Someone referred to an on-line visa which was probably a reference to the E-Visa system that, it appears from the attached, is being tested in three countries (this from the Thai Embassy in Paris). The London site has some useful information here - [http://www.thaiembassy.org/london/en/services](http://www.thaiembassy.org/london/en/services). May explain why Thai Consulates around the world are all doing something different as they await the result of the trials. I also hear that 2nd applications for O-A visas are being subjected to a further requirement for Retirement ie. 800k in a Thai Bank. Looks to me as though Thailand in the future will only want ex-pat retirees if they have made an investment in cash.

Answered7 years ago

What changes are being made to Thailand’s visa application process, especially for O-A retirees?

E-Visa O-A Visa Thai Visa Application Process Retirement Visa Requirements Thai Embassy Services Expat Visa Regulations

Roger ********

asked Sep 22, 2019

1.3k

views

replies

likes

Someone referred to an on-line visa which was probably a reference to the E-Visa system that, it appears from the attached, is being tested in three countries (this from the Thai Embassy in Paris). The London site has some useful information here - [[members only]).

May explain why Thai Consulates around the world are all doing something different as they await the result of the trials. 

I also hear that 2nd applications for O-A visas are being subjected to a further requirement for Retirement ie. 800k in a Thai Bank. 

Looks to me as though Thailand in the future will only want ex-pat retirees if they have made an investment in cash.

Answer summary

The Thai E-Visa system is currently being tested in three countries, which may explain the varying practices among Thai consulates globally as they await results. Additionally, there are new requirements for second applications for O-A visas, including the necessity to have 800,000 THB in a Thai bank for retirement verification. This indicates a potential shift towards only accepting expat retirees who can demonstrate financial investment in Thailand.

10 repliesnewest first

Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.

Tony *******

The London Embassy will only accept E-visas now so if you want a paper application check online with other city embassy’s ... with London be prepared to have to overcome many small problems... first checkout what documents you need to scan, once scanned each document must be reduced in size to comply (click reduce to web size) and put them in a folder for ease of use when going through the application... it took me hours to get everything in place, but once sorted it went smoothly... after you pay online, click Apply and be patient as everything disappeared and went back to log-in... I thought I had lost it all AGAIN... but later I got an email with the bar code so all was ok.. then just send £10 note postage with your return addressed envelope, the bar coded document and of course your passport... Best of luck to you...

7 years ago

Terry ********

What do you mean by “2nd applications”? If you are referring to a renewal, the 800k requirement has always been there.

7 years ago

Ivan ************

For now, the US consulates don't seem to have changed anything yet so getting O-As there as an American without money in Thailand should still be possible.

7 years ago

Ivan ************

Terry Shurts the topic is applying for a visa in Paris. You did not previously need to show money in a Thai bank account to get the visa there. That's the change.

7 years ago

Terry ********

@Ivan ***********

this may be the case if you apply for it in your home country. If you apply for it while you’re in Thailand, you most definitely have to have the money in a Thai bank account (if not qualifying with the monthly income alternative.)

7 years ago

Ivan ************

When you get an O-A you show money in your home country bank account, not in Thailand. People used just get this visa, do a bounce at the end of the year, which allowed two years, and then go home to get another. Show money in home country, no need to ever bring to Thailand or ever deal with immigration within Thailand for an extension.

7 years ago

Ivan ************

Terry Shurts this is the change, that some consulates will not issue a second O-A, or want the money in Thailand, they force you to renew in Thailand or at least have the money there. So you can't just go home every two years and get a new visa based on home country bank account and never bring money into Thailand.

7 years ago

Terry ********

@Roger *******

that is the case for renewing it here in Thailand. If you do it in your own country, maybe it's different, but I wouldn't think so.

7 years ago