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What are the key differences between a Non-Immigrant O (Retirement) visa and a Non-Immigrant OA visa in Thailand?

NON-O VisaNON-OA VisaVisa Renewal90-Day ReportingHealth Insurance RequirementsVisa ValidityExpat Visa TypesRetirement Visa in Thailand
Jan 19, 2021
4 years ago
Nigel ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
What's the difference between a non immigrant O (retirement) and a non immigrant OA visa? I think you can get the OA only outside Thailand, but are there other important differences? For instance, the O seems to be valid for 90 days and renewed by reporting every 90 days. The OA seems to be valid for a year with multiple entries and can be renewed for a further year, but is there a 90 day reporting requirement? Any advice on the differences between the 2 visas is appreciated.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The Non-Immigrant O (Retirement) visa is typically a single entry visa valid for 90 days, which can be extended for one year within Thailand, requiring 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account for the extension. In contrast, the Non-Immigrant OA visa is a multiple entry visa valid for one year and must be obtained from a Thai embassy outside Thailand. While the OA visa doesn’t require the same 800,000 baht deposit, it does require health insurance from approved Thai vendors. Both visas require 90-day reporting, but the OA offers greater flexibility for long-term residents.
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.
David *******
Initially: Non O gives 90 days, Non O-A one year. At the moment, both require insurance if you get in the U.K. Both visas can then be used to get Annual Extensions of Stay. Both require 800k in Thai bank to get Extension of Stay. Both require 90 day reporting. O-A requires Thai Health insurance for Extension, Non O does not require insurance for Extension.

So, initially, the O-A gives you longer but if you plan to stay in Thailand long term then the Non O does not require you to buy a Thai Health Insurance policy.
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
David Cymru. Do people not want medical insurance?
4 years ago
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David *******
@Bobby *******
 that isn’t the point. You must buy one of the approved Thai policies. They will not accept better policies with overseas companies. The Thai policies are generally more expensive for worse cover. People that already have excellent cover have been forced to buy another policy to get an Extension. Also, older people can’t actually buy a new Thai policy anyway.
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
David Cymru. Yes I use my home country medical insurance but I just pay a nominal 7700 for the annual extension. I will keep it going because one day the O visa will require the same insurance and anyone over 75 will be uninsurable and unable to get further extensions. Mine is guaranteed up to 99 years of age. For 150 baht a week it's worth it
4 years ago
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Man ******
@Bobby *******
 what company is your insurance with??
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
Debbie Moody Sorcic. LMG
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
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John *********
Immigration udon requires 1 year bank statement now . Mine is extension of retirement visa .just done 90 day report
4 years ago
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Steven ********************
What about non-imm O multi can the 90 days be extended in country or need go out

Can the visa be renewed in country
4 years ago
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Alessandro **********
@Steven *******************
 you can get 1 year extension in country starting 45 days until 15 days before the date indicated on the last entry stamp. Obviously you must meet all the requirements such as TM30, 400k in a Thai bank and so on.
4 years ago
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Steve *******
@Alessandro *********
 It's 800,000k and apply for 1 year extention from 45 days to last day before your existing stamp expires.
4 years ago
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Steven ********************
@Alessandro *********
 noted thanks
4 years ago
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Steven ********************
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Bobby ********
In addition to the above comment from
@Thailand ***************************************
 the OA can (if land borders open in time) give you two years stay with no extra cost. In pre-covid days you could take a trip home every two years, never need to transfer money into Thailand, and use your own home country insurance. It was the creme de la creme of visas! Covid stuffed it up, but one day the good times will return!
4 years ago
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Apex ********************
I was just writing an article about this too. Non-O is a single entry visa good for 90 days that can be extended for 1 year in the country. The extension requires 800k baht in a Thai bank account for 2 months before you apply.

A Non-OA can only be obtained from the Thai embassy in your home country, but is a multiple entry and good for 1 year. You do not need to put 800k baht in a Thai bank account, but you do need health insurance from the Thai Immigrations approved vendors.
4 years ago
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Jeff **********
Type O not just 800k in bank, also can use the monthly income of
*****
Baht or a combination of deposit and monthly income.
4 years ago
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Glenn *************
@Thailand ***************************************
 with the non-o which is good for 90 days, do you have to extend it? Im on a 60 TV, can i apply for non-o and get another 90 days without following it through with a year extension ? Ta
4 years ago
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Gary *******
@Thailand ***************************************
 the 800,000 baht is no longer requirement for non oa visa? What about monthly income requirement ? After 1 or 2 years whichever is allowed can you leave then return and get another visa? I plan to live with my brother and thai wife. 65 years old USA.
4 years ago
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Janin ******
@Gary ******
 if 800.000 is not required can you show me prove of that! Because yesterday it was still the same as the year before!
4 years ago
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Janin ******
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Janin ******
@Thailand ***************************************
 i am sorry But that is not correct. OA visa also need 800.000 in the bank or a proven income from at least 65.000 baht a month,, they also call it retirement visa. Can only obtain if you are over 50 years. Also you need to do 90 days report, and have health insurance. You can have also single and multiple entry.
4 years ago
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John *******
@Janin *****
 wrong ....OA does NOT require 800k in a Thai bank
4 years ago
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Janin ******
@John ******
 ,I don’t say in a Thai bank, but you need prove of 800.000, or you go for marriage than its 400.000.
4 years ago
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Janin ******
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Graham ********
@Janin *****
 Correct!
4 years ago
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Apex ********************
@Ja***
 So the Non-OA does NOT require 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account like the OA does. SOME embassies may require proof of finances in their home countries currency equivalent to 800,000 baht, but in my experience this varies by embassy. I should have clarified though I meant the 800k in a thai account for 2 months.
4 years ago
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Janin ******
@Thailand ***************************************
 , there is no difference, because a OA is always non- immigrant! And the money must be in the bank 2 months prior and 3 months after the visa. 400.000 must be on the account throughout the year!
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
Janin Ackx. That's for an OA extension. The original OA visa is issued in your home country and uses home country finances (equivalent to 800k baht). The visa is good for one year (possibly two if land borders reopen). You do not need have any money in Thai bank until you apply for extension
4 years ago
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Janin ******
@Bobby *******
 , I didn’t say in a Thai bank, only that you need to show prove of the money
4 years ago
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Apex ********************
@Ja***
 That's what I said. The money does NOT have to be seasoned in an external account.
4 years ago
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Janin ******
@Thailand ***************************************
 , Ok sorry, I did read no money required!
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
Janin Ackx. That's it.
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
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William *******
All of my non immigrant o visa have been multiple entry. I leave the kingdom every 99 days unless I get an extension.
4 years ago
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Nigel ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Does the OA have reporting requirements?
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
Nigel Phipps. Every visa has 90 day reporting
4 years ago
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Steve *******
@Bobby *******
 Not all visas have 90 day reporting, only visas that allow you to stay more than 90 days. The Non Imm OA and the Elite visas are the only 2 VISAS I can think of that allow you to stay more than 90 days.
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
Steve Greir. ED visa, B visa, O (married to a Thai) Visa, O (retirement) visa, O (supporting a half Thai child) visa, O (volunteer) visa. It's obvious if you're leaving within 90 days you're not required to report, that's kind of stating the obvious!
4 years ago
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Steve *******
@Bobby *******
 All those visas you mentioned only get you stamped in for 90 days. Only the Elite and OA get you stamped in longer than 90 days thus requiring 90 day reporting. You're confusing 'visas' with 'extentions of stay'
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
Steve Greir. Are you bored? I'm speaking broadly, visa or extension. Anything over 90 days requires 90 day reporting. Happy now? Let's get real pedantic. OX visa? Or did you forget that one? 🤣🤣🤣
4 years ago
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Steve *******
@Bobby *******
 Not bored, just correcting your statement that all visas require 90 day reporting, when that is clearly not the case.
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
Steve Greir. It's actually called a "VISA Extension", so same thing.
4 years ago
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William *******
@Bobby *******
My non immigrant O visa has no 90 day reporting . I leave and return.
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
William Novak. How do you leave and return at the moment?
4 years ago
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Alessandro **********
@Bobby *******
 leave and return isn't a good choice now. Even if you have a 1 year multi entry visa such as those you get in HCMC or Savannakhet, it's better to extend it at your local immigration office.
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
Alessandro Antonini. The OP was asking the difference between O and OA.
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
William Novak. Probably as it's only valid for 90 days?
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
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Bim *******
@Nigel *******
 all visas if you stay over 90 days in the country have reporting requirements
4 years ago
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Bim *******
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Kathy ****************
@Thailand ***************************************
 we were able to use our own insurance that is a policy in the US that covers us internationally with our OA retirement visa..
4 years ago
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Kathy ****************
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