Answereda year ago

Can you switch from an O-A visa to an O visa while in Thailand?

O-A Visa O Visa Visa Transition Thailand Immigration Visa Rules Expat Life in Thailand

Tom ***********

asked Sep 3, 2025

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Just wondering whether anyone has used an O-A to enter Thailand and swapped to an O after the first 12 months.

I am looking at Moratorium Insurance for the first 12 months and then self Insuring on an O Visa?

Cheers,

Tom Gallagher

Answer summary

The O-A visa cannot be switched to an O visa while remaining in Thailand. To change from an O-A to an O visa, you must exit the country and re-enter with a new visa. Options include obtaining a 90-day Non-O visa from a Thai consulate or re-entering on a 60-day visa exempt stamp, followed by applying for the Non-O visa from within Thailand.

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Rob **********

You cannot switch from a OA visa to O visa inside of Thailand. If you want to switch to the O visa, you must leave Thailand first then either purchase a 90 day O visa from a Thai Consulate/ embassy or you can return to Thailand on a 60 day visa exempt stamp and start the process from inside of Thailand.

a year ago

Frank *********

What is the reason to change from OA to O?

a year ago

Tod *********

@Frank ********

so you don't need the mandatory 100K USD health insurance

a year ago

Tod *********

You couldn't "swap" to anything from an OA,

If you get the OA visa from the thai consulate in your country before you come here, you get stamped in for a year (or as long as your mandatory insurance is valid for up to a year)

THEN

when that year runs down IF you got another year of insurance you could exit/re-enter before the visa itself expired and get a whole new year entry stamp (or as long as the insurance is valid for up to a year)

Most people on OA visas (who plan it out right) manage to get almost 2 years of stay out of that one year visa by renewing their insurance and bouncing out/back for the second year entry stamp.

However IF you're wanting to get OFF the OA visa you'd have to exit the country, get stamped out, then either buy a new 90 day Non-O visa from a thai consulate before you come back OR enter free stamp 60 day visa exempt, have the 800K banked in a thai bank account in your name only and apply for the in country 90 day Non-O visa at the immigration office where you live.

There is no way to "swap" an OA for an O without getting completely off the OA and starting the Non-O visa/extension process from scratch

a year ago

Kathy *********

@Tod ********

Hi Tod, sorry to piggy back on to Tom's post but hope you can help me.

I have an OA visa which is valid till 13 March 2026 but my insurance & my entry stamp only give me till 20 November 2025. I am exiting the country for a few weeks in November, will renew my insurance, and come back in to Thailand on 23 November 2025. I understand that this will give me another year based on the expiry of my insurance, so in effect, till November 2026. If I want to leave the country again in April 2026 for a few weeks, I believe I will need to get a re-entry permit, but will I be stamped back in till the end of my insurance (November 2026), or how will it work based on that my "visa" only gives me to March 2026? I am a little confused and would appreciate your advice, thanks.

a year ago

Tod *********

Kathy Spencer you will indeed get stamped in until November 2026 when you return to the country with new insurance,

you are correct when you go to exit the country again in April next year you will need a reentry permit and you will get stamped back in until November 2026

Don't confuse an entry stamp with the validity of the Visa itself those are two completely different things.

The Visa runs out in March that is the latest you could enter the country on it and get stamped in.

The entry stamp that you're going to get this November will be until November next year because you get stamped in for a year or as long as your health insurance is valid for up to a year.

So when you leave in April which is after the Visa itself expired you will need a reentry permit and when you come in you will get stamped in until that November 2026 stamp

a year ago

Pete *******

@Tod ********

hi Tod. I have the OA and am also looking to change next year to O. The OA was issued in SA as I was working there at the time. My home country is the UK but no plans to return anytime soon. You mention being able to apply in the local immigration office, is it fairly straight forward?

a year ago

Jan ******************

@Pete ******

It's relatively straightforward. The process is called Issuing and Changing Type of Visa. Here are the general requirements at the immigration office in Bangkok, but it's best to visit your local immigration office to get a handout of their specific requirements before applying. You'll need 15-21 days left on your stamp, depending on the location, and you'll apply on a TM.86 form if you're on a tourist visa or TM.87 if you're on a visa exemption. The fee is 2000 baht.

a year ago

Pete *******

@Jan *****************

excellent thanks Jan. I have another years health insurance which will give me another year on the OA visa. Will start the process once that has kicked in from 1 Jan 26. Ensures I have plenty of time to get everything sorted and ready.

a year ago