O - A visa problem, need suggestions

[Andyn1066]

Hi Everyone, 

Was going to apply for an O-A visa from the UK in 3 months time. Unfortunately I didn't setup internet banking with Bangkok Bank while in Thailand, so can not print bank statement, to show 800, 000 baht, and can't receive temporary user name to setup internet banking as it will be posted to an address where I stayed when bank account was opened in Roi Et. All I have phone app to view balance, but I am sure Embassy won't except a screen shot from app.  What is my best option to enter Thailand for a long stay?   Can I still apply for an O visa, then keep extending every 90 days? Many thanks for your help.

[scubascuba3]

The O-A visa is 800k equivalent, so about £20k+

[ubonjoe]

You can apply for a single entry non-o visa that you can then extend for one year at immigration near the end of the 90 day entry it allows.

Or you could enter visa exempt that allows a 45 day entry that can be extended for 30 days. Then prior to the last 15 days of the 45 days or the 30 day extension apply for a 90 day non-o visa entry at immigration.

 

[CANSIAM]

An O-A visa from your country, the Embassy wants to see 800k baht equivalent in your HOME country bank, for me anyhow...... 

[Andyn1066]

thank you for the suggestions. I will  apply for the O visa

 

23 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You can apply for a single entry non-o visa that you can then extend for one year at immigration near the end of the 90 day entry it allows.

Or you could enter visa exempt that allows a 45 day entry that can be extended for 30 days. Then prior to the last 15 days of the 45 days or the 30 day extension apply for a 90 day non-o visa entry at immigration.

 

 

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, Andyn1066 said:

thank you for the suggestions. I will  apply for the O visa

As Ubon pointed out you can even enter visa exempt and obtain the non O at immigration. Also no need the useless 40/400 Thai insurance. You will require that if you obtain non O in the UK.

Did you notice post from @CANSIAM..

For a non O-A the money is in your UK account. This is one reason why some folk opt for that visa. Good option especially when borders are open. Currently not the best option.

 

Edit incorrect insurance amounts.

Pointed out by ubonjoe

 

Edited May 30, 2021 by DrJack54

[CANSIAM]

4 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

As Ubon pointed out you can even enter visa exempt and obtain the non O at immigration. Also no need the useless 800/400 Thai insurance. You will require that if you obtain non O in the UK.

Did you notice post from @CANSIAM..

For a non O-A the money is in your UK account. This is one reason why some folk opt for that visa.

 

I'm actually thinking about leaving here before my permission to stay to 'kill' this O-A and return visa exempt and back over to Non O again........ 

[ubonjoe]

9 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Also no need the useless 800/400 Thai insurance.

It think you mean the 40/400k baht medical insurance.

[DrJack54]

14 minutes ago, CANSIAM said:

I'm actually thinking about leaving here before my permission to stay to 'kill' this O-A and return visa exempt and back over to Non O again........ 

That was being done a lot prior to covid. 

 

I suggest you hold off. Prior to your permission of stay expires obtain a covid extension (if still available).

Only one person's opinion but I think they will continue with the covid extensions until borders are open or at least partially.

If that happens you could wait to be able to do border bounce enter visa exempt and obtain your non O at immigration.

 

Edited May 30, 2021 by DrJack54

[CANSIAM]

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

That was being done a lot prior to covid. 

 

I suggest you hold off. Prior to your permission of stay expires obtain a covid extension (if still available).

Only one person's opinion but I think they will continue with the covid extensions until borders are open or at least partially.

If that happens you could wait to be able to do border bounce and obtain your non O at immigration.

 

Can you get covid extensions if available on an O-A  or do they only accept the yearly extension based on retirement with the health insurance there as well due to being an O-A ? thanks

[skatewash]

7 minutes ago, CANSIAM said:

I'm actually thinking about leaving here before my permission to stay to 'kill' this O-A and return visa exempt and back over to Non O again........ 

Something you need to check in your passport before you execute your plan.  Is your Non-OA visa still valid?  Are you planning to return to Thailand while this visa is still valid?  If so, then you don't need a re-entry permit, but you will get stamped in for a year permission to stay based on your unexpired Non-OA visa.

If your Non-OA visa has already expired OR you have already received a retirement extension of stay then if you leave Thailand without a re-entry permit then when you leave that will kill your Non-OA visa (which sounds like what you want to do).

To recap, your plan will work if your Non-OA visa validity will have expired (indicated on the visa itself) before you return to Thailand, OR you are already on a retirement extension and you DO NOT get a re-entry permit.

[CANSIAM]

2 minutes ago, skatewash said:

Something you need to check in your passport before you execute your plan.  Is your Non-OA visa still valid?  Are you planning to return to Thailand while this visa is still valid?  If so, then you don't need a re-entry permit, but you will get stamped in for a year permission to stay based on your unexpired Non-OA visa.

If your Non-OA visa has already expired OR you have already received a retirement extension of stay then if you leave Thailand without a re-entry permit then when you leave that will kill your Non-OA visa (which sounds like what you want to do).

To recap, your plan will work if your Non-OA visa validity will have expired (indicated on the visa itself) before you return to Thailand, OR you are already on a retirement extension and you DO NOT get a re-entry permit.

Yes my O-A is valid 5 more months. My original O-A plan was to exit and re enter while visa still valid and get the 2nd year. Not so easy to do now.  If I leave I would return after visa expiry. 

[skatewash]

2 minutes ago, CANSIAM said:

Yes my O-A is valid 5 more months. My original O-A plan was to exit and re enter while visa still valid and get the 2nd year. Not so easy to do now.  If I leave I would return after visa expiry. 

 Sounds like it should work then.  Best wishes.  It will be nice to get on the Non-O visa path and avoid the mandatory health insurance requirement associated with the Non-OA.

[Andyn1066]

Many thanks for all the replies. Maybe its better to just get the O visa for now, I know the situation is a bit fluid with Thai immigration considering changes in the future for long stay retirement visas. 

 

[Andyn1066]

A type O visa is meant to visit friends and family of a Thai National, is this correct? How strict is the Thai Embassy in London requiring proof of this? I prefer to not to ask my X wife's family in Korat for any documents to proof this.

Non-Immigrant O

Visiting friends and family

Family of a Thai national (Immediate family includes spouse and children)

[skatewash]

2 minutes ago, Andyn1066 said:

A type O visa is meant to visit friends and family of a Thai National, is this correct? How strict is the Thai Embassy in London requiring proof of this? I prefer to not to ask my X wife's family in Korat for any documents to proof this.

Non-Immigrant O

Visiting friends and family

Family of a Thai national (Immediate family includes spouse and children)

If a Non-O visa for purpose of retirement is not available to you (it might not be available in your country) then I would suggest arriving in Thailand on a visa-exempt entry (45 days) or a Tourist Visa (60 days).  When in Thailand you can apply for a Non-O visa for purpose of retirement (90 days) from an immigration office and then when that permission to stay is 30-45 days from expiring you could apply for a retirement extension of stay (1 year).  This way you avoid having a Non-OA visa (and retirement extensions of stay derived therefrom) which will forever require you to meet health insurance mandated by Thai immigration.  Non-O visas and retirement extensions derived therefrom do not have the same health insurance requirement.

[Andyn1066]

Skatewash, Many thanks

[ubonjoe]

15 minutes ago, Andyn1066 said:

A type O visa is meant to visit friends and family of a Thai National, is this correct? How strict is the Thai Embassy in London requiring proof of this? I prefer to not to ask my X wife's family in Korat for any documents to proof this.

Non-Immigrant O

Visiting friends and family

Family of a Thai national (Immediate family includes spouse and children)

A little over half way down this page on embassy website. 

https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/84508-non-immigrant-visas?page=5d6636cd15e39c3bd00072dd&menu=5f4b6eb3f6ae4b236972c562

You don't have to be getting a pension to qualify.

[KeeTua]

1 hour ago, CANSIAM said:

I'm actually thinking about leaving here before my permission to stay to 'kill' this O-A and return visa exempt and back over to Non O again........ 

Me too.

The health insurance requirement is OK for now for my age and health but that will change as I get older. The out patient part is a waste of money and I would like to dump that now.

 

It's possible that in the future there will be an insurance requirement for Non-O also, if so there may be a grandfather clause for existing Non-O.

 

I don't like my current renewal of permission to stay due date. Switching to a Non-O would give me the chance to get a more favorable date like during January.

 

Any other good reasons to dump the O-A?

[Tanoshi]

@Andyn1066

You can obtain a Non O from the Thai Embassy London for reasons of; 

To visit family or friends in Thailand, voluntary job, retirement, medical treatment, to attend judicial process, to work as diplomat's housekeeper.

 

For retirement purposes if your in receipt of the State Pension, then just a bank statement showing a DWP payment is sufficient, or if under State Pension age, but 50 or above, a 3 month bank statement with a balance of £10,000 sustained for the 3 months.

 

You will need to proof of Medical Health Insurance for 400K THB inpatient, 40K THB outpatient coverage, as well as Covid Insurance for 100,000 USD, both for a 3 month period.

The Insurances must cover the period of stay granted on entry to Thailand, which with a Non Imm O Visa is 90 days.

 

I live in Roi Et, if I can be of any personal assistance please send me a PM.

It may be possible to obtain your Thai bank statements.

[Andyn1066]

many thanks for all the input. I think I may arrive on tourist visa sort everything out in LOS.

[Tanoshi]

7 minutes ago, Andyn1066 said:

many thanks for all the input. I think I may arrive on tourist visa sort everything out in LOS.

 

You'll still need the Covid Insurance for 60 days coverage.

Home - Covid 19 Insurance (tgia.org)

4,480 THB from the UK.

[Andyn1066]

Thanks Tanoshi.  Do you expect the Covid insurance still going to applicable, to people arriving in Phuket Sandbox, if you have had your vaccines? 

[Tanoshi]

32 minutes ago, Andyn1066 said:

Thanks Tanoshi.  Do you expect the Covid insurance still going to applicable, to people arriving in Phuket Sandbox, if you have had your vaccines? 

 

If, the Phuket Sandbox goes into effect on July 1st, I still expect the Covid Insurance to be a requirement.

Even after spending 7 days in Phuket, there is no guarantee of not contracting Covid during the rest of your permission of stay and requiring treatment.