What options do my parents have for visiting Thailand for a few months on a visa?

Oct 22, 2020
4 years ago
Steve **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Afternoon all.

I have a genuine question. I live here in Thailand with my Thai wife and our 2 children.

We would all really like to know if there is a way that we can get my parents (both aged over 70) to Thailand for a few months.

They have the required funds in banks etc and the ASQ etc isn't an issue.

Can they apply for the O-A (1-year retirement) visa from the UK at the moment, or is there any other way that you might be able to suggest to us, please.

Really appreciate any help and/or advice you can offer.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses options for the user's parents, both over 70, to visit Thailand for a few months. The main suggestions include the O-A (One-Year Retirement) visa and the Special Tourist Visa (STV). The O-A visa requires extensive documentation, including health insurance and sufficient bank funds. The STV allows an initial stay of 90 days extendable up to 270 days. Additional concerns about Covid-19 testing and travel restrictions are also addressed, including challenges related to their age and health insurance requirements.
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.
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Edward ******
Dependants visa may work not sure but can check it
Hugh ********
Stv
Malcolm *********
Best option might be the STV (Special Tourist Visa). They may be able to get an initial 90 days and then extend twice to 270 days. Biggest problem will probably be flights.
Scott **********
@Malcolm ********
I think you will find that at least for now, the Thai govt. is determining who can apply for STV. So far it is just certain parts of China and a jaw dropping number of around 40 have so far arrived.
Wanda ****************
There is a new visa (special tourist visa) can apply through your nearest Thai Embassy. Restrictions may apply in different country where they come from.
David ****************
My father lives with us here since before covid. He's also over 70. I inquired several places (before covid) and there was no option for a visa based on his relationship to any of us. One of his grandchildren is foreign in an international school but the school said there was no option for a visa from that. One grandchild is Thai and my wife is Thai but two visa companies said there was no option for a visa from that. In other words, he was the same as any other retiree. It appears that the helpful answers regarding that path are, unfortunately, your only options.
Paul ********
Medical Visa
Bobby ********
@Paul *******
. Medical visa is too restrictive for what the OP is looking for.
Paul ********
Stuey ******
I am looking at the same thing for my mother if it’s only for a few months I did read that they could get a non o which may be a little less painful , but for her I think quarantine will have to finish 1st when ever that might be
Kool *******
Their problem is going to be finding a health insurance, that is required, for the OA visa, at their age. They both will need health insurance that covers US$400,000 of inpatient coverage, and $40,000 of outpatient coverage. Police background check for both. Both must have bt800,000 in separate bank accounts in their name, although some Thai embassies allow a joint account with at least bt1.6million, if the account is in both their names. Covid-19 insurance covering at least US$100,000 for each of them, and quarantine hotel booked to get a Certificate of Entry from the embassy, then each will need a covid-19 test at least 72 hours before they fly out. The embassy will work with them to get everything in order for the flight. It will be expensive, but it can be done.
Ronald *********
Chris *******
@Kool ******
I also am led to believe that you only need
*****
0 thai for the retiree and the second person comes in as their dependant. Not the same money requirement.
Kool *******
@Chris ******
, from my understanding the dependent part only applies if the wife is under 50 years old. If above 50, then is treated the same and needs her own type OA visa, and meet the same requirements as her husband.
Ken ***********
@Kool ******
isn't it THB 400,000 hospitalization and THB 40,000 outpatient not USD
Kool *******
@Ken ******
, yes. In Thai baht. Sorry.
Dianne *****
They could travel to Thailand with OA visas but there is an element of risk for them given that it is likely that many of their fellow travellers won't need to have a negative covid test before flying. This is only a requirement for foreign nationals. You need to weigh up the risks v benefits considering their age, along with the risk of contracting Covid-19 where they are staying now
Lea *****
@Dianne ****
Where u get this info that Thais don't need to hv a negative covid test b4 flying?
Dianne *****
@Lea ****
it has been shared repeatedly on nearly every post about requirements to return to Thailand. I think initially it was shared from a print out of the requirements from the London Thai embassy requirements
Lea *****
@Dianne ****
I think u r referring to the repatriation flight for Thais
Lyndon ************
@Lea ****
fyi the repatriation flights are mixed...

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Lea *****
Lyndon ************
@Lea ****
sorry, from your comments above above I didn't think you did. My bad
Lea *****
@Lyndon ***********
That's ok. Was just answering
@Dianne ****
comment about Thais not having to do covid test
Steve *********
@Dianne ****
thais need covid tests too.
Dianne *****
@Steve ********
my understanding is that returning Thais do not need a Covid test until they arrive in Thailand. They require a fit to fly certificate before leaving the country they are departing from ie no high temperature or obvious sign of respiratory illness
Steve *********
@Dianne ****
ok i have the answer : we are both right in a way. The embassy doesn't require covid pcr test BUT some airlines DO! So that one depends on your airline.
Steve *********
@Dianne ****
I'm married to a Thai who is flying in 2 weeks and he has been told he needs a covid test. One of us (don't know which) has been given incorrect info!
Stuart *********
Contact the Thai embassy in London via Facebook messenger to get what’s needed for the OA visa or check their website.
@https://www.facebook*********************
Stuart *********
The Elite may not be suited if they’re only looking at staying for a few months.
Kathy ****************
@Stu***
not allowing the elite at this time..
Stuart *********
Yes they are. There’s numerous people already here ( returned) who have the elite visa.
Stuart *********
2 options are the OA visa route or the Elite visa. Both allow entry to Thailand. There are lots of hoops to jump through to get either and then arrange travel and quarantine etc.
Roy ***********
@Stuart ********
For the OA visa, do they need to be in one of the (I thought 6) categories that are allowed entry?
Stuart *********
Holders of OA and OX visas are now allowed entry into Thailand. I can’t recall the exact date they were added but they weren’t on the original list of those allowed in.
Bobby ********
@Stuart ********
. September 29 the OA and OX were added
Steve **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm just confused because the RTE website states you can only renew an old OA visa but doesn't mention anything applying for a new one
Stuart *********
As Bobby mentioned you can’t renew a visa. On their website it states if your (OA) visa has expired you’d have to apply for a new one. Inferring that new ones are able to be applied for.
Bobby ********
@Steve *********
. You cannot renew an OA visa. You apply for a new one.
Stuart *********
Steve Williams there’s a few Facebook groups that have loads of information from people who’ve already done the visa/quarantine etc. One of them is here
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