What are the advantages of applying for the O-A Visa from the USA compared to in Thailand?

I believe that the OP has the answers needed for his question.

Thanks all for your helpful replies 😊

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Does this mean I can enter with a one year oa then change to an o showing 12 months of deposits?

very rough comparison

Are there any advantages of applying for O-A Visa prior to arriving in Thailand? I've read the requirements for applying in the USA.

✅The choice is yours to make.

My understanding of differences would be with Thai Bank deposit and health insurance.

✅YES, those are the 2 major differences.

When applying in USA the requirements state a minimum bank account balance of 800,000 thb "OR" a minimum of 65,000 thb per month income along with a health insurance requirement.

✅ When you apply for the OA visa in the USA, you can use a COMBO METHOD of proof of your having 800,000 Thai baht annually. Bank account balances, IRA account balance, pension plan payments, gross of annual Social Security income.... interest income and rental income... As supported by your Annual Federal Income Tax Return.

IF applying in USA with the bank balance requirement there is no mention of the funds needing to be in a Thai bank.

✅ Correct

When applying in Thailand the requirement states the 800,000 thb needs to be in a Thai bank account and I am not seeing any mention of a monthly income option.There is also no mention of a health insurance requirement when applying in Thailand.

Here are my questions:

Is the 65,000 thb monthly income option to qualify also available when applying in Thailand without needing an 800,000 thb bank balance?

✅ Correct, but you need to show PROOF of 800,000 Thai baht in a Thai bank account the first year of your OA based retirement one year extension inside Thailand.

✅DURING the second year if you have transferred 65,000 Thai baht or more for 12 continuous MONTHS, you may use the 65,000 Thai baht method.

If applying in USA with the monthly income option, what is needed to renew/extend after living 1 year in Thailand?

✅ You can get the second year simply by entering Thailand on or before the ending date of your OA visa...you will be stamped in for One ADDED year with proof of the health insurance for the added year.

Will I eventually need to deposit 800,000 thb into a Thai bank to renew/extend visa for another year or just continue to provide proof of monthly income?

✅ You can return to the USA and obtain a new OA visa, avoiding having to deposit 800,000 in a Thai bank account in your name only. Many do that.

OR...

Deposit the 800,000 Thai baht in a Thai bank account in your name only and get the one year extension in Thailand. With PROOF of the one year health insurance policy.

I want the health insurance no matter where I apply so I'm also looking for good health insurance recommendations.

✅We don't make recommendations for health insurance. There's many fine insurers to review after you arrive and before you extend the OA based visa One year.

Thanks a trillion!

You can only get the Non-OA from your country of residence as only the Non-O can be purchased inside Thailand. The funds for the Non-OA can be in your "home" bank but, for the 12 month extension, you need the 800k to be in a Thai bank account in your name.