Hello to all that knows about this.im UK resident .

(1) can i arrange an o-a visa ( long stay ) from a Thai Consulate within the UK ?

(2) if so can i travel on a one way flight ?

(3) if i have obtained single /multipule entries I take it i still have to get a re-entry permit on leaving ?

(4) once in Thailand do i at any stage have to report to immigration ?

1. If UK resident you can apply at Consulate section of Embassy in London only.

2. Yes but that is an airline matter and any visa should allow travel one way.

3. A multi entry would not re-entry permit for return while the one year visa was valid (one year from date of issue). A single entry would require a re-entry permit for any travel.

4. You must report address every 90 days if in country and prior to one year stay ending you would normally extend for the next year.

thank you Lopburi3. you say London consulate only can issue can i do by post or must i do in person ?

Im just doing mine now inside Thailand.

Is the medical still necessary? I thought I read somewhere that they had dropped it.

Cheers

Police check and medical are only required for the O-A visa. In country you do not obtain an O-A visa but extend a non immigrant O visa for retirement. All you need is the visa entry/financials/passport and some proof of address.

thank you Lopburi3. you say London consulate only can issue can i do by post or must i do in person ?

You must do in person - an alternative is to just obtain a single entry non immigrant O visa (which other Consulates may be able to provide by mail) and do your extension once in Thailand. The money must be in account here 2 months or use Embassy letter of income but no police check or medical required and the 90 days allowed with visa should be enough time. You can even do it from a tourist visa if need to do.

thank you Lopburi3. you say London consulate only can issue can i do by post or must i do in person ?

You must do in person - an alternative is to just obtain a single entry non immigrant O visa (which other Consulates may be able to provide by mail) and do your extension once in Thailand. The money must be in account here 2 months or use Embassy letter of income but no police check or medical required and the 90 days allowed with visa should be enough time. You can even do it from a tourist visa if need to do.

sorry Lopburi3 for being a nusiance. but Embassy letter ? how do they know about your finances?

what is the proceedure for going about getting a letter? also do you have to make a copy in Thai?

You visit your Embassy and request such a letter, for a fee. In the case of UK they will require you show them some proof of the amount and it is entered on a letter that you sign and they notarize. Normally this is all that is required although immigration can also ask for the supporting paperwork to check. It does not have to be translated from English.

The OA can only be issued by the Royal Thai Embassy in London it must be done in person.

The visa & long stay application forms as well as the medical certificate can be downloaded from their site.

Apply for the multi entry. (towards the end of the first year a border run will give you another 12mths without showing funds in Thailand (almost 2yrs on the same visa). You will require a re-entry permit for your 2nd year and each year thereafter if you wish to leave the country.

You will also require a police report and pension / bank statements.

When completed they need to be notarised by a notary solicitor before submitting.

Its a lot easier than it sounds and as I said the main advantage is that you will not need to have funds in Thailand for almost 2 yrs when you apply for your first extension. No border runs just 90 day reporting.

(I used this route 3yrs ago)

Retirement/ Long stay Visa "O-A"

Edited February 21, 201214 yr by Tafia