Answered4 years ago
Is it possible to switch from an OA visa to an O visa in Thailand without medical coverage?
Is it difficult to switch from an OA visa to an O visa (so the medical coverage is not required)?
Answer summary
Switching from an OA visa to an O visa is not straightforward. To make this change, you must allow your OA visa to expire or leave Thailand without a re-entry permit. Subsequently, you can apply for a new Non-O visa. This cannot be done while remaining in the country; you must exit and re-enter on a tourist visa or visa-exempt entry before applying for the Non-O visa. Additionally, while the OA visa has certain financial requirements regarding funds in a Thai bank account, some flexibility exists for those applying for a new OA visa from outside Thailand.
26 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
James ********
The advantage of the OA visa is you can keep the 800,000 Thai baht in your home country vs it being deposited in a Thai bank account in your name only.
Pre COVID, many Americans kept their $$$ in their US banks and obtained a new OA Visa annually or every two year's. The allowed liberalization of using health insurance from your home country will now make it easier to get the OA.
Pre COVID, many Americans kept their $$$ in their US banks and obtained a new OA Visa annually or every two year's. The allowed liberalization of using health insurance from your home country will now make it easier to get the OA.
Paul *******
OP@James *******
I already deposited the money in my Thai bank. Do you mean foreigners can leave the money in their home country - IF they are applying for a whole new OA visa. But do need to have money in Thai bank if doing an OA visa Extension in Thailand?
James ********
@Paul ******
you can extend the OA visa inside Thailand with having the 800,000 Thai baht in your Thai bank account in your name only. Along with the required OA health insurance for one year coverage.James ********
@Paul ******
Yes ..but you have to be in the home country to apply for a New OA visa.Ellie *******
Very summary of how to get a long-term extension based on retirement is here (without detailed requirements)
@Paul ******
, you want to do one of two columns in the middle.
Cecilia *****
Tod *********
inside the country you can't do it 🙁 there is no way to go from an OA entry stamp or extension to an O visa 😕
You follow what Lloyd said,
Stamp out on the OA visa entry stamp or extension come back either on a visa exempt or a tourist visa, apply for a 90 day Non-O inside the country at the immigration office for 2000baht or you get a 90 day single entry Non-O before you come back.
You follow what Lloyd said,
Stamp out on the OA visa entry stamp or extension come back either on a visa exempt or a tourist visa, apply for a 90 day Non-O inside the country at the immigration office for 2000baht or you get a 90 day single entry Non-O before you come back.
Gregor **********
Contrary to above posts, there since February 2022, is a health insurance requirement for aplications for a Non-Imm-O Visa in the threadstarter's home country USA Just NOT YET for extensions out of this visa. . . . . . . . . check here, Thai Embassy Washington DC:
************************************************
*******
/17/nonoretirement/Tod *********
@Gregor *********
which is why I said to get the Non-O inside the country OR they could go to a nearby thai consulate and apply for itGregor **********
@Tod ********
thank you, TodGregor **********
@Tod ********
ok I stand corrected, I thought it was only possible for Non-O family in LaosTod *********
@Gregor *********
100% NOT correct, you can apply for the 90 day Non-O visa based on retirement at Vientiane and Savannakhet without being a resident of Lao. By showing you're over 50 and you meet the proof of funds.Also pre-covid HCMC and Hanoi in Vietnam both issued it as well as did Penang Malaysia
Gregor **********
@Tod ********
to apply for a Non-Imm-O outside of Thailand, he must use the Thai embassy or consulate in his home country. He cannot apply in one of Thailands neighbouring countries, unless he is a resident there
Heinz ***********
@Tod ********
So on a visa exempt I can apply for a Non-O inside the country? And stay max. 150 days, right?Tod *********
@Heinz **********
that would NOT be the course of action I would choose, just to stay here especially if you have no intention of getting the year extension after you get the 90 day Non-O.Why not just come in on a 6 month METV multi-entry tourist visa instead ?
Heinz ***********
@Tod ********
With the METV I'd have to leave the country every 60 days (after a 30 days extension in the Kingdom).So better get a TR visa and convert to a Non-O or maybe a Long Stay? inside the country?
Paul *******
OP@Tod ********
visa exempt or a tourist visa? Do both options require applying for a visa? Or is one of those the automatic 30 days you get just by entering the kingdom?Ellie *******
@Paul ******
, You need to apply for Non-O retirement in any way.Apply for Non-O at the embassy/consulate in another country then enter Thailand
OR enter Thailand on a visa/extemp/Tourist visa and apply for NOn-O inside Thailand.
Ellie *******
@Paul ******
, Your saying "automatic 30days" is a visa-exempt entry.When it is an extension, either of from a Non-O retirement visa and from a Non-OA is the same except for insurance requirements for the latter.
Ellie *******
@Paul ******
, right. You don't need insurance for extension applications in Thailand if you start with Non-O (whenever you apply and get).Paul *******
OP@Ellie ******
“No insurance requirements for following extensions to EITHER Non-O” ?? Meaning you don’t have to have insurance for either when you’re extending?Ellie *******
@Paul ******
, No insurance is required when you apply for Non-O inside Thailand. Insurance requirement varies each embassy/consulate when you apply for Non-O outside Thailand. But it's not strict as one for Non-OA.
No insurance requirements for following extensions to either Non-O.
Paul *******
OP@Ellie ******
so again. No insurance requirement for the O visa. Seems like a real advantage considering most insurance plans seem to be crap here. Better off paying out of pocket here.
Graham ******
@Paul ******
Visa exempt is the free 30 day entry stamp, a purchased Tourist visa is a 60 day entry stamp, both can be extended for 30 days if neededPaul *******
OP@Tod ********
is there any advantage to either visa? I suppose it would be easier just to extend the OA but this insurance thing is a hassle.
Lloyd ********
You would need to start from scratch, let the OA expire, or leave without a re-entry if on an extension, and then apply for a brand new Non-O
Activity
9 joined9
people
Related
25What are the residency requirements for a three-month NON-O retiree visa in Thailand?
6.7k71413mo
What are the steps to obtain a retirement visa in Thailand?
21.2k1553037mo
How can I obtain a Thai O Visa without having a Thai bank account?
3.1k19488mo
What is the best way to obtain a retirement visa for Thailand without having a local address or bank account?
7.5k361341y
Should I apply for a retirement visa before traveling or after returning to Thailand on a tourist visa?
1k691y
What type of visa do I need to live in Thailand for a year, and how much money do I need?
12.7k762151y
Should expats over 50 switch from a retirement visa to the DTV visa in Thailand?
14.6k1311262y
What are the requirements and steps to apply for a Non-OA visa in Thailand, and can I do it without an agent?
2.3k14252y
What are the current challenges and requirements for obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand?
3.2k28162y
Is a DTV visa a long-term visa, and can I apply for a Schengen visa in Thailand with it?
1.3k832y
Which is the better retirement visa for Thailand, Non-O or Non-OA?
4.6k46212y
Are both partners required to deposit 800K into a Thai bank account for retirement visas (O or OA)?
1.5k8162y
When must I use my Non-O visa issued in South Africa for retirement in Thailand?
3k26183y
Do I need to submit my Retirement Visa application in person even if I use an agency?
6.1k41853y
What is the best long-term visa option for a 63-year-old US citizen married to a Thai citizen?
5.3k47424y
What are the steps for switching from an OA retirement visa to an O visa in Thailand?
2.9k21294y
Is it easier to obtain an OA visa in Thailand if I come on an initial Non-O retirement visa?
5.3k34765y
Can I apply for an OA visa with short-term health insurance in Thailand?
2.2k12325y
What are the requirements for renewing a Non-OA retirement visa from the US and returning to Thailand?
2.5k22155y
What is the easiest retirement visa path for a UK citizen looking to move to Thailand?
2.6k17285y
Should I apply for a Thailand retirement OA visa in Australia or switch from a tourist visa in Thailand?
1.8k8246y
Is it better to apply for a retirement visa in the US or Thailand?
3.4k25376y
Can I switch from a Non-Imm O-A visa to a married O visa directly in Thailand?
1.2k796y
What are the best options and steps for retirees to obtain a visa for living in Thailand?
6.5k49756y
How can I determine if I have an 'O', 'O-A', or 'O-X' Non-Immigration Visa in Thailand?
1.5k9147y
Resources
Need help with your retirement visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served