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When must I use my Non-O visa issued in South Africa for retirement in Thailand?

Thailand VisaNon-O VisaRetirement VisaVisa Application ProcessThai ImmigrationMarriage VisaHealth Insurance Requirements
Oct 13, 2023
a year ago
Alan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Good evening from South africa

I will soon be coming over to Thailand with the aim of retirement with Thai wife. My question is once I get the initial 90 visa in south africa how soon must I use it and when does day 1 start. Is it the day it is issued or the day I arrive in Thailand. Thanks for an awesome group and all the expert advice.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The Non-O Visa issued in South Africa is valid for entry into Thailand for 3 months from its date of issue. After arriving in Thailand, you'll be stamped in for 90 days. It's important to visit your local Thai Immigration office shortly after arrival to obtain the requirements for a one-year extension of stay as a retiree. Some users noted that requirements may vary based on the specific embassy or consulate, and health insurance might be needed depending on the application type.
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.
Alan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you for the information. It will be as married to thai as the financial requirement are less.
a year ago
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Jules ***********
@Alan ******
 fellow Saffa here. Please note you now have to do your initial application in South Africa at VFS Global or BLS (the latter "lost" my application and then sent my passport to another office so I would recommend VFS). The locations are listed on the Royal Thai Embassy site, and you can make an appointment 🤗
a year ago
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Rudolf ************
I apply my 90 day visa as a non O marriage with Thai online via the Munich Embassy..and in Thailand I changed it to a one year non O retirement visa.
a year ago
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Mario *********
@Rudolf ***********
 you mean changed reason for your one year extension not for your visa
a year ago
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Rudolf ************
@Mario ********
 from the Thai Embassy confirmed and done at the Chiang Mai immigration, the E- Visa as a "Non O" family can change at the Immigration to a "None O" Retirement one. It must be a 90 day "Non O".. Sure they will ask you about....In my case I explained them .. like..if you have kids in germany and in Thailand. My wife and I traveling mostly seperat. No insurance are needed.
a year ago
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Tod *********
@Rudolf ***********
 you never needed insurance to get an extension in country on a non-O visa,
a year ago
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Rudolf ************
@Tod ********
 yes sure, but if I apply my 90 day Visa from outside.
a year ago
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Tod *********
@Rudolf ***********
 some consulates in the world require the health insurance for the Non-O visa and some don't
a year ago
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Rudolf ************
@Tod ********
 Yes I know it, for the E- Visa, applying from Munich ..Berlin, they need it. For my mother as example with 87, it is very hard to get one. And if you get one on a high cost...In case you need them, the Thai- hospital's ask you mostly for cash, because your insurance didn't pay for you.
a year ago
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Tod *********
@Rudolf ***********
 glad it worked out for you (y)
a year ago
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Tod *********
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Tod *********
@Rudolf ***********
 that is rare as usually they make you get the first extension for the reason that the visa was issued. So if it stated on the PDF visa paper you got that Non-O based on retirement you should have had to get the year extension based on that too. Lucky your immigration office let you do that. They all don't..
a year ago
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Rudolf ************
@Tod ********
 The Thai Embassy Berlin and Munich says it's possible and it was. I get it in Chiang Mai. A 90 day Non O Family to one year Non O retirement was possible, 10 month ago. As example, you didn't need to show up any international health insurance in this case. In my case no problem I'm a member in the SSO (Thai social). We all knows things to day are running, could be change tomorrow...
a year ago
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Mario *********
@Tod ********
 i just had non O based on retirement and got one year extension based to being maried to a thai in Amnat Charoen
a year ago
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Mario *********
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James ********
Timing of your obtaining the one year extension of stay as retired is important. Be sure to visit your local Thai Immigration office soon after you arrive into Thailand. Get the list of requirements for it.
a year ago
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Ellie *******
What reason for Non-O do you apply for? Retirement or marriage to a Thai national/ visit Thai family?
a year ago
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Rudolf ************
@Ellie ******
 I my case...! My 90 day Non O Retirement from outside requires a health insurance. I don't like to apply fore, because I'm a member since 38 years of the Thai- SSO. (Social Security Office).. No one was able to tell me, that I do not need any international Health Insurance, if I'm with the SSO. For my family Non O from outside I didn't need any insurance.
a year ago
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Ellie *******
@Rudolf ***********
 it depends on the Thai embassy/consulate if you need to get insurance to apply for a single entry Non-O based on retirement. Some do, some don't. OP os seeing Non-O based on marriage to a Thai, it's not related to OP anyway.
a year ago
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Ellie *******
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James ********
@Ellie ******
 well spotted 👍. I overlooked the fact that he is married to Thai. Thanks Ellie 👏👏
a year ago
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James ********
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James ********
a year ago
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James ********
a year ago
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James ********
The Non O Visa is valid for Entry into Thailand 3 months from it's date of issue and upon arrival into Thailand you will be STAMPED in for 90 days .

Then you will need to go to your local Thai Immigration office and ask them for their list of requirements for the one year extension of stay as retired.
a year ago
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Nongnuch ********
@James *******
 as MARRIED to a Thai wife, not as retired . .or have I missed something, did he change his question?
a year ago
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James ********
@Nongnuch *******
 BTW...your 😂is not appreciated. We are trying to get help
a year ago
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James ********
@Nongnuch *******
 that's why we have asked for clarification about the Non O Visa... Is it as Married to Thai or as RETIRED
a year ago
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James ********
And there are MANY expats who are Married to Thai which prefer to meet the one year extension requirements as RETIRED vs Married to Thai. Less requirements for the Retired extension.
a year ago
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Steve ********
@James *******
 Correct. Other than the financial requirement the "over 50" visa and subsequent extensions are less complicated than the "married to a Thai" visa.
a year ago
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Steve ********
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