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What are the requirements for staying in Thailand on an O or OA visa, including minimum stay and multiple entry options?
Thailand visasretirement visaO visaOA visavisa requirementsmultiple entry visaexpat living in Thailandimmigration questions
Feb 18, 2024
2 years ago
Robin ********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi all. I am looking to retire in Thailand on an O or OA visa and had a couple of questions that I cannot find the answers to on the internet so hoping someone here could help me. Is there a minimum time I would have to stay in Thailand (per year) on one of these visas and, can i get a multiple entry permission with the visa? It's just that my daughter lives in Oz and my son in UK and I'd want to spend time outside of Thailand visiting them and neighbouring countries. Many thanks in advance
TLDR : Answer Summary
When retiring in Thailand on an O or OA visa, there are no minimum stay requirements within the validity of the visa. The OA visa allows for multiple entries valid for one year, whereas the Non O visa is valid for three months but also allows for multiple entries if you obtain a re-entry permit. Visa holders need to report every 90 days to maintain their status.
90 DAY REPORTING RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Use the trusted Thailand 90 Day Reporting Serviceto get your in-person report done and mailed to you for as low as 375 THB (even if the online system doesn't work for you).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Christopher *************
To the best of my understanding there is no minimum time for any visa? you can get mutiple entry visas and with a retirement visa all you have to do is report every 90 days and you can do that on line Non-Imm O,s are good for 90 days and they can be extended.
Armindo *******************
Com o visto elite e preciso pedir autorizacao para entrsr outra vez na tailandia ?ou se pode sair e entrar sem pedir aotorizacao para entrar ?podemos sair e entrar todas as bezes que quisermos sair e entrsr na tailandia ? Gostaria de saber obrigado.
Peter *********
Do they still do the 1 year multi entry o visa in UK? That's what I came over on. If so may be an option.
Peter *********
Non O sorry
Robin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Peter ********
Yes they do thanksReply to
Robin ********
Reply
Stuart *********
The OA visa is a multiple entry visa valid for one year. The Non O is valid for 3 months. None require you to spend any particular time in Thailand during their validity.
The Non O would require a valid re entry permit to allow you to travel outside of Thailand in order to keep the “valid to stay” date alive on your return.
The Non O would require a valid re entry permit to allow you to travel outside of Thailand in order to keep the “valid to stay” date alive on your return.
Kevin ***********
@Stuart ********
hi Stuart can you advise best way to stay Pattaya 5 months please Nov 01 till near end marchStuart *********
@Kevin **********
Buy a tourist visa that would give you three months with an extension. Bounce out and get a free 30 day exemption stamp and extend that once for 30 days.Kevin ***********
@Stuart ********
so you mean 60+30 fly out Cambodia return get 30 then extend 30Stuart *********
@Kevin **********
Yes. That will work.Kevin ***********
@Stuart ********
is there any way to avoid doing that once landed on 01 november, ie remain for five monthsStuart *********
@Kevin **********
Not without buying the Non OA visa which gives you entry for 1 year - which is a bit of overkill for 5 months.Kevin ***********
@Stuart ********
ok Stuart thanks for infoReply to
Kevin ***********
Reply
Robin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
Thanks Stuart. Just one more quickie - if I spend less than 90 days at any one time in Thailand, do I still need to report in person to immigration or just at the end of the year?Stuart *********
@Robin *******
Let’s say you spend 89 days in Thailand. You leave and return and spend another 89 days. Each entry the “clock” resets on entry. Both entries would not require reporting.Stuart *********
@Robin *******
no. A 90 day report is required if you spend 90 consecutive days within Thailand. If you spend less than that you’ll never need to report.Robin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
Brilliant. Thanks StuartReply to
Robin ********
Reply
Jan ******************
The extension of stay is for one year at a time and you just need to report every 90 day. You can get multiple entries at the immigration or at the airport when you leave.
Ruth *******
@Jan *****************
that limit is not in effect once one leaves the country. The 90 days starts upon one’s return.Jan ******************
@Ruth ******
Yes, just tried to explain the basic ting regarding long stay visa. You get Non O for 3 months, then you get one and one year extension of stay and just report every 90 days. The extension of stay is still valid for a year if you have a re-entry and stamp out of the country. That u you don’t need to rapport when you’re out is obvious.Ruth *******
@Jan *****************
is just wanted to clarify as needing to report might have concerned him if he planned to be out of the country. I had that concern until I learned how it worked, because I plan to travel extensively as well.Jan ******************
@Ruth ******
Extension of stay is for one year and when you’re out you don’t need to report but you need to plan your next extension of stay.Ruth *******
@Jan *****************
yes, this is definitely true. That’s one thing you’ll want to pay attention to, @Robin *******
Reply to
Ruth *******
Reply
Robin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ruth ******
Thanks Ruth. So, in effect, coming back into the country is the same as reporting to immigration?Ruth *******
@Robin *******
not exactly, but I guess you could think of it that way, lol. I mean, you DO go through immigration and you do get a new clock, so there’s that :-). There’s a distinct possibility that I won’t be here for any 90-day period. I’m honestly wondering how immigration will feel about that, but I guess we will see :-).
Reply to
Ruth *******
Reply
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