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What type of visa should I get when moving to Thailand, considering long-term stay and potential volunteer work?

Thailand Visa RulesNon-O VisaO-A VisaEducation VisaVolunteer Work VisaLong Stay VisaRetirement Visa
Aug 20, 2018
6 years ago
Julie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am in preparation to move to Thailand. I am still uncertain as to what kind of visa to get. I've looked at the Consulate's website and they are making interesting demands ie: my criminal record claiming no criminal activity? Anyway...looking at a Long Stay O-A to start or should I get an Education Visa and sign up for some classes? Not sure what I will be doing, but no full-time work, maybe some volunteer work. My time in Thailand will be indefinite and I will be traveling out of the country a few times a year.

I'm open to suggestions from those in the know.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the best visa options for someone planning to move to Thailand long-term, considering various factors such as criminal background checks, the ability to work or volunteer, and the duration of stay. Participants suggest that the Non-O-A visa may be suitable for long stays, while others recommend starting with a Multi-Entry Tourist Visa (METV) for flexibility. Questions about the O-X retirement visa also arise, particularly regarding age and financial requirements. Several contributors emphasize the importance of thorough research and firsthand experience, noting that immigration rules can change frequently.
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.
Jackie ********
F
6 years ago
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Thomas *****
you don't need a background check. I never had one. They never asked.
6 years ago
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Biff *******
Living out the end of your life won’t fit on a stamp. Also maybe they just got worn down over the years by people calling it a ‘retirement visa’ and just caved in?
6 years ago
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Tod *********
@Thomas ****
 They stamp the word retirement BUT the real reason is living out the end of your life because you're over 50 :O

Look underneath it, there's the wording "extension of stay" <- that means you're NOT on any visa anymore but on a yearly extension :)
6 years ago
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Thomas *****
correct Tod my stamp is the one on the right. why do they call it an Retirment stamp if it is not
6 years ago
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Thomas *****
and I have my yellow book, Drivers Lic, Thai I.D. card.and Bank account.
6 years ago
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Thomas *****
my stamp says NON Imm . Immigration Thailand Re Entry permit. valis 1 year. Valid 2 Aug 2017 till 30 Oct 2018
6 years ago
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Tod *********
Getting ANY of the stamps in the bottom image(s) at the immigration office inside of thailand DOES NOT require a medical certificate or a back ground check.
6 years ago
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Tod *********
Just so we're clear about this people.

The top image is a year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O-A visa gotten from a thai consulate in Canberra. This is the visa that requires a medical certificate AND a police back ground check. It is good for unlimited entries for the validity of the visa and each entry gets you stamped in for a FULL year.

The bottom image(s) are a Non-Immigrant Type O visa, a 90 day stamp, the subsequent yearly extension AND a re-entry permit ALL gotten INSIDE of thailand at the immigration office.

This extension is valid only for a year, and along with the re-entry permit it gives unlimited entries with each entry getting you stamped back in until the expiration date of your extension.

IF you have a stamp in your passport that says "extension of stay permitted until" you DO NOT have a visa :/ You have an extension of stay.
6 years ago
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Tod *********
@Thomas ****
, there is NO Non-O (longstay) and if you banked money here you're not even on ANY visa :O, you're on a yearly extension of stay from the immigration office :/

There is a HUGE difference between the Non-O-A visa from a thai consulate in your country and a yearly extension of stay inside the country
6 years ago
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Thomas *****
I am here on a Non Immigrant visa type O ( long stay). renewable in October. I did not need a background check or 800,000 in the bank for 3 months. There are ways...
6 years ago
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Tod *********
I believe you are confusing getting a year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O-A (Long Stay) visa from your home country with getting a 90 day Non-O and/or a yearly extension inside the country.

A Non-O-A visa definitely needs a police back ground check and a medical certificate. BUT a Non-O visa from inside thailand and an extension of stay DON'T require one.
6 years ago
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Tod *********
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Jen ********
👀 Following
6 years ago
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Tod *********
This explains the three things commonly referred to as a retirement visa. (It does NOT cover the O-X visa option because so few of people go for it given the financial, insurance requirements)

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6 years ago
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Marty *********
I thought the criminal record thing was weird too but it turns out to be very easy. I requested the report at a UPS store. It may take a couple of weeks to get the results. They are mailed to your residence and that is what you submit for the visa.
6 years ago
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Tod *********
Okay Julie. FIRST you're gonna hafta decide what you think you're gonna do here and that will control the visa you can get.

You can't work OR volunteer (legally) on an O-A visa or an O-X visa (both that you get from the consulate in your country before you wash up here).

An ED visa is a possibility but you should come here and tour some schools BEFORE you pay out your hard earned baht for a year's tuition and the paperwork to get an ED visa. you also cannot legally volunteer or work on an ED visa either.

I'd agree with
@Maxim **********
, get a 6 month METV from the thai consulate in your country before you wing your way here. That visa will give you 9 months of stay in country (in 60 day increments) and it should be more than enough time for you to decide the visa that "fits" your situation best. Plus you won't be shoe-horned into a visa that doesn't meet your needs either.
6 years ago
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Maxim ***********
U should get the multi entry tourist visa (METV) before coming here, it's 6 months with unlimited in-out of the country, it give u time to figure out ur next move. It's the most hassle free type of visa for u to begin with.

To get a ed or volunteer visa u will need a school or a company in Thailand to fill paper for u then go to Laos to get a non-O. But take notice that government is cracking down on people that abuse these visa without actually going to school or doing any volunteering. Also worth notice that a lot of school and company do not meet government criteria and ur visa will get rejected in neighbor country if u apply so DYOR.

Non-O based on ed or volunteer will end up costing u between 25k and 35k baht, but it's great if u want to learn about the culture.

If u just want to come here and figure out ur next move get the METV.
6 years ago
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Indigo *****
Gordon MacRaild ...okay. Whatever makes you smile; the immigration folks had signs all over the place stating: “RETIREMENT VISA” here. As long as we’re (immigration) on the same page and I get the visa, im hood; that’s all that matters to me.
6 years ago
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Gordon **********
@Indigo ****
 . No such thing as a retirement visa.
6 years ago
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Indigo *****
@Julie ********
 as of August 2018, the retirement visa requires I showed them and swore to a certified letter of my monthly pension.
6 years ago
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Indigo *****
@Maxim **********
 Perth, huh?!😍
6 years ago
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Indigo *****
Immigration states: if you go the METV route, it CANNOT be done in Thailand.
6 years ago
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Jim *******
@Gordon *********
 . And many call a visa Exempt a 30 day visa,or just a visa.
6 years ago
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Gordon **********
Most people refer to it as retirement visa Jim 🙂
6 years ago
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Gordon **********
6 years ago
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Jim *******
@Gordon *********
. An extension of stay based on being over the age of 50.
6 years ago
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Gordon **********
@Jim ******
 . What is your “official” name for it?
6 years ago
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Jim *******
@Gordon *********
 . No such thing as a retirement visa.
6 years ago
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Gordon **********
@Julie ********
 . As you are over 50, retirement visa may be the best option for you.
6 years ago
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Maxim ***********
Julie Fischer Yeah and also the #1 problem with what u find on the internet is that it could be *outdated*. This is why in a lot of thread u'll see people asking about *recent info and experience*.

Some thai rules have change a lot over the last few years, and also some rules depend on location, as some city within Thailand tend to apply the rules differently, or on *case by case* based.
6 years ago
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Julie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
My guess is that some things are lost in translation or perhaps some ppl are more stringent with the rules. The site you linked is clearer than the consulate's but basically saying the same thing. I'll check it out in person when as soon as I can...But I'll need that police record of mine first :)
6 years ago
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Maxim ***********
People here know more about that kind of stuff then most thai website, sad but true. A lot of long time stayer here, they have seen it all.
6 years ago
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Julie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
wtf....and none of this on the consulate website. Thank you!!
6 years ago
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Maxim ***********
So basically it seem like u can apply from Thailand but need to do this first:

*Application for the Non-Immigrant O Visa and extension in Thailand:

It is required that you apply for a 90-day initial non-immigrant visa from the Thai embassy or consulate in your home country prior to your application for a retirement visa in Thailand*

OR

Note: *The foreigner on a visa exemption stamp or a tourist visa can still apply for a retirement visa given that the foreigner has already met the requirements for the non-immigrant O visa and for the one year extension visa applications. This can be done at the immigration office in Thailand.*
6 years ago
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Julie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
ha...yeah you're a long way off. But yes, it's for ppl over 50 and can show some money in the bank. :D
6 years ago
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Maxim ***********
I am not sure about retirement visa, I think u need to be at least 50 years old and have $ in bank (800k baht?), i'm not too sure, i'm only 32, lol! Tod Daniels is the go to guy to have precise answer.
6 years ago
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Julie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maxim **********
 Cool Maxim, thank you. But I am thinking the O-X (retirement visa) must be done in my passport's origin country
6 years ago
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Maxim ***********
You can do non-O (ed, volunteer) in neighbor country, same with tourist visa, etc.

METV need to be done in ur home country (or i've heard Perth Australia).
6 years ago
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Julie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
If I wanted to do the O-X?
6 years ago
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Maxim ***********
No, u can get most visa in neighbor countries (Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, etc) as they have thai embassy-consulate there.

Laos (Vientiane) is usually where most people go for any thai visa because they have the fewest conditions.
6 years ago
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Julie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes, I was thinking the same. Then I may obtain a visa that is better suited to me once I'm there. Though I would have to come back to the US for that correct?
6 years ago
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Julie *********
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Phil *****
I’m trying to figure out also I’m moving there next year.Go to Nyc Thai embassy get 1 year visa or go with no visa get visa exempt for 30 days then you can extend for another 30 & apply for 1 year there. I’m not expert but that’s what I’ve been told.
6 years ago
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Indigo *****
@Julie ********
 best thing...dispelled rumors, etc.
6 years ago
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Tod *********
@Julie ********
 A bit of advice. NEVER EVER trust a person at a thai consulate/embassy (which are all run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office) about anything to do with an extension of stay or a visa you get once you in thailand. The MFA workers sell visas OUTSIDE of thailand.

AND

Conversely, NEVER EVER trust a person at the immigration office (which are a division of the Royal thai police) about anything to do with a visa you get from a consulate outside the country.
6 years ago
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Julie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes, I'm going to go to the Embassy when I have the time and get direct answers.
6 years ago
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Julie *********
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Bob ********
You can get police background check in your home city. You may have problems doing volunteer work.
6 years ago
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Indigo *****
@Biff ******
 $15,000.👀
6 years ago
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Indigo *****
@Julie ********
 QUITE confusing...in person, not so much. Nothing beats immigrations in stress and confusion.
6 years ago
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Indigo *****
@Julie ********
 hi...we JUST got here with similar aspirations.

*The ed Visa = immigration visits each semester.

I’ve started the process of changing my tourist/visa exempt to a retirement Visa. Doing all paperwork here bc of time issues before we left.
6 years ago
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Indigo *****
@Bob *******
 #facts
6 years ago
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Biff *******
Non imm O-A

Not a non imm O
6 years ago
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Matt ********
@Biff ******
 2years? I got 15 months .. sure?
6 years ago
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David ********
@Julie ********
 because no work permit
6 years ago
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James ********
@Julie ********
 Frankly this is Thailand. Be prepared for rule changes and interpretation...Good luck.
6 years ago
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James ********
@Biff ******
 has given very good advice. It gives you nearly two years on the O-A visa. Gives you plenty of time deciding what you want to do.
6 years ago
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Julie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I see. And it would be renewable?
6 years ago
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Biff *******
To be honest, two years is reasonably long term for visas in Thailand. I mean you can go for the Elite card if you can afford it but it's quite a lot of money up front.
6 years ago
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Biff *******
Yeah, they're good at confusing :)
6 years ago
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Julie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Huh. That's why I started this thread as the consulate's website is quite confusing.
6 years ago
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Biff *******
No, you do all the financials in your home country.
6 years ago
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Julie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Biff ******
 Yes, it is a hassle and good for only two years? And I would have to have the bank account in Thailand like the requirement for the O-X?
6 years ago
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Biff *******
Volunteering is classed as work as far as visas and work permits are concerned so you won't be able to do that on an ED visa either.

Seeing as you're planning to move full time to Thailand, as long as you meet the requirements, I would recommend getting the Non-Imm O-A from a consulate or embassy in your home country before you arrive.

Once you do arrive, you will be stamped in to Thailand for a whole year, and if you exit and re-enter the country just before the 'use before' date on the visa you will be stamped in for another year, giving you almost two years in the country.

Whilst you find your feet and decide what you want to do and where you want to live, I think that this is the most hassle-free option for you, after the initial hassle of actually getting it that is :)
6 years ago
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Julie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you, Bob.
6 years ago
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Bob ********
Don't now much about that one, I think you will get more info from others, do your home work, good luck.
6 years ago
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Julie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I see. That's why I brought up the Education
@Vi**
6 years ago
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Bob ********
I am here on retirement cannot work or volunteer
6 years ago
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Julie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So the police record is a real thing? Okay...And problems doing volunteer work for what reason?
6 years ago
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Julie *********
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