I opted for the OA visa that I obtained in the U.S. before retiring here, and the health insurance requirement wasn’t a big deal because I needed health insurance here anyway. My home insurance doesn’t work here. If you’re thinking about the O visa and self-insuring for your health, that would be fine for small procedures and such. But get cancer or in an accident where you need long term care, and it can wipe you out financially like it did my friend. So think long and hard before going without insurance here. I went through Pacific Cross for my policy.
I entered Thailand a few months ago using a Non-immigrant O visa, intending to do the extensions. I changed my mind and instead applied for and was issued an LTR visa. Costing 50,000 baht it's more expensive than the 'Non-O' with re-entry permit, but good for 10 years and I have better things to do with the remaining 750,000 baht than let it sit in a Thai bank account.
As it is now a bit more troublesome to go to Laos and then apply for an appointment etc. not knowing for how long I would have to stay, I went for a Non-O visa here in Thailand after 6 weeks of my visa exempt entry. That was done in no time. No more traveling outside of Thailand on a visa run. Only need re-entry visa when I go home for the summer! My passport stamped Non immigrant O, Retirement. First for 3 months then apply for a 1 year extension. I noticed that it was more paperwork this time than the first time I got it in 2011.
I received my O with bank account and visa starting at 9 am at bank and finishing at immigration at 230pm. Very easy. I did later get health insurance thru AXA Global, as Pacific Cross declined to cover, but insurance was just a petsonal decision not yet an O requirement.
I don't understand the DTV, is for digital nomads etc., 500000 baht in the bank but not for retirees and marriages like myself, would be awesome for 5 years. The O retirement extension is still the easiest as I have 800000 baht in the bank for expediency. With O marriage extension I have to wait thirty days, print out one year banking monthly statements which takes 4 days and retrieve a kor ror 2 which takes more time albeit only need 400000 baht in the bank so, I get a marriage in my home country and then do the 800000 O retirement extension. It is a lot of work but I understand the system has flaws and perhaps the authorities are trying to improve the system, would be helpful to have a better data base to streamline efficiencies but for now I keep filling out the same forms over and over every year. I don't worry about all the tax frenzy bs, just bring my savings and spend.
I got the OA visa from the Thai Royal Embassy in my homecountry but because I will keep (have to for different reasons) my health insurance from my country in the next years (which will not be accepted for the OA extension) I wonder if I should go for the O visa when my OA will expire.
I am in the same position. An agent told me I should definitely switch to an “O” visa. The cost of the insurance in Thailand is high but maybe not for USA citizens.
@@garrypatrick6097 do I understand right that in order to get the "second year" I need to 1) re-entry just before the first year expires and 2) I need to show the health insurance paper for the second year of OA ?
Call me nitpickery: there is no such thing as a "Elite Bronze Visa". One can purchase a Thailand Privilege Bronze membership, but the visa one gets is the same as if one would purchase a Reserve Membership. The visa is called "Privilege Entry Visa".
My O stamp says RETIREMENT in bold letters, while I understans it is really one year immigration and banks seem to ack owledge I am not working but retired.
Well, I "consider" it a one year retirement visa with stipulations for reporting renewing. I guess if were what I would think a true retirement visa should be it would provide a longer period more luke the Privilege visa system provides. But I do not think going to see immigration 3 or 4 times or less if online avaiable or use an agent is a big burden anyway. Roll with the flow...be happy.
I opted for the OA visa that I obtained in the U.S. before retiring here, and the health insurance requirement wasn’t a big deal because I needed health insurance here anyway. My home insurance doesn’t work here. If you’re thinking about the O visa and self-insuring for your health, that would be fine for small procedures and such. But get cancer or in an accident where you need long term care, and it can wipe you out financially like it did my friend. So think long and hard before going without insurance here. I went through Pacific Cross for my policy.
Their top policy will get you bumrungrade
@@JohnMarkwick-t3v what is bumrungrade ?
@ hospital
Bumrungrad private hospital in Bangkok
I entered Thailand a few months ago using a Non-immigrant O visa, intending to do the extensions. I changed my mind and instead applied for and was issued an LTR visa. Costing 50,000 baht it's more expensive than the 'Non-O' with re-entry permit, but good for 10 years and I have better things to do with the remaining 750,000 baht than let it sit in a Thai bank account.
Ltr I thought it was 10k?
@@jpants5144 You apparently have not looked at the BOI web site pages regarding the visa.
Yes.
As it is now a bit more troublesome to go to Laos and then apply for an appointment etc. not knowing for how long I would have to stay, I went for a Non-O visa here in Thailand after 6 weeks of my visa exempt entry. That was done in no time. No more traveling outside of Thailand on a visa run. Only need re-entry visa when I go home for the summer! My passport stamped Non immigrant O, Retirement. First for 3 months then apply for a 1 year extension. I noticed that it was more paperwork this time than the first time I got it in 2011.
Can you get a wavier for age? Being younger than 50.
I'm going with the O Visa with required monthly income at least $1,900 & multiple Re-entry.
I received my O with bank account and visa starting at 9 am at bank and finishing at immigration at 230pm. Very easy.
I did later get health insurance thru AXA Global, as Pacific Cross declined to cover, but insurance was just a petsonal decision not yet an O requirement.
Hi, does the O visa come with multi entry
Mine does. But you can get it without. But I think smarter to opt for multi to give better travel freedoms.
@@rickeynelson7063 Thank you
@@charleslittle-x8xnot anymorebut can be extended , have to get permission to get Back from immigration If go outside Of TH
@@charleslittle-x8xif you pay more money
I don't understand the DTV, is for digital nomads etc., 500000 baht in the bank but not for retirees and marriages like myself, would be awesome for 5 years. The O retirement extension is still the easiest as I have 800000 baht in the bank for expediency. With O marriage extension I have to wait thirty days, print out one year banking monthly statements which takes 4 days and retrieve a kor ror 2 which takes more time albeit only need 400000 baht in the bank so, I get a marriage in my home country and then do the 800000 O retirement extension. It is a lot of work but I understand the system has flaws and perhaps the authorities are trying to improve the system, would be helpful to have a better data base to streamline efficiencies but for now I keep filling out the same forms over and over every year. I don't worry about all the tax frenzy bs, just bring my savings and spend.
Thanks
I got the OA visa from the Thai Royal Embassy in my homecountry but because I will keep (have to for different reasons) my health insurance from my country in the next years (which will not be accepted for the OA extension) I wonder if I should go for the O visa when my OA will expire.
I am in the same position. An agent told me I should definitely switch to an “O” visa. The cost of the insurance in Thailand is high but maybe not for USA citizens.
@@garrypatrick6097 do I understand right that in order to get the "second year" I need to 1) re-entry just before the first year expires and 2) I need to show the health insurance paper for the second year of OA ?
Call me nitpickery: there is no such thing as a "Elite Bronze Visa". One can purchase a Thailand Privilege Bronze membership, but the visa one gets is the same as if one would purchase a Reserve Membership. The visa is called "Privilege Entry Visa".
O is not a “retirement visa”. Speak correctly and precisely, please.
My O stamp says RETIREMENT in bold letters, while I understans it is really one year immigration and banks seem to ack owledge I am not working but retired.
So what is it then ?
Well, I "consider" it a one year retirement visa with stipulations for reporting renewing. I guess if were what I would think a true retirement visa should be it would provide a longer period more luke the Privilege visa system provides. But I do not think going to see immigration 3 or 4 times or less if online avaiable or use an agent is a big burden anyway. Roll with the flow...be happy.
The ‘Retirement Visa’ is an Extension of Stay granted to the initial 3 month Non Immigrant Visa.
Yes, I received both same day so my visa renewal is in 15 months.