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What are the differences between the NON-O and NON-OA retirement visas in Thailand?
Thai Retirement VisaNON-O VisaNON-OA VisaVisa RequirementsBank Deposit RequirementsMedical Insurance for Visa
Jan 27, 2025
a year ago
Ross *******
ORIGINAL POSTERProbably asked a million times but lm wanting retirement visa NON O was told there's a NON OA visa. No 800k in the bank is it true and advantages of both?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the differences between the NON-O and NON-OA retirement visas for expats in Thailand. The NON-O visa can be extended annually without the 800k baht requirement for future years if a monthly deposit of 65k baht is made. Conversely, the NON-OA visa requires proof of medical insurance, and the 800k baht must be maintained in a Thai bank account, though initial applications outside Thailand can use foreign accounts. The NON-O visa is considered easier to manage once in Thailand, as it allows for regular extensions without stringent requirements.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Stuart ***********
The main differences are the things other people have stated about insurance and 800k.
The non-oa has to be applied for in your home country and I believe the maximum you can get from it is about 2 years.
The non-o can be extended for 12 months annually in Thailand, so you can stay for as long as you are eligible.
If you deposit 65k per month you can extend the second and subsequent years without 800k in a bank here.
The non-oa has to be applied for in your home country and I believe the maximum you can get from it is about 2 years.
The non-o can be extended for 12 months annually in Thailand, so you can stay for as long as you are eligible.
If you deposit 65k per month you can extend the second and subsequent years without 800k in a bank here.
James ******
I'm not getting OA. I hide got my retirement fuser from outside thailand therefore it was designated OA and there was no difference for 15 years but now with an OA you must show proof of insurance. ONLY GET AN O
กะลาสี *****
IMHO, the easiest way to get your retirement visa (the first time) is fly in to TL, visa exempt. Once you're here pay an agent to open your Thai bank account & do your visa paperwork & legwork. Transfer in 800K and you'll be able to stay for 15 months (3 months for the first O visa & 12 months for the extension of stay.) During your 1st 15 months you can educate yourself about how to do your next extension of stay without paying an agent.
John *********
@กะลาสี ****
how much will an agent charge to help open the bank account? Do you know any reputable ones in Karon Beach or Patong?Luit *****************
@กะลาสี ****
Why fly in with visa exempt? Better just apply for non-o in home country, then fly in and open bank account yourself. Then transfer money, then apply for 1 year extensionRoss *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Luit ****************
lm trying to leave the 880k in Australia that’s why lm asking the pros and cons between the O and the OA visa.Luit *****************
@Ross ******
Both give you possibility to leave 800K outside Thailand as long as you have 65K monthly income and your embassy gives affidavit.I understand the feeling of the 800K in a Thai bank but last 7 months baht got about 12 percent gain.
Reply to
Luit *****************
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Stuart ***********
@กะลาสี ****
you make it seem very difficult, yes if the person is a moron, you are probably correct. The process is not difficult, so for everyone else I would say the easiest way is to apply for the non-O in their home country first. They can then easily open a bank account here and deposit the 800k without needing an agent. They then have a couple of months to go to immigration for list of requirements and get their documents ready to apply for the 12 month extension of stay.Malcolm *******
@กะลาสี ****
Spot on , best advice 👌Bob **********
@กะลาสี ****
but that costs 25-45k to the agent and they get the BA and deposit the 800kกะลาสี *****
@Bob *********
I don't understand your concern. Yes, it will cost him the first time but IMO if you don't know how to do it, it's best to hire someone who does. Also who is "they" in your comment? Also, you have choices with most agents. Either you can pay the agent extra to deposit 800K in your stead or once the account is open in your name, you wire transfer the 800K from your bank in your country.Bob **********
@กะลาสี ****
I’ve taken many people to agencies here in Pattaya I know how it’s doneReply to
Bob **********
Reply
Ross *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@กะลาสี ****
l was told l couldn't apply for the retirement visa on the 60 day visa exempt entry l have to get a 60 day visa from Australia. I have a thai bank, it was more about not having to transfer the 800k into my thai bank the pros and cons of both non o and non oa..กะลาสี *****
@Ross ******
BTW, have you researched & understand how the recent changes in Thai income tax rules may or may not impact you living in TL? It's something I'd recommend you look into if you haven't already.กะลาสี *****
@Ross ******
I flew into TL on a visa exemption in 2017 and then I did exactly what I described to you above. I don't know where you will be living but I was living in Pattaya in 2017. That said & addressing BrandonThurkettle's concerns, I used Key Visa in South Pattaya & they were fantastic. I also see many people rave about TikTok visa & Motts Visa, although I've never used either of those companies. Recommend you search the group for "visa agents" & you are bound to find some positive testimonials.Reply to
กะลาสี *****
Reply
Brandon ************
@กะลาสี ****
As long as you use your own money, that plan should work. You just need to be careful that you don't use one of the agents that disappears with your passport and returns it a week later with a stamp from a province a few hundred kilometers away. Because those ones are about impossible for you to do yourself next year because the immigration offices know about stamps from those provinces.Ross *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
thanks mate, this is what lm trying to learn the pros and CONS😉Reply to
Ross *******
Reply
Mma *******
@กะลาสี ****
great adviceReply to
Mma *******
Reply
John **********
The OA can only be obtained in your home country and also requires insurance and a police check.
Roy *********
@John *********
And medicalBob **********
@Roy ********
yes a form your Dr has to fill and signReply to
Bob **********
Reply
Charles **********
O-A has a requirement for medical insurance where O doesn’t. See
**************
Brandon ************
There's still 800k in the bank for OA. It's just that bank doesn't have to be in Thailand.
Ross *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
l was told no 800 in my thai bank and app 25k payment first year reducing after that, health insurance l want to have anyway.thought be better leave my money in Australia and let it earn snd pay the 25k.Ross *******
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks, that’s cleared that up. And the non oa , the 800k can just stay in my Australian bank?
Sean **********
@Ross ******
you are talking about non-o and the Thai bank deposit requirement does not reduce after the first year. Insurance is not required with the non-o visaRoss *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Sean *********
the non o 800 goes in my thai bank and the non oa it doesn't l keep that in Australia and just pay app 25k?Sean **********
@Ross ******
i don’t understand the 25k. I did not do the non-oa but I believe you do still need to show sufficient finances in a bank of your home country. Plus medical insurance and police reportMarty *********
@Ross ******
You get an OA in your home country. You do not use an agent. You do not pay an agent fee. Look at the OA requirements on the Thai embassy website for your country.Graham ******
@Ross ******
who are you paying this 25k to?Ross *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graham *****
Agent… friend of mine been doing it for a couple of years nowReply to
Ross *******
Reply
Brandon ************
@Ross ******
sounds like you're talking about paying an agent for non-O. I'm talking about the non-OA that you get from your embassy at home.Ross *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
yeah that’s what’s confusing me, which is applied for where. . What l was told l was in belief the non oa is organised with an agent here in Thailand and the Non O is in Australia thai embassyGraham ******
@Ross ******
was it the agent you are paying 25k to gave you that advice?Ross *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graham *****
no it's someone l met through a friend he's agent told himBrandon ************
@Ross ******
a non-OA can only be purchased from the embassy of your passport. It's not possible to get in Thailand. A non-O can be obtained either at an embassy or in Thailand.Ross *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
l didn't know how you apply for the non OA..Reply to
Ross *******
Reply
Bob **********
@Ross ******
never heard of 25k and the insurance isn’t worth the paper it’s written onReply to
Bob **********
Reply
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