On 9/17/2025 at 10:53 AM, Liquorice said:

No requirement to be a national or have permanent residency status to apply for the Non Imm O-A visa in Manilla.

 

Hi Liquorice - Thanks for the tip about LMG health insurance company, will check them out.

 

Correction - you actually do need residency to apply in Manila.

On 9/19/2025 at 3:54 PM, DrJack54 said:

Agree. 

I can think of one very specific example of where a Non O-A might be a good fit. 

The example being where someone wants to spend 2 years in Thailand without the usual ongoing living in Thailand on going beyond the two years. 

 

As we know a Non O-A can provide two year stay. 

Granted would require two years of insurance however no funds maintained in Thailand. 

Also multi entry for the first year. 

 

Hey DrJack54 : Yes that is approximately my situation. However, you never know.

The O doesn't work for me because I don't have 800k liquid to deposit in a Thai bank and wouldn't want to anyway considering how much hassles the banks are causing now. So the OA lets me show proof of funds with my home country bank account as I understand, and I don't have to deposit and keep a large amount in a Thai bank account,  and I can also choose the 65k monthly minimum option rather than the 800k lump sum.

The thing that I am confused about now, though, is let's say I do decide to just stay in Thailand and want to extend my OA from inside Thailand, I assume I need to submit the same requirements as when I did the original, however, can I still show proof of funds with my home bank account...or do I need to show it in a Thai account at this point because I am applying for the extension within Thailand. That's what confuses me now. Thanks for your replies.

6 minutes ago, kawipan said:

The thing that I am confused about now, though, is let's say I do decide to just stay in Thailand and want to extend my OA from inside Thailand, I assume I need to submit the same requirements as when I did the original, however, can I still show proof of funds with my home bank account...or do I need to show it in a Thai account at this point because I am applying for the extension within Thailand. That's what confuses me now. Thanks for your replies.

If you decide to stay in Thailand you would need to do annual extensions and that has exactly same requirements as extensions to a Non O retirement. 

Meaning 800k in Thai bank account in your name only. 

In addition you would have annual health insurance policy cost. 

 

Keep in mind that the Non O-A actually provides a two year stay before you need to do extensions. 

Reason being that you exit Thailand and reenter just prior to expiry of the Visa (it's a one yr multi entry visa) You will be stamped in for 12 months provided you have new insurance policy. 

 

As for the Banking.. Ignore all that. Just don't open a BBL account. 

If you obtain the Non O-A use it to open a Thai bank account as you may need it in future. 

 

Also not the income method does not require funds to be held in bank. 

I have just changed from money in bank to income method. Yippi

 

8 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

If you decide to stay in Thailand you would need to do annual extensions and that has exactly same requirements as extensions to a Non O retirement. 

Meaning 800k in Thai bank account in your name only. 

In addition you would have annual health insurance policy cost. 

 

Keep in mind that the Non O-A actually provides a two year stay before you need to do extensions. 

Reason being that you exit Thailand and reenter just prior to expiry of the Visa (it's a one yr multi entry visa) You will be stamped in for 12 months provided you have new insurance policy. 

 

As for the Banking.. Ignore all that. Just don't open a BBL account. 

If you obtain the Non O-A use it to open a Thai bank account as you may need it in future. 

 

Also not the income method does not require funds to be held in bank. 

I have just changed from money in bank to income method. Yippi

 

So I can use the income method inside Thailand, but I can't use my home account? I have to set up remittances to a Thai account? Are you 100% sure that they don't accept proof of funds in a home country account rather than Thai account? I'm not doubting you, it just seems that if it was good enough for the original visa, why wouldn't it be ok for the extension too? Thanks.

10 minutes ago, kawipan said:

So I can use the income method inside Thailand, but I can't use my home account? I have to set up remittances to a Thai account? Are you 100% sure that they don't accept proof of funds in a home country account rather than Thai account?

Using income method for extensions 100% the transfers must be from abroad to a Thai bank account in your name only. 

Based on retirement the transfers are minimum 65k per month. 

Based on marriage minimum 40k per month. 

I use WISE to do transfers every month on 14th.

 

24 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Using income method for extensions 100% the transfers must be from abroad to a Thai bank account in your name only. 

Based on retirement the transfers are minimum 65k per month. 

Based on marriage minimum 40k per month. 

I use WISE to do transfers every month on 14th.

 

 

Would you mind if I asked how many months of statements they require?
And which Immigration office you process your extension at?

9 minutes ago, kawipan said:

Would you mind if I asked how many months of statements they require?

You are USA and that embassy does not issue "income letter" 

For a Non O retirement you would obtain the Non O eVisa outside of Thailand.

On entry you would receive a 90 day stamp. 

You would ASAP open a Thai bank account and transfer 800k into that account. Two months later obtain 12 month extension. 

You cannot use income method for first extension. 

Application for subsequent extensions would require 12 monthly transfers of 65k + 

They would be shown retrospectively. 

You would run the 800k money in bank in concert with monthly transfers to switch to income method for second extension. 

 

However let's stop there.... You stated earlier that you didn't have 800k so don't understand what information you require. 

Seems you are not ready for Thailand.. 

3 hours ago, kawipan said:

Correction - you actually do need residency to apply in Manila.

Not if you're a US national as you stated.

 

Filipino nationals and foreign nationals who are currently in the Republic of the Philippines, and Palau nationals who are currently in the Republic of Palau are eligible to apply for the e-Visa with the Royal Thai Embassy, Manila.

Applicants from the following countries (please click here for the list) are required to hold a valid Philippine permanent resident visa before applying for an e-Visa. The above-mentioned applicants who do not hold a valid Philippine permanent resident visa are highly advised to apply with the Royal Thai Embassy in their home country, or with the Royal Thai Embassy which has jurisdiction over their country of residence.

https://thaiembassymnl.ph/download/RTE Manila E-Visa Guidelines (as of 16June2025).pdf

 

Applicants from the following countries are required to hold a valid Philippine permanent resident visa before applying for an e-Visa with the Royal Thai Embassy, Manila: Afghanistan** Algeria Bangladesh Cameroon Central African Republic China Congo Republic Democratic Republic of the Congo Egypt Equatorial Guinea Ghana Guinea India Iran Iraq** Lebanon Liberia Libya Nepal Nigeria* North Korea** Pakistan Palestine Sao Tome and Principe Sierra Leone Somalia Sri Lanka Sudan Syria Yemen

https://www.thaiembassymnl.ph/download/RTE-Manila-Required-Philippine-permanent-resident-visa.pdf

5 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Not if you're a US national as you stated.

 

Filipino nationals and foreign nationals who are currently in the Republic of the Philippines, and Palau nationals who are currently in the Republic of Palau are eligible to apply for the e-Visa with the Royal Thai Embassy, Manila.

Applicants from the following countries (please click here for the list) are required to hold a valid Philippine permanent resident visa before applying for an e-Visa. The above-mentioned applicants who do not hold a valid Philippine permanent resident visa are highly advised to apply with the Royal Thai Embassy in their home country, or with the Royal Thai Embassy which has jurisdiction over their country of residence.

https://thaiembassymnl.ph/download/RTE Manila E-Visa Guidelines (as of 16June2025).pdf

 

Applicants from the following countries are required to hold a valid Philippine permanent resident visa before applying for an e-Visa with the Royal Thai Embassy, Manila: Afghanistan** Algeria Bangladesh Cameroon Central African Republic China Congo Republic Democratic Republic of the Congo Egypt Equatorial Guinea Ghana Guinea India Iran Iraq** Lebanon Liberia Libya Nepal Nigeria* North Korea** Pakistan Palestine Sao Tome and Principe Sierra Leone Somalia Sri Lanka Sudan Syria Yemen

https://www.thaiembassymnl.ph/download/RTE-Manila-Required-Philippine-permanent-resident-visa.pdf

 

Yeah I know it says that, but if you actually sign in and go through the whole application process to the last page before submitting, you will see that there is a field to upload your proof of residency in PH, and it's required.

3 hours ago, kawipan said:

The thing that I am confused about now, though, is let's say I do decide to just stay in Thailand and want to extend my OA from inside Thailand, I assume I need to submit the same requirements as when I did the original, however, can I still show proof of funds with my home bank account...or do I need to show it in a Thai account at this point because I am applying for the extension within Thailand. That's what confuses me now. Thanks for your replies.

You cannot extend the validity of a visa, but you can extend the permission of stay granted by entry of a visa.

Understand that Thai Embassies and Consulates in other Countries are regulated by Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who dictate the available visa types and attached conditions thereof.
Thai Immigration regulate the conditions for entering and remaining in Thailand.
Two different entities.

 

This general information posted by the MFA may make it clearer;

7. Please note that the period of visa validity is different from the period of stay.  Visa validity is the period during which a visa can be used to enter Thailand.  In general, the validity of a visa is 3 months, but in some cases, visas may be issued to be valid for 6 months, 1 year or 3 years.  The validity of a visa is granted with discretion by the Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General and is displayed on the visa sticker. 

8. On the other hand, the period of stay is granted by an immigration officer upon arrival at the port of entry and in accordance with the type of visa.  For example, the period of stay for a transit visa is not exceeding 30 days, for a tourist visa is not exceeding 60 days and for a non-immigrant visa is not exceeding 90 days from the arrival date.  The period of stay granted by the immigration officer is displayed on the arrival stamp.  Travellers who wish to stay longer than such period may apply for extension of stay at offices of the Immigration Bureau

https://www.mfa.go.th/en/page/general-information?menu=5e1ff6d057b01e00a6391dc5

 

How a Non Imm O-A visa works in practice:

A multi entry Non Imm O-A Visa. (Long stay). Valid 1 year. Can be issued to those who are over +50 who intend to remain in Thailand for long periods. This Visa allows unlimited 1 year entries before the ‘enter before’ date of the Visa, at which point this Visa is ‘used’.

If you leave and re-enter just before the ‘enter before’ date of this Visa type you are granted another 1 year permission to stay. You will however require a re-entry permit if you intend to leave and re-enter Thailand during this 2nd year permission of stay period.

This is because when the Visa expires on the ‘enter before’ date, so does the ME facility, which is only valid for the duration of the Visa's validity (1 year)

If used correctly, you can stay in Thailand for almost 24 months with this Visa type.

 

If the Visa was issued 1st July 2022, it would be valid until 30th June 2023. You enter Thailand 10th July 2022, you'll be granted a permission of stay (POS) until 9th July 2023*.

 

You exit Thailand in Sept and re-enter Oct 4th 2022.

On entry, you'll be granted POS until Oct 3rd 2023*. (1 year).

 

You exit Thailand again in Feb 2023 and re-enter March18th 2023.

On entry, you'll be granted POS until March 17th 2024*. (1 year)

 

To take full advantage of the Visa's potential, do a border run and re-enter on June 29th 2023, the day before the Visa expiry date.

On entry, you'll be granted POS until June 28th 2024*.(1 year).

 

However, because the validity of the Visa has now expired, so has the multi entry facility attached to the Visa. If you want to exit and re-enter between the June 29th 2023 and June 28th 2024*, you can protect this period of stay by purchasing a re-entry permit, 1000 baht single entry, 3,800 baht multi entry.

 

If you exit and re-enter anytime now during the period June 29th 2023 and June 28th 2024, on each entry you'll be granted permission of stay until June 28th 2024*.

From the above example, you can clearly see how you can stay for almost 2 years before either applying for a new Non Imm O-A Visa, or apply to extend your stay at a local Immigration office. (Financials apply)

 

*Subject to the mandatory Health Insurance policy validity date. (see below).

 

A mandatory Health Insurance policy requiring 3,000,000 THB ($100,000) cover is required for the Non Imm O-A Visa application. The permission of stay granted on any entry is impacted by the expiry date of the Insurance policy. Any permission of stay granted on entry will be limited to the expiry date of the Insurance policy. You should therefore consider a 2 year Health Insurance policy so as not to affect the periods of stay granted on multiple entries.

 

Simple example;
If the mandatory Insurance policy was issued with a start date of 1st July and the Non Imm 0-A issued on 1st July, but you didn't enter Thailand until 1st August, then on entry instead of being granted permission of stay for 12 months, you would only be granted permission of stay for 11 months, that being the expiry date of the Insurance policy.

 

Following the above.

 

If you didn't want to return to a Thai Embassy to obtain a new Non Imm O-A visa, but wanted to stay in Thailand, then you would have to apply to extend your period of stay at a local Immigration office subject to meeting the criteria set by Thai Immigration.

For a 1-year extension based on retirement, the financial requirements are thus;

 

 

Because you entered using a Non Imm O-A visa that was subject to a mandatory Health Insurance policy, that requirement also applies to applications to extend your stay.

 

If you aren't willing to deposit 800K in a Thai bank to meet the 'funds' method, start transferring 65K per month from overseas. Once you have a year of international transfers (12 x 65K) to a Thai bank account as evidence of monthly income, you can apply for an extension using the 'income' method.

5 hours ago, kawipan said:

Hi Liquorice - Thanks for the tip about LMG health insurance company, will check them out.

 

https://www.lmginsurance.co.th/sites/default/files/documents/Individual/Long_Stay_100000/Health_Long_Stay_VISA_Plus_Premium_USD_100000.pdf

 

OR

https://aseannow.com/topic/1263789-non-immigrant-oa-visa-health-insurance/

(Posted 2022)

LMG remains the cheapest OA insurance imo, here’s a chart for the new insurance coverage premiums .

 

 

 

If you wish to continue with LMG contact this person, good English and very helpful.

Kannika Tepbootrdee

kannika.(at)lmginsurance.co.th

 

Many health insurance policies are nothing more than a scam... and the exceptions, and how they wriggle out of it, is in the fine print, which you should take some time to read and consider properly.

As with many things, you pay for what you get on this, and the older you get, the more expensive it becomes with pre-existing contitions not covered. If you just want to satisfy immigration, then fine, do a cheap Charlie one... but it won't cover you for anything.

3 minutes ago, Sir Dude said:

If you just want to satisfy immigration, then fine, do a cheap Charlie one... but it won't cover you for anything.

Or just avoid a Non O-A visa. 

Pretty much dead duck in the water IMO. 

Or.,.Obtain a Non O retirement and organize your own insurance independently or self insure. Up to the individual

I had an OA for 6 years.

 

You have to show the proof of funds in a Thai bank account to get a 1 year extension of stay in Thailand. With an OA you should be able to get a Thai bank account and you have plenty of time to get the account. I believe you have to continue to use the deposit method with your first extension. You then simultaneously make 12 monthly deposits of 65,000 baht to your Thai bank account to qualify using the monthly deposit method for your second 1 year extension. 
 

I have had Pacific Cross insurance for the past 7 years. I’ve never made a claim but otherwise am happy with them.

3 hours ago, Liquorice said:

Following the above.

 

If you didn't want to return to a Thai Embassy to obtain a new Non Imm O-A visa, but wanted to stay in Thailand, then you would have to apply to extend your period of stay at a local Immigration office subject to meeting the criteria set by Thai Immigration.

For a 1-year extension based on retirement, the financial requirements are thus;

 

 

Because you entered using a Non Imm O-A visa that was subject to a mandatory Health Insurance policy, that requirement also applies to applications to extend your stay.

 

If you aren't willing to deposit 800K in a Thai bank to meet the 'funds' method, start transferring 65K per month from overseas. Once you have a year of international transfers (12 x 65K) to a Thai bank account as evidence of monthly income, you can apply for an extension using the 'income' method.

 

Thanks Liquorice, I actually was aware of all that already.

I just didn't know (and still don't) whether immigration would accept proof of the equivalent of 65k monthly deposits into a (non-Thai) bank account in the applicant's home country. It seems that most of you are saying it has to be into a Thai bank account. And also a few have said that the income method won't work the first time you try to extend within Thailand (for O and OA). This is confusing because I have never seen any documentation that states that income method is not accepted and only the funds method is accepted for the first extension within Thailand, as I have also never seen any documentation that states that 65k must be into a Thai account. Even your posted image only says that the funds method requires it to be deposited into a Thai account but it doesn't state the income method needs to specifically be deposited into a Thai account. However, I trust you guys know what you're talking about so I'm gonna take you at your word that this is just the way it is.

1 hour ago, Martyp said:

I had an OA for 6 years.

 

You have to show the proof of funds in a Thai bank account to get a 1 year extension of stay in Thailand. With an OA you should be able to get a Thai bank account and you have plenty of time to get the account. I believe you have to continue to use the deposit method with your first extension. You then simultaneously make 12 monthly deposits of 65,000 baht to your Thai bank account to qualify using the monthly deposit method for your second 1 year extension. 
 

I have had Pacific Cross insurance for the past 7 years. I’ve never made a claim but otherwise am happy with them.

 

Hi Martyp, yup that's what people seem to be saying: that it has to be into a Thai account, and that the first extension from within Thailand needs to be the funds method. I didn't see anything written specifically on this, but I trust you guys know what you're talking about.

14 minutes ago, kawipan said:

This is confusing because I have never seen any documentation that states that income method is not accepted and only the funds method is accepted for the first extension within Thailand, as I have also never seen any documentation that states that 65k must be into a Thai account.

 

 

 

On 10/20/2025 at 9:59 PM, Liquorice said:

 

 

 

There is a difference between getting the original visa and getting extensions of that visa. There is also a difference between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and it’s consulates and the Department of Immigration inside Thailand. The rules for acquiring a visa from a consulate are different than getting a visa or extension from the Department of Immigration inside Thailand. Thai Immigration says that funds for visa extensions must be in a Thai bank account. 

On 9/16/2025 at 10:55 PM, oldcpu said:

Of course you could simply leave Thailand every year, timed to invalidate your OA visa, and apply again for an OA visa when in the Philippines

I thought if you left and returned prior to the OA expiring you could get another year out of it?

About the insurance expense, if you're keen on having insurance in Thailand, wouldn't that cost be the same either way? ie on OA or O.

Also, with the O I believe it needs an extra passport thingy to come and go as you please, unlike the OA?

2 hours ago, BaanOz said:

I thought if you left and returned prior to the OA expiring you could get another year out of it?

A Non O-A visa is valid for 12 months. 

It's a multi entry visa. By exiting Thailand just prior to its expiry you will be stamped in for another year. 

So yes in reality two years before you need extensions. 

Note you need health insurance for the "second year" 

2 hours ago, BaanOz said:

About the insurance expense, if you're keen on having insurance in Thailand, wouldn't that cost be the same either way? ie on OA or O.

No health insurance required for Non O or for extensions from a Non O. 

2 hours ago, BaanOz said:

Also, with the O I believe it needs an extra passport thingy to come and go as you please, unlike the OA?

Non O is single entry. After obtaining a 12 month extension you need buy a reentry permit to exit and reenter Thailand. 

Note: this is also required for second year of Non O-A and extensions. 

Non O-A dead duck IMO. 

On 10/27/2025 at 3:44 PM, BaanOz said:

I thought if you left and returned prior to the OA expiring you could get another year out of it?
 

 

Correct but note the phrase "timed to invalidate your OA visa".  If you were to leave just before the OA expired but didn't return until after the OA expired or left during the 2nd year without a re-entry permit then your OA is finished and you can apply for a new OA. You don't have to take advantage of the 2nd year option. 

25 minutes ago, Martyp said:

You don't have to take advantage of the 2nd year option

While I can see why some (not many) would opt to obtain a new Non O-A every two years for couple of reasons eg no money in Thai bank etc... 

I can't imagine why anyone would not opt for obtaining the "second year" from the Non O-A

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

While I can see why some (not many) would opt to obtain a new Non O-A every two years for couple of reasons eg no money in Thai bank etc... 

I can't imagine why anyone would not opt for obtaining the "second year" from the Non O-A

 

I got 18 months on my OA. I just happened to go to Cambodia the first year. Otherwise what is the point? I already had a bank account with money in it. I just went for the 1 year extension. The goal, as I see it, to get to 1 year extensions.