@Darren ********

The wealthy pensioner LTR requires $80,000 passive income.

@Brown *******

a retirement visa and extension amount is 800,000฿

@Angie *********

My impression is that they looking at accounts opened fairly recently so you may be OK with your old account but you really want to get a long term O visa and extension and update your information with the bank to be safe.

Let me tell you what everyone is already telling you. You do not need a background check for an O visa. You can get an O visa in the US, in a neighboring country, or in Thailand and in all cases you do NOT need a background check. You can only get an OA visa while in the US. The OA visa does require a background check. I know because I originally came to Thailand on an OA visa.

The DTV is a 5 year visa. I'm not sure the answer to this issue but I don't know how you get off of a DTV during that 5 years. You may be stuck with it if you get it. Anyone have an answer to this?

@Angie *********

The DTV visa, even though it is 5 years, is considered a tourist visa. The change in bank policies during the past few months is that people on a tourist visa cannot get a Thai bank account. That means tourists cannot open an account and those that previously opened an account while on a tourist visa may have their accounts frozen until they can show that they are now on a long term visa or extension.

You should be listening to Brandon. The O and OA are different visas with different requirements. You want the O visa which does not require a background check.

If you were to get a DTV then you cannot have a Thai bank account or you are in danger of losing an existing Thai bank account.

@Martin *********

Hospitals often can help with immigration matters. Even if you are home you might ask your doctor if they can help. Doing immigration stuff on time is best but if they can’t help then a letter about your condition may be handy later on. Good luck.

You might want to consider getting a letter from your doctor saying you are unable to travel. If you are in a hospital then they should be able to help you immigration matters.

@Nongnuch *******

You will need that 800,000฿ in a Thai bank account to get a 1 year extension of an O visa. You will need it sooner rather than later if you arrive on an O visa. You need to open a bank account that first month to season the 800k for 2 months before applying for the 1 year extension.

@Nongnuch *******

People frequently advise those on an OA to do a border bounce to get a 2nd year. You can do a border bounce but you don’t need to do a border bounce. You can extend after 1 year on an OA.

I had an OA for 6 years. I got it before the insurance requirement. I switched to an LTR in 2023. It was helpful to have already had Thai insurance to meet the insurance requirement for the LTR.

These days I recommend the O and not the OA but everyone’s needs and wants are different. Thailand has a lot a visa options but that also makes the visa environment complicated.