Hi Guy,

One of my relatives who lives in the UAE, is interesting in moving to thailand on retirement visa. They are a couple. Generally what documents are required to apply non-OA single entry from a thai embassy abroad? Do they need to show 800K THB equivalent in UAE currency in a joint account there? Usually is there a seasoning requirement also?

The normal requirement is over age 50 and having proof of financials in own account or both if both want the O-A visa. Local police clearance and medical is always required and legal residence in country of application is also a normal requirement.

The longer version: http://www.thaiembassy.org/abudhabi/en/services/24570-Types-of-Visa-and-Requirements.html

4. Non-Immigrant Visa “O-A” (Long Stay)

This type of visa may be issued to applicants aged 50 years and over who wish to stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 1 year without the intention of working.

Holder of this type of visa is allowed to stay in Thailand for 1 year. Employment of any kind is strictly prohibited.

4.1. Eligibility

4.1.1 Applicant must be aged 50 years and over (on the day of submitting application).

4.1.2 Applicant not prohibited from entering the Kingdom as provided by the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979).

4.1.3 Having no criminal record in Thailand and the country of the applicant’s nationality or residence.

4.1.4 Having the nationality of or residence in the country where applicant’s application is submitted.

4.1.5 Not having prohibitive diseases (Leprosy, Tuberculosis, drug addiction, Elephantiasis, third phase of Syphilis) as indicated in the Ministerial Regulation No. 14 B.E. 2535.

4.2. Required Documents

- Passport with validity of not less than 18 months.

- 3 copies of completed visa application forms.

- 3 passport-sized photos (4 x 6 cm) of the applicant taken within the past six months.

- A personal data form.

- A copy of bank statement showing a deposit of the amount equal to and not less than 800,000 Baht or an income certificate (an original copy) with a monthly income of not less than 65,000 Baht, or a deposit account plus a monthly income totaling not less than 800,000 Baht.

- In the case of submitting a bank statement, a letter of guarantee from the bank (an original copy) is required.

- A letter of verification issued from the country of his or her nationality or residence stating that the applicant has no criminal record (verification shall be valid for not more than three months and should be notarized by notary organs or the applicant’s diplomatic or consular mission).

- A medical certificate issued from the country where the application is submitted, showing no prohibitive diseases as indicated in the Ministerial Regulation No.14 (B.E. 2535) (certificate shall be valid for not more than three months and should be notarized by notary organs or the applicant’s diplomatic or consular mission).

- In the case where the accompanying spouse is not eligible to apply for the Category ‘O-A’ (Long Stay) visa, he or she will be considered for temporary stay under Category ‘O’ visa. A marriage certificate must be provided as evidence and should be notarized by notary organs or by the applicant’s diplomatic or consular mission.

4.3. Channels to submit application

Applicant may submit their application at the Royal Thai embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General in their home/residence country or at the Office of the Immigration Bureau in Thailand located on Soi Suan Plu, South Sathorn Road, Sathorn District, Bangkok 10120. Tel 0-2287-4948 (direct) or 0-2287-3101 - 10 ext. 2236.

4.4. Visa fee

240 AED for single entry
650 AED for multiple entries

Edited June 16, 201610 yr by lopburi3

Thanks Lop. I checked the link. The info seems incorrect there. They say that the holder will get a 1 year stamp on arrival. Lol. Seems the embassy people dont know their own rules.

If they come over on a tourist visa and then convert it to Non-OA here at immigration, what's the usual process?

Your friend needs to research the difference between a Non Immi OA visa ( which gets you stamped in for a year) and a Non Immi O visa (based on retirement) which gets you stamped in for 90 days.

Thanks Lop. I checked the link. The info seems incorrect there. They say that the holder will get a 1 year stamp on arrival. Lol. Seems the embassy people dont know their own rules.

That is exactly what you get with an O-A visa entry - and if multi entry you get a new one year stamp on any entry until it expires one year from date of issue - so you can stay almost 2 years on the one visa before you need to extend at Immigration.

Your friend needs to research the difference between a Non Immi OA visa ( which gets you stamped in for a year) and a Non Immi O visa (based on retirement) which gets you stamped in for 90 days.

Can you explain the difference between both of these? So I could explain to them accordingly. Its a new info for even myself ( I m a PR btw)

Your friend needs to research the difference between a Non Immi OA visa ( which gets you stamped in for a year) and a Non Immi O visa (based on retirement) which gets you stamped in for 90 days.

Can you explain the difference between both of these? So I could explain to them accordingly. Its a new info for even myself ( I m a PR btw)

The O-A allows you a one year stay on entry, during which time you only need to do 90 day reports to immigrations. During the first year you can exit and return to Thailand just using the visa. If you make an exit and return just before the O-A visa expires, you will be granted another full year's stay in Thailand. During the second year, since the visa will have expired, you would need a re-entry permit if you want to travel out of the country and return.

Toward the time that that permission to stay expires, you can apply to immigrations in Thailand for an extension of stay based on retirement. It's good for a one year stay and needs to be renewed annually. You would need to prove either a monthly income of at least Baht 65,000 a month OR have Baht 800,000 in a Thai bank OR combine the income and bank deposit to reach the Baht 800,000 total.

I was a resident of the UAE before I retired. I applied for and got a non-imm O-A at the Thai Consulate in Dubai. If you visit them, they have a printed set of information to guide you on the requirements for applying for the visa. They are very helpful. I got the O-A with no difficulty.

I would recommend you deal with the Thai Consulate in Dubai and NOT the Thai embassy in Abu Dhabi. The people at the consulate are far easier to deal with.

If they come over on a tourist visa and then convert it to Non-OA here at immigration, what's the usual process?

A person can only apply for a non-oa visa at a Thai embassy or consulate in their home country or country of legal residence.

A one year extension of stay based upon retirement can be applied for at immigration here.

A tourist visa entry can be changed to a 90 day non immigrant visa entry based upon qualifying for an extension of stay at some immigration offices (Bangkok and few offices in the central region). Then during the last 30 days of that entry a one year extension of stay can be applied for.

If possible it is best to get a single entry non-o visa before traveling to the country.

Your friend needs to research the difference between a Non Immi OA visa ( which gets you stamped in for a year) and a Non Immi O visa (based on retirement) which gets you stamped in for 90 days.

Can you explain the difference between both of these? So I could explain to them accordingly. Its a new info for even myself ( I m a PR btw)

The O-A allows you a one year stay on entry, during which time you only need to do 90 day reports to immigrations. During the first year you can exit and return to Thailand just using the visa. If you make an exit and return just before the O-A visa expires, you will be granted another full year's stay in Thailand. During the second year, since the visa will have expired, you would need a re-entry permit if you want to travel out of the country and return.

Toward the time that that permission to stay expires, you can apply to immigrations in Thailand for an extension of stay based on retirement. It's good for a one year stay and needs to be renewed annually. You would need to prove either a monthly income of at least Baht 65,000 a month OR have Baht 800,000 in a Thai bank OR combine the income and bank deposit to reach the Baht 800,000 total.

I was a resident of the UAE before I retired. I applied for and got a non-imm O-A at the Thai Consulate in Dubai. If you visit them, they have a printed set of information to guide you on the requirements for applying for the visa. They are very helpful. I got the O-A with no difficulty.

I would recommend you deal with the Thai Consulate in Dubai and NOT the Thai embassy in Abu Dhabi. The people at the consulate are far easier to deal with.

Thanks a million. Its really clear to me now. I checked their website and they have requirement for notarising the police report and medical certificate? Since you were a resident of the UAE, where did u notarise these?

Your friend needs to research the difference between a Non Immi OA visa ( which gets you stamped in for a year) and a Non Immi O visa (based on retirement) which gets you stamped in for 90 days.

Can you explain the difference between both of these? So I could explain to them accordingly. Its a new info for even myself ( I m a PR btw)

The O-A allows you a one year stay on entry, during which time you only need to do 90 day reports to immigrations. During the first year you can exit and return to Thailand just using the visa. If you make an exit and return just before the O-A visa expires, you will be granted another full year's stay in Thailand. During the second year, since the visa will have expired, you would need a re-entry permit if you want to travel out of the country and return.

Toward the time that that permission to stay expires, you can apply to immigrations in Thailand for an extension of stay based on retirement. It's good for a one year stay and needs to be renewed annually. You would need to prove either a monthly income of at least Baht 65,000 a month OR have Baht 800,000 in a Thai bank OR combine the income and bank deposit to reach the Baht 800,000 total.

I was a resident of the UAE before I retired. I applied for and got a non-imm O-A at the Thai Consulate in Dubai. If you visit them, they have a printed set of information to guide you on the requirements for applying for the visa. They are very helpful. I got the O-A with no difficulty.

I would recommend you deal with the Thai Consulate in Dubai and NOT the Thai embassy in Abu Dhabi. The people at the consulate are far easier to deal with.

Thanks a million. Its really clear to me now. I checked their website and they have requirement for notarising the police report and medical certificate? Since you were a resident of the UAE, where did u notarise these?

I got the medical report from my doctor (Oasis Hospital in Al Ain with the hospital stamp and the doctor's Ministry of Health number shown) and then took it to the local office of the Ministry of Health who gave it an official stamp to certify it.

I got the police report from the UAE police in Al Ain. Since the police report was in Arabic I had someone translate it to English. Can't remember for sure, but I think the translator also notarized the translation. I don't remember having to get anything more done for that.

Since I am an American, I had one or two financial documents notarized at the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

If you visit the Thai consulate in Dubai and ask for the application for the O-A visa, you can ask someone in the visa section about the police report. I think they'll accept a local notary to certify the translation of the police report. Along with the application they should give you the form for the medical report.

Edited June 17, 201610 yr by Suradit69