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

Non-O VisaNon-OA VisaThai Retirement VisaVisa Re-entry PermitVisa TypesThailand ImmigrationExpat Visa OptionsVisa Requirements
November 2, 2021
3 years ago
Piero ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I will be retiring in Thailand next July, but I plan to travel outside of Thailand at least once a year. I am planning to get a non-O or non-OA visa (and extension), but its still not clear to me which one is preferable in my case.

From researching the Visa options, I realize that there are some Non-Immigrant visa (or their extension) which allow re-entry back into Thailand while others do not. However, you can obtain separate re-entry permit for these latter types of Visas.

What are the pros and cons of getting a Visa option that allows re-entry vs one that requires a separate re-entry permit? Is it just a cost and convenience issue?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
This post discusses the considerations for retiring in Thailand on either a Non-O or Non-OA visa, with a focus on re-entry options, financial requirements, and potential work restrictions. Users provide insights into the multi-entry advantages of the OA visa, necessary documentation, and the lack of work permission under the OA visa. Additionally, the post highlights the benefits of a spouse visa for those married to Thai nationals.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
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Philip **********
@Piero ***********
 come in on a tourist then you can apply for an extension based on retirement. If you make over $65 k Bhat a month. Make an appointment with the Canadian Embassy for a verification letter. You do not need $800 K in bank or a medical.

That’s what I did.
3 years ago
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Evan ********
Of course if you are married to a Thai national, the spouse O visa is a great alternative, no insurance and only 400,000 Baht in a Thai bank
3 years ago
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Evan ********
@Piero ***********
 of course and you should but you can do it when ever and not necessarily to fit a requirement. Plus some may have policies that cover them from outside Thailand
3 years ago
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Piero ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Evan *******
 : I can see that the lowering from 800K to 400K can be an advantage. Regarding the insurance, is it not advisable to get some type of medical insurance whether or not it is required by the Visa?
3 years ago
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Piero ************
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Piero ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have one more question regarding to the OA Visa. It has to do with the ability to work. I currenly run a part-time online business. Would I be able to continue doing this type of part-time work while in Thailand? If I understand right, under an OA visa its not possible to work in Thailand, but I'm not exactly clear on whether that covers all type of work (e.g., for your own company) or whether it applies only if you are a salaried employee of another company.
3 years ago
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Frédéric ******************
@Piero ***********
 If you work for your own company, you are an employee of your company, need work permit.
3 years ago
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Frédéric ******************
@Wylie ******
 Many kinds of O but OA is retirement only.
3 years ago
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Wylie *******
@Piero ***********
 there are many types of O and OA visas (more than just retirement). Some you can get a work permit on and others you cannot. If the reason for the O or OA is retirement then you cannot work, even online legally.
3 years ago
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Wylie *******
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Brandon ************
I believe OA has a large advantage to someone who will be returning to their home country every so often for a couple of reasons:

1) The money you need to show for retirement visa can be in your own country and your own currency, not in Thailand.

2) It's a multi-entry 1 year visa. So every-time you enter the country within the first year of validity of the visa, you will be stamped in for a full year. So if you leave and come back on the day before you visa expires, you will be stamped in for another full year, effectively giving you 2 years from one visa.

I think for the 2nd year you can purchase a re-entry permit if you leave the country which will let you return again until your 2nd stamp runs out. But if you want to renew with your money in your home country, you will need to return home at the end of those 2 years and apply again.
3 years ago
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London *****
@Dave ********
 Dave - did you get your OA in the UK? was it a multiple entry? And did you have to provide: 1. Police report 2. Medical letter and 3. health insurance for full 12 month from date of application?
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
Brett Milligan. The landlord is SUPPOSED to do it, but many don't, and unfortunately the tenant wears the fine if it's not done! It's a laborious process to do it at an immigration office, so I use the app.

You have to do it whenever you leave the province for more than 24 hours, although a few immigration offices don't worry about the inter-provincial travel. The TM30 is one of the biggest pains in the backside for expats, moreso even than the 90-day report
3 years ago
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Brett **********
@Bobby *******
 can i ask what you mean about TM30 reporting? I thought the landlord was meant to do that or do you own your property and have to do it for yourself when you return to the country?
3 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Dave ********
 not indefinitely. You can only get another year stamp until your OA Visa expires. So if it enter Thailand the day before it expires you'll get stamped in for another year but then that's it. After that final stamp you'll have to get a new visa or extension at the end of that year, effectively giving you about 2 years from the original Visa.
3 years ago
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Dave *********
@Brandon ***********
 I arrived this year on an OA and assumed I'd need a new visa/extension every year. So I'm able to extend my stay on the same visa indefinitely by flying out and returning and thereby getting a new stamp of 1 year? Assuming I can meet finance/health care requirements?
3 years ago
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Steve *******
@Wannikea ********
 The OA isnt available once inside Thailand.
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
Piero Colagrosso. As Brandon has said, every visa requires 90-day reporting, but living in Bangkok I do this by mail. I loathe with a passion going to immigration offices. The OA for me is a way out of this. I do any TM30 reporting using the app, and would do the same with 90-day reporting except the app/website are often temperamental, so I just post my 90-day report 15 days before it's due. Never had a problem. Five minute stroll to my local PO, about 85-90 baht in copying and postage and the job's done - compared to the hike out to that godforsaken shithole carpark at MTT to carry out a 5-minute task. It's a no-brainer!
3 years ago
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Brandon ************
Yes, but if part of those travels bring you home, or if your home country has stickerless Visa, the options really open up.
3 years ago
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Wannikea *********
@Brandon ***********
 Isn't the OA only obtainable from your home country or once inside Thailand? The OP mentioned traveling around before coming to Thailand.
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
Piero Colagrosso. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The embassies and consulates around the world come under their jurisdiction. Thai Immigration are a division of the Royal Thai Police. Two completely different attitudes!
3 years ago
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Piero ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
 : Thanks! I'm not sure what MFA refers to in this context?
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
Piero Colagrosso. I used money in my superannuation account which is at call, but pays around 7% per annum. You just try it with your embassy. The MFA seem more flexible than Thai immigration that's for sure.
3 years ago
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Piero ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
 : Cool. Thanks for the info! Can that
*****
0K be held in an investment account or does it actually have to be in a bank? In other words, does the money have to be liquid, or can it remain invested in a fund to generate better returns. Thanks much!
3 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Piero ***********
 unfortunately not the case. You can hire someone to do it for you for like 500-600₿, or do it by mail, if the online system isn't working
3 years ago
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Piero ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 : I was under the understanding that the `1-Year Extension of Stay Based on Marriage" ( to a non O Visa) eliminates the need to report every 90 days. But I think that I may have misunderstood.
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
Piero Colagrosso. Now international borders are open again, for anyone who intends to return to their home country once every 12-24 months, the OA is the supreme product. I lived on it for years in Thailand without being mandated to transfer 800,000 baht into a Thai bank account, and never having to visit an immigration office to beg for an extension. Along came covid and stuffed everything up. But now the mist has cleared and I can move my money back to my own country to earn a respectable interest rate!!
3 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Piero ***********
 Haha I don't know where you read that but EVERY visa (except tourist since it doesn't last 90 days) requires 90 day reporting. Even elite visa people have to report 90 days, but the elite agency does it for them.

You can already do 90-day reports online but it doesn't work a lot of the time, and your first 90-day report always has to be in-person.

Don't forget the TM30 too every-time you come back into the country :)
3 years ago
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Piero ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 : I guess that the only disadvantage of the OA is that it requires 90-day reporting to the embassy, whereas other types of Visas/extensions do not. However, I heard that the Thai government is in the process of introducing an app which will avoid the need to go to the embassy when reporting, so this may no longer be an issue when I retire.
3 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Piero ***********
 I think it's one of the biggest advantages for OA. But it also comes with the disadvantages that Stuart mentioned about insurance coverage, criminal history report, and the medical exam (the exam is a joke and if you have a regular doctor they will likely sign it for you with a laugh)
3 years ago
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Piero ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 : Very interesting to find out that the financial proof can be in your own country and currency for OA. I was not aware of that. The articles I had consulted always referred to the funds having to be in a Thai bank.
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Brandon ***********
 . An excellent overview of the OA! Could not have explained it better myself!
3 years ago
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Bobby ********
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Stuart *********
The non OA is a multiple entry visa valid for one year. To obtain one you have to have a health check and police certificate as well as proving you have sufficient funds in a local (or Thai) bank account. You need health insurance for this visa and for any extensions you get from it in country.

A non O visa based on being over 50 is valid for 90 days and on entry you would get stamped for 90 days. When that is nearing the end date you can apply for a year extension providing you have the right financials. That being 800k baht in a Thai bank account in your name only. There is no requirement for insurance. When you get the extension you can apply for a re-entry permit that will keep your entry stamp “alive” if you leave and return. A single re-entry stamp is 1,000 baht or you can buy a multiple re-entry for 3,800 baht.
3 years ago
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Piero ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
 : Thank you Stuart!
3 years ago
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Stuart *********
@Piero ***********
 The non OA can only be applied for from your home country, not in Thailand.

A re-entry permit can be used for any visa type. It just keeps your “valid to stay until” date alive so when you return to Thailand you will be stamped until that date.
3 years ago
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Piero ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
 : Also, if I understood correctly, both the non O and non OA can be applied for within Thailand. Since I am from Canada, I understand that this means that I can enter Thailand Visa exempt and then apply for either non-O or non-OA from within Thailand. Have I got that right?
3 years ago
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Piero ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
 : Thanks your response Scott. I wasn't aware of the multiple re-entry stamp for 3<800 baht. That sounds very convenient for someone who plans to travel often outside of Thailand.

Does this also apply in the case of a "1-Year Extension of Stay Based on Marriage" to an non O Visa?
3 years ago
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Piero ************
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