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What visa options are available for expats moving to Thailand, and what are the requirements for the OA and OX visas regarding bank account funds and dependents?

OA VisaOX VisaVisa RequirementsUK NationalsRussian NationalsDependent VisaBank Account RequirementsVisa ExtensionsThai Immigration Policy
Oct 5, 2025
2 months ago
Mart *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi, I am 51 and my wife is 38 and we will be moving to Thailand in January.

Trying to get my head around which visa to apply for.

My wife will be my dependent.

For the OA visa, do both my wife and I need to have 800k thb in a bank account or, as it is a joint application, is it sufficient to have just have 800k thb in 1 account. Also, does it have to be in Thai Baht, or can it be in a foregn currency but the equivalent to 800k thb?

Can the OA visa be extended every year for a year in Thailand? Or do I have to go back to my home country to procure the letter of no criminal record and medical certificate?

For the OX visa, is it for 5 years or 10 years? On the Thai embassy site it says 5 years each time, total 10 years. Does this mean that after 10 years I would have to switch to the OA visa?

I am eligible as a UK national. My wife is a Russian passport holder. Is she eligible as my dependent?

And again, for the 3 million thb in a bank account, can this be in a foreign currency or does it have to be in THB?

Thank you so much for answering these questions and I apologise if they have been asked before, but I couldn't find any link.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user is seeking clarity on the OA and OX visa applications for him and his wife as they plan to move to Thailand. Key questions include whether both need to hold 800k THB in a bank account for an OA visa, and if this amount can be in foreign currency. He inquires about the renewal of the OA visa, whether the OX visa is truly for 10 years or if it requires a switch to an OA visa afterward, and the eligibility of his wife as a dependent. Comments provide advice and personal experiences related to obtaining these visas.
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Terry *******
Mart Naj it is confusing but you found the place for sound advice. Hang in there and before you know it beautiful Thailand will be your home.
2 months ago
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Mart *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terry ******
 cheers Terry. Can't wait to get over in January and yes, the advice was solid. Only need to see if ihave to apply via the Embassy or if i can do it via the Evisa portal 🤣
2 months ago
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Mart *****
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Tod *********
I deleted some bad information on the thread and it also deleted some good information too. Sorry about that

this thread is comin' off the rails and it's turning more into a "visa fishing" thread <- what visa can we get 🙁 It's exactly why I wasn't going to let it on the group to begin with.

If it comes unstuck I'll close it, best of luck to the O/P
2 months ago
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Tod *********
@Mart ****
 You can apply for the OA visa at the thai consulate in your country before you come here, once you get that visa approved, you then apply for the 90 day Non-O visa for your wife using the proof you're married and the proof you have the OA visa issued already.

Then you both come here, you'll get stamped in for a year, and your wife will get stamped in for 90 days. When her stamp is running down you go to your immigration office and get her a matching extension stamp good until your entry stamp expiration date based on her being a trailing spouse of an OA visa holder.
2 months ago
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Mart *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 thanks Tod. Really clear.
2 months ago
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Mart *****
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Tod *********
The reason I say don't get the OX is that while it is indeed a 10 year visa, and you get a 5 year entry stamp when you come in, you will not be able to get an extension on it inside the country. <- There have been NO reports of anyone with an OX ever getting a 5 year extension issued inside the country since the visa was rolled out.

So if you're wanting to get that OX (which you show funds in your country to get) just know you're gonna get 5 years out of it and that's all.
2 months ago
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Mart *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 so your recommendation would be just to go with the Non O visa and i can transfer my tourist visa to that one I'm in Thailand?
2 months ago
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James ********
@Mart ****
 no...get the OA visa in your home country before you come to Thailand.
@Tod ********
 explained that to you in his other reply. That will allow your wife to obtain her's to match yours, as Tod explained.
2 months ago
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Mart *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
 thanks. Only read that other reply after i had replied. All very clear. thanks for the information 🥳🍾
2 months ago
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James ********
Tod replied...

"Mart Naj You can apply for the OA visa at the thai consulate in your country before you come here, once you get that visa approved, you then apply for the 90 day Non-O visa for your wife using the proof you're married and the proof you have the OA visa issued already.

Then you both come here, you'll get stamped in for a year, and your wife will get stamped in for 90 days. When her stamp is running down you go to your immigration office and get her a matching extension stamp good until your entry stamp expiration date based on her being a trailing spouse of an OA visa holder."
2 months ago
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James ********
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Tod *********
@Mart ****
 I didn't say that at all 🙁

You're going to find a real tough time getting a bank account to bank the 800K baht required for going from a tourist visa to a 90 day Non-O in country. You're going to not be able to get your spouse a matching 'trailing spouse' Non-O

You would get the Non-OA and she'd get the Non-O, that will buy you both almost 2 years here.
2 months ago
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Mart *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 i have a bank account already so that should be ok...I would assume. Just so understand, if i apply for and get the Non OA befor I arrive in Thailand, my spouse would only receive the Non O as my dependent? Would the money i have banked to secure the Non OA also cover the 800k my spouse needs for the Non O?
2 months ago
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Tod *********
@Mart ****
 you both have to get the Visas before you come
2 months ago
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Tod *********
@Mart ****
your spouse doesn't need 800k she is getting the non-o visa based on the fact that you hold an OA.

You apply for both visas at the Thai Consulate in your country before you come here
2 months ago
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Graham ******
@Mart ****
 That would depend on the Thai Embassy approving your application but the probability is yes, your funds would suffice
2 months ago
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Graham ******
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Mart *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 hi. I read that from your reply to a previous post. That's annoying!!
2 months ago
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Tod *********
@Mart ****
 as a rule if you qualify for the OX 10 year visa you might also qualify for the 10 year LTR (Long Term Residence) visa thru the Board of Investment website

That visa is worth it's weight in gold (y) 🙂 Look into it
2 months ago
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Tod *********
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