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What is the best visa option for someone over 50 planning to study Thai in Thailand?
visa typesNON-O visaO-A visaeducation visaThai immigrationexpat adviceage requirementsinsurance in Thailand
Aug 26, 2025
8 months ago
Jay ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERAny 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. 
TLDR : 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.
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.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Kevin ******
If over 5, do Non O visa. Less requirements.
Graham ******
@Kevin *****
50 ;)Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
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 passportReply to
Maitin *******
Reply
Jay ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Maitin ******
perfect thanks. Yeah, I just saw that news today.Reply to
Jay ***********
Reply
Bob **********
You cannot get an ED visa if your over 50
Graham ******
@Bob *********
in some Immigration Offices apparentlyBeverly ***************
@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 luckReply to
Bob **********
Reply
Jay ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bob *********
thanks man!Reply to
Jay ***********
Reply
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 ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@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?Graham ******
@Jay ******
he needs 800k in a Thai account at least for the first extension or he's limited to 90 daysJay *******
@Graham *****
exactlyReply to
Jay *******
Reply
Ruud ******************
@Jay ******
mind they advise the non O visa and not the O-AJay ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ruud *****************
thank youReply to
Jay ***********
Reply
Jay ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@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 ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jay ******
I sent you a PMJay ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jay ******
Thank you I’m glad to get some on the ground informationReply to
Jay ***********
Reply
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.Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
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 ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
thank you!Reply to
Jay ***********
Reply
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