Like

Reply

Graeme ******

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

Like

Reply

Jan ******************

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.

Like

Reply

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.

Like

Reply

Jan ******************

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.

Like

Reply

Brandon ************

many reports of people using that and it being accepted

Like

Reply

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 address

Like

Reply

Reply to

Graeme ******

Reply

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

... members · 60% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

Can I renew a Non-O-A visa in Thailand every year indefinitely?

20 comments

4 months ago

What are the visa options for U.K. citizens retiring in Thailand while maintaining funds in the U.K.?

8 comments

8 months ago

Can I apply for a Non-OA visa while in Thailand on a ME tourist visa?

11 comments

a year ago

How can you extend your OA visa while living in Thailand?

33 comments

2 years ago

Can I extend my OA visa issued in the UK for another year in Thailand, or must I return to the Thai consulate?

7 comments

2 years ago

Can you extend an OA visa in Thailand for two years without keeping 800k baht in the bank?

14 comments

2 years ago

What are the visa options and requirements for British expats looking to stay in Thailand long-term?

4 comments

2 years ago

What are the requirements for applying for a Non-OA visa while currently in Thailand?

8 comments

2 years ago

What are the requirements and benefits of the OA visa in Thailand for expats?

9 comments

3 years ago

Should I apply for an O visa or OA visa for a 9-month stay in Thailand after a break?

10 comments

3 years ago

What are the best options for obtaining a Retirement Visa in Thailand considering my recent visa history?

9 comments

3 years ago

Can I apply for an O-A visa again after my 2-month visa expires, and can I do it from within Thailand?

17 comments

3 years ago

What should I do after my OA visa expires if I want to continue living in Thailand?

5 comments

3 years ago

Is it easier to obtain an OA visa in Thailand if I come on an initial Non-O retirement visa?

34 comments

3 years ago

Can I renew my retirement visa from the UK if I need to stay abroad longer than 12 months?

10 comments

4 years ago

Should I apply for a Non-Immigrant O or OA visa for a 9-month stay in Thailand?

5 comments

4 years ago

Is it advisable to enter Thailand on a visa exemption when planning to apply for a retirement visa (OA) while over 50?

12 comments

4 years ago

Is it possible for UK residents to apply for an OA visa from the UK?

12 comments

5 years ago

How can I obtain a Non-OA visa from the Thai embassy in the UK?

5 comments

5 years ago

How can we extend our OA visa for another year after leaving Thailand?

15 comments

6 years ago

What is the difference between the O-A visa and the O visa for long-term stays in Thailand?

14 comments

6 years ago

Can I reapply for a Non-Immigrant O-A Visa after returning from Thailand?

33 comments

6 years ago

Can a UK couple over 50 apply for a Non-Immigrant O-A visa in Thailand for a 6-month stay without needing extensions?

0 comments

7 years ago

Do I need to apply for a one-year retirement visa in the UK and transfer funds to Thailand for the second year?

20 comments

7 years ago

Can you extend an OA visa acquired in the UK while still in the UK?

18 comments

7 years ago

What is the best cannabis dispensary in Bangkok?

7 comments

a month ago

Where can I find the best cannabis dispensary in Chon Buri?

9 comments

a month ago

What are the best dispensaries in Phuket?

21 comments

a month ago

What is the best cannabis dispensary in Surat Thani?

16 comments

a month ago

Where can I find the best weed in Chiang Mai?

8 comments

a month ago

Data protection policy Terms and conditions Disclaimer Privacy policy Refund policy

The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.