Answered5 years ago
Is it easy to renew a Non O-A Retirement visa by myself or should I hire a visa agent?
I have a Non O-A Retirement visa that will expire next month. Is it difficult to do the renewal myself or is it recommended to use a visa agent?
Answer summary
The process of renewing a Non O-A Retirement visa is generally considered straightforward, with many users suggesting it can be done independently without the need for a visa agent. However, applicants must prepare specific documentation, such as mandatory health insurance from approved Thai carriers and a signed bank statement showing the required funds. While some find the process easy, others note that it can depend on individual circumstances and the local immigration office's specific requirements. Changing from a Non O-A visa to a Non O visa is not possible without leaving the country, which adds complexity for long-term residents.
47 repliesnewest first
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Stanley ********
Easy to fake all request document. Eg insurance and an agent easily get round the TM30 and money in bank bs. We gotta stop the natives ripping us of blind. They know no better and only do we so many blindly obey
Stanley ********
Alex.... money buys anything here as we all know. No need any of this bs window dressing that we are told we have to have. It's all an excuse to get more money
Faysul ******
Paedo
Tod *********
As far as the mandatory 40k/400k out/in-patient health insurance requirements. MOST people who have their own insurance (but one that isn't issued by one of the 15 approved carriers) just get the LMG policy with a 200K baht deductible <-(meaning you'd pay the first 7K USD of any claim). That gets the premium down to a manageable level AND you have proof that you meet the mandatory insurance requirements
Here's the premium on the 200K deductible policy that mets the
Here's the premium on the 200K deductible policy that mets the
******
requirements 
Ken ******
not too sure if accept renewal if health become worse
Sonny **********
@Ken *****
I know a couple of insurance co. here were u can insure up to 100 years. I dont have the names on them for the moment. I insure myself, by having the money in the bank. Just hope if something happen it’s enough. Last year I had a prostate surgery, paid by myself. Insurance co. always try not to pay. Ken ******
also most insurer will.not accept application after age 65, and only insure up to 80
Tod *********
@Ken *****
the cut off for most is 70 and they'll insure you until you're 99 if you get the policy before you turn 70Ken ******
if you can better change to non O VISA, it does not require buying costly but not quite useful health insurance as all pre existing health problem not covered
Tod *********
@Ken *****
he cannot change to an O visa in country. He'd have to leave and come back 
Chang *****
THIS MUST BE ORGINAL.
DO NOT TAKE COPIE....
Signed and stamped bank statement showing the required money and duration befo re application date. (Max 7 days old)
DO NOT TAKE COPIE....
Signed and stamped bank statement showing the required money and duration befo re application date. (Max 7 days old)
Janin ******
@Chang ****
, in HH bank statements must be from the same day as you go to immigration Tod *********
@Janin *****
totally office specific, in Bangkok you can have the bank letter up to 7 days old but you have to update your bank book the day you applyJanin ******
It’s easy saves you a lot of money
Raj *******
yes good visa agent Roger 0980838652
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*****
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Nick ************
@Janin *****
it's far from easy if you do not have *****
0 baht yo tie upnin a Thai bank account. 
Stephen **********
why do u want to get an agent the paperwork is so simple to do. The only hard part is waiting at immigration
Nick ************
@Stephen *********
if you dont have the money it is not hard but impossible instead.
Stuart *********
@Stephen *********
(deleted comment as I had misread your statement).Sonny **********
Why not change to non-O in stead of OA. No need for insurance.
Tod *********
@Sonny *********
can't change to an O visa inside the country it wouldd take leaving and "breaking the chain" on the OA and then coming back in. Nick ************
David Broadfoot good night.
Nick ************
David Broadfoot I'm neither offended or happy at that comment as I have no idea what you mean.
Andy ********
@Nick ***********
you have no idea what David Broadfoot means because you have no understanding of the basic types of Thai visas. As such you should refrain from trying to give advice.Nick ************
David Broadfoot I did not have tourist Visa status. I was the lowest if low on amnesty. A covid extension counts for more than that.
Stuart *********
@Sonny *********
As stated you CANNOT change from an Non OA visa (extension) in country to a Non O visa (extension). You would have to leave the country first and then apply for a new Non O visa. If you came in on a Non OA visa then medical insurance is mandatory for any extensions. Nick ************
David Broadfoot I do not have an O Visa. I have a non O Visa based on retirement. When I got it I was on amnesty so I went to immigration in Bangkok to get it. This year I am better prepared and better informed and will have no problem extending it for another 12 months. There is no requirement for me to leave the country to get it. I dont know where you get your information from.
It is the O A Visa that you must get from your home country allthough I have heard rumours that this might have changed recently.
It is the O A Visa that you must get from your home country allthough I have heard rumours that this might have changed recently.
Sonny **********
So, he have to do what he have to do. No way around it. 😞
David *******
@Sonny *********
easier said than done...you have to leave the country to apply for a non o.Nick ************
@David ******
that is simply not true. I got my non O in Bangkok. It took 30 minutes. Got 12 month retirement extension at the same time.David *******
@Nick ***********
just a simple yes or no. Did you have a non OA visa prior to transferring to non O in Bangkok.Sonny **********
Good luck !
Sonny **********
@Ken *******
if u live here long term a travelinsurance is not allowed. After a couple of years they decline if u are a resident here. Janin ******
@Sonny *********
if something happens they ask your return ticket with travel insurance…
Ken ********
@Sonny *********
I go back to Australia for a month each year normallynKen ********
@Sonny *********
it's good to have insurance thoughSonny **********
@Ken *******
if u can afford it. Depends on ur age. I am 72, health insurance for me is between 100.000 to 150.000 per year ! Better to keep the money in the bank. No conflicts with insurance company. They always try to get away to pay. 
Danny *******
@Marlene *****
yes
Marlene ******
@Danny ******
baht?Marlene ******
@Sonny *********
wow…expensive even in US dollarDanny *******
@Sonny *********
You will probably need it if you ever leave Thailand and want to come back though, and getting it after age 75 can be difficult. We want to go to the US in December and return in February and we are *****
, so we just signed up for the first time in 11 years of living here. A good policy with high deductible cost us 94,000 for the year.Ken ********
@Sonny *********
I've got travel insurance from a French company that I could get from here ⅓ the price of health insuranceSonny **********
Easy paperwork.
Steve *******
You cant re-new the visa but you can apply for a 1 year extention of stay. Easy if you have all the docs and finances.
Tod *********
Other than having to have the
Seeing as there are OVER 70 immigration offices in thailand how about mentioning the one you're going to using? 😉
******
out/in-patient mandatory health insurance by one of the 15 thai carriers approved to issue O-A insurance the requirements are the same as a "regular" retirement extension from an O visa. Seeing as there are OVER 70 immigration offices in thailand how about mentioning the one you're going to using? 😉
Stuart *********
Relatively easy to do yourself. Here’s a list of what the Phuket office require. Your local office may have slight variations.
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