What should I know about the Non-Immigrant OA visa and its acceptance at the airport, as well as the extension process in Thailand?

Non-OA Visa Thailand Immigration Visa Extension Airport Immigration Procedures Retirement Visa 90-Day Reporting

Jul 3, 2024

6 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi all. Just recieved my e visa non immigration AO visa as first part of my retirement in Thailand. 

I have a couple of questions if someone can help.

I heard the immigration at airport may not accept it unless its stamped in passport? I recieved confirmation from Thai Embassy in Canberra Australia.

Second question is regarding extending it every year and what needs to be done when I do. Is it just a visit to my local immigration office like the 90 day reporting?

Thanks for your help in advance. Just want to be clear as we travel in a fortnight.

Cheers Kerry

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The individual recently obtained a Non-Immigrant OA visa and has questions regarding entry into Thailand and the extension process. It's advised to bring a printed copy of the e-Visa as proof when arriving, as officials may require it. To extend the visa annually, a visit to the local immigration office is necessary, along with the required documents, approximately 30 days before the visa expiration. It's also important to adhere to the 90-day reporting requirement while residing 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.

Ellie *******

Q. I heard the immigration at airport may not accept it unless its stamped in passport?

-> As you got your visa on the eVisa system, the PDF is proof you have a visa. Bring a PDF printout (as on paper) and a copy of your insurance policy every time you enter Thailand. Show the PDF to the office at passport control.

Q. Second question is regarding extending it every year and what needs to be done when I do.

You can get almost up to two years of stay from your Non-OA if you bounce with a new insurance policy at the end of your current Non-OA validity. (If you have a valid entry stamp after your Non-OA expires, you need to get a re-entry permit to travel out and back on that stamp)

When your last entry stamp runs out, about 30 days before, you go to the local immigration office bringing all necessary documents to apply for a 1-year extension. The extension is a stamp on your passport.

Check the latest requirements for an extension based on retirement at the local immigration office 3-4 months (because to cover the period of seasoning funds) in advance of your planned application day.

You have to do a 90-day report when you stay in Thailand for a consecutive 90 days. You bring your passport and TM30 receipt (at most offices) to do that for the first time after entry. then you can do it online.

6 months ago

Trevor ********

@Ellie ******

Hi Ellie to emphasise your comment...

"Check the latest requirements for an extension based on retirement at the local immigration office 3-4 months in advance"

This point may also help Kerry (above)

Thanks for your guidance in the past. As you know we came from UK on OA, did the bounce to Vietnam and back at end of first year and now plan to extend at end of second year at Immigration in September. We hold +800K in Thai bank have required insurance cover and have necessary TM30 and TM47s so...

Why check requirement only 3-4 months in advance, Immigration's policies can change at any time so I would suggest a bit of over-kill and check every month from 4 months in advance right through till the last month of extension request.

Or am I just paranoid LOL 😜

6 months ago

Tod *********

@Trevor *******

no harm in checking (y)

There is that proposal that passed but has no actual roll out date of the OA insurance going back down to the old 40k/400k baht policy rather than the 100K USD that it is now. BUT that's about the only change in the wind on that visa

6 months ago

Tod *********

@Trevor *******

they don't change the policies THAT much 😉 ,

Most people check with the office a month or so before they're going to apply and run with that without any incident. And OA/O retirement extensions are pretty consistent in their documentation other than the mandatory 100K USD insurance required for the OA

6 months ago

Trevor ********

Thanks Tod & Ellie great advice as always...

6 months ago

Reply to

Trevor ********

Ellie *******

this is summarised information on how your visa works.

6 months ago

Kerry *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

Thank you Ellie. Great advice. Do I need to keep a certain amount in a bank account when I open one on arrival?

6 months ago

Ellie *******

@Kerry ******

to open a bank account, you need only small amount, the minimum amount depends on the bank.

Unfortunately, opening bank account is out of the scope of this group. For details about that, post on other expats groups related to the province you want to live in.

6 months ago

Reply to

Ellie *******

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