Visa options for 80+

[69ComfortablyNumb69]

My friend's mother is currently on a tourist visa and should would like to stay in Thailand. She is covered by very good medical insurance but her insurance is not approved by Thai immigration.  

Here income is about 60,000thb and she would not like to freeze 800K  in order to get OA visa.

Her son is on O-A LONG time retirement visa. 

Thank you for an advice 

[Swiss1960]

Your friend's mother does not need a Non-Imm O-A visa, she can apply for a Non-Imm O visa, which does NOT require medical cover. And as long as she does not leave the country (not sure, if she can apply for the visa while in-country), then she also does not need to show a Covid-insurance for re-entry.

 

With regards to financial, as soon as she applies for the annual extension based on retirement, she will have to show 800K in the bank, 2 months before and 3 months after the extension, then she is free to use 400K of that money till the next extension comes up (2 months before she would have to refill). Her 60K Baht monthly do not satisfy the requirement on their own. She could however use the "mix" method, i.e. have 400K in the bank and show half of the 65K as retirement income coming from abroad. 

[BritTim]

Frankly (and this will not be universally popular advice) I suggest using an agent to get a "conversion" to a Non O visa with the intention of retiring in Thailand (giving 90 days) followed by rolling one-year extensions. This will cost around 22,000 - 30,000 baht for the visa and first year extension (total 15 months) and around 14,000 - 16,000 baht a year thereafter. Using an agent avoids having to meet other conditions, and minimizes the time spent at Immigration.

 

If you mention in which province the old lady plans to live, someone may be able to help with agent recommendations.

[ubonjoe]

Is your friend in Thailand at this time?  What is their status for staying here?

If on certain one year extensions of stay their mother could get a one a year extension for being a member of his foamily with not financial proof needed.

[DrJack54]

Mother entered on tourist visa. 

She can obtain non O retirement but that would require having 800k in Thai bank in her name. If does not want to or cannot meet that requirement then the best option is an agent. 

That will cost her about 24k first time round and subsequently ~15k+ ongoing per year.

 

Having money in bank along with income (combination method) would be an option. If her income of 60k is regular eg a pension then combination method would be good option and not require agent.

 

BTW after she obtains 30 day extension to the tourist visa entry she can obtain 60 day covid extensions and that will allow time to organize longer term options.

Edited September 1, 2021 by DrJack54