Ask question

Is the Non-Immigrant 'O' visa multi-entry or should I choose the 'OA' visa for retirement in Thailand?

NI O Visa NI OA Visa Thailand Visa Rules Retirement Visa Visa Entry Types Expat Visa Information

Jan 16, 2022

3 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi All, If I apply for an NI "O" visa is it multi entry? Or am I better off with a NI "OA" visa for retirement purposes. TIA

520

views

2

likes

26

all likes

18

replies

0

images

4

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

The Non-Immigrant 'O' visa can be either a single or multiple entry, depending on the application. The Non-Immigrant 'OA' visa, suitable for retirees, typically allows multiple entries and offers longer duration options, such as a 12-month validity that can extend to 24 months with proper timing for re-entry. While applying for the 'OA' requires medical checks, criminal checks, proof of funds, and mandatory insurance, the 'O' visa has fewer requirements, needing proof of funds in a Thai bank account and no insurance. A suggested route for obtaining the 'O' visa involves entering Thailand on a tourist visa, applying for a 3-month 'O' visa, then extending it to a 12-month validity upon retirement.

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.

Nick *******

Hi Mark, some simple guidelines to follow should make it easier to understand.

NI OA - Multiple 12 month entry (but can get 24 months if re-entry timed correctly) Apply in your country, you will have to provide medical, criminal checks, proof of funds (in your home account) and insurance is mandatory (From an approved list) to get this visa.

NI O - Valid for 12 months only, apply in Thailand, no criminal or medical checks and no insurance required. Will need to have proof of funds deposited in a Thai bank account.

Best and easiest route is entering Thailand on a tourist visa then applying for the 3 month NI O and then apply for the 12 month NI O extension based on retirement.

Hope this helps.

Like

Reply

Mark *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi Nick, NI O seems to be the route in. Option 1 entering on a tourist visa then apply for 3 month NI O. Option 2 apply for 3 month NI O from Thai Embassy in UK. Any thoughts?

Like

Reply

Nick *******

OP 1 or 2 will do. Option 2 - will have to apply online via e-visa site. Not sure of their timescales but if you’re in no rush, all good.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Nick *******

Reply

Steve *******

Non Imm O can be single or multiple entry.

Like

Reply

Sammy *******

another wonderful round of helpful FB comments and debate exactly why I say repeatedly, use Google and official govt sites where the details of Non-O and NON-OA are clearly detailed and one can see for oneself the differences and then determine which might be best for you.

Like

Reply

Benjamin ******

The problem is that there's a difference between the consulate websites (where visas are issued) and the immigration offices (where the extension of stays are issued and in-country visas). The consulates are managed by the ministry of foreign affairs, and the immigration offices are managed by the Thai Police.

Like

Reply

Sammy *******

@Benjamin *****

that's not the real problem

Like

Reply

Benjamin ******

Then what's the real problem?

Like

Reply

Sammy *******

@Benjamin *****

that half the advice is incorrect, that regardless of the point u made, it's still more effective to get the information from official sites, then Google. i know so many, many, many who have managed quite nicely by doing that rather than trying to sort thru various FB posters' comments as to which is accurate. i know, i am being "unkind" to expect someone not to do even the most basic research on their own.

Like

Reply

Benjamin ******

how about telling me what is wrong with my advice?

Like

Reply

Sammy *******

@Benjamin *****

don't you get it? all the advice is not necessarily wrong, but enough of some posters is, and then arguments/debates begin and how is the OP to know which to believe? look how defensive u got about your comments being correct.

get OA outside, get O inside, yes, various rules, just follow the rules where u plan to get it, if outside listen to embassy/consulate, if inside, listen to immigration. all the pros and cons one can read the details and judge for themselves.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Sammy *******

Reply

Mark *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks, still not clear on the difference between the 2 other than O is applied in country & OA is applied from country of residence.

Like

Reply

Steve *******

Nope. Both O and OA are applied from country of residence.

Like

Reply

Benjamin ******

Not true. A Non-O visa based on being over 50 does not need to be acquired in the country of residency or country of passport. In Pre-COVID-19 days, people would border bounce to Vientiane to get new Non-O visas based on being over 50 frequently.

Like

Reply

Steve *******

@Benjamin *****

It doesnt need to be aquired in your country of residency but can be aquired there or any Thai embassy/consulate. My point was that you dont have be in Thailand to get it

Like

Reply

Benjamin ******

A Non-O Visa Based on Being Over 50 does not need to be acquired in a person's country of passport. However, some Thai consulates does not allow a non-resident to apply for visas.

A Non-OA Visa Based on Being Over 50 MUST be acquired in the person's country of passport (or potentially if they have long-term residency status, if that country also sells the Non-OA visa).

Like

Reply

Steve *******

@Benjamin *****

Try reading the comment I replied to then you might understand my answer.

Like

Reply

Benjamin ******

I did:

> It doesnt need to be aquired in your country of residency but can be aquired there or any Thai embassy/consulate. My point was that you dont have be in Thailand to get it

A Non-OA visa MUST be acquired in a person's country of residence. A Non-O visa *MAY NOT* need to be acquired in a person's country of residence.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Benjamin ******

Reply

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

... members · 60% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

How can I determine if my retirement visa is single or multiple entry from my passport?

8 comments

4 months ago

What is the best justification for applying for a multiple entry retirement visa in Thailand?

10 comments

6 months ago

What are the key differences between Non-O and Non-OA retirement visas in Thailand?

71 comments

6 months ago

What are the requirements for staying in Thailand on an O or OA visa, including minimum stay and multiple entry options?

25 comments

9 months ago

What is the difference between the 90-day O visa and the 12-month OA visa when applying for a retirement visa in Thailand?

11 comments

a year ago

Is the Non-Immigrant O-A visa a multi-entry or single-entry visa for retirees?

9 comments

a year ago

What is the best long-term visa option with multiple entries for expats in Thailand?

3 comments

2 years ago

Which is more beneficial for a retirement visa in Thailand, the O visa or the O-A visa?

20 comments

2 years ago

What are the key differences and advantages of the O-A visa compared to the Non-O visa in Thailand?

42 comments

2 years ago

What are the differences between the Non-O and Non-OA retirement visas in Thailand?

19 comments

2 years ago

What are the differences between a regular O retirement visa and a multi-entry O retirement visa in Thailand?

16 comments

2 years ago

Is the Non-O visa multi-entry and how does it compare to the Non-OA visa for retirement in Thailand?

15 comments

3 years ago

Should I choose a Non-O or Non-OA visa for retirement in Thailand?

19 comments

3 years ago

What are the differences between the Retirement O visa and the Retirement OA visa in Thailand?

31 comments

3 years ago

What are the advantages of Non-O vs Non-OA visa for retirees planning to travel from Thailand?

35 comments

3 years ago

What are the differences between an O visa and an OA visa in Thailand?

15 comments

3 years ago

What are the differences between Non-O and Non-OA visas for retirement in Thailand?

2 comments

3 years ago

Does a retirement visa in Thailand allow for multiple entries and if so, how many?

34 comments

3 years ago

Should I apply for a Non-Immigrant O or OA visa for a 9-month stay in Thailand?

5 comments

3 years ago

What are the key differences between a Non-Immigrant O (Retirement) visa and a Non-Immigrant OA visa in Thailand?

44 comments

4 years ago

What are the Differences Between Thailand's Non-O and Non-OA Retirement Visas?

38 comments

4 years ago

What Are the Differences Between Non-Imm O and Non-Imm O-A Retirement Visas in Thailand?

9 comments

5 years ago

What Are the Differences Between Non-Immigrant O-A and Non-Immigrant O Visas in Thailand?

11 comments

5 years ago

Can I Renew My Multi-Entry Non-Immigrant O Visa in Thailand?

14 comments

5 years ago

Is the retirement visa in Thailand the same as the Non-Immigrant Type O visa?

16 comments

7 years ago

Data protection policy Terms and conditions Disclaimer Privacy policy Refund policy

The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.