What is the process for switching from an O-A visa to a Non-O visa in Thailand with regard to income and insurance requirements?

Question

Currently in the Kingdom on an O-A (without insurance) which expires near the end of this month, but am stamped in until near the end of Oct. If I wish to stay within Thailand beyond that, I'm not thrilled with the idea of paying for Thai insurance, as I have better and cheaper coverage by remaining with my US based company that fully covers me here. Even though I arrived long before the travel restrictions, I've been transferring 65K monthly just to cover myself, but come October I'll still be a few months short of a year. If I bank 800K in a Thai account to apply for a non O, what's the process for then switching to the monthly income method? Can I do it as soon as I've got my record of 12 transfers?

Ask Thailand · Answer

The poster currently holds an O-A visa without insurance and is considering switching to a Non-O visa after October. They are interested in understanding the process for switching to a monthly income method for visa extension after making regular bank transfers. Comments indicate that due to recent consulate policies, obtaining a yearly extension based on monthly income now requires 12 full months of international transfers of at least 65K Baht into a Thai bank account. Alternatively, depositing 800K Baht into a Thai bank allows for a different method, provided funds are maintained and certain conditions are met. Additionally, the poster must acquire Thai health insurance, as their US insurance does not meet requirements for O-A extension. The process for switching visas may require leaving the country once borders reopen.

James ******** · Answer

OK Daniel Wolfe you have your homework.

Hope all works out well for you. Take care...

Commenting closed

Bobby ******** · Answer

Weigh up the cost of insurance (which at some stage you may need), against the worry whether borders will be open, and the associated costs of returning to your home country to get a new OA just so you can save some dollars by using your home insurance. It's basically a Cost-Benefit-Analysis.

Tod ********* · Answer

Seeing as the borders and nearby thai consulates in other countries are closed no one knows IF they're gonna go back to hawking visas like they used to when they re-open or not.

So whether you're gonna be able to exit the country, go to a thai consulate nearby and snap up a 90 day non-O visa as easily as you used to be able to is anyone's guess at this time.

Wait for the borders to open, wait for any new entry requirements, wait for the consulates to open and see what people who go there say as far as how it's working now.

Tod ********* · Answer

now unfortunately because you're on an O-A visa entry stamp you can't "rather be insured by your insurance in the US" and will have to get the health insurance from one of the 13 approved thai insurance companies for the O-A extension.

You CAN get it with a really high deductible (200K to 300K baht) and that drives the cost of the policy down :O. but you'd still need it if you're going for an extension off this O-A entry.

Tod ********* · Answer

If you bank 800K baht and go banked money method you would need that money to be in the bank 2 months before you apply for your year extension, the balance would need to stay above 800K baht for 3 months AFTER you got the extension granted and then the rest of the year the balance couldn't go below 400K baht.

Tod ********* · Answer

Because you are from a country whose consulate no longer issues the affidavit of income from abroad notary letter, you will need 12 full months of international transfers to get a yearly extension based on monthly income of at least 65K baht per month into a thai bank account in your name only. There is no wiggle room or leeway on that.

What is the process for switching from an O-A visa to a Non-O visa in Thailand with regard to income and insurance requirements?

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