Answered7 years ago

What is the difference between the O-A visa and the O visa for long-term stays in Thailand?

O-A Visa O Visa Thai Visa Types Long-term Stay in Thailand Visa Requirements Expat Life in Thailand

Howard ********

asked May 5, 2019

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I’m back in the UK and am now planning my return to Thailand. Since Jan 2018 I have had 2 Visa Exempt, 3 Single Entry tourist Visas and 1 METV. 

So I am now looking at a Visa other than a tourist visa as I have a Thai girlfriend and wish to stay long term in Thailand, so I aren’t a tourist any more.

My intention was to obtain a O-A the at London Thai Embassy but I’ve just deposited more money up to £20k so have to wait 3 months until I can apply.

I live next door to Hull Thai Consulate and they have a O Visa that only requires £10k in the bank which I have had for 1 year and gives me 90 days in Thailand, has anyone had any dealings with this O Visa and would it be as good to get as the O-A (I won’t have to travel to London and I can apply now)

Thank you🙏

I am over 50yrs old

Answer summary

The user is in the UK and plans to return to Thailand, seeking a long-term visa due to a non-tourist status after having multiple tourist visas. They are considering an O-A visa but must wait three months to meet the financial requirement of £20k. They also have the option to apply for an O visa at the Hull Thai Consulate with a lower financial requirement of £10k. Community comments discuss the advantages of the O-A visa over the O visa, including longer stay durations and no need for frequent renewals.

14 repliesnewest first

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David *******

You are married? If so come on exemption and go to savannakhet and get Non o based on marriage, no need for money in bank.

7 years ago

Tod *********

That requires exiting/re-entering the country every 90 days which might or might not be convenient.

Hands down their best option is to wait it out get the funds together to get the year-long, multi-entry Non-O-A visa from London..

7 years ago

Frederick *********

Am i reading this correctly. Do I need 20k pounds in my UK account to apply for a O-A Visa.

7 years ago

Tod *********

You can read about how you meet the requirements for the year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O-A (Long Stay) visa from the thai consulate in London here

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-Non-Immigrant-visas.html#7

7 years ago

Paul *********

With the non-0 you're limited to 90 days after which you're gonna need to have to get an 12 month extension of stay in-country - or another visa solution. (UK do not issue a year long multi entry non-0 any more)

On the 0-A you can get up to 2 years stay in Thailand. (Without the need to move any money to Thailand)

If you can wait out the time for the financials to come good, and sort the medical cert' / other requirements in the UK then 100% go for the Non-0A.

7 years ago

Howard ********

@Bill ********

thank you for your advice🙏

7 years ago

Bill *********

@Howard *******

i had 8 tourist visas each one extended 30days. But reading of problems at imigration I then got my O-A multi.

7 years ago

Bill *********

@Bob ******

yes they accepted my Thai Med Cert no problem for my O-A multy visa from London 👍👍

7 years ago

Howard ********

Bill Gilbert thank you but without my medical certificate I can’t get my visa so can’t get to Thailand to get one 😂 (can’t get another tourist visa as I’ve had 6) so I’m a bit stuffed😢

7 years ago

Bob *******

@Bill ********

Will that suffice in UK

7 years ago

Bill *********

@Howard *******

I had problems trying to find some place to get my Medical Cert done in the UK. So I went to Thailand, had a "holiday" and got my Med Cert from AEK Hospital in Udon Thani for 150 baht.

7 years ago

Howard ********

@Paul ********

Thank you, the Non O-A was the one I was going to apply for until I saw this alternative in Hull.

I will stick out the 3 months, it’ll give me time to apply for my medical certificate and criminal check anyway, thank you for confirming what I thought🙏

7 years ago

Bob **********

O-A is much better and you don’t have to leave every 90 days and you can stretch it for almost 2 years not sure you need your money for 3 months show your account where you got the 20K from

7 years ago

Howard ********

@Bob *********

thank you for your advice, I will just have to wait the 3 months for my £20k in my a/c 🙏

7 years ago