Answered4 years ago

Can I switch from an O-A visa to an O visa and how long will the process take?

Visa types Retirement visa O-A visa O visa Thai immigration Visa renewal process

Martin ***********

asked Jul 16, 2022

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This may be a little specific, but it's worth a try.  I used to have a type 0 Retirement visa. I currently have an O-A I got in Los Angeles in 2021.   I have been putting 65kb every month into my bank account.  I am wondering if I switch to a type O from an O-A is there still a 3-4 month wait.  The renewal date is important to me.

Answer summary

The user is inquiring about switching from an O-A visa to an O visa and is concerned about the waiting period associated with this transition. Comments clarify that switching from an O-A to an O isn't straightforward; the individual must leave Thailand and apply for a new Non-O visa at a Thai consulate. They also mention the requirement to meet financial documentation criteria, specifically maintaining a bank account balance of 65,000 Baht monthly for a year, in order to qualify for the extension process.

14 repliesnewest first

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Marty *********

I don’t think you can switch from a non-OA for the entire first year of the non-OA. It is a multiple entry visa the first year. You can’t kill it by simply leaving without a re-entry permit.

4 years ago

Martin ***********

@Marty ********

I'm not in the first year. If they still look at insurance it will end in April, if not July

4 years ago

Marty *********

@Martin **********

I assume you didn’t buy a multi-reentry permit for the second year?

Martin ***********

ahh thanks

Marty *********

It is multiple entry the first year not the second.

4 years ago

Martin ***********

@Marty ********

The O-A includes multi-entry. I do not have to buy one with that visa.

4 years ago

Marty *********

@Martin **********

Then you are good to go with Tod’s advice. You could end it tomorrow by leaving without a re-entry permit.

4 years ago

Tod *********

You can't "switch from an OA to an O" you would leave the country and BUY a 90 day Non-O visa at a thai consulate, then you would wait until that 90 day stamp runs down to 30 days or less and apply for the yearly extension at the immigration office by meeting the requirements (which if you're using monthly income is 12 months of 65K baht a month transfers from abroad into a thai bank account in your name only)

4 years ago

Martin ***********

I can come into the country with a tourist visa and get a 90 day type 0. This is how I did it the first time. You are saying I can't come into the kingdom with an O-A and do the same process to get a type 0 retirement visa?

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Martin **********

so get a single entry tourist visa before you come here, get 60 days when you arrive, get the financials in place, go apply for the in country Non-O visa and then the year extension.

Just forgo getting the OA visa entirely.

4 years ago

Ellie *******

@Martin **********

The easiest way is, to leave and come back to Thailand on visa-exempt without purchasing re-entry permit AFTER your Non-OA expired (one year since it was issued from the embassy/consulate).

I don't know which type f visa you have, but you need to check (4 in the attached)

4 years ago

Martin ***********

@Tod ********

I already have the O-A. How can I enter with a tourist visa if I have that Visa?

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Martin **********

right, that is exactly what I am saying 🙂

You can go from a 30 day visa exempt entry OR a 60 day tourist visa entry to an in country Non-O visa but you can't come IN on a Non-Immigrant Type visa (no matter the category OA, ED, B, etc) and switch to a different type of one in country <- meaning you can't come in on an OA and switch to an O

4 years ago

Martin ***********

@Tod ********

thanks for the info. I should learn not to be surprised by the Random rules at this point

4 years ago