Can My Wife Change Her AO Retirement Visa to a NON-O Accompanying Spouse Visa?

Visa Requirements NON-O Visa Retirement Visa

Apr 16, 2020

5 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

My name is Noel, My wife and I are both Australian, and came here on AO retirement visa's and is due for a renewal in a few months. We have been advised that we can now change my wife's visa to a NON Immigrant "O" Accompanying Spouse Visa, ( that's a mouth full ) which also means she does NOT need to have the THB 800,000 in a bank, only have too, to support her. Is this correct, and are there any other special requirements associated with obtaining this particular visa. hope you can assist us. Noel

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Noel, an Australian expat, inquired about changing his wife's AO retirement visa to a Non-Immigrant 'O' Accompanying Spouse Visa, which may waive the requirement of having THB 800,000 in a bank account. Community members suggested confirming this with the local Immigration office and mentioned potential need for health insurance proof as well as coordination with visa extensions. They advised that the process might require obtaining a new Non-O visa from a consulate upon re-entry to Thailand.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

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James ********

Good Luck

@Noel ********

. You have good helpful advice. Take care and stay safe.

Commenting closed.

5 years ago

Tod *********

Not to open a can of worms BUT did you both already get the TWO years of stay on the O-A visas that you're allowed (by exiting and re-entering just prior to the VISA itself expiring)?

That visa is unlimited entry for its validity and every entry gets you stamped in for a NEW year. Exiting and re-entering just before the visa expires gets you a new year stamp (meaning you get TWO years of stay out of a visa that's valid for only a year).

I'm just making sure you got as much time on those visas as you could before you go the extension of stay route

5 years ago

Noel *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

, yes we have already had that, we have been here since Sep 2018 and the extra year extension

5 years ago

Reply to

Noel *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks very much for your advise, looks like an early fact finding mission to the Immigration Office...which we will do early, we both already have full health cover insurance, so that's not a problem. Will let you know how it turns out. Thanks

5 years ago

James ********

@Noel ********

...Does the health insurance meet the requirements for the O-A visa?

...Was is purchased from a company on the approved list ?

...Or is it from your home country?

...If it is do you have a Certificate from the insurer that it meets the minimum requirements for the O-A visa?

******************************************

5 years ago

Tod *********

Once she does manage to get a 90 day Non-O visa (which can be had from several of the thai consulates nearby ONCE they re-open, there's not that much required to get her an extension that matches yours. The real linchpin seems to be the marriage certificate and whether it needs to be certified by your embassy, then translated and then stamped by the MFA. (Some offices require it and some don't).

When she goes to get the Non-O visa and re-enters the country she'll get a 90 day stamp and she can apply for an extension that matches yours when she has 30 days or less left on her 90 day entry stamp off the Non-O visa. SO you need to coordinate her getting the visa with you getting your next extension.

5 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

Unless I am wrong (which I do not believe I am) your wife cannot change from an O-A visa entry to an extension based on marriage to a foreigner on a long stay extension :/

I'd say the place to check is your immigration office, BUT I'd be ready to get told no you can't do it and send your wife outta the country to get a NEW 90 day Non-O visa (with no A after it) and then have her get a matching extension when you get yours.

Keep in mind because your wife is "piggy backing" from your O-A visa for her extension she will still need to meet the mandatory insurance requirements from one of the 13 in country thai approved providers

5 years ago

James ********

And as you are now on an O-A visa ...ask if both of you will need proof of health insurance now required for the O-A visa with an extension of the O-A inside Thailand ???

5 years ago

Robert *******

You have to check with your local Immigration office if they accept a change of reason for the Extension of Stay.

5 years ago

Reply to

Robert *******

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