Hey Guys,

 

House in the US been sold; we have to be out in 30 days. Wife and I have been planning this for 32 years since we were newlyweds.

I am in Northern California; I am going to work until the week before I leave for Thailand. We will be staying in my SIL house after.

We have a place already, "nearish" to Khon Kaen.

Anyway, to the point, What now? 

I have a few options, OA or marriage. Money isn't a problem, so 800k has been budgeted for.

I looked at the OA requirements at the Los Angeles consulate, alot going on there.

 

The few things I picked up are; getting a criminal record that is notarized, has anyone done that recently? How long does it take, and is a Notary all you need, or is there more to be done.

 

Medical certificate, notarized etc.

Bank statement showing monies in the bank. Can I print out a statement and call it good?

Airline ticket copy, everything is electronic, so printing the email is ok?

Health insurance for one year, cheapest one possible.

 

Marriage visa might be easier, but can I do it from the states?

 

Hopefully someone who has done it recently can give advice.

 

Thanks for your time.

44 minutes ago, Khyron said:

Marriage visa might be easier, but can I do it from the states?

Forget the Non O-A. 

Even if you were planing extensions based on retirement instead of marriage you would obtain a Non O (retirement) not a Non O-A

 

Assume the plan is ongoing to live in Thailand. 

Obviously the wife is Thai national? 

Obtain a Non O based on married in the states (eVisa) 

Assume that you do not have a Thai bank account in your name only? 

 

There are other things to prepare related to marriage docs etc. 

Enter with the Non O you are given a 90 day permission of sray stamp. 

In the last 30 days with funds having been in bank for two months you obtain 12 month extension. 

 

 

23 minutes ago, Khyron said:

I looked at the OA requirements at the Los Angeles consulate, alot going on there.

 

Yeah that one's a real pain I would arrive and then get an O in country.
 

3 minutes ago, ukrules said:

 

Yeah that one's a real pain I would arrive and then get an O in country.
 

Unless he already has a Thai bank account opening one will be almost impossible on a visa exempt entry in current times

OP, have a read of this thread. 

Outlines process of obtaining a Non O marriage eVisa outside of Thailand

 

 

Trolling post removed. 

2 hours ago, Khyron said:

Hey Guys,

 

House in the US been sold; we have to be out in 30 days. Wife and I have been planning this for 32 years since we were newlyweds.

I am in Northern California; I am going to work until the week before I leave for Thailand. We will be staying in my SIL house after.

We have a place already, "nearish" to Khon Kaen.

Anyway, to the point, What now? 

I have a few options, OA or marriage. Money isn't a problem, so 800k has been budgeted for.

I looked at the OA requirements at the Los Angeles consulate, alot going on there.

 

The few things I picked up are; getting a criminal record that is notarized, has anyone done that recently? How long does it take, and is a Notary all you need, or is there more to be done.

 

Medical certificate, notarized etc.

Bank statement showing monies in the bank. Can I print out a statement and call it good?

Airline ticket copy, everything is electronic, so printing the email is ok?

Health insurance for one year, cheapest one possible.

 

Marriage visa might be easier, but can I do it from the states?

 

Hopefully someone who has done it recently can give advice.

 

Thanks for your time.

Now you apply for the non-O visa of  your choice from the Thai e-visa system.  Likely best choices being between Non-O based on marriage or Non-O based on retirement.  You have to decide now because the extension you get in Thailand will have to be for the same reason you get the visa.  Also, if your marriage isn't registered in Thailand already, you need to do some work in the US before going to Thailand, including getting your marriage information certified by the Thai embassy here before you go to Thailand.

18 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

You have to decide now because the extension you get in Thailand will have to be for the same reason you get the visa

OP, take note of this fact  quoted. 

 

Worth mentioning that after the first 12 month extension you can change the basis of subsequent extensions. Example from retirement to marriage. 

 

I’d stick with the retirement option. Although more monies in bank, it is more straightforward at immigration… extensions done by oneself, one set of paperwork, stamp on the day etc. And yes, don’t bother with the OA. 

6 minutes ago, daveAustin said:

I’d stick with the retirement option. Although more monies in bank, it is more straightforward at immigration

Definitely a good option to consider. 

As mentioned above... He can always change to extensions based on marriage in the future. 

Thanks for the great replies.

 

Wife is Thai national, Married in her hometown, registered in Amphur. We have an original marriage certificate in our safe. I don't know if they will acknowledge one 32 years old, hopefully.

No bank account in my name.

 

The reason I mentioned non-OA is I can take that to a bank to get an account. I thought the non-O i get in country you needed a bank account first, which is a catch 22 being I can't get an account with a tourist visa and such.

 

So I can get a non-O in the US? or only non-OA here?

I do want the retirement option, as it is easier, but mentioned marriage because less onerous initially.

 

 

13 minutes ago, Khyron said:

So I can get a non-O in the US? or only non-OA here?

I do want the retirement option, as it is easier, but mentioned marriage because less onerous initially.

You can obtain a single entry Non O (retirement) in USA. 

Non O retirement eVisa is a good option as others have pointed out. 

With the Non O you should be able to open a Thai bank account. 

Bank may require a "certificate of residence " from immigration. 

 

BTW: while we all refer to Non O based on retirement, in fact retirement has nothing to do with it. 

The requirement is to be 50+ yr. 

 

Threads, such as this have advice. 

 

Sounds good.

Another issue, we will be staying in SIL's house here until everything is sorted.

 

When we get there, we will be staying in her house in the village. Unfortunately, she is not coming with us, the blue book is there, and my wife doesn't own a house yet, just land with no number yet.

 

So my question is;, does immigration need to see her and her blue book? or just a copy of the book and her ID?

 

I can have a niece make a copy of the blue book there, mail it to us here and have SIL sign it along with her ID.

Will that fly with them? or is there something else I need to do? I figure immigration needs proof of residency and whatnot.

I can have the mayor come with us to vouch for where we are staying, he is a nephew.

 

Thanks again.

 

 

6 minutes ago, Khyron said:

Another issue, we will be staying in SIL's house here until everything is sorted.

Bit of unusual set of circumstances. 

Here is a thread. Have a read of first reply from ubonjoe. 

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1271348-living-without-rent-is-this-a-problem-for-non-o-marriage/

 

42 minutes ago, Khyron said:

Thanks for the great replies.

 

Wife is Thai national, Married in her hometown, registered in Amphur. We have an original marriage certificate in our safe. I don't know if they will acknowledge one 32 years old, hopefully.

No bank account in my name.

 

The reason I mentioned non-OA is I can take that to a bank to get an account. I thought the non-O i get in country you needed a bank account first, which is a catch 22 being I can't get an account with a tourist visa and such.

 

So I can get a non-O in the US? or only non-OA here?

I do want the retirement option, as it is easier, but mentioned marriage because less onerous initially.

 

 

Go for the NON O, you don't want the OA, with that visa you need a Thai insurance policy for your extension. No insurance required for an O

I am here on a work visa so not everything is the same of course.

 

But...

Anything to do with the LA Thai consulate make every effort to complete while still in the US.

I had to get a diploma certified and I was in Thailand. The Thai consulate in LA would only accept payment via a money order in USD.

Essentially impossible to get in Thailand. Nobody uses money order anymore and especially not in USD. I had to have someone in the US buy the money order and send it to me here.

 

If you don't have a Charles Schwab bank account consider opening one while still in the US.

Gives you free ATM access here (fees reimbursed monthly) and gives you access to cash without needing any redtape from Thai (or US) authorities.

 

Best of luck on your new life here!

3 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

Now you apply for the non-O visa of  your choice from the Thai e-visa system.  Likely best choices being between Non-O based on marriage or Non-O based on retirement.  You have to decide now because the extension you get in Thailand will have to be for the same reason you get the visa.  

During COVID in Sep '20 the only way for me to move to Chiang Mai with my wife was to get a non-Imm "O" visa based on marriage to Thai.  I dealt with the Thai consulate in LA.

 

Due to several refusals from banks, I did not get an account open soon enough to qualify for a 12 month extension before my initial 90 day permission to stay expired.  Consequently, I got a 30 day extension to have the proper aging of my 800K.

 

For my 12 month extension I applied based on retirement... not marriage.   

12 minutes ago, gamb00ler said:

For my 12 month extension I applied based on retirement... not marriage.   

The first extension from a Non O (marriage) should have been based on marriage. 

Immigration allowed the extension based on retirement (not the norm) 

 

 

19 hours ago, Khyron said:

The few things I picked up are; getting a criminal record that is notarized, has anyone done that recently? How long does it take, and is a Notary all you need, or is there more to be done.

 

Medical certificate, notarized etc.

Bank statement showing monies in the bank. Can I print out a statement and call it good?

Airline ticket copy, everything is electronic, so printing the email is ok?

Health insurance for one year, cheapest one possible.

 

Marriage visa might be easier, but can I do it from the states?

 

 

I agree with @DrJack54 - forget the OA, get the Non O e-Visa from the LA Consulate, and you can forget the criminal record, medical cert, health insurance, etc.

 

You need a bank statement showing a balance of no less than $15,000. It's e-Visa, so all of the documents are submitted electronically, PDF or JPEG. Takes about 7-10 and you'll get the visa as a PDF that you need to print and bring with you. https://thaiconsulatela.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/non-immigrant-type-o-visiting-family

 

When you enter, based on your visa you will get a 90-day stay stamped in your passport. 

 

Once in Thailand, based on the visa and the 90-day stamp, you can open a bank account, deposit $400k, and have it seasoned for two months, in time for your application for 1 year extension of stay based on marriage. 

Marriage-based extensions are a PITA - so, since you have the 800K to lock-up in a Thai account, definitely do retirement-based.  You can get a 90-Day Non-O "based on retirement" (not marriage, and not O-A) from the Thai consulate in the USA before coming.  This will be easier than making a switch from a "tourist" type entry in-country - saves 2 trips to immigration here.  Also easier to open a bank-account (if needed).  Also avoids other hoops for the switch from a tourist-entry to a Non-Imm - not needed for the 1-year extension. 

 

Even if you do not plan to use marriage-based extensions, if you were not married in Thailand, get the paperwork needed to register your marriage here before you come, and get that done.  It might be helpful for something later.

Ok, I will be doing the Non-o visa, seems so easy, why would anyone do the OA?

 

I have Schwab and navy federal credit union, so i'm set there.

 

Niece is sending the copy of blue book to us here, then I will make a copy of SIL's id, have her sign both and take it with me. That should be enough to satisfy immigration to get a cert of residence for a bank account.

 

Thanks again for the great suggestions. I will post again on my experiences as time goes on.

 

 

 

 

The non-o shows the requirement to have a returning flight within 90 days. Do they actually want this? Or will they take a one way flight.

 

I figure if they are sticklers, I can rent an outgoing flight, what is the website for that service?

 

 

2 hours ago, Khyron said:

Do they actually want this? Or will they take a one way flight.

 

I figure if they are sticklers, I can rent an outgoing flight, what is the website for that service?

I would apply without the return flight. 

Good company for rent a flight is.. 

"onwardticket.com" 

 

https://onwardticket.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22186120239&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-4XFBhCBARIsAAdNOks34V3OGCopO_d30CdPGloDL7drBg7uCWjcfCxxRt5ml0QbSySXU24aAiuTEALw_wcB

 

3 hours ago, Khyron said:

Ok, I will be doing the Non-o visa, seems so easy, why would anyone do the OA?

Some people don't want to worry about keeping a balance in their Thai bank account, or dealing with immigration at all for extensions really.  They also plan on returning back to their home country at least once every 2 years and can apply for a new non-OA visa, perhaps to visit family or friends.  In this case, a non-OA visa might be preferred, with the only consequence being the mandatory insurance.

33 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

In this case, a non-OA visa might be preferred, with the only consequence being the mandatory insurance.

Indeed. If it were not for the rubbish insurance policy many may/would opt for option you outlined. 

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

1 hour ago, BrandonJT said:

In this case, a non-OA visa might be preferred, with the only consequence being the mandatory insurance.

Indeed. If it were not for the rubbish insurance policy many may/would opt for option you outlined.

 

Just to round out a fresh knowledge base of all the options, what is the cost of the bare-minimum, Thai-issued insurance that's needed to support the Non-OA application? I imagine the palaver getting it is seen as not worth it but interested to see the costs, outwith the time wasted, paper chasing aspect.

33 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

.....what is the cost of the bare-minimum, Thai-issued insurance that's needed to support the Non-OA application?

Lot depends on age. 

This attached thread has one post first hand of 15-20k

Some use an agent to do extension+ cover the insurance (somehow) 

 

Suggest it's not a good option for most, hence the many threads of killing off the Non O-A change to Non O or if married to Thai do extensions based on marriage (no insurance required)... 

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1351278-minimum-insurance-coverage-non-oa-extension/

 

6 hours ago, NanLaew said:

 

Just to round out a fresh knowledge base of all the options, what is the cost of the bare-minimum, Thai-issued insurance that's needed to support the Non-OA application? I imagine the palaver getting it is seen as not worth it but interested to see the costs, outwith the time wasted, paper chasing aspect.

 

The TGIA website lists all participating Thai insurers:

 

https://longstay.tgia.org/companiesoa

 

Not studied it in any great depth myself, but at one time LMG were considered by many on here to be the cheapest.

 

On 8/17/2025 at 3:25 AM, Khyron said:

Hey Guys,

 

House in the US been sold; we have to be out in 30 days. Wife and I have been planning this for 32 years since we were newlyweds.

I am in Northern California; I am going to work until the week before I leave for Thailand. We will be staying in my SIL house after.

We have a place already, "nearish" to Khon Kaen.

Anyway, to the point, What now? 

I have a few options, OA or marriage. Money isn't a problem, so 800k has been budgeted for.

I looked at the OA requirements at the Los Angeles consulate, alot going on there.

 

The few things I picked up are; getting a criminal record that is notarized, has anyone done that recently? How long does it take, and is a Notary all you need, or is there more to be done.

 

Medical certificate, notarized etc.

Bank statement showing monies in the bank. Can I print out a statement and call it good?

Airline ticket copy, everything is electronic, so printing the email is ok?

Health insurance for one year, cheapest one possible.

 

Marriage visa might be easier, but can I do it from the states?

 

Hopefully someone who has done it recently can give advice.

 

Thanks for your time.

Have you looked at the benefits of an LTR, cost is 50000 baht, cut 50% and for those who benefit under one of the 4 categories, this is a great 10 year visa with few immigration restrictions? Othewise I think the retirement O is a lot easier than it used to be also.  Just need to consider possible tax on income situation that changes often lately.

Have you considered the LTR-P option?  No bank account required (but you can get one); no minimum deposit amount or monthly transfers required, no 90-day reports, explicitly tax-exempt, its a 10-year visa (permission to stay 5 years, which can be extended for another 5 years); must show an annual income of 80k.  It far exceeds any non-O visa in benefits and ease of use.