There is a list of Thai insurance companies that qualify. I have Pacific Cross. In theory you can get a form that his insurance company can sign stating that their coverage satisfies the Thai requirements. I've heard that some (many?) insurance companies won't sign it but i have no experience with this. It is definitely worth a try. I still recommend going for the nonimmigrant O visa with subsequent 1 year extensions of stay. It just sounds easier to me

I asked about his country of origin because he should able to meet the financial requirements using an income affidavit from the French embassy. This is something he should ask the embassy about.

Are you aware of the 10-year pensioner LTR visa available from the Thailand Board of Investment? That is what I have now. It also needs insurance and has a financial requirement of a yearly income $80,000 USD/yr. It costs 50,000 baht for 10 years.

You can only apply for an OA visa from a Thai consulate in your home country. I had an OA for 6 years. It is an interesting visa but it comes with an insurance requirement for the visa and subsequent extensions of stay. I recommend that you pursue a 90 day O visa which can the be extended yearly without the insurance requirement.

It would help to know what country he is from. The requirements vary.

@Natalie *******

Yes I made an appointment and I went directly to the BOI office

Joe Leeds at Chaninat & Leeds is an American lawyer at a Bangkok law firm. I used them for my prenuptial agreement and marriage documents. I would use them again. Check their website for the areas of law that they practice. They are very near the Nana BTS station in the Trendy building.

@Ellie ******

Thanks. This is useful. I’m going in for my 1 year check-in in June.

Congratulations. I got my pensioner LTR January 2023. I transferred the visa to a new passport in June 2023 and the BOI staff took care of everything. Very easy. I will be going for my 1 year check-in in June.

@Joseph ********

Wherever they tell you to send it then send it there. Read the instructions. Don’t assume it is Manila.

They send you the form to the address you gave them. They will tell you where to send it and if I recall it wasn’t Manila. I recall sending it EMS to the US

@Michael ******

Also a helmet

@Andreas ********

I can see that there are some people that live in Thailand part time. They are in the US anyway so that really isn’t a cost. That’s not me but I am aware that some people just keep getting OA visas.

Often the issue is dissatisfaction with Thai banks. They don’t trust them or they believe that the higher earnings outside Thailand are a preferable choice. That’s rational but also not me.