Hi all, I'm new to this forum and this is my first post here 😅

I just got my OA visa approved and scheduled to enter Thailand via BKK later this month.

Mind if I ask a few questions?

At the airport, do I need to print out or show the officer anything other than my passport?

My visa is valid from 1 Aug 2026 to 31 Jul 2027, my insurance until 18 Aug 2027, and I will enter Thailand on 19 Aug 2026. Does that mean my permission to stay will be until 18 Aug 2027?

To get the "free second year" on the O-A, all I need to do is exit and enter Thailand on or just before 31 Jul 2027?

Do I need to proactively show the officer the new insurance for another year (digital or paper?), or will it be in their system already?

800k THB in a Thai bank account is not needed right?

I intend to convert my driving license and maybe get a scooter license as well. Do I need a residence certificate or will a TM30 suffice?

What about opening a bank account?

Is a 90 days report required?

That's all for now.

Thanks all.

Excited but apprehensive to start a new life in Thailand!

How about we get you IN to the country first and you don't get ahead of yourself worrying about the "free" second year ?

PRINT out the PDF they sent you when your visa was approved (that PDF file IS your visa)
PRINT out your proof of the year mandatory health insurance

Hand those two things to the officer when you stamp in AND when they had your passport back CHECK that you got stamped in on Non-OA, for a year (or as long as your health insurance is valid for up to a year) BEFORE you walk away from the counter at passport control

Also don't forget to file a TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) which you can do from 3 days before your arrival right on down to when you're standing in the arrival hall (there are free kiosks there to do it)

Not that I didn't want to answer your questions but you're getting the cart before the horse a bit.. Take it step by step, you got a while to figure out what to do next year

𝗧𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 "𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿" 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢-𝗔, 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗜 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝟯𝟭 𝗝𝘂𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳?
As long as you get a new year mandatory health insurance (which you PRINT OUT) and exit/re-enter on/before your OA visa will expire you will get stamped in for a whole new year (or as long as your insurance is valid for up to a year)

𝗗𝗼 𝗜 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 (𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿?), 𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆?
Yes, PRINT the new year insurance coverage paper the carrier sends you when you renew, NO it will NOT be in their system

𝟴𝟬𝟬𝗸 𝗧𝗛𝗕 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁?
Correct to get that "free" second year you don't show proof of funds.. You're only activating a new entry on a year-long, multi-entry visa and getting a new year entry stamp.

Additional;

To get the "free second year" on the O-A, all I need to do is exit and enter Thailand on or just before 31 Jul 2027?

• Yes.

Do I need to proactively show the officer the new insurance for another year (digital or paper?), or will it be in their system already?

• Print it, they won't have any idea if you have it or not.

800k THB in a Thai bank account is not needed right?

• Correct

I intend to convert my driving license and maybe get a scooter license as well. Do I need a residence certificate or will a TM30 suffice?

• You will need a letter of residence (so called residence certificate).

What about opening a bank account?

• Should be OK with O-A

Is a 90 days report required

• Yes.

2 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

Is a 90 days report required

• Yes.

Wouldn't that mean I can't do anything during the first 90 days?

Unfortunately I am going overseas from Thailand in late Sep for a short holiday. This would mean my 90 days is reset, and I would have to wait even longer?

Thanks.

1 minute ago, ngozumpa said:

Wouldn't that mean I can't do anything during the first 90 days?

Unfortunately I am going overseas from Thailand in late Sep for a short holiday. This would mean my 90 days is reset, and I would have to wait even longer?

Thanks.

Can't do anything? Like what? In the past Bangkok immigration wouldn't issue a letter of residence if you had not done a 90 day report. That is no longer the case. I can't think of anything else which can't be done without a 90 day report.

2 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

Can't do anything? Like what? In the past Bangkok immigration wouldn't issue a letter of residence if you had not done a 90 day report. That is no longer the case. I can't think of anything else which can't be done without a 90 day report.

Oh I meant do I need a 90-days report to open bank account, convert/get vehicle license etc 😅

So currently I can get a residence certificate even without a 90-days?

Sorry for the confusion.

7 minutes ago, ngozumpa said:

Oh I meant do I need a 90-days report to open bank account, convert/get vehicle license etc 😅

No, no office requires you to have a 90 day report done to get a certificate of residence

7 minutes ago, ngozumpa said:

I can get a residence certificate even without a 90-days?

Bangkok dropped the "must have a 90 day report receipt a good while ago when you apply for a certificate of residence (and they were the only office that did it I believe) Most offices require a TM30 receipt, lease, and that's about it

6 minutes ago, ngozumpa said:

Oh I meant do I need a 90-days report to open bank account, convert/get vehicle license etc 😅

So currently I can get a residence certificate even without a 90-days?

Sorry for the confusion.

You wont need a 90 day report for a bank account. Likely a lease contract/visa copy and probably letter of residence.

Certainly Bangkok (Chaeng Watthana) will issue a letter of residence without a 90 day report. And others also do, as I have had them from Pattaya in the past without.

But as with everything no 2 offices work the same way, whether its immigration, driving license (DLT) or bank. But I doubt you'll have any major issues, 90 days reports are rarely of interest to anybody.

11 minutes ago, ngozumpa said:

Oh I meant do I need a 90-days report to open bank account, convert/get vehicle license etc

No.

You will require a COR for the Thai car and bike licence.

Note if you obtain both at same time one COR and photocopy is sufficient.

Re bank account ... The bank may very well require a COR.

Varies with banks or even branches.

Assume you won't have a lease?

Just now, DrJack54 said:

Assume you won't have a lease?

My first 1month+ is from Airbnb, so I don't think there will be a lease. I did request for a TM30 receipt though (this is in softcopy right?).

I am thinking of using this period to look around for something more permanent.

After this first 1month+ I will go overseas for a 2-weeks holiday and come back hopefully to a new lease.

2 minutes ago, ngozumpa said:

After this first 1month+ I will go overseas for a 2-weeks holiday and come back hopefully to a new lease.

Just my opinion.

I would put everything off re TDL + bank account etc until after the trip abroad you refer to.

When you have a 12 month lease then plenty of time to address other matters.

Think Tod pointed that out in first post.

BTW: check with Airbnb host that he is doing a TM30

8 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

BTW: check with Airbnb host that he is doing a TM30

Would there be any problem if he doesn't?

3 minutes ago, ngozumpa said:

Would there be any problem if he doesn't?

Not really as you don't need to have dealings with immigration.

However anything to do with TDL, Bank a/c etc you would require a COR and immigration most likely/would request a TM30.

Added note: personally would avoid BBL Bank.

Do you have short list of which area in Thailand to live

10 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Do you have short list of which area in Thailand to live

Bangkok first.

I am also thinking of Chiang Mai or the north in the future.

Not that you asked however if you end up long term living in Thailand you may opt after couple of years to kill off the Non O-A and obtain a Non O.

O-A extensions require health insurance.

16 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Not that you asked however if you end up long term living in Thailand you may opt after couple of years to kill off the Non O-A and obtain a Non O.

O-A extensions require health insurance.

Yes I am considering that too ... I just realise if I do the "free" OA second year, I would have to let my OA expire.

So either I extend my OA year after year, or change it to an O.

One of the reasons I applied for an OA first in my home country is to circumvent the requirement for a thai bank account/800k. Insurance is still cheap for me, probably cheaper than paying an agent for a bank account.

12 minutes ago, ngozumpa said:

One of the reasons I applied for an OA first in my home country is to circumvent the requirement for a thai bank account/800k.

Seems that's one thing you did not understand.

You could have obtained a Non O eVisa.

The funds do not have to be in a Thai Bank account.

If you had entered with a Non O you would be stamped in for 90 days and straight away open a Bank account and then transfer the 800k.

The guy in this video gives clear advice. Bags Non O-A to some extent.

https://youtu.be/6_WrHGxNLIg?si=7tUa-3x0mdrwixna

15 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Seems that's one thing you did not understand.

You could have obtained a Non O eVisa.

The funds do not have to be in a Thai Bank account.

If you had entered with a Non O you would be stamped in for 90 days and straight away open a Bank account and then transfer the 800k.

The guy in this video gives clear advice. Bags Non O-A to some extent.

https://youtu.be/6_WrHGxNLIg?si=7tUa-3x0mdrwixna

You mean apply for a non-O in my home country?

Doesn't seem to be available as a choice from my local Thai embassy via the evisa site.

I only see OA and OX for long stay, and a long list of others.

18 minutes ago, ngozumpa said:

Doesn't seem to be available as a choice from my local Thai embassy via the evisa site.

Which embassy? It will be there.

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Which embassy? It will be there.

Ah mine is slightly different, and I totally missed the 90 days one as I was looking for "Non Immigrant O" or something 🤣

Edited August 1Aug 1 by ngozumpa

12 minutes ago, ngozumpa said:

Non Immigrant O" or something

That's the one.

Requirement is age 50+

Single entry. Upon entry the visa is used and you are given a 90 day stamp during which time you transfer the funds to a Thai Bank account and season for 2 months to obtain the 12 month extension.

In any event not important now as you have a Non O-A

6 hours ago, ngozumpa said:

Yes I am considering that too ... I just realise if I do the "free" OA second year, I would have to let my OA expire.

So either I extend my OA year after year, or change it to an O.

I'm not sure you fully understand how the system works.

The validity of a visa, is different than the period of stay (permission of stay = POS)

The validity of the visa is the period in which you can travel and request entry to Thailand.
The POS is granted on entry subject to the valid visa type.
The Non O-A permits a stay of 1 year on each entry during it's validity, subject to the expiry date of the compulsory Health Insurance.

8 hours ago, ngozumpa said:

My visa is valid from 1 Aug 2026 to 31 Jul 2027, my insurance until 18 Aug 2027, and I will enter Thailand on 19 Aug 2026. Does that mean my permission to stay will be until 18 Aug 2027?

7 hours ago, ngozumpa said:

After this first 1month+ I will go overseas for a 2-weeks holiday and come back hopefully to a new lease.

When you enter on 19th August, you will be permitted to stay until Aug 18th 2027 (expiry date of Insurance)

If you exit and renter anytime during the validity of the visa, on reentry you will be stamped in again until Aug 18th 2027, that being the expiry date of your Insurance.

6 hours ago, ngozumpa said:

Yes I am considering that too ... I just realise if I do the "free" OA second year, I would have to let my OA expire.

So either I extend my OA year after year, or change it to an O.

You cannot extend a visa, you extend the POS at a local Immigration office.

If you exit and reenter just prior to the expiry validity date of the visa, you will be permitted to stay for 1 year, subject to the expiry date of the compulsory Health Insurance.

However during the 2nd year POS, as your visa has now expired, so has the multi entry expired.
If you intended to exit and re-enter during the second year of stay, you would need to purchase a reentry permit to protect any POS.

You can apply for a new Non O-A visa again from your Thai Embassy, or you can extend your POS at a local Immigration office, subject to having the compulsory Health Insurance and 800K deposited in a Thai bank.

21 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

I'm not sure you fully understand how the system works

My thinking is OP fully understands everything you outlined.

Why I'm not sure of you post.

The OP was not aware of option to apply for Non O eVisa.

Your suggestion of another Non O-A is a nonsense.

You stated.....

"You can apply for a new Non O-A visa again from your Thai Embassy, or you can extend your POS at a local Immigration office, subject to having the compulsory Health Insurance and 800K deposited in a Thai bank"

Is that a quote.

24 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

My thinking is OP fully understands everything you outlined.

Why I'm not sure of you post.

Obviously not when he stated;

8 hours ago, ngozumpa said:

So either I extend my OA year after year, or change it to an O.

31 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You stated.....

"You can apply for a new Non O-A visa again from your Thai Embassy, or you can extend your POS at a local Immigration office, subject to having the compulsory Health Insurance and 800K deposited in a Thai bank"

Is that a quote.

Huh!

My words, why what didn't you understand?

33 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Your suggestion of another Non O-A is a nonsense.

Not if the OP doesn't want to eventually deposit 800K in a Thai bank account.

46 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Not if the OP doesn't want to eventually deposit 800K in a Thai bank account.

Read the posts from OP.

He stuffed up in eVisa process and overlooked the option of a Non O retirement in eVisa application.

Has happened previously.

So now he is stuck with extensions from a Non O-A.

The 800k using money in bank method will be required for extensions from Non O and Non O-A.

He stuffed up.

The OP seems wants to live ongoing in Thailand.

Non O-A was poor option

54 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Not if the OP doesn't want to eventually deposit 800K in a Thai bank account.

That would require him to return to pp country every 2 years to obtain new Non O-A

Is that a serious suggestion.

OP already indicated advice to open bank account.

From OP...

"Ah mine is slightly different, and I totally missed the 90 days one as I was looking for "Non Immigrant O"

He overlooked option for Non O

11 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Read the posts from OP.

He stuffed up in eVisa process and overlooked the option of a Non O retirement in eVisa application.

Has happened previously.

So now he is stuck with extensions from a Non O-A.

The 800k using money in bank method will be required for extensions from Non O and Non O-A.

He stuffed up.

The OP seems wants to live ongoing in Thailand.

Non O-A was poor option

I read every post.

This topic isn't about what the OP could have, should have, or didn't do regarding a Non O visa, he's already obtained the Non O-A, and his questions related directly to that visa type.
He appeared aware with the O-A he didn't have to put 800K in a Thai bank account, and it was possible to stay for up to 2 years. He also mention the cost of his Insurance was cheaper than that of using an agent.

I posted some pointers on how the Non O-A visa worked in practice, without criticising the choice he made, or suggesting he stuffed up.

10 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

This topic isn't about what the OP could have, should have, or didn't do regarding a Non O visa, he's already obtained the Non O-A, and his questions related directly to that visa type

Yes he has a Non O-A and knows what it provides and what he needs to do for second year.

Fact is he mistakingly thought the Non O eVisa was not unavailable when he stated.....

"You mean apply for a non-O in my home country?

Doesn't seem to be available as a choice from my local Thai embassy via the evisa site.

I only see OA and OX for long stay, and a long list of others"

His reference to cost of agent for bank account is also a misunderstanding.

Most if not all agents will only assist with opening a bank account if they are also doing the Non O or extension or both.

He now is aware that he can open a bank account with a Non O-A or Non O.

His plan seems to be to live in Thailand.

He is also aware of what he may wish to do in future to kill off the Non O-A and obtain a Non O in order to avoid insurance.