What are the key differences and advantages of the O-A visa compared to the Non-O visa in Thailand?

Mar 10, 2023
2 years ago
Michael ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is there an advantage of the O-A visa compared to the O visa?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The O-A and Non-O visas in Thailand have distinct requirements and benefits. The O-A visa, designed for those over 50, allows multiple entries for a year but requires health insurance and financial proof from abroad without needing funds in Thailand. In contrast, the Non-O visa offers more flexibility in terms of health insurance, allowing applicants to renew or extend their stay within Thailand without leaving the country, but mandates demonstration of local financial assets for extension. The choice between them depends on an individual's residency plans—if one aims to live permanently in Thailand, the Non-O may be more suitable, while the O-A is advantageous for frequent international travel.
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Merv *******
If apply 1 year o a in UK suggest avoid getting the medical insurance cover I'd avoid IMG of Redhill; totally incompetent and could only stay 75 days . Reported to their regulator and continuing complaint will go to Ombudsman.
David *******
If you are planning to live full time in Thailand there are no real advantages to the Non O-A but a huge disadvantage in that it requires specific Health Insurance for each Extension of Stay.

If you are planning to travel between your home country and Thailand on a regular basis then the Non O-A might have advantages in certain situations.
Mike *******
following, thanks for all the clear information
Mark *********
@Mike ******
I agree with you. Great information.
Mark *********
Thanks Stuart. To renew a Non-O based on Retirement after the first year, must you leave Thailand or can you renew from inside the country? At any time during its' one year coverage, must you leave Thailand?
Steve *******
@Mark ********
There's no need to leave but you're not renewing the visa, you'll be applying for a 1 year extention of stay after the initial 90 days of the Non Imm O
Mark *********
@Steve ******
Thanks Steve. So the original visa is still "good"? No need to apply for another visa, but I need to apply for another extension?
Steve *******
@Mark ********
The original visa expires after 90 days, you'll then be on a 1 year extention of stay, which you can re apply for every year without having to leave the Country, no need to buy another visa.
Mark *********
@Steve ******
Thank you Sir. We are going back to Canada atbthe end of this month and returning to Thailand in Oct. 2023. My passport is stamped with an extension for January 2, 2024. It is a 10 year passport, but unfortunately with comings and goings and lots of visas I think I will have to renew it this time as it only has 3 clear pages. I think I will then have to travel with two passports, correct? Upon our October return to Udon Thani, maybe I should take them to Immigration there and see what they can do?
Steve *******
@Mark ********
Just get a re-entry permit before you leave and bring both passports when you return
Mark *********
@Steve ******
Thanks. Yes, I already have the re-entry stamp.
Steve ********
@Mark ********
Yep, each extension is stand alone. You will need to meet the financial criteria every year, which is either 800k in a Thai bank account, or 65k/month foreign transfer into Thai bank account
Mark *********
@Steve *******
Thank you Steve. I will just leave it there untouched.
Steve ********
This question is impossible to answer as it subject to the individual situation of the applicant, in relation to travelling habits, and investment strategies. There is no official "retirement visa" - all four colloquially called "retirement" visas (O, OA, OX, LTR), are actually visas based on being "over 50 years of age". Many people on these visas are still working (a buddy of mine works FIFO in the mines in WA, and uses an OA to come in and out of Thailand whenever he pleases). There is absolutely NO REQUIREMENT for the applicant to be retired, he/she merely has to show they are over 50, and meet the savings/income/insurance requirements of the respective visa. If all you want to do is come to Thailand and stay for the rest of your life, the O is best, if you're in and out of the country (returning to your home country on a regular basis - at least once in any two year period) OA is the best. If you're Australian, have good savings/income and don't want to be continually thinking about visas, the OX is best. If you're not Australian but meet the finance requirements of the OX, then the LTR is best.

Therefore this question cannot be accurately answered.
Paul *******
I see
Paul *******
Interesting. Why is the OX better for Australians than the LTR visa?
Steve ********
@Paul ******
Australians are not required to transfer a single baht into a Thai bank account, they get to keep their dosh in an Australian bank account. Five year visa for $600, can be extended a further five years for 1900 baht. It's a no-brainer.
Stuart *********
There are three types of “retirement” visas. None have a requirement that you’re actually retired, but none allow you to work in Thailand. A “retirement” visa basically means you are over 50 years old.

Skipping the OX as it’s very rare (but can be obtained). You have the Non OA visa or the Non O based on being over 50.

The OA requires no funds in Thailand but does require funds at home and health insurance at the time of applying for the visa and for entry into Thailand. It also requires a police background check. It’s a multiple entry visa valid for a year. On each and every entry you’re stamped in for a full year (providing you have insurance for that long). If you time things right you can eek out almost two years from that visa, providing you have the required insurance. Bounce out and in just before it expires and you get a second year - albeit the second year will need re-entry permits if you leave.

The Non O visa can be obtained abroad or in Thailand. Some embassies or consulates using the evisa system require insurance for the issuing of the visa, although none is required for entry, nor subsequent extensions off of it.

You get 90 days off that visa. To obtain the visa abroad you’ll need funds in a local bank. To obtain a year extension off of it you’ll need funds in a Thai bank account in your name only - or if your embassy issues an affidavit of income you can use that instead. UK, US or Australia embassies won’t issue those.

To obtain the visa in country you’ll need 800k transferred from abroad. You need 21 days left on a current stamp to apply (some offices allow 15).

To get a year extension off of a Non O using funds in a Thai bank there are two options. The first is 800k deposited for 2 months prior to application. That has to stay in for three months after and the balance may not go down below 400k for the remainder of the year. It would need to be back up to 800k prior to your next years application.

The second option is to have 12 x monthly international transfers of 65,000 baht or more in to your bank. Once in the bank you can spend the funds at will and there is no minimum balance required.

Some offices may allow a combination of the two methods, but you’d need to check with your office whether they will allow and under what conditions.

For many the OA is an ideal visa for not requiring funds in Thailand. For others the Non O is a better option for not requiring medical insurance - which can be difficult and expensive to obtain if you’re approaching or over 70.
Sam *****
@Stuart ********
can I please ask for the OA, when you say health insurance, does this mean travel insurance, not the health insurance I keep current in Australia?

Also if applying in Australia and I have tickets for a 6 month stay, is 6 months insurance adequate or do I need it for the full year visa?

Another one. Do need to show current insurance on every entry to Thailand and every time I apply for an extension?

Last one, can you apply for this OA visa when in Thailand on a VOA.

Thank you for any help with these questions.

I appreciate your clear concise advice you provide on this page. You are a gem.
Linz ************
@Stuart ********
well explained, clear and easy to understand, thank you 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Kim *********
@Stuart ********
hi Stuart a quick question re. 65k baht every month : will it suffice that it says international funds transfer? I have heard they want proof - a letter - saying this is from a pension fund. But again - rules may differ depending on where you go see immi. Also I understand it is perfectly allright to withdraw most of it (all?) soon after the deposit. It would be great for me not to have 800k tied up more or less.
Stuart *********
@Kim ********
Not sure about the proof part. Perhaps that is a specific office requirement. Usually as long as it’s seen as coming from overseas they don’t question the source of the funds. Once it hits your bank you can withdraw the same minute. Doesn’t need to be kept in for an hour or a day or anything like that. They are only looking for the deposit transaction nothing matters after that.
Kim *********
@Stuart ********
thank you very much 😃👍
Kim *********
@Donna ******
1 or 2 payment methods in wise shows up as international funds transfer - can't remember which
Kim *********
hi again Donna - I am doing some transfer tests with Wise because I also want to know for sure which of their transfer methods turn up as an international fund transfer. I will let you know when I have the result if you are interested
Stuart *********
@Kim ********
If you have a Bangkok Bank account and select the reason as “long term stay” from the options it will be flagged as international. Other banks and other options probably won’t be.
Donna *******
@Stu***
, great explanation, thanks.

With the 65,000 per month into a Thai bank account would I require a supporting letter saying where funds are from or will immigration just check 65,000 per month has hit your account?

I have my Thai account set up now and can apply in March 24 so I'm looking at this method for Non O.
Colin *********
@Donna ******
, note what is said at the '*' regarding Kasikorn Bank
Donna *******
I just checked and your correct neither wise or bahtsmart show as international transfer. If using ANZ I would loose close to $100AUD each month. Any idea how likely Thai banks would be to confirm OS transfer in a letter? KBank. Thanks.

Apologies for all the questions
Colin *********
@Donna ******
hi, am I assuming correct that "KBank" you mentioned is Kasikorn Bank? I if so, using "Wise" to transfer, this screenshot will get your transfers show up as "International Transfers;
Donna *******
@Colin ********
thankyou,I've made a transfer tonight and will check my statement once available. Thanks so much 🤞
Colin *********
@Donna ******
if that transfer is following the screenshots I posted, I'd be interested to know if it works out well for you 🙂
Donna *******
@Co***
hi, as per your screen shot last nights deposit does still show as "Trade Finance" as Kasikorn so hopefully no issues with immigration in 12 months 🤞
Colin *********
@Donna ******
I'm only a beginner in all this stuff (after being introduced to a Thai lady by a Thai friend where I live and visiting Thailand last October). I've used "Wise" on a few occasions since and last night, after seeing your post, just decided to do some searching in the Wise App 'help'.

Kasikorn Bank's "Trade Finance Deposit" is equivalent to International Transfer, so perhaps contacting them and asking them if they can put that on paper for you will avoid any future issues with Thai Immigration, if they'll agree to doing it.
Donna *******
@Colin ********
will let you know
Colin *********
Kim *********
@Donna ******
I use Wise and depending on the transfer method it does indeed show international transfer. They have several payment methods. I believe it is the "sending from your bank" that shows it is an international transfer.
Donna *******
@K**
my statement show as "Trade Finance Deposit"

I use the sending from your bank method.

I'm hoping this will be ok.
Stuart *********
@Donna ******
would be needed to be seen as coming from overseas. Depending on your transfer method (ie using Wise) it may not show as such and you’d need bank confirmation that it indeed was.
Donna *******
@Stu***
ok thanks
Colleen *********
@Stuart ********
best explanation I've read yet
Martin *********
@Stuart ********
couldn’t of been explained better 👍🏻
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