If she decides to purchase an OA visa in the US then those rules apply. She should be able to use money in the US and she will be stamped in for one year or the to the end of her current health insurance policy. She also, I think, will have to leave without a re-entry permit to void her current permission of stay. After that everything should be the same as before. She would not need to meet the 800k in a Thai bank requirement anymore.

As a strategy, returning to the US to purchase a new OA each year can make sense if you want/need to return to the US anyway and you are able and willing to go through the OA application process each time.

@Richard ******

I would check to see if they are still offering a non-O multiple entry visa a this time.

@Darren *******

The non-O visa is only a 90 day visa. It seemed logical to me, if I was retiring to Thailand, to get a 1 year multiple entry visa. It was easy since I didn’t need money in a Thai bank account. The documentation was substantial but straightforward. The process to enter Thailand as a tourist, get a non-O, and then get a 1 year extension seemed much more complicated. Why not sell an OA visa along with all the other visas sold from Thai consulates around the world?

At that time there was no health insurance requirement and there was no advantage to a non-visa for a retiree.

@Ian *******

I had a qualified Thai insurance policy before they made it a visa requirement for the OA for that reason. I believe it is a good thing to have health insurance. I am just not sold on the concept of tying it to my visa extensions.

@Darren *******

I came on an OA in 2017. The process to get it was fairly easy and it has some nice features during the first two years but with the recent health insurance requirement it has lost its luster for many people.

You might want to state what immigration office you are using. Is this your first one year extension?

There is the bank letter, which should be good for 7 days. The letter is different from a bank statement which you might also need. Also bring your bank book update the same day you apply.

John Saw Last year I had an issue that required me to return a couple of days later to complete my 1 year extension. The Immigration officer reminded me that my bank letter was only good for 7 days. 7 days should be fine at CW. Update your bankbook to show any transactions between the letter and the day you apply.

When I go without an appointment I arrive when the office opens. I usually only have to wait an hour in L section. For me, waiting after the office opens is preferable to getting there a 6am to get a number in order to get in line for another number. The early morning strategy only makes sense if you absolutely positively need to finish and be out of there before noon. I get there at 8:30 am and am out of there by noon anyway.

I went to MTT this morning. No lines at all.

Note that the rules Tod just explained often mean that Immigration wants to see a full year bank statement at the time you apply for a 1 year extension. They want to see that you have followed the rules all year long.