Should I apply for a retirement Visa (NON-O-A) in the USA or come to Thailand on a tourist TR Visa?

Retirement Visa NON-O-A Visa Application Process Tourist Visa Health Insurance Requirements Bank Account Balance Requirement

Mar 31, 2021

4 years ago

Tamsen *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Is it recommended to set up a retirement Visa (NON-O-A) before leaving my home country (USA) or to come into Thailand on a tourist TR Visa and then transition into the NON-O-A once within the country? TIA.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

It is recommended to apply for a Non-O-A visa before leaving the USA, as this visa cannot be obtained while in Thailand. If you enter Thailand on a TR visa, transitioning to a Non-O visa requires meeting certain conditions, such as maintaining an 800k baht balance in a Thai bank account. Additionally, if you plan to extend your Non-O-A visa, you will need to acquire mandatory health insurance from a Thai provider, which is not required if extending from a tourist visa.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
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Ken ******

with OA , need purchase mandatory health insurance every year to renew visa, if over age 50

4 years ago

Stephan ***********

If you want to extend for one year from an O-A you also need a health insurance from a Thai insurance company. You don't need this if you extend from visa except or TR.

4 years ago

Garrett ***********

You can only get a Non-OA in your home country. You can transition to a Non-O yearly extension in country, but you'll need 800k baht in a Thai bank account, something you don't need of you get the Non-OA in the US.

4 years ago

Frédéric ******************

David Broadfoot Border run or traveling anywhere in the world.

4 years ago

Steve *******

David Broadfoot Yep. There are different requirements for 'extentions of stay', however

@Ant****

asked if he was still on an OA visa or had it changed to an O visa. The answer neither, he's now on an extention of stay.

4 years ago

Tamsen *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Garrett **********

But...I can get a non O-A from the US according to the LA Thai Embassy Web site. And I also need 800 baht in an acct too. Was just asking to see if there is any upside to doing this in country after arriving on a TR or doing this in the US.

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4 years ago

Tony ******

David Broadfoot Many thanks everyone.

4 years ago

Tony ******

@Garrett **********

I have a question for you. I arrived on a Non-OA from the US. Extended it at Trat immigration for another year in December, exp. Dec 1, 2021. Is this visa still an OA or has it now transitioned to a Non O?

The reason I am curious is that Trat Immigration told my Thai wife and I that we couldn't change from an OA to an O in Thailand.

4 years ago

Bobby ********

Anthony Ryan. Your extension of stay is "based" on either an O or OA. There is no transitioning in country. The extension criteria for each is slightly different. For example, OA requires health insurance, whereas O doesn't, although it's predicted it will in the future.

4 years ago

Steve *******

@Anthony *****

It's not an O or an OA. Your 'visa' expired and you're now on an 'extention of stay'.

4 years ago

Tony ******

@Steve ******

The reason I asked was because of Garrett's comments above.

4 years ago

Alf ***********

@Anthony *****

, that could in deed be misunderstood.

There is no such thing as a "Non-O yearly extension".

It would be a 1 year extension for the reason of retirement.

This could be done from any non-immigrant visa – not only category O or O-A.

4 years ago

Reply to

Alf ***********

Tamsen *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you kind Sir!

4 years ago

Reply to

Tamsen *******

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