@Mark *******

Of course but after 2 years? I’ve lived in Thailand for 6 years. I got 18 months out of my OA visa and then did yearly extensions after that. I have no desire to go to the U.S. except for a short trip. I also found the OA visa application process to be more work than the yearly extension process in Thailand.

@Mark *******

He was required to do it but didn’t get caught. It will be recorded in the immigration system but I think the penalty is just 2000 baht no matter how late you are.

@Lyndon ***********

or 1,900 baht if you don’t buy a reentry permit.

@Roberto ********

Correct if you return home you a new OA but not if you remain in Thailand and extend yearly.

The OP was concerned about insurance. I suggested looking into getting an O inside Thailand with the goal of continuing yearly extensions, with no insurance requirement, as an option. Getting an OA and returning to apply for a new OA every 1-2 years is also an option. I had an OA for 6 years but never returned to the US long enough for the application process. I also didn’t return for 3 years, 8 months during Covid. I already had Thai insurance before the OA insurance requirement was implemented and I have no concerns about bringing money into my Thai bank account or maintaining the 800,000 baht deposit.

The Thai visa environment is a little complex but that affords potential expats with a variety of options and I was just suggesting what is the most common choice for retirees. Back in 2017 the OA was a better choice than it is now for most people. It depends on your life circumstances.

@Roberto ********

Airport immigration doesn’t care but they do if you apply for extensions which you didn’t do because you returned home to apply for a new OA. You are required to do 90 day reports but you just didn’t get caught.

Roberto Stephen I had an OA visa for 6 years before switching to the 10 year LTR this year. Yes you are required to do 90 day reports while on the visa and extensions. You also need a TM30. You can keep your money in your home country but you have to return to your home country to reapply for the OA visa every 1-2 years which could be considered an expense. I chose to remain in Thailand and extend the visa and that process requires money in a Thai bank account. You must also have health insurance for the yearly extensions. Yes, you must go to the Immigration office every year to extend the visa. It is not difficult. For me it was half a day trek once per year.

You should consider get a non-O visa that doesn’t have an insurance requirement. It leads to the same yearly extensions. No insurance needed.

@Charles *********

He is coming as a retiree. The pensioner LTR is about as simple as it gets. A couple of tax returns, proof of insurance, and some copies of your passport. I got my pensioner LTR in January. The BOI office in Bangkok is incredibly helpful. I don’t know about the details of applying for an LTR from overseas though.

Ronnie Staff I would contact US Citizen Services in Thailand. They provide these services upon the death of a US citizen.

Serve as provisional conservator of the estate if there is no legal representative in the country.

Send the Consular Report of Death Abroad to the next-of-kin or legal representative for use in settling estate matters in the United States.

They might be able to assist your children getting access to the account.