Answereda year ago
What are the eligibility requirements and processes for obtaining long-stay visas in Thailand as a US citizen?
I'm a US Citizen, currently in the US, planning to come to Thailand in Jan 2026. I'm eligible for 2 types of long stay visas:
1. O-A: Been on this twice, last one expired in Dec 2024
2. O-X: Like this better since it gives me 5 years in Thai and need to report less often. Never been on this.
I already have a bank account in Thailand. VISA Agents please contact me to advice and start process. I think I can only get O-A from the US, not sure if I can apply for O-X in Thailand (I'll can come as a tourist and convert).
1. O-A: Been on this twice, last one expired in Dec 2024
2. O-X: Like this better since it gives me 5 years in Thai and need to report less often. Never been on this.
I already have a bank account in Thailand. VISA Agents please contact me to advice and start process. I think I can only get O-A from the US, not sure if I can apply for O-X in Thailand (I'll can come as a tourist and convert).
Answer summary
A US citizen planning to move to Thailand in January 2026 is considering two long-stay visas: O-A and O-X. The O-A visa has been previously acquired twice and expires in December 2024, while the O-X visa, preferred for its longer duration, has strict requirements including the necessity of showing 3 million baht in a Thai bank account. Comments suggest that eligibility for the O-X may be limited, recommending the non-O visa, which is easier to obtain and can be renewed annually within Thailand.
22 repliesnewest first
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Ossie *********
I left the UK 19 years ago yet my pensions combined which includes a frozen OAP is taxed every month they even tax you when you die : (
Brook ********
Get a Non O before you come and simply renew it annually.
Thank me later.
Thank me later.
Jair ******
OP@Brook *******
Non O is 90 days. No thanks.Todd *********
@Jair *****
it’s 90 days but renewable for one year at a time
Darren *****
@Jair *****
yesJair ******
OP@Brook *******
:-0 nah dude, just need some rationale instead of accepting on blind faith. Trust but verify. Sounds like folks here really know their stuff, so very grateful!Brook ********
@Lynnette ******
some people are hard heads and ungrateful
Lynnette *******
@Jair *****
Brandon already told you the Non-O was the best option.Steve *******
@Jair *****
Initially the 90 days Non Imm O visa. Then no visa, it's called an 'extention of stay'Jair ******
OP@Jan *****************
Wow,that sounds like an excellent idea. Much appreciated!!
Jan ******************
@Jair *****
It’s a better alternative for a long-term stay of more than two years in Thailand. That way, you avoid being tied to a mandatory and expensive Thai health insurance policy with poor coverage approved by immigration for the rest of your stay. Apply for a 90-day Non-O visa, open a bank account and deposit 800,000 baht, then apply for annual extensions of stay either based on the amount held in your account (800,000 baht) or proof of monthly income (minimum 65,000 baht) for the second year.Jair ******
OP@Steve ******
Great. And what visa will the extension be on?Steve *******
@Jair *****
Basically yes. You can't renew the visa but you can apply for a 1 year extension of stay during the initial 90 daysTodd *********
@Jair *****
yes - exactlyJair ******
OP@Todd ********
Interesting. So are you saying I get it for 90 days and then renew for 1 year?
Brandon ************
I think it's safe to assume you are not actually eligible for the O-X visa. There's a reason no one except Australians use this visa. The consulate in Australia is the only one in the world that lets you apply with money in your home bank account. For every other Thai embassy/consulate, you must show proof of 3 million baht in a Thai bank account. Do you currently have 3 million baht in your Thai bank account? If not, you are not eligible.
Get the 90 day non-O visa like most people. That is what you can extend annually in Thailand. If you get a non-OA, the agents aren't going to want much to do with you since that one has mandatory insurance every year and you're also going to have to do a lot of paperwork in the US to apply for it.
The requirements for the non-O are trivial to obtain from the embassy, and this is the type that agents normally offer for visa/extension in Thailand.
Get the 90 day non-O visa like most people. That is what you can extend annually in Thailand. If you get a non-OA, the agents aren't going to want much to do with you since that one has mandatory insurance every year and you're also going to have to do a lot of paperwork in the US to apply for it.
The requirements for the non-O are trivial to obtain from the embassy, and this is the type that agents normally offer for visa/extension in Thailand.
Jair ******
OP@Brandon ***********
Thank you! Appreciate all the good advice from folks in here. I'm finding that my info (off the official thai pages) was off..and that your advice is on point!
Andreas *********
@Jair *****
but you will need to apply for the Non-O/A in the USA every two years . . . . if you get the "1-year extension" out of a Non-O/A visa, that's when it becomes really complicated, because then you will need a minimum of 800,000 THB in your Thai bank account, and a Thai tgia-listed private health insurance
Greg ***********
@Jair *****
if you stay in the country for full 90 days, you need to report. You do the first report after having entered in person, and can do all future reports online. You have a 21 days window for reporting - 14 days before due date until 7 days after due dateJair ******
OP@Greg **********
Much appreciated. So will I have a 90 day reporting requirement on the yearly extensions? If yes, how cumbersome is this? I recall doing this with an agent once.had to go to the immigration office.Greg ***********
@Jair *****
then the start on a 90-days Non-imm-O and subsequent yearly extensions make more sense than the O/A or O/X visaJair ******
OP@Andreas ********
Sorry if I'm being daft; 800k in a Thai account and insurance are both not a problem for me at all.Activity
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