What are the visa options and requirements for British expats looking to stay in Thailand long-term?

Non-O Visa Non-OA Visa Visa Application Process in Thailand Visa Extension Re-Entry Permit Health Insurance Requirements Long-Term Residency Visa (LTR)Thai Immigration Rules

Mar 24, 2023

2 years ago

Anthony ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello group, I have been looking at different visa types for my age, and the difference between applying in the U.K. or coming to Thailand and applying there.

I am 50 years old and my wife is 48, both British, I contacted the Thai Embassy in the U.K., they sent me the requirements for Non-O and Non-OA, the OA seems a better option, I’m going to get good health cover and meet all the other requirements so no issue, they are telling me the following.

She can only get Non-O single entry from us then she can appy for a year visa in Thailand with Thai Immigration because you have Non-OA

What’s involved in Thailand to get my wife’s visa once we arrive?

If she stayed on this visa would she have to leave and re enter every 90 days with a permit?

The most appealing thing for me to apply in the U.K. is that I don’t have to open a bank account in Thailand and deposit the 800,000 straight away until closer to the time when we want to renew for another year.

Am I also correct in saying if I left after 360 days and returned on 364 day I would get another complete year and would just need reentry permit for that year if I left Thailand?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A British expat discusses the differences in applying for Non-O and Non-OA visas from the UK versus Thailand. He seeks clarity on the application process for his wife's visa upon arriving in Thailand and whether she needs to leave and re-enter every 90 days. The expat highlights the advantages of applying in the UK, such as delaying the requirement to deposit funds in a Thai bank account. Insights from the community indicate that the Non-OA visa does not require funds to be held in Thailand, and a 'trailing spouse' extension may be available for his wife.

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Jo **********

Try to get a LTR visa

2 years ago

John **********

Your wife would be able to get an in country extension which matches your permission to stay called a trailing spouse extension. She can generally extend when she has 30 days or less left on the initial 90 day Non-O visa. If she wants to leave Thailand she would need a re-entry permit to keep her extension alive.

2 years ago

Prinze ******

Agreeing with this. Try to ask the immigration in UK if you can get your wife a non O visa trailing/depending on your VISA. They usually allow this type of VISA to family members.

If you get a 1 year NON O visa, they will give your wife a NON O visa but will be dependent on your VISA, so your wife do not have to do VISA runs everytime.

Usually it happens with NON B Visa holders, so please do check with the immigration if they can grant the both of you with NON Os

2 years ago

Reply to

Prinze ******

Stuart *********

The Non OA does indeed not need funds in Thailand. Timing things right like you state you can get almost two years off that visa but the downside for many is the requirement for health insurance which is not cheap or easy if you’re 70 or more. The second year is not multiple entry so you would need re entry permit(s). You’d get a full year on each entry (in the first year) only if your insurance is valid for that long.

2 years ago

Reply to

Stuart *********

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What are the best visa options for retiring in Thailand full-time while maintaining ties to the UK?

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