Should my husband and I apply for a Non-O A visa, or a Non-O visa, given our circumstances as expats in Thailand?

Question

Hello, my husband and I are both over 50 and although we have the funds to  "season" in Thailand, we are currently trying to figure out if we should apply for the 90 day Non-O A visa from the Thai consulate in Canada, one based on being over 50 and the other based on being the spouse of someone who will get a retirement visa. I am Canadian and my husband is HKSAR, HK is our home but we are currently unable to return. My understanding is then only one of us would need the bank account and the other could apply as a trailing spouse? Or should apply for a STV (or can we come in on the regular visa exempt for 30 days?) and then apply for Non-O visa from within Thailand with both showing proof in a a bank account? I understand the former needs proof of health coverage, but despite searching the chats I do not really understand the difference otherwise.  My final question is we plan to be in Thailand from early April to end of June, then out from July-August returning in early Sept. Does it make sense to apply now or will that not give us enough time to clear the visas?
Thank you in advance.

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user seeks advice on whether to apply for a 90-day Non-O A visa for themselves and their spouse, considering their ages, financial capabilities, and the complexity of their immigration status. The discussion highlights various suggestions including applying for a tourist visa initially, the requirements of each visa type, the advantage of applying for a Non-O visa instead of Non-O A, and the need for health insurance and a criminal background check. Moreover, it addresses the specifics of applying for trailing spouse visas and whether one spouse must enter Thailand on a Non-O visa to allow the other to apply as a trailing spouse.

Steve ******* · Answer

There is no 90 day non imm OA visa. Apply for the non imm O visa before you leave. Deposit funds in a Thai bank after arriving, after 2 months apply for the 1 year extention of stay. Easiest way.

Helen ******** · Answer

[mention redacted] Also Canadian and over 50. We entered in October on 90 day Non O. We did the one year extension based on retirement, with me as a trailing spouse. As Canadians you don't have to season 800K THB in an account, you can get an income verification letter from the local Canadian Embassy or Consulate. You need to provide your summary page from you last tax return which must show earnings of over 65K THB/month. You can download the form from CRA.

Not sure if that's possible in your situation based on your spouse being from Hong Kong. Should probably work for you though. I believe (?)you can do a trailing spouse with the 800K THB deposit but you'd need to confirm that.

We were told that in order to do a trailing spouse we both had to enter on a Non O, so we applied before coming to Thailand.

We dealt with the Vancouver Consulate and they were very helpful. PM if you have any questions.

Chris ******* · Answer

I am not sure why you would go for an O-A visa.

The non-o has less requirements and gets the same results.

If you are applying for an e-visa it is all done online and requires some effort but is not difficult.

The trailing spouse visa is applied for after the primary spouse has been approved.

I am not sure that it matters where you are applying from as it is e-visa.

Once you are in Thailand , money seasoned the extension is straightforward.

We just did this arrived in Nov. and extension is complete.

Join the Thai visa advice forum, the mods there will know the answers

Kristen ******** · Answer

[mention redacted] thanks for the reply, one of the issues we are running into is our home country is technically HK and we can’t get back in! Have emailed the embassy again to see if we can sort it out. Did you apply from the US for both of you, one as a trailing spouse?

Andy ********* · Answer

We did exactly that in 2018. I on a OA and wife on a O. What we have now, but have not gone back yet. With the OA, you got to have the insurance, don't have to keep money in a thai bank. Plus can get almost 2 years out of the visa before it expires. That works for us as we bounce between the US, Vietnam, and Thailand. Well, we did that before covid, lol. Hoping to start it up again as we're arriving in vietnam in a week. Then on to Thailand on new OA & O visas.

Zap ********** · Answer

Hi Kristen I am quite certain you both would each require the retirement visa/bank deposit. [url redacted]

Stephen ******* · Answer

Maybe just get a 60 day tourist visa extendable for 30 days for the first trip and further investigate the Minho at the immigration office you intend to apply at. Then do it in September.

Should my husband and I apply for a Non-O A visa, or a Non-O visa, given our circumstances as expats in Thailand?

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