What Are the Differences Between O and OA Visas in Thailand?

Dec 24, 2019

5 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I have some very basic questions.

1. What is the difference between O and OA visas? What do the letters O and OA stand for?

1. What does the Non in Non O and Non OA stand for - is it Non immigrant? If so what is meant by immigrant?

1. In the light of the above what is the difference between an O and a Non O visa

1. Someone said they had a multi O visa - what does the multi mean?

Thanks for any help.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The post discusses the differences between O and OA visas in Thailand, explaining that 'O' stands for 'Other', which includes marriage, retirement, and volunteer reasons for residing in Thailand. The term 'Non' refers to 'non-immigrant', indicating that the visa holder does not plan to become a Thai citizen. It clarifies that there is no practical difference between O and Non-O visas, emphasizing that a Multi O visa allows multiple entries into Thailand, unlike a single-entry visa that is used upon first entry. Additional comments provide insights into the OA visa, detailing requirements and extensions.

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Tod *********

You look at the first page of your current passport (the page where they transferred the previous visa/extension stamps from your old passport and it will have the original VISA type that you started getting yearly extensions on (even if you've switched passports many times during the time you've been getting extensions).

The transfer stamps look like this

5 years ago

Tod *********

Non-Immigrant VISAS are sold under a lot of different categories (F, B, IM, IB, ED, M, R, RS, EX, O, O-A and O-X) :O

IF it is a visa without an A or an X after it, the visa is sold two ways, as a 90 day single entry OR as a year long, multi-entry. Each entry gets you stamped in for 90 days only

IF the visa has an A after the original type, (ED-A, B-A, O-A etc) it means that visa is valid for one year and you get stamped in for a YEAR at a time on every entry while the visa is valid.

IF the visa has an X after the original type (O-X only) that means the visa is valid for 5 years and you get stamped in for FIVE years every entry while the visa is valid.

You can ONLY get an O-A or an O-X visa in your country before you come here. They require a police background check, a medical certificate, proof of health insurance and proof of funds.

.

5 years ago

Ian ***********************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks

@Benj****

I have "transferred" from a retirement to marriage visa and am married to a Thai citizen. Have been living here for 12 years and plan to continue to do so. I never really paid much attention to all these categories till I was obliged to change visas for financial reasons. Your point 4) is very interesting. What does the A in OA stand for? (How I "transferred" is a long story which I posted about earlier, not relevant for this thread in case anyone wants to enquire).

5 years ago

Tod *********

If you originally had an O-A visa I don't think you can switch from an extension based on being over 50 (retirement) to one based on marriage :O I say that because I was told at the immigration office the ONLY reason you can extend and O-A visa is because you're over 50 (retirement). They said that because it's the only reason you can GET the O-A visa from a thai consulate in your country. They don't give them based on marriage to a thai. ;)

5 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

Benjamin ******

1. The "O" stands for "Other", this may include:

a. Marriage

b. Volunteer

c. "retirement" (i.e. being over 50 years old)

2. "Non" stands for "non-immigrant". It means you are not planning on being a Thai citizen, and you aren't here as a tourist.

3. There is no difference between an "O" and a "Non-O" visa.

4. A Multiple Entry Non-O visa allows a person to enter and leave Thailand multiple times on the same visa. On a single entry visa, their visa is "used" as soon as they enter Thailand, and can not leave without an re-entry permit (or a new visa). However, most people can only stay 90 days on a multiple entry Non-O visa without getting an extension of stay.

What's your plans for entering and staying in Thailand?

5 years ago

Reply to

Benjamin ******

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How many times can you extend a 90-day non-immigrant O visa, and what is the difference between an O and OA visa?

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