Answered5 years ago

What are the steps for obtaining a long stay retirement visa (O-A) for my mom traveling from South Africa to Thailand?

Retirement Visa (O-A)Visa Application Financial Requirements Covid Insurance Police Clearance Exemption Visa

Bonny **********

asked Feb 21, 2022

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Hi all 

My mom plans to travel from South Africa to Thailand soon. She wants to get a long stay retirement visa (O-A). 

1. Does she have to get the visa in South Africa? 

* The Thai embassy in SA requires a police clearance which takes weeks. We want to avoid this route if possible. They also need Covid specific insurance (normal for all I believe) and specific medial insurance (Outpatient ฿40,000 and inpatient ฿400,000).

2. If she gets it in SA, does the ฿800,000 need to be in her account for 3 months prior to submitting the application or does she just need proof of said finances?

3. Would it be possible for her to arrive on an exemption visa then get a retirement visa?

4. If so, how do we navigate the finances? She has the ฿800,000. Does it need to be in a Thai account? Not sure how the finances work? 

Thanks for all the help! No amount of information is too much 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Answer summary

A user is seeking information about the process for their mother's long stay retirement visa (O-A) application from South Africa. Key queries include whether the visa must be obtained in South Africa, the financial requirements associated with the visa application, the possibility of traveling on an exemption visa before applying for the retirement visa, and the necessary financial documentation. Responses indicate the police clearance may take time, and that it's recommended to begin the visa application process promptly, while highlighting the need for a Thai bank account for managing funds.

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Peter **********

I think the police clearance document takes weeks anywhere, was 6 weeks in UK. If you want to apply for a non-OA then ask for it asap. If you arrive on 30 day visa exemption you can go down the non-O path after a while which doesn't require insurance. How do do this is outlined in many previous posts.

5 years ago

Bruce *****

It’s best to do in SA you don’t need the money in Thailand but when you arrive open a local account and transfer the needful

5 years ago

Jannie ********

@Benjamin *****

South Africa do give you the OA retirement visa

5 years ago

Bonny **********

@Bruce ****

this is necessary for the extension right? I assume it would be possible for my mom to open an account with retirement visa.

Does the money just need to “sit” there?

5 years ago

Bonny **********

@Benjamin *****

Awesome. Thanks so much. This is super helpful.

Bonny **********

Bonny **********

Bonny **********