Answereda year ago
What are the pros and cons of the O-X Visa for expats in Thailand?
O-X Visa: who has this visa and can comments on pros and cons? I have a Bangkok Bank account and can transfer the 3 Million baht; this technically has me fulfill all requirements to apply from NYC. Here's what I've gathered:
CONS
1. Mandatory Health Insurance from a limited number of providers.
2. Mandatory 90 day reporting (1st in person, subsequent online)
3. Long stay tax liability/filing.
4. Not sure what investment products I have access to in Bangkok on my funds: need to research CD rates.
5. Odd process: what if I deposit the funds and then decide not to come or delay my arrival? Are the deposited funds easily accessible/repartiatable back to the US?
PROS
1. 5 Year duration.
2. Fees are reasonable: 400$
I know I can get a Non O and apply for an extension of status; that's an option but O-X might be better.
CONS
1. Mandatory Health Insurance from a limited number of providers.
2. Mandatory 90 day reporting (1st in person, subsequent online)
3. Long stay tax liability/filing.
4. Not sure what investment products I have access to in Bangkok on my funds: need to research CD rates.
5. Odd process: what if I deposit the funds and then decide not to come or delay my arrival? Are the deposited funds easily accessible/repartiatable back to the US?
PROS
1. 5 Year duration.
2. Fees are reasonable: 400$
I know I can get a Non O and apply for an extension of status; that's an option but O-X might be better.
Answer summary
The O-X visa in Thailand offers a long duration of 5 years for applicants who can transfer 3 million baht into a Thai bank account. However, it comes with mandatory health insurance from select providers, 90-day reporting requirements, potential long stay tax liabilities, and questions regarding the accessibility of deposited funds if plans change. The visa is mainly utilized by Australians, as some consulates allow proof of funds from home banks.
17 repliesnewest first
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Bruce *****************
You can do your 90 day reports online after you do the first one at immigration
Paul *********
Personally the 'money in thai bank' would be a deal breaker. Could always try and use home bank equivalent. Works for australia
Jair ******
OP@Paul ********
technically you can roll that cash into a CD that gives you the Thai sovereign rate. But that rate (1 year) is pretty crappy right now (~1%).Paul *********
@Jair *****
yeh crap
Jo **********
@Paul ********
why would that be a deal breakerPaul *********
@Jo *********
next to zero interest in this bank. Plus to open thai bank 'without' a long stay visa near impossibleJair ******
OP@Paul ********
would a US bank branch in Thailand work? Or does it have to be a Thai bank?Brandon ************
@Jair *****
There is no US bank branch in Thailand. They are either different entities completely, even if they have the same name, or they are clearing houses and not actual customer banks.
Maitin *******
@Brandon ***********
there is however a Bangkok Bank Branch in NYC. Not exactly sure how it is connected to the banks in Thailand. Heading back in January. Might take the train up to the city and find out. If it's in a USA regulated bank, the $100k isn't a desk breaker. And I would also deposit the additional $100k as I can't get health insurance in Thailand
Paul *********
@Jair *****
the thai consulate in sydney says 'money in thai bank' but they accept baht equivalent in AUD in Australia bank. I'd give that a try and see how you go
Tony *********
@Wayne ********
has the O-X visa applied from Sydney consulate in Australia 🇦🇺Brandon ************
If you get it issued, then that's really all you need. I've never seen a report of anyone actually getting their insurance or anything else checked once they get the visa issued, though theoretically they can check each time you enter Thailand.
The 2nd 5 years may prove difficult as I've never heard of anyone successfully getting that, but what Australians usually do is just go back to Australia after 5 years and get a new non-OX. Normally Australians are the only ones who use this visa because one of the consulates there allows you to show money in your own bank account rather than a Thai bank account, and they're the only one in the world that allows this.
The 2nd 5 years may prove difficult as I've never heard of anyone successfully getting that, but what Australians usually do is just go back to Australia after 5 years and get a new non-OX. Normally Australians are the only ones who use this visa because one of the consulates there allows you to show money in your own bank account rather than a Thai bank account, and they're the only one in the world that allows this.
Jair ******
OP@Brandon ***********
that seems so odd: that the Thai embassy in Aus would have a diff rule. Do you know of any agency does O-X visas for US Citizens? I need expert/experiential advice.Brandon ************
@Jair *****
An agency wouldn't have anything to do with the OX visa. There wouldn't be any customers. People get non-O and non-OA. And if you are looking for a long-term visa, why not look into the LTR visa? Much better than the OX visa if you qualify.
Marty *********
@Jair *****
If you really think you will qualify for an LTR the consider using an O to bridge that year or two.Jair ******
OP@Brandon ***********
I don't quite qualify for the LTR...likely will in about a year, but not just yet.
Wayne ********
@Jair *****
I don’t know why you would think that is odd for instance, if you’ve ever been to Thailand, you know that every immigration office has a different set of rules as far as approving your extension of stay. That’s just Thailand and it probably bleeds over to the embassies as wellActivity
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