O/OA questions

[andynphuong]

O/OA visa questions, advice please.

We were going to get OA visas each, for myself and my wife.

I'm US citizen, she is a Vietnamese citizen, Vietnamese passport, living in the US as a lawful permanent resident with green card

I'm thinking we can go to Thailand, visa exempt, get the O VISA, and a O visa for my wife as a dependent, when in Thailand?

Would there only need to be the 800k baht in the bank for my O visa, and she would not need 800k in a separate bank account? Or would we need two accounts with 800k baht in each?

Would we both do the 90 day reporting, and not have to do border run?

She has insurance that covers her, and would hate to have to purchase medical insurance not needed

I know covid insurance would be required.

My doctor is kind of waffling on the OA medical certificate also.

Seems like the more I look and read on the Thai site, the more confused I get.

Thanks in advance for any information

[ubonjoe]

A non-o visa based upon retirement can be applied for at immigration. It requires 800k baht in a Thai bank on the day the application is done.

Immigration will not issue a non-o visa for a family member of person on extension of stay based upon retirement.

Family members of a person on a OA visas or a non-o visa based upon retirement do not qualify for a certificate of entry.

A dependent visa or extension of stay does not exist. If is referred to as being family member of a person of extension of stay.

 

[andynphuong]

 

Thanks for the information UbonJoe.

You were a great help a few years ago, when we got a OA visa for me, and a O visa for my wife. We returned to the US for a visit, and were caught in the US by the covid travel restrictions.

I just figured out how to look back at those posts from 2018. Seems that the strategy we should use is the same as 2018

- OA visa for me, Single entry O visa for wife, with her extending based on my OA visa. Her extension for being my spouse that is based upon my extension without financial proof.

Any reason this is not correct?

Thanks in advance

[ubonjoe]

It correct up to the point of applying for a certificate of entry for your wife. At this time her non-o visa would not be accepted since family members of person on a OA visa and those on non-o visa or extensions based upon retirement is not on the list for getting one.

The list for those allowed is near the bottom of this page on the embassy website. https://thaiembdc.org/visas/

[andynphuong]

I just can't find what you are referencing on that link. Looking on the "Thailand's Certificate of Entry (COE) Registration System (for air travel)" page, there is a option for "Non-O, Long Stay Visitor". Wouldn't that be what we'd need, then get her a extension after 60 days in Thailand basing on my OA visa then? 

Or, could I get a OA visa, she travel visa exempt and change to O visa there, basing on my OA?

Maybe will just be easier with OA visas for us both. 

Thanks again for any help.

[ubonjoe]

11 hours ago, andynphuong said:

I just can't find what you are referencing on that link. Looking on the "Thailand's Certificate of Entry (COE) Registration System (for air travel)" page, there is a option for "Non-O, Long Stay Visitor". Wouldn't that be what we'd need, then get her a extension after 60 days in Thailand basing on my OA visa then? 

That if for those that have a non-o visa or a re-entry permit for a extension of stay based upon detriment.

If she could get a COE there would be allowance similar to this one for working with a work permit.

It was allowed there would be one that states something similar to what is says but for those on retirement.

I can assure you that others have tried to get a non- o visa and a COE before for being a family member of a of a person on a OA visa or non-o visa on for retirement.

If your wife is 50 or over she could apply for a non-o visa for retirement and then a extension for being a member of your family. Others have done it. It would require her to show a small amount of money in the bank and 90 days of medical insurance. See: https://thaiembdc.org/2020/11/17/nonoretirement/

 

11 hours ago, andynphuong said:

Or, could I get a OA visa, she travel visa exempt and change to O visa there, basing on my OA?

As I wrote before immigration will not issue a non-o visa for being a member of the family member of a person on a OA visa or extension of stay based upon retirement.

List of them is here. https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/issuing-and-changing-type-of-visa/

[andynphuong]

Thank you for taking the time to answer!

This - 

"If your wife is 50 or over she could apply for a non-o visa for retirement and then a extension for being a member of your family. Others have done it. It would require her to show a small amount of money in the bank and 90 days of medical insurance"

Will be what we do.

Thank you!