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Can I switch from a Non-OA retirement visa to a Non-O retirement visa after leaving Thailand?

Non-O visaNon-OA visaThailand retirement visaVisa application processInsurance requirements for visasLong-term stay in ThailandExpats in ThailandImmigration advice
Jun 30, 2023
a year ago
Rebecca ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am holding a non-OA retirement visa to be expired in Oct. As non- OA retirement visa requires insurance coverage with Thai insurance company which I have got accordingly. However, I have my own insurance with my home country, so the insurance in Thai is unnecessary and the premium is getting expensive. Therefore, I am thinking to get a non-O retirement visa to save the insurance premium for a long term.

If I leave the country before my current visa expires and return after the expiry date, then, apply a non-O retirement from scratch. Is it the right way to do it? Is there anything I need to be aware of?

Do I need any proof of onward travel given that I won’t have a long stay visa anymore?

I’ll have 30days visa free period when I enter the country, is it enough to get the visa approved within the time span?

TIA
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking advice on transitioning from a Non-OA retirement visa to a Non-O retirement visa after leaving Thailand and returning after their current visa expires. Key considerations include the insurance requirements, potential need for proof of onward travel, and whether they have enough time within their 30-day visa exemption to complete the application process for the Non-O visa. Responses indicate the importance of having sufficient remaining days on their entry stamp and preparing required documents in advance.
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.
Paul ******
If you leave the country before the Visa expires, it will be stamped in for another 12 months, so technically you can get 2 years with this visa O/A
a year ago
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Ellie *******
@Paul *****
, yes, you can get so-called second year, but you know you need a specific insurance to do so, that the OP wants to avoid (if i understood right).
a year ago
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Ellie *******
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Ellie *******
Go to your local immigration office before you leave/enter Thailand to get the latest handout of requirements for an initial in-country Non-O visa based on being over 50. So you can prepare well in advance so that you can do within 30 days.
a year ago
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John **********
I assume you already have a Thai bank account in your name only? You will need to transfer 800k baht into that account from overseas in order to apply for the in country Non-O visa. You must have at least 15 days left on your stamp when you apply (a couple of places it's 15 working days). But other than that it's pretty straightforward
a year ago
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Rebecca ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 I am not sure if I can find that document. May I know how to get a non-O visa ?
a year ago
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John **********
@Rebecca *******
 what Ellie said
a year ago
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Ellie *******
@Rebecca *******
, you need to go to the local immigration office physically in person to get the latest requirements handout.

Here is general information for initial in-country Non-O visa based on retirement by the Immigration bureau HQ, but each office has their own version. What you need is your local office specific one.

*********************************************************************************************************
*******
/9.FOR-RETIREMENT-PURPOSES-50-YEARS-OLD-NON-O.pdf
a year ago
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Ellie *******
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Rebecca ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 I already have a bank account and have been keeping the money required when I applied Non-OA retirement visa. Do I still need to proof that was transferred from overseas?
a year ago
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John **********
@Rebecca *******
 yes you do. It needs to show in your bank statement and your bank book as coming from overseas for the initial 90 day Non-O visa. For extensions it doesn't matter so if that's an issue it might be better to enter Thailand on a Non-O rather than visa exempt then all you need to do is the extension
a year ago
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Ellie *******
@Rebecca *******
, depends on your local immigration office, most offices requires you to have proof of international transfer of 800K for an initial in-country Non-O visa based on retirement. No proof is needed for a yearly extension though.
a year ago
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Ellie *******
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Ellie *******
@John *********
, depends on her nationality if she needs to transfer 800K or not.
a year ago
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John **********
@Ellie ******
 assuming UK from her profile
a year ago
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Ellie *******
@John *********
, only "studied at University of London" is visible to me, so no clue about her nationality or passport she is on to Thailand to me.
a year ago
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Ellie *******
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Roberto *********
Bangkok only. Immigration require 15 days remaining on your entry stamp. That's 15 calendar days, not working days.
a year ago
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Rebecca ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Roberto ********
 I’ll apply it in Bangkok immigration office. Thanks!
a year ago
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Ellie *******
@Roberto ********
, most offices including Bangkok have 15 calendar days remaining requirement. A few have 21 days (15 working days).
a year ago
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Ellie *******
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Ellie *******
If you enter Thailand AFTER the "must be used by" date, you will be stamped on visa-exempt, unless you have re-entry permit with still remaining entry stamp.

Then you can apply for an initial in-country Non-O visa based on retirement, following 1-year extension after about 2 months.

You are not likely to be asked for an onward travel ticket at passport control on entry to Thailand. But you need to check with your airline if you are going to fly in.

Depends on how fast you collect the documents required for a Non-O visa if 30 days stamp is enough or not. Some can do quite smoothly, some needs longer time.
a year ago
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Ellie *******
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