What are the differences between Non O-A and Non O visas for expat parents visiting Thailand?

Thailand Visa Non O-A Visa Non O Visa Tourist Visa Visa Requirements Visa Extensions Immigration Expat Advice

Apr 10, 2021

4 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi all, after a bit of advice from you all! Partner and I live in Thailand and we are going to try and get my parents (who have been vaccinated and are from the UK) out to Thailand for several months but we have a bit of a dilemma with the visas.

We are debating between the Non O-A or the Non O based on being over 50. 

As I understand it, the Non O-A has a year stamp on entry. You can use your own insurance, but if you do you can't extend in country? You also need a medical and a police check (does the embassy do the police check?). Is this correct?

The Non O on the other hand has no insurance, medical or police check requirement and has a 90 day stamp on entry. Is this correct?

Now, the reason we were leaning towards the Non O-A was it was for a year's stay, so it gives some flexibility if my parents want to stay longer than 90 days if they are enjoying it or if things change regarding quarantine going back to the UK. Can the Non O be extended in country (I've heard of the yearly extension with the 800k baht requirement), if it can be extended how long can it be extended for?

Is my understanding of the visas correct and which one do you think they should go for? or would a normal 60 day tourist visa be a better option? 

Thanks for any input!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion revolves around the appropriate visa options for the user's parents, who plan to visit Thailand from the UK. The user is considering either the Non O-A visa, which allows a one-year stay but has more stringent requirements including health insurance, a medical examination, and a police background check, or the Non O visa, which permits a 90-day stay and is simpler in terms of requirements. Various commenters suggest starting with a 60-day tourist visa for flexibility and as an entry point to evaluate further visa options during their stay.

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Lavinia ***************

We took an Non O A visa in November and did all the requirements, but because our insurance company could only grarantee six months at entry they stamp you six months only and also state it on your visa, we asked at immigration the other day when we would return what would be our best option to stay permanently, we was advised to do the 60 day tourist visa on entry and then apply for the retirement in Thailand due to the insurances changing so much from your home country -