Can we apply for a NON-OA or OX visa while in Thailand if we obtain a 90-day visa first?

Feb 17, 2019
6 years ago
Lesley *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
My husband and I are 61 and ready to retire to Thailand. To Samui in fact. We currently live in Hong Kong as we have been expats for ages. We do NOT have Permanent Residence in HK, having been here for 5 years of the required 7. The Thai consulate say we must go back to our home country UK and apply there.

That’s very expensive!

So, if we can get a 90 day non immigrant visa in HK, can we apply for a OA or OX visa once in Thailand?

How do we do any police clearances needed?

Is the process really terrible? At the moment it looks to be our only option without travelling to UK and spending as long as it takes there.

Your thoughts would be very much appreciated.Many thanks in anticipation of helpful advice 😎
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around a couple planning to retire in Thailand, currently residing in Hong Kong without permanent residence. They seek advice on applying for a retirement visa while avoiding an expensive return to the UK. Comments suggest they can enter Thailand on a 90-day NON-O visa obtained in Hong Kong, from which they can apply for a one-year extension. It's noted that they might not need police or medical clearances. Other options discussed include the Thai Elite visa and the importance of having the required funds in a Thai bank account.
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Robert *********
@Lesley ******
Double check this, but I think you will find the 800k is for each of you, meaning 1.6m, not just 800k for both
Tod *********
Robert, you are incorrect. For a couple that is married only ONE person needs to meet the financial requirements to get the year long extension and their spouse will get a matching extension based on being married to someone who has a yearly extension here.
Tod *********
and I think we're done. The O/P now knows they can get a 90 day Non-O visa at a thai consulate BEFORE they wing their way here OR come here on a 30 day visa exempt or tourist visa entry and then apply for the 90 day Non-O visa INSIDE the country

then after that apply for a yearly extension of stay.

All that's being said now is people re-hashing what their choices are.
Lesley *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
😎
Erik ***********
61 is really early to retire so congratulations. But for my self I wanna work untill I'm at least 75 years 😁
Guenter ********
A copy of bank statement showing a deposit of the amount equal to and not less than 800,000 Baht ... another currency is possible !
Robert *******
I try to explain; There is no retirement visa for Thailand, many call all kind of different things retirement visa but it is as it is. You have several options: Fly to the UK and get the Non Immigrant O-A visa, which gives you 1 year of stay and can be used for almost 2 years of stay, the Non Immigrant O-X visa which gives you 5 years of stay. IF you do not like to visit the UK, you can apply for the Non Immigrant O visa, a Single Entry gives you 90 days of stay. After 60 days you visit the immigration office in Koh Samui and apply for the 1 year Extension of Stay. You mention you have a Thai Bank account and the funds, I would say use this in your advantage as you already prepared for this. As long as you have the funds on your account you can apply every year for a new 1 year Extension of Stay. And as we give advice on this page, we hear and read many times it was a walk in the park, if you visit Immigration Office well prepared it is easy and not really terrible as some un prepared people will try to tell you.
Robert *********
@Robert ******
simple. The op knew what they wanted, but did not have the correct terminology. Well, I guessed what they wanted, that wasn't hard, and tried to steer them in the right direction, not just tell them they had the wrong terminology. After all that, the op is a happy chappy, I guess that is the main thing and the point of the site
Robert *******
I don't know that part, I know about visa, nothing about Thai Customs.
Lesley *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I feel so much better about this, was quite worried yesterday!

One more question, can we import our stuff with a 90 day visa? Duty free?
Robert *******
@Robert ********
Try to explain this to me?
Robert *********
@Robert ******
that is the right answer to the wrong question
Joe ***********
And there is always the Thai Elite Card Visa 5 years for 500,000 Family 750,000
Robert *********
There are advantages of going back to UK for an AO visa, you use finances in the UK, and don't have to bank money in Thailand, and you can 2 years from it.
Dana *******
A new rule is that the 800k baths must be on you account 2 (and later 3 months when you ask of the 360-days extension) AND stay on your account for 3 months after you get your visa/extension...That means, that, actually, you need 800k PLUS your budget for the 6 months during which the 800k must stay untouched on your account. PS : instead of having the 800k in Baths, you can have the equivalent on a foreign currency account in the Thai bank, as long as it is not blocked.
Lesley *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ********
We have the bank account already and have the funds needed.
Alfonso ******
If available dollars , get an elite visa for 10-20 yrs , no hassling running about .

Check website , elite visa in Thailand
Paul *********
Have a look at this post about 'retirement' visa -

If you don't want to go back to UK to get the non-O-A, you may (depending on the immigration office) be able to come in on a visa exempt entry (or tourist visa) change to non-0 (>50yrs) and then onto yearly extension. (Or even miss one step and apply for the non-0 in hkg)

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Paul *********
@Rob***
- not needing medical/police/others doc's can make it easier to do non-0(>50) 'in-country'.

Not 100% sure if both need to meet the requirements or if one can 'trail' on the others visa/extension - I think so but not 100% sure.
Robert **********
@Paul ********
I entered from USA on SETV, converted to 90 day non O retirement, then got 1 year extension. 800K in Thai bank. Not sure if both of you need that amount or if wife can be dependent spouse. No police or doctor clearance needed. 90 day reporting required. Possible to use 65k/month pension, each??
Stuart *********
Apply for the non immigrant O visa for being over 50. You can get that at any consulate. That gives you 90 days entry. Once here as long as you meet the financial requirements you can apply for an extension of stay for 1 year. You may want to read up on the recent changes to the financial requirements. Lots of posts on here about it.
Tod *********
you can't get that Non-O based on being over 50 at "any consulate". Each has its own particular quirks as far as documentation.
Bill *******
Both my mom and dad (Americans) got their retirement visas here. They came over on 30 day visa exemptions and then bumped up to 90 days and then the full year. Honestly though it depends on the local immigration office. I’d get a Thai person with good social skills to call the immigration office you use and ask.
Ron *******
You cannot apply for any of those visas in Thailand.

You apply for them in your own country if you want those visas.
James ********
@Robert ********
thank you Robert. Well done.
Robert *********
@Lesley ******
absolutely. If you ask the wrong question, you get the wrong answer, even tho the person knows the question you should be asking.
Lesley *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Sorry, sometimes knowing which questions to ask is half the problem.
Lesley *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
This helps!

Can you renew this every year?
Robert *********
@Ron ******
fine, but the op didn't know the answers, I provided some
Ron *******
@Robert ********
i only answered the question regarding the O-A and O-X visa πŸ˜‰
Robert *********
@Ron ******
Ron is correct. You cannot apply for OA or OX visas in Thailand. HOWEVER, he should have added you can apply for an O visa in Thailand, from which you can get a 12 month extension, based on being over 50, provided you meet the financial requirements. You can apply for an SETV or METV in Hk, and convert it here. Sorry, don't ask my the fine points of how to, I use an agent.
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