Answereda year ago
What is the best visa option for someone over 50 planning to study Thai in Thailand?
Any suggestions, if I’m over 50 applying from the USA. My plan is to dedicate one year of study to Thai language upon arrival. Does it make sense to get an education visa and transfer it to an O visa once I arrive? this way I can get my own insurance. Or does it make more sense to just get the O-A from USA. Thanks for the help. 
Answer summary
The user, over 50 and from the USA, is considering applying for either an education visa or an O-A visa to study Thai language for a year. Comments from the community suggest that getting a NON-O visa from the embassy in the USA is the best approach, as it avoids potential complications associated with education visas, which have age restrictions. The NON-O visa is seen as having fewer requirements and is easier to manage in terms of insurance.
27 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Kevin ******
If over 5, do Non O visa. Less requirements.
Graham ******
@Kevin *****
50 ;)Maitin *******
Non O, apply online from home ( no insurance )
Come to Thailand and get a one year non O retirement visa. This assumes you have the money.
Ed visa is under scrutiny now. 10,000 just got cancelled.
Come to Thailand and get a one year non O retirement visa. This assumes you have the money.
Ed visa is under scrutiny now. 10,000 just got cancelled.
Graham ******
@Maitin ******
the 12 months is an Extension of Stay (based on the original Non-O) not a Retirement Visa despite what many sayMaitin *******
@Graham *****
while that may be true, they stamped retirement in my passportJay ***********
OP@Maitin ******
perfect thanks. Yeah, I just saw that news today.
Bob **********
You cannot get an ED visa if your over 50
Graham ******
@Bob *********
in some Immigration Offices apparently
Beverly ***************
@Bob *********
that’s wrong. I received one in July and I am way past 50.Beverly ***************
@Bob *********
am legitimately enrolled in a school.Bob **********
@Beverly **************
good luckJay ***********
OP@Bob *********
thanks man!Jay *******
Get the non O from home and save yourself a lot of hassle. Just need 800k baht to deposit when you get here
Graham ******
@Jay ******
if he has it as it seems he wants to get the Non-O based on income not on balanceJay ***********
OP@Graham *****
I’ll do both income and and balance to be safe 😁. Keep a static 800k in the bank and also transfer my Pension (over 65k) monthly. Thanks for the help.Jay *******
@Graham *****
since the US embassy doesn't verify income, how does he do that for his first extension of his non O?Jay *******
@Graham *****
exactlyGraham ******
@Jay ******
he needs 800k in a Thai account at least for the first extension or he's limited to 90 days
Ruud ******************
@Jay ******
mind they advise the non O visa and not the O-AJay ***********
OP@Ruud *****************
thank youJay ***********
OP@Jay ******
income works as well yes? I have a monthly lifetime pension that meets the monthly requirementJay *******
@Jay **********
if you're applying with a US passport, no. You need the 800k baht in a thai bank accountJay ***********
OP@Jay ******
I sent you a PMJay ***********
OP@Jay ******
Thank you I’m glad to get some on the ground information
Brandon ************
@Jay **********
no, it doesn't work. The US embassy does not offer income certification which means the only option for the first 1-year extension is 800,000 in a Thai bank account.Brandon ************
Neither of those makes sense.
Get the non-O visa from the embassy, no insurance required.
Get the non-O visa from the embassy, no insurance required.
Jay ***********
OP@Brandon ***********
thank you!Activity
9 joined9
people
Related
25What is the best browser to use for the 90-day online report in Thailand?
12.5k782184mo
Can I enter Thailand with a Non-ED Plus E-Visa via the Nong Khai land border?
3.9k31195mo
Should I enroll in school before applying for an education visa or extend my stay first?
320121y
Can I open a TrueMoney account in Thailand using a DTV and just my passport as ID?
8.4k52352y
Can I change my residence after getting my retirement visa in Thailand?
1.2k2142y
What should I do if the 90-day registration app for immigration in Thailand is not working?
1.5k1192y
How can I get a work visa in Thailand, and can someone recommend a local lawyer?
816432y
What are the necessary documents required for a Thai marriage visa?
2k15122y
What should I do if my online 90-day visa report application was rejected without an explanation?
7.3k461053y
What advice can expats provide for someone moving from the UK to Thailand?
5k35513y
What documents and visa are needed for a British expat to retire in Phayao, Thailand?
6.2k52553y
Do I need to deposit 800,000 baht in a Thai bank for my O-A visa extension?
2k8293y
Do I need to complete my 90-day report after recently extending my NON-O visa with a new passport?
1.1k584y
What are the requirements for obtaining a visa in Thailand?
92815y
What kind of housebook do we need for a non-O marriage-based visa application in Thailand?
1.2k7105y
Are retirement visas currently available for expats moving to Thailand in July?
10.5k95975y
Is it better to apply for a visiting family extension or a Covid extension for my stay in Thailand?
1.3k8135y
What type of visa should my friend apply for if he is married to a Thai woman and has a low pension?
1.4k8125y
Should I go to immigration today even though my visa expired on July 30, or should I wait for 3 days in advance?
1k835y
Do I need to take my son to the immigration office for his 90-day report on his education visa?
839536y
Will Thai immigration extend my visa for 60 days if my embassy letter requests only 30 days?
915566y
Can I file my 90-day report at a different immigration office in Thailand?
693257y
Do I need to notify Thai immigration if I won't return before my extension expires?
1.2k5168y
Do I need to register my address in Thailand if I'm staying at a friend's place instead of my usual address?
787449y
What should I do if I can't get an education visa due to a full passport in Thailand?
3.4k28309y
Resources
Need help with your retirement visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served