Questions Regarding Requirements Forthai O-A Visa From Usa

[TedGuhl]

To whom it may concern,

I wish to apply for the Non Immigrant O-A visa from the Consulate in NYC in order to retire in Thailand. I have the forms and have read the instructions online, however, several area are unclear to me. For instance:

1. It says:

• Three copies of bank statement showing a deposit at the amount equal to no less than 800,000 Baht, or an income certificate (an original copy) with a monthly salary of no less than 65,000 Baht, or a deposit account plus a monthly income of no less than 800,000 Baht a year.
  
• Letter of guarantee from the bank (original copy).
  

Are these required from the back in the US. I obviously do not have a Thai bank account yet. And what exactly is a "Letter of guarantee"?

• The Application form asks for Name and Address of References both in the USA and in Thailand.
  

What kind of references? Personal? What if I do not have one from Thailand?

• It asks for the Number of Entries Requested
  

I wish multiple entries once I have the actual retirement extension. Should I ask for those on this form or request "single" and change it when I fill out the extension forms in Thailand.? Should I write in "multiple" or a number?

• Duration of Stay
  

Should this be 90 days or one year?

As I understand it, I apply for this visa - "Non Immigrant O-A" and that is for 90 days and then when I get to Thailand, I must apply at the embassy there for the extension to a year? Is this correct? Or can I apply for the Retirement visa for a year here in the states?

[wayned]

One of the advantages with an O/A visa is that you do not have to have money in a Thai Bank, it can be kept in your bank in the US until you extend the visa in Thailand. The letter is a letter from the bank stating the amount that you have in the bank account and the balance must matct the bankbook. It has to equate toat least 80000 baht at the exhange rate the day you apply. Currently about $.27000.

The references are only personal references. If you don't have one in Thailand, PM me and I will get one for you.

You should request a multiple. The visa will be issued for one year and everytime you enter Thailand you will be granted 1 year permission to stay. If you leave and reenter the day before the visa expires, you will get an additional year. You would have to purchase a re-entry permint, single 1000 baht, multiple 3800 baht, if you wanted to exit Thailand guring that last year. So you can get 2 years out of your 1 year visa. Toward the end of the extension, you can apply for another year, but you would have to have 800000 baht in a Thai bank for at least 2 months before you apply. You do not have to leave the country at anytime other than the day before the visa expires to activate the second year. You will have to do address reports at immigration, as we all do, evrery 90 days that you are continuosly in Thailand

Duration of stay - "forever" if your retiring, but 1 year is acceptable.

[CharlieH]

Do it in Thailand, NO police report NO medical NO references and much easier all around, all thats really needed is the income or capital and job done.

[moe666]

Do it in Thailand, NO police report NO medical NO references and much easier all around, all thats really needed is the income or capital and job done.

But by doing it in the states he gets 2 years with only 90 day reports to immigration

[NancyL]

I think the OP is a little confused in the difference between an O-A visa and an O visa with a retirement extension. Both are commonly called "retirement visas".

O-A visa

• obtained in one's home country
  
• funds do not have to be in a Thai bank
  
• need to obtain a medical check
  
• need to obtain a criminal check
  
• visa valid for 12 months, but with a multi-entry visa it's possible to exit and re-enter Thailand just before expiration of the visa and obtain another 12 months permission to stay, making the visa effective for nearly 2 years
  

O visa

• can be obtained either in one's home country or in Thailand (enter country on 30 day visa exempt status)
  
• 800,000 baht account must be in Thailand and on deposit for at least 60 days prior to first extension, 90 days for subsequent extensions *****but******
  
• can also show financial worth with monthly income of 65,000 baht; funds do not need to come into Thailand
  
• no need for medical check
  
• no need for criminal check
  
• visa valid for 90 days, but during the last 30 days of the visa you extend permission to stay for 12 months based on retirement if you meet financial requirements
  
• you can leave and enter Thailand at will, provided you have a re-entry permit that keeps your permission to stay alive
  

with both an O-A and and O visa you have to report to your local immigration office and file a no-charge one-page form if you remain in the Kingdom for more than 90 concurrent days and you never have to leave Thailand to continue to extend your permission to stay

[lopburi3]

Picky. Good summary.

O visa can often be obtained in any country - not only home country - for those of retirement age. For conversion in Thailand any type of non immigrant visa entry is allowed so a tourist could also change. In some cases conversion and extension has been allowed on one visit - at other times it is return in 60 days with new paperwork.

[NancyL]

Thanks, Lopburi. It's too late for me to edit my post. I was wondering about the possibility of obtaining an O visa anywhere, not just one's home country as I was typing.

I didn't get into the details of what if basically a third route to a "retirement visa" -- enter on 30 day visa exempt status, obtain an O visa and then extend it for 12 months due to retirement. I thought that might be too many details to throw at the OP at once! I know Hubby and I were totally confused about all this four years ago when we were in the U.S. contemplating retirement in Thailand.

[TedGuhl]

Thank you everyone. With your help and a very helpful email answer from the Thai Consulate in NYC, I think i understand what to do. If I read this all correctly, I can apply for the O-A visa in NYC and get one that is good for a year. At least that is what I am hoping. I will deal with comprehending the 90 day reporting later.

[lopburi3]

Single or multi entry will be valid for a one year stay on entry but the multi entry allows travel and return for new one year stays during the validity so is well worth the extra cost for most people.

[moe666]

If you do the Non O-A visa get the multiply entry a lot more convient and good for 2 years.

[lopburi3]

Actually the visa is only good for one year. But if you make an entry just before it expires you will get the normal one year permitted to stay (but any travel during that year will require a re-entry permit to keep it alive).

[Backwoods]

Thank you everyone. With your help and a very helpful email answer from the Thai Consulate in NYC, I think i understand what to do. If I read this all correctly, I can apply for the O-A visa in NYC and get one that is good for a year. At least that is what I am hoping. I will deal with comprehending the 90 day reporting later.

Apply at consulate there, and get retirement Visa, form then on you get an extension for one yes appied at immigration.