This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What are the key differences between the Non Immigrant O-A visa and the Extension of Stay for retirees in Thailand?
Non Immigrant O-A VisaExtension of StayRetirement VisaVisa Types in ThailandRe-Entry PermitVisa RegulationsImmigration Rules
Feb 8, 2019
7 years ago
Robert *******
ORIGINAL POSTERThere is some misunderstanding with the Non Immigrant O-A visa and Extension of Stay based on being over 50 years of age.
Both are called Retirement Visa, but there are BIG differences.
Picture 1 is the Non Immigrant O-A visa, this visa you get in your country of residence, is valid for 1 year and on each entry you can get 1 year of stay, even if your enter on the last day mentioned on this visa under Enter Before or Valid Until.
On each entry you get the square stamps (example picture 2) visa class Non O-A , day of entry and Admitted until ../../.. which should be 1 year later.
Picture nr 3 is the Extension of Stay, which you buy at the Immigration Office inside Thailand. This is NOT a visa. The first line is the Immigration Bureau where you got this stamp and the second line Extension of Stay is permitted up to ../../.. Next to this stamp Immigration will stamp the reason like "Retirement".
If you want to travel in and out Thailand, AFTER your enter before or Valid Until date mentioned on the VISA (picture 1) OR during your Extension of Stay (picture 3) you need a Re-Entry Permit to keep your current stay alive.
See example picture 4.
This re-entry permit is Single or Multiple but ONLY valid till the last day of your Admitted or Permitted to Stay date and on return you will get the SAME Admitted or Permitted to Stay date stamped in your passport.
Both are called Retirement Visa, but there are BIG differences.
Picture 1 is the Non Immigrant O-A visa, this visa you get in your country of residence, is valid for 1 year and on each entry you can get 1 year of stay, even if your enter on the last day mentioned on this visa under Enter Before or Valid Until.
On each entry you get the square stamps (example picture 2) visa class Non O-A , day of entry and Admitted until ../../.. which should be 1 year later.
Picture nr 3 is the Extension of Stay, which you buy at the Immigration Office inside Thailand. This is NOT a visa. The first line is the Immigration Bureau where you got this stamp and the second line Extension of Stay is permitted up to ../../.. Next to this stamp Immigration will stamp the reason like "Retirement".
If you want to travel in and out Thailand, AFTER your enter before or Valid Until date mentioned on the VISA (picture 1) OR during your Extension of Stay (picture 3) you need a Re-Entry Permit to keep your current stay alive.
See example picture 4.
This re-entry permit is Single or Multiple but ONLY valid till the last day of your Admitted or Permitted to Stay date and on return you will get the SAME Admitted or Permitted to Stay date stamped in your passport.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The Non Immigrant O-A visa and the Extension of Stay for retirees in Thailand are often confused, but they serve different purposes. The O-A visa is valid for one year, obtained from your home country, allowing for one year of stay upon entry, while the Extension of Stay is an in-country permit that allows stays beyond the original visa period, typically stamped at Thai immigration. To travel in and out during these periods, a Re-Entry Permit is required to maintain the stay validity.
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.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Retirement Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Steph *********
Sorry but I’m getting a bit confused and need some clarification for peace of mind. I obtained a Non- Immigrant O-A visa in Australia before I travelled to Thailand. Date of issue is 26 March 2018 and enter before is 25 March 2019. I entered Thailand on 24 April 2018. I am currently in Vietnam for a month or so. To get the extra 12 months on my visa, what date should I enter Thailand by (in March or April). Sorry but the more I read,the more I confuse myself .
Steph *********
@Tod ********
thank you for that. I thought that was the case but wanted clarification. You are a legend.Tod *********
do not confuse the "entry stamp" you got when you entered on the visa (the one that stamped you in until April 2019) That entry stamp canceled as soon as you stamped out of thailand.
You need to enter before the visa expires.
You need to enter before the visa expires.
Tod *********
IF the enter before date on the VISA itself is 25 March 2019 that's the date you have to come back to get stamped in for another year.
Reply to
Tod *********
Reply
Jonathan *********************
Then Robert Lagas how is the way for get Visa and not extension (based on marriage)??
Tod *********
@Jona****
, okay your permanent resident hopes will have to wait a good while and it's NOT visa related at all, so let's just forget talkin' about that now. :/ You asked about a Non-O VISA based on marriage. You didn't ask about extensions. but if you get at least 40K baht every month from your country just get an in country yearly extension.
If you don't you can get a year-long, multi-entry Non-O visa based on marriage to a thai at the consulates in Savannakhet Lao or Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam <- neither of them require proof of funds to issue the visa.
Jonathan *********************
@Tod ********
if not I can wait 4 years extension marriage and I can get the residenceJonathan *********************
But if my embassy give me a proof I'm getting 200k from my country plus marriage ??? Is possible?
Tod *********
You go to a thai consulate and BUY one. Where are you located now, can you meet the proof of funds (400K baht in a bank account)?
Reply to
Tod *********
Reply
Thomas *****
I got my type O in Thailand. I am going to the States in April
How do I get a type O there
How do I get a type O there
Tod *********
@Thomas ****
and what basis would you apply for the O visa in the US for?Thomas *****
Thanks
Robert *******
ORIGINAL POSTERMost people apply for it at a Thai Consulate or Thai Embassy.
Reply to
Robert *******
Reply
Robert *******
ORIGINAL POSTERThere are no changes, only more options to get a Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age with longer stays in Thailand. But as many people like to call all these options "Retirement Visa" it gets confusing and all start to announce all kind of changes but in reality they all talk about different requirements, rules and regulation of total different visa's or extension of stay.
Robert *******
ORIGINAL POSTERI try again after three times reading. You get 1 year of Stay on arrival, like I mentioned in my text and this stay is stamped in your passport with a stamp like my picture 2. If you want to keep that stay alive you need a re-entry permit as the consulate correctly tells. BUT as long as you enter Thailand before the "Enter before or Valid Until " date mentioned on the visa you already have this Multiple re entry as mentioned on the visa under "No of Entries" with the letter "M".
Dan **********
So back in 2003 I was convicted of a felony - I punched a cop. Does that mean I cannot qualify for this O-A, or does it mean that they only look back three months?
Tod *********
you would have to get the background check and then apply to find out IF they'll let you get the visa or not.
Robert *******
ORIGINAL POSTERSorry but this post is to clear the difference between the visa and the Extension of Stay. I you have questions about requirements how to get one of these than you should open your own topic.
Reply to
Robert *******
Reply
Keith *******
yes I have the M on my original
Phil ******
Awesome thanks!
Dan **********
Here, here!
Doug ********
This page has been a wealth of information. Great clarification. Thank you.
Reply to
Doug ********
Reply
71 comments
2 years ago
32 comments
2 years ago
48 comments
2 years ago
11 comments
3 years ago
42 comments
3 years ago
6 comments
3 years ago
19 comments
3 years ago
9 comments
4 years ago
28 comments
4 years ago
31 comments
4 years ago
2 comments
5 years ago
44 comments
5 years ago
38 comments
6 years ago
9 comments
6 years ago
9 comments
6 years ago
12 comments
6 years ago
13 comments
6 years ago
11 comments
6 years ago
10 comments
7 years ago
25 comments
7 years ago
30 comments
8 years ago
7 comments
8 years ago
29 comments
8 years ago
147 comments
8 years ago
17 comments
9 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.