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What is the best visa option for retiring in Thailand: Non-O or O-A?

Non-O Visa O-A Visa Retirement Visa Thailand Immigration Visa Application Process Health Insurance Requirements Dependent Spouse Visa

Dec 16, 2021

3 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi, quick question I’m a 56 year old hoping to retire to Thailand early next year, I’m wondering what visa is better for me a non o visa based on retirement obtained in Thailand or a o-a visa obtained in the UK ? I will be having health insurance no matter what visa I decide so the cost won’t matter. Thanks for any answers

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion centers around the best visa option for a 56-year-old planning to retire in Thailand. The user is considering a Non-O visa based on retirement, which can be obtained in Thailand, versus an O-A visa that must be obtained in their home country (the UK). Various comments weigh the pros and cons of each visa type, including the simplicity of getting a Non-O visa and extending it within Thailand, compared to the potential ease of an O-A visa with its long-term benefits. Factors such as health insurance requirements and the ability to include dependent spouses are also discussed.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

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Joshua ******

I would suggest to get 3 months non-o visa in your home country and then extend to 1 year here in Thailand.

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Bobby ********

Joshua Dell. That method does require the transfer of 800,000 baht into a Thai bank account which effectively you can kiss goodbye to, until you leave Thailand for good

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Bobby ********

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Bobby ********

The OA also has the additional bonus of being able to get a second "free" year with a well-timed border bounce (if that facility is available in a year's time). Pre-covid, for anyone who wanted to visit their home country every 12-24 months it was the ideal visa, as you can use home country funds and insurance to meet the criteria.

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Tod *********

of course you get that second year ONLY if you can bounce out and back plus have a new years worth of insurance 🙂

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Bobby ********

Tod Daniels. Yes, I understand some people just do not want to buy insurance!

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Bobby ********

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Tod *********

More and more people are opting to either get the 90 day non-O visa based on retirement in their country before they come here then applying for the year extension OR coming here on a tourist/visa exempt entry applying in country for the 90 day Non-O visa and then the year extension to get out of the mandatory insurance requirement.

As people said, no one can decide for you what to do. ..

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Ken ******

just beware : premium may rise with mandatory coverage minimum

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Marlene ******

only for OA visa…

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Marlene ******

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Wayne **********

It’s a challenge for sure, like others I will have health insurance regardless.

I’m leaning towards getting an OX (5 years retirement) from the Sydney Consulate. My wife is under 50 so I need to able to add her as a non O dependent spouse. I think I’ve got that right. The only thing I don’t quite know is how long her visa lasts and how often we need to renew/refresh etc. But good luck.

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John **********

@Wayne *********

your wife will need to get the Non-O before getting to Thailand, she won't be able to get one here. It will give her an initial 90 days and then will have to extend for 1 year before that expires

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Wayne **********

@John *********

Cheers John, that's pretty much what I was planning to do in Oz, it was more the extension after 90 days that I wasn't sure of, do you know if she needs to meet the usual 800K financial requirements or because its a trailing spouse visa (kinda attached to my OX via marriage) is she exempt from that rule? Or does she simply request a one-year extension based on marriage every 12months until I must renew my five-year option?

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John **********

@Wayne *********

I'm not sure how it works with the OX, she may be able to get matched with you but might need to do it annually, in either case she shouldn't need money in the bank.

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Wayne **********

@John *********

thx sir, the advice is much appreciated

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Wayne **********

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Bobby ********

Wayne Simmonds. You are stamped in for the OX for five years. To extend the additional five years you visit your immigration office a few weeks before the first stamp expires.

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Michael ******

don’t have to leave the country for 5 years and don’t have to do any yearly extensions in that 5 year period Bobby..?

And do you have to have insurance to apply…?

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Bobby ********

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Michael ******

thanks for that…

Just wanted to check with someone who might have direct experience.

Often I’ve read something on the official website and then someone has said …”oh but you have to do this and this as well…”

For example it says you’re stamped in for 5 years then it says you have to have insurance for the whole period of your stay….then it says you must have insurance for 3 months…. HUH?

Doesn’t say anything about renewing it every year or reporting every 90 days etc etc..

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Bobby ********

Michael Fish. Unfortunately I don't know anyone who has done an OX. There was a lady in one of these groups about six months ago - I wish I'd kept her details - who had done it through the Sydney Consulate and was actually in Thailand, having been stamped in for five years. You couldn't get a five year insurance policy, so I don't know how that part works. I might ask the question on Thai Visa Advice group. The guys there have a good handle on these things.

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Michael ******

ok…I might look at that as well..

It’s $600 for the visa. But if that means you can stay for 5 years and not have to worry about ANY mucking about it might be worth it.

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Michael ******

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Wayne **********

thx for that good to know.

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Wayne **********

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Michael ********

No one can answer that unless you say what your plans are. Travel in an out regularly? Keep funds in UK or move them over? Insurance in Thailand or UK? etc..

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Marty *********

I have been on an OA since 2017. I actually bought my Thai insurance before there was a requirement. If I had to start over today then I would arrive as a tourist and pursue a non-O. It requires a few more steps to get to your 1 year extension. I just like the idea of decoupling the insurance from the immigration process. Also, most of the visa changes have been occurring with the OA and not so much the non-O.

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Ellie *******

I think you are aware of the differences between those two (Non-O based on retirement and Non-OA long stay)

Your question can be answered only by yourself.

Some people are not happy to purchase insurance in Thailand, going to Non-O.

Some people are not willing to move their funds to Thailand, getting Non-OA.

Some people don't like to go to the Royal Thai Embassy, following Non-O.

Some people don't prefer to deal with the immigration office, purchasing Non-OA.

so on and on and on.

It totally depends on your preference.

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Jeff *****

just to confirm, for Non-OA, the THB800k requirement can be in a non-thai bank account?

I read in certain forums that this needed to be in a Thai bank account and opening a Thai bank account can be challenging.

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Ynna ***********************

, are those the only differences between Non-O retirement and Non-OA? Which of the two types can have a trailing spouse or dependent? Can both be obtained within Thailand?

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Ellie *******

@Ynna **********************

There are a lot more differences in requirements and conditions.

Non-OA (only at your home/legal residence country) and Non-O multiple-entry are available at Thai embassy/consulate outside Thailand (but only in a few countries). Non-O 'so-called' single entry -or for one-time 90days stamp- can be applied for in Thailand, too.

On both types, a spouse can be dependant.

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Brandon ************

@Ynna **********************

non-OA is only available from your home country

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Brandon ************

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