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How can I transition from a Non-O visa to an O-A visa in Thailand?

Non-O visa O-A visa Visa transition Thai immigration rules Health insurance requirements Visa application process Bank account requirements

Sep 17, 2021

5 years ago

Eric *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello fellow aliens! I’m wondering if anyone has transitioned to an O-A visa from an O visa. It made sense for me last year to go from my previous O-A to O because of the covid situation but I hate tying up 800k in the bank here and I much prefer the two years you can get out of an O-A visa, even with the health insurance requirement. So the consulate back in the US just wants to see $25k in a local bank account for 2 months previous to the application and they don’t care if I haven’t kept 800k in a thai bank for 3 months after receiving my O visa here, right?...🙏

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The post discusses the possibility of transitioning from a Non-O visa to an O-A visa due to preferences regarding the bank balance requirement and visa duration. Users clarify that while the U.S. consulate requires $25,000 in a local bank account for two months before application, they do not necessarily care about the previous 800k Thai bank balance. There are also notes on health insurance requirements post-COVID and general advice on monitoring visa regulations.

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Benjamin ******

October 2022 is 13 months away. My advice is to watch this group for any changes to Thai entry or visa rules. Since October 2022 is too far away, I'm going to close commenting.

5 years ago

Tod *********

You'll need to hold the mandatory 40k/400k health insurance AND the 100K USD in covid insurance to get back into the country. You can use your insurance policy from your country to get the visa and to get in as long as it meets the minimum required amounts.

5 years ago

Eric *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

thanks for the info, I’d be applying for the O-A in LA October of next year, maybe they will have dropped the covid ins requirement by then!

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

@Eric ********

> I’d be applying for the O-A in LA October of next year

October.. 2022?

5 years ago

Eric *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Benjamin *****

yep getting my O visa this October but I would like to jump back to the O-A - and not have to maintain my 800k bank balance here for the next 3 months😄

5 years ago

Eric *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Will get the O visa this oct 1 and go back to the US and get an OA next oct ‘22.

5 years ago

Reply to

Eric *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for the info! Would love to get back to an O-A😄

5 years ago

Longy ****

@Eric ********

you buy it in your home country starting from scratch.

There is no 'transitioning' from->to

5 years ago

Reply to

Longy ****

Gregor **********

the Washington DC embassy doesn't mention any 2 months seasoning required for a bank account statement . . . . . . check here . . . . .

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/17/oalongstay/

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

>So the consulate back in the US just wants to see $25k in a local bank account for 2 months previous to the application and they don’t care if I haven’t kept 800k in a thai bank for 3 months after receiving my O visa here, right?.

That is correct! Remember:

1. Extension of Stays and Visas are two completely different legal concepts. You (probably) had a Non-O visa with a one year extension of stay. A Non-OA visa is a visa.

2. The consulates and immigration offices are ran by two completely different departments, and they do not communicate with each other.

5 years ago

Reply to

Benjamin ******

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How can I change from an OA retirement visa to an O retirement visa in Thailand, and what are the requirements?

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