In preparation for my upcoming retirement (July 2022), I have been researching the different visa options (O, OA, ...) in order to see which one is most suitable for me.
Yesterday, I posted my first attempt at a comparison table. I got a lot of very useful comments and learned a lot in the process. Thanks everyone from your comments.
Based on everyone's comments, I realized that there were some important flaws with the first version of my table:
1. I was mixing up "visa options" with "extension options"
2. There were some innacuracies regarding the insurance requirements for type-O Visas
3. There was some missing information regarding re-entry options.
Based on everyone's feedback, I have done a major rework of the table. In the process, I realized that the criteria which are applicable for the initial Visa application are not always the same as for the extension application. So, in order to make the tables easier to read, I have decided to use to separate tables:
Table 1: Criteria Appplicable to Initial Visa Application
Table 2: Criteria Appplicable to Extension of Stay on existing Visa
For the initial Visa application, I also realized that for the O Visa, some of the criteria will differ depending on whether the Visa application is made in Thailand or in your home country. As a result, I have included additional columns in table 1, in order to be able to contrast these differences.
I am including in this post an updated version of the comparison tables. I realize that there may still be some errors or omissions (I'm still learning!), so I welcome your comments in order to arrive at a better version. 😀
I will wait a few days for comments and I will post a last version based on all these comments.
Thanks for everyone's help.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the author's journey in researching retirement visa options in Thailand, specifically the NON-O and OA visas. After receiving feedback on an initial comparison table, the author revised it to separate the criteria for initial visa applications and extensions of stay. Key points addressed include the distinction between visa and extension options, insurance requirements, and re-entry permits. The discussion includes advice from commenters who offer insights based on their personal experiences with the visa application process, documentation needed, and the differences between applying for a visa in Thailand versus one's home country.
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.
