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What is the process for obtaining a Non-OA Visa based on retirement in Thailand, and what should I consider for my application?

Non-OA VisaVisa application processRetirement visaHealth insurance for Thai visasVisa exemptionFinancial requirements for visasPolice report for visaExpat advice in Thailand
Jul 31, 2024
4 months ago
Brian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I’ve been reading comments; and advice given, for several months, from which I’ve learned loads.😊

It lead me to decide to apply for a Non-OA Visa, based on retirement, from the London Embassy, which I received yesterday.😃

I decided on this Visa, to avoid depositing 800,000Baht in a Thai bank, with little interest.

My plan is to exit Thailand, just before the Visa expires, re-enter on a Visa Exemption; and obtain a Non-O Visa, using the monthly deposit system.

Special thanks for the excellent advice given by Brandon Thurkettle and Stuart Cumming.

I’m so looking forward to getting back to the LOS next month.😃
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user successfully obtained a Non-OA Visa for retirement from the London Embassy, allowing them to avoid a large deposit in a Thai bank. Their plan includes exiting Thailand before the visa expires and re-entering on a Visa Exemption to later apply for a Non-O Visa using monthly deposits. Tips from community members highlight the importance of health insurance and navigating visa regulations without needing to keep funds in a Thai bank. Discussions also mention staying updated on visa rule changes and the need for a police report.
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.
Jim ********
@Jan *****************
 Yep. It's a buddy of mine. He worked out how to go from OA to O with no requirement to put 800k into a bank account. Todd went to CW to confirm what he did was factual - and it was. Unfortunately he was then booted from this group, because he'd worked out a way to do this without having to use an agent and the admins of this group (who are agents) didn't like it and wanted to keep it quiet!
4 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Jim *******
 Tod isn't even in this group
4 months ago
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Jim ********
@Brandon ***********
 From memory he posted in this group and the "other one". The admins refuted his post saying it wasn't possible. I understand Tod made a special visit to CW to ask about this and discovered it was correct. It can be done if you know the "hack" (so to speak). My buddy told me later that shortly after this he was quietly removed from both groups!
4 months ago
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Jim ********
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Jan ******************
@Jim *******
 Yes R.S. Well done 🎯👍
4 months ago
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Jan ******************
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Maxi ******
So you got the Non-OA visa?
4 months ago
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Brian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maxi *****
 Yes
4 months ago
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Maxi ******
@Brian *********
 congratulations…but you have deposited 800.000 baht
4 months ago
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Brian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maxi *****
 Thank you. I’m very happy to have the Visa.

I have not deposited 800,000Baht.

I don’t actually have a Thai bank account yet.

I got the Non-OA Visa from the London Thai Embassy, via the thaievisa.

I will be returning to Thailand next month.
4 months ago
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Maxi ******
@Brian *********
 so through the electronic visa application?
4 months ago
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Brian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maxi *****
 Yes
4 months ago
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Maxi ******
@Brian *********
 sorry to bother you and thanks to have replied me so far what do you need to apply online?
4 months ago
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Brian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maxi *****
 There’s really too much for me to list.

Go to
***************************


You can look at the requirements, by clicking on the User Manual, on the top bar, choose English Document.

You don’t need to have created an account with them, to look at that.
4 months ago
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Maxi ******
@Brian *********
 thank you
4 months ago
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Brian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maxi *****
 You’re welcome 😊
4 months ago
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Maxi ******
@Brian *********
 enjoy your stay in Thailand
4 months ago
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Brian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maxi *****
 I definitely will.😃

I’ve spent a while planning this.😊

Hopefully, I’ve done it well.🤞😊
4 months ago
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Maxi ******
@Brian *********
 all the best it is your first time to a long stay in Thailand?
4 months ago
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Brian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maxi *****
 Yes. I’ve visited many times, beginning in 2008, but I’ve never stayed more than 30 days, but have sometimes visited another country; and came back to Thailand, before finally going home to Scotland.
4 months ago
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Maxi ******
@Brian *********
 I am sure you will be happy there…I love Scotland by the way Scottish people are very friendly…all the best my friend!!
4 months ago
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Brian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maxi *****
 Yes, I’m also sure I’ll be happy in the LOS.😃

That’s good, that you love Scotland.

It’s lovely that you realise that Scottish people are very friendly.

There’s a few exceptions, like you find everywhere, but I’m definitely a very friendly guy.😃
4 months ago
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Maxi ******
@Brian *********
 I have been several times in Scotland and I always recognise the difference respect English people as you said there is the exception but my judgment is on a large number of people not on individuals, my impression is that Scottish are more friendly and easy going also I like the landscape in Scotland, what I don’t like is that rain a bit more but you cannot have everything….again enjoy your new life in Thailand….
4 months ago
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Maxi ******
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Graeme ******
Brian what health insurance did you get to comply with the visa requirements ?
4 months ago
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Brian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graeme *****
 I got health insurance from AXA, which is in the approved list of insurers, on the Embassy website.

I found them to be most economical; and simple to use.

They have standard costs, depending on age group.

For my age, that was 26,630Baht.

They can do that because they don’t cover any current or previous conditions.

I’m not sure how effective the insurance will be, but I’m, obviously, hoping not to test it.🤷🏻‍♂️😂
4 months ago
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Brian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I think it’s a requirement to go to Acro. The national criminal records office.

**************************


The standard time to allow for a response, is 20 working days, which is, effectively, a month.

I paid the extra fee, to get the response in 2 days. I got it 2 days after applying.
4 months ago
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Graeme ******
@Brian *********
 brilliant thanks 😊
4 months ago
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Brian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graeme *****
 You’re welcome.

Good luck with your application 🤞
4 months ago
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Graeme ******
@Brian *********
 thanks Brian for all.uour help. I am.back I. Thailand in a few weeks time 😊
4 months ago
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Graeme ******
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Graeme ******
@Brian *********
 brilliant thanks I was looking at AXA and that seems pretty good for 12 months cover. Also would rather not leave 800kbaht in the bank. Where did you go for the police review/report for the visa, the local police station? Thanks for your help
4 months ago
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Graeme ******
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Jan ******************
Do you plan to start transferring 65K baht a month while you’ve on the Non O-A in order to use monthly transfers to apply for a Non O in country?
4 months ago
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Brian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jan *****************
 Yes. I’ll probably visit my daughter, in Scotland, but I will ensure that I have at least 12 monthly deposits.
4 months ago
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Brian **********
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Bob **********
I did just that and they would not accept monthly deposits as they said it’s a new visa
4 months ago
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Brian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *********
 That seems strange, but This is Thailand 😂

Although it’s normally impossible to qualify for a new Visa with the monthly deposit option, you can prove that you were able to do that, because you had a Non-OA Visa, for the previous year.

I’m gonna have to visit my local immigration office, well before my Visa expires, to assess my options.🤔
4 months ago
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Bob **********
@Brian *********
 have you gotten your second year of the OA ? This was Jomtien office
4 months ago
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Brian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *********
 No. I’ve just received my first Non-OA Visa, from the London Embassy.

I’m currently in the U.K.

I’m returning to Thailand next month.😃
4 months ago
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Bob **********
@Brian *********
 ok so you got about 2 years to figure it out
4 months ago
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Brian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *********
 Yeah, I suppose so.

Quite a long time.🤔

I better put a reminder in my phone.😂🤣
4 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Brian *********
 I know people have done things this way previously, but personally I feel that it might be a bit between you an the IO your standing in front of if they will accept transfers for your initial 90 days Non O as well. You might need to apply for a new 90 days Non O at home and show your consecutive transfers for your extension of stay. This is at least my personal view and you could put it as a note in your reminder for this as well.😉
4 months ago
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Brian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jan *****************
 Ok, thanks. I’ll be asking at my local immigration office, well in advance of my current Visa expiring, so I can assess my choices.
4 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Brian *********
 One guy I know managed to do things this way, but he went back to Australia, just continued to transfer 65K a month and applied for a new 90 days Non O at home with his income and they accepted all his transfers (18 months consecutive) for his first year extension of stay. So in the end he managed to go around the 800K baht requirements himself.
4 months ago
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Brian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jan *****************
 Interesting 🤔

I’m thinking that I’ll definitely have more than 12 monthly deposits made, by the time I, possibly, apply for the Non-O, so that’s another possible solution.

I’m also going to checkout, if the amount of health insurance is reduced from the current 3,000,000Baht.

It was the cost of that, that put me off extending my current Non-OA Visa.

So many things to consider, but at least I have time on my side. 😃
4 months ago
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Graham ******
@Jan *****************
 Agreed, I fear the OP will need the 800k for the first extension in most places
4 months ago
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Graham ******
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Brandon ************
Don't forget you can get almost 2 years from the non-OA if you purchase another year of insurance and then leave and return just before your visa expires.

Otherwise your plan is good, as it's never beneficial to extend the non-OA inside of Thailand due to the insurance requirement.

Keep your eyes on the news as one of the proposals that was floated along with the 60 day visa exempt and DTV was to reduce the insurance requirement for non-OA back to the old, much lower amount.
4 months ago
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Brian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 Yes, I probably learned about the 2 year possibility from you. 😃 I was thinking that the insurance is quite expensive, for the second year, but I’ll keep an eye on that, nearer the potential renewal time. Thanks for that.👍
4 months ago
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Brian **********
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