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Can I switch from a Non-O visa to an O-A visa by leaving Thailand before my 90 days are up?

Non-O VisaO-A VisaVisa ExtensionThailand Visa RulesImmigrationExpats in ThailandFinancial Requirements for Visa
Jun 28, 2025
16 days ago
Shai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I’m on a non-immigrant O visa and still on the 3 initial months.

I haven’t started the extension process yet. If I leave the country just before the 90 days are up, could I apply for an O-A visa instead? Honestly, I’d rather not lock up a big chunk of my money in Thailand right now. I prefer to keep it in my home bank for at least another year before thinking about a longer commitment. Do you think that’s going to be an issue with that? TIA
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is considering leaving Thailand just before their 90 days on a Non-O visa expire and applying for an O-A visa, expressing concern about financial commitments. The responses indicate that the O-A visa must be applied for from the home country, but transitioning from Non-O to O-A without further obligations in Thailand is possible. Key details include similar monetary requirements for both visas, the necessity of health insurance for the O-A visa, and the ease of re-entering Thailand after applying for the O-A 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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Jonah ************
Don’t use Bangkok Bank four month hold hopefully SCB will be OK
12 days ago
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Pertti *************
Funds not locked. Only extension is impossible after year if you withdraw funds👌
16 days ago
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John **********
You can only get the Non-OA visa in your home country so you would have to travel back there to apply
16 days ago
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Shai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 I plan to travel anyway
16 days ago
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Shai ********
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Martin ******
Same money in the bank but oa requires health insurance. Why would you or a trick question?????? 🧐
16 days ago
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Martin ******
Good luck with your super fund

Crack on mate
16 days ago
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Graeme ******
@Shai *******
 you leave thailand near the end of the first year then reenter before your visa expires with a new year's insurance, you will then get a new 1 year stamp aligned to your insurance end date. Also you will need to get a re entry stamp as the second year is a single entry not like the first year which is multi entry
16 days ago
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Shai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graeme *****
 Now I got it. Thanks!
16 days ago
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Shai ********
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Lloyd *********
@Martin *****
 because OA can get you 2 years before extension. Plus 800,000 in a Super fund outweighs any insurance cost.
16 days ago
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Shai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lloyd ********
 If I have that OA, where do I apply for the 2nd year of the same type? Is that can be done in Thailand or I have to leave first?
16 days ago
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Ellie *******
@Ron *****
, no application is required to get the second year directly from Non-OA visa. It’s just another entry stamp.
16 days ago
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Shai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
 Thank you
16 days ago
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Shai ********
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Shai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Martin *****
 Same money, right, but not not have to be at same bank and that's my point.
16 days ago
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Shai ********
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Vin *********
O or OA have the same monetary requirements.
16 days ago
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Graeme ******
@Vin ********
 an O extension needs the money in a thai bank account. The O-A is good for 2 years without money being in a thai account. So although bith need to demonstrate 800kbaht or 65k baht monthly income, the O-A allows you to use your own account in your own country of residence in your own currency
16 days ago
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Vin *********
@Graeme *****
 you cannot 'retire' in Thailand for "2 years". You cannot use funds in your old countries account/currency to get an extension for ANY non-immigrant visa; O or O-A.
16 days ago
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Graeme ******
@Vin ********
 thats true but it gives you 2 years to sus it out
16 days ago
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Lloyd *********
@Vin ********
 you can get almost 2 years on an OA, without any extensions, I've done it.
16 days ago
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Vin *********
@Lloyd ********
 yes. And? I never stated otherwise.
16 days ago
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Vin *********
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Tod *********
Won't have any issue at all doing that. You're under no obligation to follow thru on getting a year extension.

You can stay the 90 days of the Non-O visa you have now and then you can leave, go back to your country and apply for an OA visa thru a thai consulate there online by meeting the requirements, get the visa approved and come back
16 days ago
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Shai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 Thanks! As I understand, the OA can be extended for one more year only. Is this can be done in Thailand or only back in my home country?
16 days ago
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John **********
@Shai *******
 I think your a little confused. You can get almost 2 years out of a Non-OA visa by exiting and re-entering Thailand just before it expires as long as you have another years insurance. You can get an extension of stay based on a Non-OA visa indefinitely but you do require insurance every year
16 days ago
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Shai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 And this extension can be done in Thailand, right?
16 days ago
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John **********
@Shai *******
 only in Thailand
16 days ago
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Wannikea *********
@Shai *******
 extensions of any kind can only be done in Thailand
16 days ago
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Graeme ******
@Shai *******
 as John says you can extend in thailand but for this extension I.e. after the 2 years if you get your timing right you will also need a thai bank account with the 800k deposited aswell as the mandatory insurance
16 days ago
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Shai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graeme *****
 I see. Thanks.
16 days ago
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Colin *********
@Shai *******
 on the O/A Visa, each time you exit Thailand then come back in, you get stamped in for a further 12 months, so I'm that first year, you can exit/enter as often as you like. If you exit and re-enter just before the end of that first year, you'll be stamped in for a year, giving you almost two full years, depending on when your compulsory insurance expires as that determines the 'end' date.
16 days ago
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Shai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin ********
 So I need to present the insurance of the 2nd year to the immigration officer at the airport, upon re-entring the country, and that's it?
16 days ago
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Wannikea *********
@Shai *******
 if you want to leave the country and return in the 2nd and following years you must also buy a re-entry permit to keep the permission and extension to stay alive.
16 days ago
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Colin *********
@Shai *******
 that question would be the best answered by Moderators, such as
@Tod ********
, or maybe
@John *********
 is very knowledgeable. I've only told you what I've read people such as those mentioned, say on other posts. I don't have enough knowledge to answer in more detail.
16 days ago
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Shai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin ********
 Thanks you anyway. You provided a lot of info I wasn't aware of.
16 days ago
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Shai ********
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