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Do the health certification and criminal history for the OA visa need to be valid by travel date or issue date?

OA Visa Non-O Visa Visa Validity Criminal History Record Health Certification Travel Dates Thai Visa Rules

Aug 12, 2025

8 days ago

John *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Coordinating Document Validity with travel dates.

Apologies if this is answered somewhere here. I did search but did not find. As a US citizen, the OA application wants:

A health certification stating no prohibiting disease on an official form not greater than 90 days.

A clean criminal history record not greater than 90 days.

Are these associated with your date of travel, or your issue date?

Say I have both documents generated today, and I apply for the OA visa  a month from now. and am approved in 15 days.  Do i need to travel before those documents expire, or do I have a set expiration based on issue date? "Must travel within XX days"?

Asking because I had my last Dr appointment with My PMD today, and he was nice enough to complete the health form, but now I am not sure if it will work for a travel date in early December.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

For the OA visa, both the health certification and clean criminal history record must be issued within 90 days prior to your travel date. However, the visa itself will have a validity period of 3 months starting from the issue date, within which you must enter Thailand. After that initial entry, you will receive a stamp for a 365-day stay. It's crucial to time your application and travel to ensure that all documents are valid when you enter Thailand.

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Max *************

Just out of curiosity, is there a reason for applying for the O-A instead of taking the 90 days Non-O with a 1 year extension route?

8 days ago

John *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Max ************

also for the sake of clarity (Not directed at you because I believe you understood intent). "Permanent residence" was in reference to where I would live long enough to receive mail, utility bills, share with family. Not a Visa status. (Someone on here would be all over the syntax and not the intent)

8 days ago

John *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I have the funds to cover the higher proof of funds, much more than the minimum income,would be buying health insurance anyway, have no prohibiting disease, and a clean record.

I start out with no uncertainty of having a 1 year stay. In no rush to season a bank account (although I will get one established). If I decide Thailand is not for me, and decide on another country I simply leave. If I decide to stay, I leave and let my OA expire(while out of the country) when I return, I have a permanent address already established, a bank account already established, and apply for an O.

8 days ago

Max *************

@John ********

I'm totally buying your explanation.👍

8 days ago

Reply to

Max *************

Graham ******

@Max ************

it's usually no money required in Thailand for up to 2 years (or never if repeated)

8 days ago

Max *************

@Graham *****

I know,but quite often they actually don't know how it works.

8 days ago

Reply to

Max *************

Nongnuch ********

the Non-O/A visa, when issued, will allow you to enter Thailand within a period of 3 months starting from the issue date. Upon entry within the visa-validtity date, you will get stamped in for a 365-days stay permit. Many people do mistakenly think that you can use the visa for an entry 6 months after it has been isued. This is wrong. You need to check the date on the visa.pdf document, after the words "visa must be used until"

8 days ago

Graham ******

@Nongnuch *******

The Non-OA is a 12 month multi-entry visa so there is no need to use it within 90 days, it is valid for 12 months from the date of issue

8 days ago

Nongnuch ********

@Graham *****

damn, you are right. I have confused it with the 90-days single entry Non-O visa. Surely the 365-days Non-Imm-O/A visa has a 1-year validity beginning on the day of issue . . .

7 days ago

Reply to

Nongnuch ********

John *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Nongnuch *******

I was hoping this was the answer. Thank you for the quick reply.

8 days ago

Nongnuch ********

@John ********

sorry but my advice was wrong. The visa validity of a Non-Imm-O/A visa is a full year from the date of issue, not for only 3 months

7 days ago