What is the difference between Non-O Long Term and Non-OA Long Term visas in Thailand?

Oct 11, 2024
9 days ago
Alex *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello all, I have a question,

I’m reading so many different experiences and posts about visas , I’m still confused

If someone able to give me a right answer I’m really appreciate,

So what exactly the difference between Non -O Long Term (1 year) visa with multiple entry ,

Or Non O-A Long term (1 year) multi entry Visa,

And which one is better and what is the benefit,,

Thank you 🙏🍻
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The main differences between the Non-O and Non-OA long-term visas pertain to their eligibility criteria and requirements. The Non-O visa suits individuals or retirees who have family in Thailand and can be extended annually without leaving the country. It requires financial proof but not health insurance. In contrast, the Non-OA visa is strictly for retirees aged 50 and above, mandates health insurance, and is only valid for one year with multiple entries. The choice between them depends on personal circumstances, such as the need for health insurance and whether the applicant has family connections in Thailand.
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.
Paul ***************
From what I understand, there's visa you get in your country of residence an the others you get in Thailand.

If you want to stay a long time contact an agent 😁
Alex *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes thank you for everyone for this small educational information, Cheers 🍻
Pranom **********
The key differences between the Non-O and Non-OA visas lie in their purpose, requirements, and some specific benefits:

1. Non-O Visa (1 Year, Multiple Entry):

• This visa is typically for those who have family in Thailand (like a Thai spouse or children) or for retirees who don’t meet the OA requirements.

• It can be renewed yearly inside Thailand without the need to leave the country.

• Health insurance is usually not required for a Non-O visa.

• For retirees, you’ll need to meet the financial requirement of having 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account or proof of a monthly income of 65,000 THB.

2. Non-OA Visa (1 Year, Multiple Entry):

• This is specifically for retirees aged 50 and over.

• It requires mandatory health insurance (both Thai and foreign providers are accepted, but you need specific coverage amounts).

• The OA visa can be obtained from outside Thailand and also requires proof of financial stability similar to the Non-O visa.

• With the Non-OA, you have more stringent requirements related to health insurance, which could be considered a downside, but it also gives retirees more flexibility as it’s designed with longer-term stays in mind.

Which one is better?

• Non-O: Better if you are staying for family reasons or prefer not to have the health insurance requirement.

• Non-OA: Better if you plan to retire in Thailand and meet the financial and insurance requirements.

I hope this helps clarify the difference for you!
Brandon ************
The difference is that there is no such thing as a 1 year non-O visa.

There is a 90 day non-O visa. It has no insurance requirement but requires you to show you have 800,000 baht or 65,000 baht per month in retirement income. It is single entry. Then there is a 1 year extension you can get from this visa that has similar requirements but you'll have to show the money in Thailand, and it is zero entry because you're already in Thailand when you get it.

A non-OA is a 1 year multiple entry visa. The multiple entry means every time you enter Thailand during that 1 year, you receive a 1 year permission to stay stamp. This requires a high level of health insurance, a health certificate, a criminal background check, and you can ONLY get it from the Thai embassy in your home country. You show money in your home country bank account to qualify for this visa, and it makes very little sense to ever try to extend this visa in Thailand because then you'll have to show money in a Thai bank account AND you'll still be required to have that high level of insurance.
Alex *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks
Alex *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Hey Brandon I have one more question if you can help me out,

If I entering with non O-A (1 year) multiple entry visa,

Do I need to do the 90 day report every time rest of the year?

Thank you for your time,
Brandon ************
@Alex ******
yes, you're subject to 90 day reports each consecutive 90 days you spend in Thailand.
Jacques *****
@Brandon ***********
i plan to just arrive in thailand from the USA. First step i will go to Siam Legal and let them take over. Will i be able to acquire my full retirement visa multiple entry from them no problem? Just want to be clear. I will only be entering Thailand with bags and a passport. I will be able to meet all the requirements too.
Brandon ************
@Jacques ****
you won't get a multiple entry retirement visa, but you can get a retirement visa + extension with a multiple re-entry permit.
Jacques *****
@Brandon ***********
yes. Very nice. Thats just fine thanks. And i will be using Siam Legal. Is this ok? I mean just till i get to know how to do my 90 day reporting and one year extension yearly myself?
Brandon ************
@Jacques ****
they are a known agency in Bangkok. I don't know anything beyond that
Jacques *****
@Brandon ***********
well im guna trust them to get it done for $1000 usd. 🙏🏻
Colin *********
@Jacques ****
that's a lot to pay for something that so many would say is very easy to do yourself. If you haven't asked the question here, why don't you ask what the process is before paying out a thousand dollars to a law firm that charges top dollar. Even if you aren't confident in doing it from scratch yourself, there's plenty of Visa Agents in Thailand that can help you for a few thousand Baht, not a thousand dollars.
Willem ****
The 1 year Non O multiple still exists but you can get it at a very limited number of Thai embassies. Since the introduction of the eVisa it disapeared and it was no option. But somewhere else you can still get it. As some above confirm.
Kim *********
@Willem ***
the confirmation above was a visa issued last year. I got multiple entries last year from Denmark they also don't do that anymore
Willem ****
@Kim ********
Yes i guess they are now using the eVisa system.
Kim *********
@Willem ***
they have used the evisa system for at least 3 years - multiple entries on non-o until this year
Greg ***********
@Willem ***
there is only ONE consulate that still issues a "multi entry 365-days Non-imm-O Family Visa", that is Savannakhet, Laos. They do not publish it on their website. You will need to ask, and you need to prove a minimum of 400.000.- THB in your Thai bank account, and a freshly printed marriage registry document. In ALL other countries, the multi entry type Non-Imm-O retirement or family visa got discontinued by October 2023
Alex *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
wow , yes Thank you so much finally someone can explain professionally and clearly,

One more thing!

If I qualify and get non O-A 1 year multiple entries visa from home country , and I’m in Thailand let’s say 10 months and I want to extend other one year my Non O-A visa , do I have to proof and deposit money to the Thai bank , or I need to fly back to my original Country to get the extended

Other year on online ?
Alex *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you
Andy ************
@Alex ******
OA is the best way to avoid the 800k lump sum. You enter Thailand, get stamped in for one year. Start the 65k transfers immediately, and once you have 12 x 65k monthly transfers, you leave the country, re-enter on a 60-day exempt and then apply for the 90-day non-O, which you extend for a further year when there's less than 30 days to run on. All the time keep up the 65k transfers. Don't miss a single month or you're done
Brandon ************
@Alex ******
as I mentioned, no one should ever extend an OA visa. What most people do with an OA visa is buy it from their embassy and then go to Thailand. Right before the expiration date of the visa (the date on the visa from the embassy, not the date on your entry stamp) they leave and re-enter Thailand after they purchase a new year of insurance. This gives them another year of permission to stay in Thailand, as if you remember I said each time you enter during the visa validity you get stamped in for a year. But during this second year your visa has already expired so you cannot get more time. So near the end of year 2 you take a trip back home. Visit some family, eat some comfort food, and apply for a new non-OA visa from the Thai embassy at home. Then return to Thailand and rinse and repeat every 2 years. This means you'll never have to show that you have money in a Thai bank account.
Richard ******
@Brandon ***********
this past year my wife and I had a non O multi entry visa good for one year; however, upon entry we only received 90 days each time.
Kim *********
@Richard *****
I had the same last year from Denmark - got it in November. Now I hear from Danes only single entry. Rules changed
Chris *******
@Richard *****
this type of multientry Visa (rare)

Only allows stays of up to 90 days then you are required to leave and reenter to receive another 90 days.

It's not the same as is being discussed.
Michael ********
@Richard *****
very few embassies/consulates do this visa now I have one it suits me
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