Answered2 years ago
What steps should I follow to apply for a Non O Visa as an American retiree in Thailand, and what should I know about health insurance requirements?
Hello. I live near Nong Khai and am here on a TR visa. I am an American.๏ฟผmy visa expires soon, although I could extend for 30 days.
I visited the immigration office several months ago to inquire about the steps to get a โretirement visaโ, and was told it would be best to visit the consulate in Venteniane, Laos, to apply for the Non O. They told me if I applied in Thailand I would require health insurance, but I avoid that requirement if I apply in Laos.
I have read that the Non O does not ever require health insurance, even if obtained in Thailand, but this is obviously different than what I was told. Any insight?
I have my appointment in Laos and have gathered the required documents. I expect the process to take 3 days. Anything I should be aware of? Will I get 90 days initially, or will I get a full year? Should I request multiple entry at the same time?
If I have the assets, social security, veterans benefits, but am not employed, is the long term visa an option?
Thanks in advance for your help!!!
I visited the immigration office several months ago to inquire about the steps to get a โretirement visaโ, and was told it would be best to visit the consulate in Venteniane, Laos, to apply for the Non O. They told me if I applied in Thailand I would require health insurance, but I avoid that requirement if I apply in Laos.
I have read that the Non O does not ever require health insurance, even if obtained in Thailand, but this is obviously different than what I was told. Any insight?
I have my appointment in Laos and have gathered the required documents. I expect the process to take 3 days. Anything I should be aware of? Will I get 90 days initially, or will I get a full year? Should I request multiple entry at the same time?
If I have the assets, social security, veterans benefits, but am not employed, is the long term visa an option?
Thanks in advance for your help!!!
Answer summary
The user, an American on a TR visa in Nong Khai, seeks clarification on applying for a Non O Visa for retirees in Vientiane, Laos, expressing concerns about health insurance requirements and the duration of the visa. Comments from the community confirm that health insurance is not required for the Non O Visa, contradicting the user's previous information from the Thai immigration office. They also clarify that upon approval, the user will receive a 90-day visa, and they can apply for a yearly extension based on retirement status after returning to Thailand.
19 repliesnewest first
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Les ***********
Read what Tod Daniels and James Miller have said.
They are correct.
They are correct.
David ********
OPI have the funds deposited and have the appointment, so I think I will go to the consulate in Laos to get the Non O. Then I will seek the extension for 1 year.
I think I am wrong about being told that I need insurance for the Non O. I think they said they could issue the Non OA, and that would require insurance, so they recommended that I go to Laos for the Non O. I must surmise that the office cannot do the Non O. At the time I visited the office I had plenty of time remaining on my TR and had months remaining to reenter for another 60 days.
Thank you!
I think I am wrong about being told that I need insurance for the Non O. I think they said they could issue the Non OA, and that would require insurance, so they recommended that I go to Laos for the Non O. I must surmise that the office cannot do the Non O. At the time I visited the office I had plenty of time remaining on my TR and had months remaining to reenter for another 60 days.
Thank you!
Tod *********
@David *******
๐ ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ธ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐น๐ฑ ๐ถ๐๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ก๐ผ๐ป ๐ข๐, ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐น๐ฑ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐พ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป๐๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ, yep they didn't say that because you can't get an OA visa inside thailand. There had to be a lost in translation. Take the appt, go to Vientiane, get the 90 day Non-O visa, come back then apply for the year extension when you have 30 days or less left on that 90 day entry stamp you will get from the O visa.
After you get that Non-O visa when you go to stamp back IN to thailand CHECK to make sure they stamped you in correctly (Non-O) and you got a 90 day entry stamp.
Sometimes they don't see the visa in your passport at the border and just give you a free 30 day entry stamp. ๐
David ********
OP@Tod ********
Oh , and one more. How about the Long Term, if I have the resources but am not employed?
Jonathan *************
@David *******
so many use the term "retirement visa" when they mean "extension of stay based on retirement". There are differences I believe. BewareTod *********
@David *******
when you come back to the country on the Non-O you will apply for a yearly extension based on being over 50 (retirement) by meeting the financial requirements and turning in the correct documents for 1900baht. They'll stamp the year extension in right then (the day you apply)
Then every year you apply for a new yearly extension, one after another, over and over.
Each year is it's own extension so you need all new documentation, copies, bank letters, bank book update, etc.
David ********
OP@Tod ********
I feel โlost in translationโ a good portion of every day. Iโm working on that, but it will take more time than I anticipated. ๏ฟผ One other question. I assume that I will have to prove my finances again when I seek the extension?
๏ฟผThank you!
Tod *********
@David *******
Not ALL immigration offices can issue in country 90 day Non-Immigrant type visas (there are several that can't). They might be one that can't do it and that's why they're telling you to go get the 90 day Non-O visa from a consulate in Lao.
They are totally incorrect about you needing insurance to get an in country Non-O visa issued ๐
I would say take the 30 day extension,
get the 800K baht in a thai bank account in your name only
then go see if you can apply for the Non-O at the office that serves the area where you live.
IF you can't you will have to go to Vientiane (which requires you book an appt to get in the gate) or Savannakhet to get the 90 day Non-O visa
Jakob *********
@Tod ********
DearTod, can I say something about health insurance. I applied for a Non-O visa in Canberra, Australia, and was required to provide health insurance for 12 month. This was in Dezember 2022, also cover for Covid, just saying what my requirements were thenTod *********
@Jakob ********
and that was discontinued a good while ago.There is no insurance required to get a Non-O visa issued inside thailand or at any of the thai consulates in the area
Tod *********
good idea
it's just not required anymore on a Non-O visa
@Jakob ********
(y) having health insurance is a good thing, it's just not required anymore on a Non-O visa
Jakob *********
@Tod ********
OK, thank you, I keep mine going anyway, better off on the long run, and would advise anyone to do so too, for their own good
Wannikea *********
There is no requirement for insurance for a Non O, the officer is mistaken or yanking your chain. Ask for the supervisor to clarify and or show you the non existent law.
John **********
I don't understand why you need to go to Laos for the 90 day non-o visa rather than getting it at your local immigration office. Neither should require insurance, the only difference should be that to get it inside Thailand you need sufficient time left on your stamp. You don't mention money but you will need sufficient funds in a Thai bank account in your name and a letter from the bank confirming this. Vientiane also requires an appointment
Robert *******
@John *********
As not every of the over 80 local Immigration Offices has the authority and clearance to perform conversion of stay into a Non Immigrant visa
James ********
It's good to hear that you are going to get the Non O Visa as a retiree in the Thai Consulate in Vientiane Laos.
There's NO requirement to have a health insurance policy to get the Non O Visa as a retiree in Thailand or in Laos.
IF you following the requirements for the Non O Visa as retiree as posted on the website of the Vientiane Thai Consulate in Laos, you will be issued it.
There is NO one year Non O Visa as retiree.
If you are age 50+ you are eligible for the retirement Non O Thai Visa and one Year extension of stay as retired in Thailand.
On arrival into Thailand you will be stamped in for 90 days.
Visit your local Thai Immigration office and ask for their list of requirements for the one year extension of stay as retired.
Be sure to file a TM30 address registration with your Thai immigration office when you return to Thailand.
There's NO requirement to have a health insurance policy to get the Non O Visa as a retiree in Thailand or in Laos.
IF you following the requirements for the Non O Visa as retiree as posted on the website of the Vientiane Thai Consulate in Laos, you will be issued it.
There is NO one year Non O Visa as retiree.
If you are age 50+ you are eligible for the retirement Non O Thai Visa and one Year extension of stay as retired in Thailand.
On arrival into Thailand you will be stamped in for 90 days.
Visit your local Thai Immigration office and ask for their list of requirements for the one year extension of stay as retired.
Be sure to file a TM30 address registration with your Thai immigration office when you return to Thailand.
Tod *********
@John ******
when did you get a year-long multi-entry Non-O from Vientiane based on marriage?John *******
@Tod ********
sorry my mistake I will getting a non 0 multiple entry visa based on marriage from savannakhet laos 90 days at a time renew at border no insurances requiredJohn *******
@Tod ********
Sorry IAM married To a Thai with *****
0 Had The visa from UK before this Time I will get it in savannakhet Laos
Just wondering about Vientiane
There The same visa but issued one inside Thailand and one outside
Little confusing
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