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What steps should I take to obtain an OA visa in Thailand before my tourist visa expires?
Non-O VisaVisa Application ProcessThailand ImmigrationRetirement VisaExpat TipsBank Requirements for VisaTourist Visa Extension
Aug 15, 2025
8 months ago
Joe ******
ORIGINAL POSTER59 year old retired from US.
Thai bank account with 800k soon to be funded. 6 weeks left on tourist visa. What do I need to get my OA visa? I'm near Laos, so going there isn't too difficult, if I have to. I have a Thai gf to help translate, and not looking to use agent.
Can I apply for 3 month while I'm Thailand and not leave? Or do I have to leave, apply, wait, and come back? Can I extend my tourist visa another month, which will give me time for 2 months with funds in account? What is best option?
I appreciate any help or tips that you can offer.
Thai bank account with 800k soon to be funded. 6 weeks left on tourist visa. What do I need to get my OA visa? I'm near Laos, so going there isn't too difficult, if I have to. I have a Thai gf to help translate, and not looking to use agent.
Can I apply for 3 month while I'm Thailand and not leave? Or do I have to leave, apply, wait, and come back? Can I extend my tourist visa another month, which will give me time for 2 months with funds in account? What is best option?
I appreciate any help or tips that you can offer.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user, a 59-year-old retired US citizen, is seeking advice on obtaining an OA visa while in Thailand with a limited tourist visa duration. The community clarified that the user should be applying for a Non-O visa instead, which can be done at a local immigration office if certain financial requirements (800,000 THB in a bank account) are met. They highlighted that it's possible to apply for the visa within Thailand without leaving for Laos, provided the local immigration office allows such conversions. Users provided tips on handling the process independently, suggested the option of extending the tourist visa, and discussed the costs associated with different visa types.
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.
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Maitin *******
Why get an OA? If you are in Thailand you get a Non O. No health insurance requirements. If the bank account is pricing difficult, get an agent. You pay once and then you can extend every year by yourself.
Steven *********
If you plan travel in and out of the country pay the extra for a multiple entry visa when applying in Thailand. Will save a lot of hassle for a little bit of baht
Joann ********************
Just get your non O
Gerald ******
Is it not 1900
Max *************
@Gerald *****
The change to a 90 days Non-O at immigration cost 2,000 baht. The 1 year extension cost 1,900 baht.Gerald ******
@Max ************
thanks, max, iam inlightenedMax *************
@Gerald *****
Good šReply to
Max *************
Reply
Brandon ************
@Gerald *****
2000 for a visa, 1900 for an extension. But proof of funds is required for some visas which is what the 800,000 is for.John ********
@Brandon ***********
Apparently if a foreigner marrys a Thai MALE, the foreigner does NOT have to show any monies in a Thai bank account. Just got to find a wealthy Thai bloke that will keep you hmmmš¤, maybe a problem there lolš¤£š¤£š¤£šBrandon ************
@John *******
that's because in Thai society it's the male expected to support the family.Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Grant *********
Get an agent its hassle free
Michael *******
Fuels corruption and creates more hassle for those who follow the rulesā¦..
Frank **********
@Grant ********
doing it yourself is hassle free too and a lot cheaper as long as you have a bank account and 800k. Agents are for people who do not meet the financial requirements or for people who are lazy.Grant *********
@Frank *********
do it ur self then if u can be bothered with all the shit. Personally id prefer to pay someone and its a mere pittance at that to let them deal with it plus it keeps someone employedFrank **********
@Grant ********
I always do it myself, no problem. Bureaucracy is basically the same everywhere. Paperwork and more paperwork.Grant *********
@Frank *********
thats y I pay someone 2 do it. Got better things 2 do. Time is preciousFrank **********
Reply to
Frank **********
Reply
Max *************
@Grant ********
But stupid. This guy already has a bank account,the rest is a walk in the park.Reply to
Max *************
Reply
David *****
Questionā¦Iām going thru same path in the next 18 months.
How did you get a bank account with just a tourist visa? Which bank?
Thanks in advance.
How did you get a bank account with just a tourist visa? Which bank?
Thanks in advance.
Joe ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@David ****
krungsri branch in bkk. Over a year ago. I visited maybe 20+ different banks and different branches before I found one that opened with tourist visa.David *****
@Joe *****
thank you.Reply to
David *****
Reply
Jay *******
@David ****
you should be applying for the non O in your home country before you get to Thailand. That will make getting a bank account much easier and you don't have to worry about converting from a tourist visa to a non o.David *****
@Jay ******
thank youReply to
David *****
Reply
Max *************
@David ****
He might have had that account a while when it was officially possible to open an account on a tourist visa. My first bank accounts were opened on tourist visas.David *****
@Max ************
thank youReply to
David *****
Reply
Jack ********
Another thing I would suggest is to do this by yourself with minimal help from your Thai girlfriend. ļæ¼ Going into immigration speaking half Thai and half English stuff can get really confusing. Iāve seen it a lot. ļæ¼Stick to English and do it all by yourself and youāll be better off in the long run. Thai people know very little about Thai visas just the same as an American wouldnāt know much about US visas since they donāt need one.
Jesper *******
As soon as u fund your 800k go apply for nonO 90days in thailand with more than 15days left on your current stamp
Kevin ********
Yes if you have a bank account it's easy just go to your local imigration office find out what they require get all the required paperwork and its done 2,000 baht.
Jack ********
If you already have a bank account just transfer the money over and get the Non O issued in Thailand. I got my Non O in Thailand based on retirement itās 2000 baht. The only reason to apply for a non-o in Laos is if you donāt have a bank account already.
Chris **********
@Jack *******
Sorry to highjack this post. Are you saying if Im in Thailand on a VOA and fly to Laos I would be able to apply for a NON O without a Thai Bank account?Jack ********
@Chris *********
Yes you can. Doubt youāre on VOA most likely visa exempt but that doesnāt matter son.Chris **********
@Jack *******
VOA and exempt i thought the same thing. My bad. Yes visa exempt. My passport says tourist visa which will not allow a Thai Bank account. I really need a Thai Bank account.Reply to
Chris **********
Reply
Richard ***********
@Jack *******
perfectReply to
Richard ***********
Reply
Brandon ************
You cannot get a non-OA visa. That visa is only available from the Thai embassy in your home country. But that's okay because you don't want the non-OA visa, you want the non-O visa.
Go to your immigration office and ask them for their handout of requirement to convert to a non-O visa based on being over 50 (nicknamed retirement visa)
Once you have the 800,000 in your bank, you should be ready to apply for the visa, based on the requirements from your immigration office. You should not have to leave the country, as long as your immigration office allows conversions. There are only a small number of offices that do not.
If your office is one of these, then yes you can go to Laos and apply for the visa, but that's better asked separately if that situation comes up.
Go to your immigration office and ask them for their handout of requirement to convert to a non-O visa based on being over 50 (nicknamed retirement visa)
Once you have the 800,000 in your bank, you should be ready to apply for the visa, based on the requirements from your immigration office. You should not have to leave the country, as long as your immigration office allows conversions. There are only a small number of offices that do not.
If your office is one of these, then yes you can go to Laos and apply for the visa, but that's better asked separately if that situation comes up.
Reply to
Brandon ************
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