Answered2 years ago
What are the key differences between Non-O and Non-OA retirement visas in Thailand?
What's the difference between an O and OA retirement visas?
Answer summary
The Non-O visa is typically issued for 90 days and allows for extensions based on financial requirements, specifically needing 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account for extensions. In contrast, the Non-OA visa is a one-year, multiple-entry visa that has higher entry requirements, including a medical certificate and mandated health insurance worth $100,000 from approved Thai insurers. The Non-OA visa allows retirees to use their home country funds to verify financial status, while the Non-O visa directly requires money to be in Thailand. Additionally, Non-O visas are less stringent in terms of insurance but require proving financial stability through Thai bank accounts.
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Tarek **********
Gary **********
Following
Luc ********
The o visa is a 3 month visa that you get abroad and gives the option to extend based on marriage, retirement, and some more if not mistaken. The non oa visum is a retirement visa that you get abroad (home country) for 1 year . O visa needs funds in Thailand. Oa needs funds abroad. Oa also needs government approved health insurance.
John ********
Why do all the expats keep saying that to get the none 'O' visa extension, the only way is by having 800k in a Thai bank account in your name? Do none of these experts not know that you can have a combination of money in your Thai bank account, plus pension paid into your Thai account, as long as the combination is at least 800k or more.
Graham ******
@John *******
Very few Immigration Offices will accept the mised method of banked money plus monthly transfers for an extension. That is why people are advised to have 800k banked for the first 12 month extension.John ********
@Graham *****
So if they won't accept a combination, why will they accept 12 monthly transfers of 65,000 THB., which incidentally isn't even 800,000 THB? 780,000 THB actually.John ********
@Graham *****
What like paying Thai tax 😂 😂 😂Graham ******
@John *******
If I want to throw money away I can think of much better ways thanksJohn ********
@Graham *****
Better just using an agent if their fee doesn't bother you.Graham ******
@John *******
Because 800k or 65k is what is written in law. Some Immigration Offices may accept the combined method but not many.Luc ********
@John *******
everybody knows, but the paperwork is just not worth it.
Maurice *********
@John *******
Depends on the country you are from and what the cooresponding embassies are willing to do to validateJohn ********
@Maurice ********
If your from the UK, I researched, you can get an official letter posted to you & signed by a Government official at the DWP, confirming your annual state pension guarantee.Maurice *********
@John *******
and if you’re from the US they will no longer do that. To start… must have seasoned
*****
0. Then deposit monthly *****
the first year to change it to that.
Khun *******
I'm glad I'm in Phuket:
Medical Insurance : (Non-OA Specific)
From October 2020 an medical insurance is required for every retirement extension if it is based on a original Non-OA visa (Issued at the Thai Embassy in your home country)
– If the Non-OA visa from your home country is issued In or BEFORE 2017 then the health insurance is NOT required for your extension.
– If the Non-OA visa from your home country is issued in 2018 or later but the last entry date is BEFORE 1 October 2019 then the health insurance is NOT required for your extension.
Medical Insurance : (Non-OA Specific)
From October 2020 an medical insurance is required for every retirement extension if it is based on a original Non-OA visa (Issued at the Thai Embassy in your home country)
– If the Non-OA visa from your home country is issued In or BEFORE 2017 then the health insurance is NOT required for your extension.
– If the Non-OA visa from your home country is issued in 2018 or later but the last entry date is BEFORE 1 October 2019 then the health insurance is NOT required for your extension.
**********************************
Carl **********
Also thank you for the info. Much appreciated. 👍
Natasha *******
..following
John ********
40k bht
Lee ********
Is Non 0_A visa for marriage
Lee ********
Yes have thai wife. Have bank account. When I get to thailand. I will be sakon nakon we're my wife has her own house. Will be doing extention there. Thank Gary
Ken ***********
@Lee *******
no. Marriage visa is only Non OLee ********
@Ken ******
thank you Ken. Im applying for this in november. Think it as to be done in my country australia
Gary **********
@Lee *******
everyone as different reasons for visa and long stays in Thailand my personal choice was the non-o marriage.was easy for me as already had most things in place ie bank accounts wife had her own home.yes there a little more to do for extentions but once ya done one it becomes easy im lucky in away as all immigration offices have their own rules and needs to apply for extentions in my province they are helpfull and don't ask for as requirements as many others.good luck when ya do come its a bit nerve racking but ya will get there and after think what was all the fuss about plus ya only need 400,000 baht and don't aft to prove its from international deposits like ya do with the retirement non-o extentionsKen ***********
@Lee *******
I have never had a marriage extension, so I cannot advise. I'm sure others can give you guidance.Jan ******************
The regular Non O is a 90 days visa. The Non O-A is a one year multiple entries visa which allows you to stay up to two years in Thailand.
For both visas you can apply for yearly extensions of stay in Thailand.
The main formal requirements are the same, but for a Non O-A you also need a health insurance, health certificate and a statement from the police regarding criminal records.
The benefits with a Non O-A is that you can use your bank at home to verify your income/funds and don’t need to qualify for a extension of stay with 800K baht in a bank in Thailand.
For both visas you can apply for yearly extensions of stay in Thailand.
The main formal requirements are the same, but for a Non O-A you also need a health insurance, health certificate and a statement from the police regarding criminal records.
The benefits with a Non O-A is that you can use your bank at home to verify your income/funds and don’t need to qualify for a extension of stay with 800K baht in a bank in Thailand.
Gary **********
@Jan *****************
you can only extend your o-a till your health is validJan ******************
@Gary *********
Correct, you’ll only get stamped in for up to a year within the the validity of your health insurance.
Wayne *********
@Jim *******
Agree I have never been asked to show my policy except the original on ApplicationJan ******************
Jim ********
@Jan *****************
The two people I know on OX visas never get their insurance looked at. You cannot get a five year insurance policy, so your term will never correspond with entry dates, so I imagine it's one of those "too difficult" matters and it's just as easy for airport immigration to stamp until the end of the five year period. Perhaps they assume immigration offices are checking on the insurance, although neither of my buddies had been "summoned" to appear.Jan ******************
@Wayne ********
For O-X I really don’t know as you gets stamped in until the end of the five years period of the visa each time you enter, unlike the Non O-A which get you stamped for a new year each time. If you leave and re-enter, I guess you might risk they will check your insurance as it’s mandatory also for a O-X, but if you’re already stamped in I guess you don’t have any other risk except the insurance coverage itself. @Jim *******
seems to have good knowledge regarding Non O-X visas on this page, and I hope he can advise you further.😉Wayne *********
@Jan *****************
I am curious how they know about your health policy. I get stamped in until 2027 on OX visa just did last week on arrival yet my policy expires in July you would think they would check OX if they check OABrandon ************
A non-O visa is what most people use. It gives you 90 days upon entry to Thailand and you get this visa showing funds in your home country. But to get the 1-year extension in Thailand you need to have 800,000 in a Thai bank account. That's the only big requirement for this visa.
A non-OA visa has much higher requirements, including a medical certificate, a $100,000 insurance policy from a specific list of Thai insurers, and possibly a criminal background check. This is a multiple entry visa valid for 1 year from the date it is issued. Every time you enter Thailand during the visa validity, you will be stamped into Thailand for 1-year (or until the end of your required insurance if less time). This means if you buy another insurance policy and exit and re-enter right before your visa expires, you can get about 2 years out of this visa. The advantage is you never have to have money in a Thai bank account. The disadvantage is the higher requirements and that you would have to go back to your country at least every 2 years to apply for a new non-OA visa.
The non-O has no insurance requirement so the 800,000 is to ensure you have appropriate funds if anything bad happens with your health or otherwise.
The non-OA has a high insurance requirement to make up for not having the funds in Thailand already in the event something goes wrong.
A non-OA visa has much higher requirements, including a medical certificate, a $100,000 insurance policy from a specific list of Thai insurers, and possibly a criminal background check. This is a multiple entry visa valid for 1 year from the date it is issued. Every time you enter Thailand during the visa validity, you will be stamped into Thailand for 1-year (or until the end of your required insurance if less time). This means if you buy another insurance policy and exit and re-enter right before your visa expires, you can get about 2 years out of this visa. The advantage is you never have to have money in a Thai bank account. The disadvantage is the higher requirements and that you would have to go back to your country at least every 2 years to apply for a new non-OA visa.
The non-O has no insurance requirement so the 800,000 is to ensure you have appropriate funds if anything bad happens with your health or otherwise.
The non-OA has a high insurance requirement to make up for not having the funds in Thailand already in the event something goes wrong.
Kev *********
@Brandon ***********
I'd like to correct 2 points please. To extend the OA there is no need to go back to your own country (or leave Thailand) every 2 years. You simply apply for an extension to your OA annually. Also the insurance is mandatory irrespective of having 800,000 TB in a Thai bank account.Brandon ************
@Kev ********
only a fool would extend an OA visa and keep the insurance requirement forever. If you want to do your extensions in Thailand don't get the OA. Period. End of story. Get the non-O and do it without the high insurance requirement. The OA is for people that don't want to keep money in Thailand and will be going home at least every 2 years.Brandon ************
@Kev ********
The point is you should NEVER extend an OA visa. You either go back home and get a new OA visa, or you leave and cancel your OA visa and switch to non-O visa. It's such a financially bad decision that I don't even mention it in the answer for that reason.Kev *********
@Brandon ***********
even with an OA one needs to have 800,000 in Thailand bank to satisfy extension.Brandon ************
@Kev ********
it's not an insult. It's stupid to extend an OA visa and carry the high expense of the required insurance. If someone wants to extend in Thailand it makes absolutely ZERO sense to have an OA visa. And if they do they should get it cancelled and start over with a non-O so they can get the insurance of their choice or no insurance at all if they want that option. Anything else is just throwing money away which is stupid. An OA only makes sense if you don't want to keep money in Thailand for your visa. For anyone else it's one of the worst options. Most people will be going back home once every could years and the OA makes perfect sense in that scenario.Kev *********
@Brandon ***********
you obviously don't like being corrected and resort to insults. Don't lower yourself to those tactics. You've been a good contributor so please don't belittle yourself.Kev *********
@Jan *****************
yes my intention exactly.Jan ******************
@Kev ********
That’s also why several people at one point chose to cancel their extension of stay based on a Non O-A, leave and re-enter on exemption or tourist visa and start from scratch with applying for a regular Non O in country.Brandon ************
@Kev ********
it's not required but it's just stupid to do it that way.Kev *********
@Brandon ***********
That's absolutely not correct. I've had an OA for 10 years. I do NOT have to go home every 2 years. I do however agree that the O is better because of the insurance issue.
Tim *******
@Brandon ***********
non-oa allows dependent visa while non-o does not (now and at my RTE)Brandon ************
@Tim ******
which embassy?Tim *******
@Brandon ***********
HK and i asked at panang
Michael ********
@Brandon ***********
great info thank you
Colin *********
@Brandon ***********
I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but just asking for confirmation; with the Non-O based on Marriage, if you apply in your own country and only have to prove the funds of 400k in your home bank account, when doing the Extension in Thailand, those funds have to be in a Thai Bank Account (in your name only), right?Jan ******************
@Colin ********
Correct, they have to be seasoned in your bank in Thailand for two months when you apply for your first extension of stay based on marriage.
Chris *********
@Brandon ***********
Brandon can I ask I’m come in on and o Visa and have 800k in Thai bank already
When I get the visa retirement at what point can I start to put 65,000 a month in my Thai bank account
And when can I take the 800k out
Jan ******************
@Chris ********
You should start immediately as you need to show proof of twelve months consecutive transactions over sea to switch to the income method. After your extension of stay based on the income method is granted, you’ll don’t need to keep any funds in your bank anymore.Chris *********
@Jan *****************
Jan ok great and thank you most kind
Lopsee **********
@Brandon ***********
if you have dependents...spouse and children...is the financial requirement still the same
Pertti *************
@Lopsee *********
yes if you apply retirement visa. Family visas half 400.000฿Lopsee **********
@Pertti ************
so need 400,000 each for each family members?
Peter ***********
@Brandon ***********
is the non O the same one you can apply for in Thailand before you apply for a 1 year based on retirement? We Already have bank accounts and the 800,000 seasoning since last October.Jan ******************
@Peter **********
Yes, a regular 90 days Non O can be applied for in Thailand on tourist visa or visa exemption. Non O-A can only be applied for at the embassy/consulate at your permanent residence.Peter ***********
@Jan *****************
thank youJan ******************
@Brandon ***********
Good analysis, and the last part makes sense for the first extension of stay, but anyway still quite illogical that the demand of a health insurance also remains mandatory for all the future extensions of stay based on a Non O-A visa.
Ruth *******
@Jan *****************
why? The deposit requirement remains for the non-O. They want to ensure a retiree is not a burden on their medical system.Jan ******************
@Ruth ******
Pointless discussion and your argument don’t make any sense. The deposit you did for your first year extension of stay based on a Non O visa thirteen years ago don’t justify why people in the same situation need to maintain an expensive thai insurance because how they entered Thailand thirteen years ago. All Non O visas can all be the base for extension of stay and there’s no logical explanation whatsoever why the mandatory health insurance just is attached to an initial Non O-A.Ruth *******
@Jan *****************
I did. I simply disagree. People can disagree. People also have a choice. They can get a non-O from the start.Jan ******************
@Ruth ******
But you just didn’t get the point then.Ruth *******
@Jan *****************
I understoodJan ******************
@Ruth ******
I don’t think you got my point or fully understand the consequences with entering on a Non O-A visa. Even with an affidavit letter or income method, the mandatory health insurance is stuck with all your extension of stay in Thailand in the future if you used a Non O-A visa to enter in the first place, -unlike extension of stay based Non O. That’s why several people after a while choose to cancel their stay based on a Non O-A, re-enter on a tourist visa or visa exemption and apply for a Non O from scratch instead.Ruth *******
@Jan *****************
and the income method and affidavit letter are both guarantees on ability to pay.Jan ******************
@Ruth ******
But why they don’t want to ensure it on an extension of stay based on a regular Non O, just extension of stay based on Non O-A? The deposit requirement is only a case if your embassy doesn’t offer to give you an affidavit letter. And if you switch to the income method for the second extension of stay, the mandatory health insurance is still attached just to the Non O-A.Ken ***********
good analysis.
Bill **********
OP@Brandon ***********
Thanks for the information .
Ron ******************
@Bill *********
only 1 addition to his comment. Some countries' countries'Embassies still issue income letters. If your embassy does you can use that instead of the B 800 k.Activity
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