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What is the best retirement visa option for an expat living in South Africa, Non O or Non OA, and what are the requirements for police clearance and medical insurance?

Retirement Visa Non O Visa Non OA Visa Visa Requirements Medical Insurance Police Clearance Trailing Spouse Visa Thai Immigration Long Term Resident Visa

Jan 4, 2023

3 years ago

Kate **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi. I've got a few questions...

We're looking at a retirement visa for him and not sure which is the best route to go - Non O or non -OA.

My husband, who is British but has permanent residency in South Africa (where we are currently living) will need police clearance if we apply from home... can he get this from SA or does he need to get it from the country corresponding to the passport he will be using?

Lastly, which medical insurance policies are recommended to be approved for visas ... or are decent coverage, if done within TH?

Any other guidance / opinions? 

Thank you in advance ☺

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user inquires about the best retirement visa options (Non O or Non OA) for their British husband, who currently resides in South Africa and will need police clearance for visa application. They also seek recommendations for medical insurance that is accepted for visa applications in Thailand. Responses suggest that entering Thailand on a visa exemption might be simpler, after which they can apply for a Non O Visa. Additionally, it is noted that insurance isn't required for the Non O, and police clearance may not be necessary for this visa application.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
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Marty *********

You might also want to look at the new 10 year Long Term Resident visa. The information is on the Thai Board of Investment website. There is a category for pensioners.

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Robert *******

Apply for the Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age and for the spouse the Non Immigrant O visa as dependant at the Thai Embassy in Pretoria who are very helpful and have good service.

Get 90 days on entry and before these 90 days ends, apply both for the 1 year Extension of Stay.

Easy and relax.

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Steve ********

Depends whether you want to transfer 800,000 baht into a Thai bank account, or whether you want to keep your money in your home bank account

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Steve ********

@Heather ******************

Yeah I get that. I couldn't wait to offload the Thai insurance policy. It meant having to leave and come back as you can't switch from OA to O within the country. But the 65k per month works for me. I just squirm when I think of 800,000 earning 0.5% interest, and effectively tied up for the rest of my life (or at least until I leave Thailand)

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Greg **********

if you have wife of children that you plan on leavening anything to when you die. It’s just a little bit to leave it for them. Look at it that way and it’s not so bad.

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Steve ********

@Greg *********

If I had wife/kids in Thailand I'd be on the married visa and it would only be 400k which is accessible. The 800k deal effectively means you can't use it.

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Steve ********

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Steve ********

@Heather ******************

Yes it depends on what interest you're getting in your home country. In my case, as Australia has a very good superannuation system, I earn around 7 to 8% interest tax free. That equates to around 60,000 baht per year. My insurance cost me 22,800 baht, which means I'm still 37,000 baht in front. I also started the 65,000 baht monthly transfer, so after two years, I left the country, allowing the OA to expire, and then reentered on an O, and used the 65k per month to get the extensions. For me, a no-brainer, although next time I go back to Aus, I'll be getting the five year OX

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Heather *******************

Makes sense. I can't get anywhere near that rate in the US, so the non-O works best for me. I also hate paying for unnecessary insurance; my policy covers me overseas but the company won't fill out the required Thai document, so I would have to pay for a policy I really didn't need.

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Heather *******************

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Heather *******************

And whether or not you want to commit to paying lots of $$$ for an insurance policy yearly (OA).

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Heather *******************

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James ********

I have placed the TOPIC of TRAILING SPOUSE on your post... CLICK on it and all posts about it will pop up to read.

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David ************

Where can I find these TOPICS. I look at the top of the home page and see only “Featured” “Photos” “Files” and “Reels”. TOPICS seen like it would be an extremely helpful tool if only I could find it.

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James ********

@David ***********

log into the Thai Visa Advice forum using your laptop or desktop computer or phone. The topics placed on the posts will be seen in BLUE color

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David ************

Got it… Thanks

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David ************

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James ********

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James ********

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James ********

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James ********

Simple answer...

FORGET about getting any Thai Visa in South Africa...

You're worrying too much about what to do...

Both of you...

Enter Thailand Visa EXEMPT..

Gets you 45 days stamp on arrival plus One 30 day extension of stay at Thai immigration office for 1900 Thai baht.

Then go to the Thai immigration office where you will be living and ask for their list of requirements for the Non O Visa as retiree and the One year extension of stay as retired.

Transfer the 800,000 Thai baht in a Thai bank account in his name only... Apply for the Non O Visa and One year extension of stay as retired.

Spouse will need to go to a Thai Embassy or Consulate nearby to get a Non O Visa ...

ENTER Thailand with it and visit Thai immigration office to get a TRAILING SPOUSE extension to match that of the one year extension of stay as retired that your husband already has in his passport.

NO insurance required, NO Police clearance required.

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James ********

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