How long can I stay outside Thailand on an O/OA retirement visa without losing it?

O/A Visa Retirement Visa Visa Rules Expat Life Thailand Immigration

Nov 24, 2024

3 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

How long can you leave Thailand for if you have an O/OA retirement visa and keep the visa? I am considering if a 185 day return to UK in order to update my pension would be possible. Thanks to the group, I did search for answers first.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

There is no official limit on the number of days you can leave Thailand while holding an O/OA retirement visa. However, you need to be in the country on the day you're eligible to apply for your visa extension. Some users shared their experiences, noting that they were able to leave for extended periods (up to 8 months) while maintaining their visas as long as they returned before the visa expired and prepared their documents for renewal in time.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

Albert *********

You only have to renew your visa in time.

3 days ago

Bob **********

As long as you return before the visa expires ,if your in your first year remember you’ll be stamped in for another year providing you have a years worth of of required insurance

3 days ago

David *********

I had to go to Australia and ended up staying 8 months , what I did was renew the Visa early with reentry permit , and pretty much left immediately , then got back in with 3 odd months to spare and renewed .

So , you should not have any problem .

3 days ago

Lloyd ********

@David ********

you did not renew the visa, you got a years extension and re-entry permit. I know that because a Non-OA visa does not require a re-entry permit, as it is a multi-entry visa.

3 days ago

David *********

@Lloyd *******

Yes ..same same

Thanks .

3 days ago

Lloyd ********

@David ********

Nope, nowhere near "same same". And that is why you should not give advice!

3 days ago

Reply to

Lloyd ********

Ellie *******

There is no rule on maximum number of days you can be out of Thailand. Technically, you just need to be in the province on the day you can apply for an extension, which means the last day of your current stamp. But practically you may need a few more days to prepare documents for application.

For example, it wouldn't be a problem to leave Thailand immediately after you get a 1-year extension and re-entry stamp and be back in the last 5 days to prepare and apply for the next extension.

3 days ago

Richard ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

Thank you!

3 days ago

Alfred *****

@Ellie ******

always clear and concise

3 days ago

Wayne *******

@Alfred ****