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Why do people prefer the 3-month non-O visa over the 1-year non-OA visa for retirement in Thailand?
Thailand Retirement VisaNon-O VisaNon-OA VisaVisa RequirementsHealth Insurance for VisaThai Immigration RulesExpats in Thailand
Jan 17, 2026
3 months ago
Shira ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi everybody ! I am considering taking a retirement visa to Thailand. Either a non-O or a non-O-A. Here in this group, and in other groups concerning Thailand long term visa, people mostly mention taking a 3 months non-O visa, and then extend it in Thailand, and rarely mention the non O-A 1 year visa. Why is that ? why to take a 3 month visa, where one must rush to get all these documents and open a bank account immediately, when it's possible to get a 1 year visa and have more time to do everything calmly, without a rush ? Is it about the need for a health insurance in the non- OA ? or does the non OA have other dis-advantages ? Would appreciate a clarification.... Many thanks :-)
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the choice between a Non-O visa and a Non-OA visa for retiring in Thailand. Many expats suggest starting with a 3-month Non-O visa before applying for extensions rather than opting for the more straightforward 1-year Non-OA visa. Key points include the Non-OA visa's strict health insurance requirement, which involves using a government-approved policy, while the Non-O visa does not require insurance. Additionally, the Non-OA visa is seen as restrictive due to its ongoing commitments, making the Non-O visa more appealing for those not wishing to be 'locked in.' Some comments also touch on topics like health checks, the potential financial implications of bank requirements for extensions, and the logistics of pet relocation impacting visa choices.
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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Adam *************
Thailandblog.
Jim *******
@Adam ************
That site is not worth pissing on it.Reply to
Jim *******
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Colin *********
Deffo Non O
Michael ********
I have no idea how old you are but try yo get health insurance for a reasonable annual price if you are 75 or older !!!
Matani ******
I was on it about 3 years. I got off the O-A visa because of the Health Insurance goat rope. ((This does not mean I don't have health insurance or you don't need health insurance. )). Also the the required health exam is very easy and cheap in Thailand in my country, not so. The advantage of OA visa is you don't need to worry about dead money sitting in a Thai bank earning SFA interest, dealing with yearly bank statements, bank books and letters, and minimal need to attend the immigration office here.
Shira ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERMatani Adam I see.... ! some serious advantages too ! Could you explain the situation with health insurances ? what's the difference between the insurances "on the limited list" you get when applying for a non-OA compared with a health insurance you choose yourself ? IS he latter much cheaper ? or are there any other/additional differences ? thanks
Matani ******
Shira HeartEcho Even though I am already insured by my US company , when I was on the O-A visa I had to buy redundant and near useless Thai insurance policies, with a very high deductible to satisfy the needs of the visa. A paper exercise. They were still equivalent of hundreds of US dollars per year. Have you looked into the LTR visa? There is a self insurance option
Shira ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERMatani Adam I didn't look into the LTR visa ! didn't think it's an option for me... Is it easy to get ? don't I have to be a business owner or work under this one ?
Matani ******
Shira HeartEcho If you can get a 90 day Non-O online from your country Thai Embassy/consulate it’s easiest. Then come to Thailand open a bank account with 800k baht. The rest is routine and easily accomplished.
Brandon ************
@Shira **********
Only 2 of the LTR types are related to work, one for working inside of Thailand in a specialized industry, and another for working remotely. The other 2 categories are for wealthy pensioner, another type of retirement visa, or wealthy global citizen, which requires an investment in Thailand.Matani ******
Shira HeartEcho Look it up. You need pretty high passive income or make a 500,000 dollar equivalent investment in Thai bonds or property.
Reply to
Matani ******
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Dann ********
Is tricare for life accepted?
I was told that travelers med insurance is better than thai insurance
Thoughts?
Suggestions?
I was told that travelers med insurance is better than thai insurance
Thoughts?
Suggestions?
Matani ******
@Dann *******
Here is the problem. Will two officers at "Tricare" wet sign a Thai form specifying the exact dates and coverage limit of your "One year" insurance policy. Do you have a one year policy? Is there a coverage limit clearly stated? No probably, that is why the insurance I get thru my company is not compatible with the 0-A visa either.Nigel **************
It has to be on the list of Thai companies provided by your embassy
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Nigel **************
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Brandon ************
The non-OA has the mandatory insurance, forever. You have to pick a policy from the approved list and cannot get whatever insurance you want, or self insure. You have to get a new policy from the list every year for your extension.
The non-O does not have that requirement. Why lock yourself into such a requirement if you're already planning on getting extensions in Thailand?
The only time the non-OA makes sense is if you're going back to your home country every 1-2 years and will apply for a new non-OA visa from the Thai embassy. Then you don't have to keep any funds in a Thai bank or deal with Thai immigration.
If you're already planning on doing those things, then it doesn't make sense to get an OA
The non-O does not have that requirement. Why lock yourself into such a requirement if you're already planning on getting extensions in Thailand?
The only time the non-OA makes sense is if you're going back to your home country every 1-2 years and will apply for a new non-OA visa from the Thai embassy. Then you don't have to keep any funds in a Thai bank or deal with Thai immigration.
If you're already planning on doing those things, then it doesn't make sense to get an OA
Nick *********
@Brandon ***********
what is the none O visa thanks, learning things now thank you.Brandon ************
@Nick ********
It can be many things. O means other.Nick *********
@Brandon ***********
ok thank you mate I was thinking about getting a 12Month Visa and see later for a retirement visa,
Jyrki *********
Nick Tsourou what 12 month visa?
Reply to
Jyrki *********
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Ian *******
@Brandon ***********
they still need to deal with Thai Immigration for their 90 Day Reporting.Brandon ************
@Ian ******
Technically yes, but realistically they never have to go to immigration unless they want a certificate of residence, so there's no one to ever call them out on it.Ian *******
@Brandon ***********
so they live here for years, but never register with an immigration office, so never do a 90 day report?Brandon ************
@Ian ******
Completely possible. There are also people who do extensions every year who also never do 90-day reports, they just pay the 2000 baht fine at their extension every year.David ********
@Brandon ***********
So these ppl just ignore the 90 reporting requirement and then get fined 2k for the pleasure year after year, no consequence. I would think anything involving a fine could make trouble at some point.Brandon ************
@David *******
It's an insignificant thing. So yes, they are just doing that. For some people it's cheaper than making repeated trips to immigration depending on where they live. TM30 reports their address already.David ********
@Brandon ***********
Thank you!Shira ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
Does it mean I don't necessarily have to be physically in Thailand for the 90 day reporting ?Kim *********
Shira HeartEcho the 90 days reporting is to report you've been in Thailand 90 consecutive days 😏 If you are not in Thailand you don't do the reporting - until you've been here 90 days.
Matani ******
Shira HeartEcho You only have to do 90 reporting if you stay more than 90 days. There is never a need to do a 90 day report from outside of Thailand. Even during covid I never stayed 91 days.
Shira ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERMatani Adam Thanks ! makes sense...
Matani ******
@Brandon ***********
Or a TM-30, unless they accept the PDF from the online form. To open a bank account, buy a vehicle etc., eventually everyone will need a certificate of residence, or Yellow book. (Unless it is refused).Reply to
Matani ******
Reply
Shira ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
That makes lots of sense, thanks ! The main reason I REQUIRE to get a non O-A, at least 1 time, is because I won't go immediately to Thailand. I need to bring my dogs from India to Thailand. So I thought to first apply for a non OA in my home country, then go to India and get the dogs ready, which can take up to 2 months, and then go to Thailand. I didn't realise I am then "locked" in the terms of this visa...Bradley ********
Shira HeartEcho you can git the non O and still go to get your dogs. You have 90 days to enter the country from the time the visa is issued and once you actually enter you have 90 day stay to sort the bank account which is still very easy to get with this visa class to insure your 1 year extension of stay
Shira ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERBradley Gibson That's really good to know ! I thought the non O 3 months duration starts when one receives the visa ! Thanks.
Greg ***********
Bradley Gibson wrong, you have only 29 days, not 90 days, to sort out the bank account, because in order to apply for the 1-year extension, the 800K deposit must have been sitting in the account for a minimum of 2 months
Reply to
Greg ***********
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Brandon ************
@Shira **********
Unless you let your status lapse and leave Thailand and return, you are locked in as long as you continue extensions from a non-OA.So if you get the non-OA, do your plan, and then leave Thailand after your visa expires, you can then apply for a non-O and start over again.
Shira ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
Thanks @Bra****
.... Sounds about right :-)Reply to
Shira ***********
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Jack ********
Health insurance, background check, health check
Reply to
Jack ********
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