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What are the differences between the NON-O and NON-OA retirement visas in Thailand?

NON-O visaNON-OA visaretirement visavisa requirementsThailand immigrationbank balance requirementsinsurance requirements
Jan 27, 2025
4 days ago
Ross *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Probably 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?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion highlights key differences between the NON-O and NON-OA retirement visas for Thailand. The NON-O visa can be issued within Thailand and allows for annual renewals without the stringent financial requirements of an 800k THB deposit, provided a monthly income of 65k THB is maintained. Conversely, the NON-OA must be obtained in the applicant's home country and requires proof of insurance, along with a bank deposit. Both visas have unique advantages depending on individual circumstances.
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.
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.
3 days ago
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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
4 days ago
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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.
4 days ago
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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 extension
a day ago
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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.
3 days ago
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Malcolm *******
@กะลาสี ****
 Spot on , best advice 👌
4 days ago
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Bob **********
@กะลาสี ****
 but that costs 25-45k to the agent and they get the BA and deposit the 800k
4 days ago
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กะลาสี *****
@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.
4 days ago
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Bob **********
@กะลาสี ****
 I’ve taken many people to agencies here in Pattaya I know how it’s done
3 days ago
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Bob **********
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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..
4 days ago
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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.
3 days ago
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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.
4 days ago
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กะลาสี *****
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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.
4 days ago
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Ross *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 thanks mate, this is what lm trying to learn the pros and CONS😉
4 days ago
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Ross *******
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Mma *******
@กะลาสี ****
 great advice
4 days ago
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Mma *******
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John **********
The OA can only be obtained in your home country and also requires insurance and a police check.
4 days ago
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Roy *********
@John *********
 And medical
4 days ago
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Bob **********
@Roy ********
 yes a form your Dr has to fill and sign
4 days ago
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Bob **********
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Charles **********
O-A has a requirement for medical insurance where O doesn’t. See
**************
4 days ago
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Brandon ************
There's still 800k in the bank for OA. It's just that bank doesn't have to be in Thailand.
4 days ago
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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.
4 days ago
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Ross *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks, that’s cleared that up. And the non oa , the 800k can just stay in my Australian bank?
2 days ago
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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 visa
3 days ago
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Ross *******
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?
3 days ago
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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 report
3 days ago
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Marty *********
@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.
3 days ago
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Graham ******
@Ross ******
 who are you paying this 25k to?
3 days ago
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Ross *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
 Agent… friend of mine been doing it for a couple of years now
2 days ago
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Ross *******
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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.
4 days ago
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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 embassy
2 days ago
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Graham ******
@Ross ******
 was it the agent you are paying 25k to gave you that advice?
2 days ago
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Ross *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
 no it's someone l met through a friend he's agent told him
a day ago
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Brandon ************
@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.
2 days ago
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Ross *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 l didn't know how you apply for the non OA..
3 days ago
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Ross *******
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Bob **********
@Ross ******
 never heard of 25k and the insurance isn’t worth the paper it’s written on
4 days ago
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Bob **********
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