Thailand’s Non-Immigrant O Visa, usually merely known as the “O Visa”, is likely one of the mostly used long-stay visas, appropriate for a wide range of private circumstances. It’s out there to retirees, these with Thai household connections, volunteers, and dependents of international nationals working or learning in Thailand.
Whether or not you’re planning a long-term keep or searching for a visa extension from inside Thailand, the Non-O class presents a number of pathways relying in your eligibility and intentions.
On this put up, I’ll define the various kinds of O Visa that will help you establish which could fit your wants. Extra detailed data on many of those classes is on the market elsewhere on the web site, and I’ll hyperlink to the related sections beneath.
What Is a Non-Immigrant O Visa?
The Non-Immigrant O Visa is a long-stay visa designed for foreigners who want to stay in Thailand for functions aside from tourism or enterprise. It may be issued for as much as 90 days initially, with the potential of extending the keep to 1 yr or extra relying on the visa class. Functions could be made on-line or from inside Thailand, beneath particular circumstances.
Who Is Eligible for a Non-O Visa?
The Non-O Visa is issued to people within the following classes:
- Foreigners married to Thai nationals.
- Mother and father of Thai kids.
- Retirees aged 50 and over.
- Volunteers working with registered NGOs or charities.
- Dependents of foreigners working or learning in Thailand.
- Members of the family of Thai residents.
- These accompanying international staff or college students.
Kinds of Non-Immigrant O Visas
1. O Visa Based mostly on Thai Partner or Little one
That is very best for these married to a Thai nationwide or who’re the guardian of a Thai baby. You possibly can apply earlier than coming into Thailand or convert your visa as soon as contained in the nation, supplied you entered with both a vacationer visa or visa-exempt entry. (Extra on the Vacationer Visa to O Visa conversion course of right here)
Necessities embody:
- Proof of relationship (marriage or beginning certificates).
- Copy of your Thai partner or baby’s ID and home registration.
- Proof of enough monetary assets (normally through a Thai checking account).
- Residence notification (TM30 kind).
Candidates can lengthen this visa yearly and add a a number of re-entry allow in the event that they plan to journey often.
+ Learn particular marriage visa necessities right here
2. O Visa Based mostly on Retirement
Designed for foreigners aged 50 or older who want to reside in Thailand with out employment.
To qualify, you want:
- Proof of age (50+).
- Proof of monetary means: THB 800,000 in a Thai checking account, OR Month-to-month revenue of THB 65,000, OR A mix of financial savings and revenue totaling THB 800,000/yr.
- Notification of residence (TM30).
- The retirement visa is initially legitimate for 90 days and could be prolonged for 12 months. A a number of re-entry allow is non-compulsory however essential should you plan to depart and re-enter Thailand.
+ Extra on retirement visa necessities right here
3. O Visa for Volunteer or Charity Work
That is appropriate for foreigners volunteering with registered Thai organizations or NGOs. Paid work isn’t allowed beneath this visa.
Paperwork required:
- Invitation letter from the group.
- Copy of the group’s registration certificates.
- ID of the approved consultant.
- Proof of monetary self-sufficiency.
- Residence notification (TM30).
+ Learn extra on volunteering in Thailand
4. O-A Visa (Lengthy-Keep Retirement)
Typically confused with the usual O Retirement Visa, the O-A visa is issued solely exterior of Thailand and is geared toward retirees aged 50 or above who plan to remain long-term, with out employment.
Key options/necessities
- Legitimate for one yr with annual extensions doable.
- Requires proof of revenue or financial savings like the usual retirement visa.
- Necessary medical health insurance protecting: At the least 400,000 THB inpatient and 40,000 THB outpatient protection.
Whereas some retirees go for this visa as a result of it offers a yr’s keep upon entry – fairly than having to do an extension while you arrive – others want the usual O Retirement Visa as a result of absence of the medical health insurance requirement.
+ Extra on the O-A Visa right here
5. O-X Visa (10-12 months Retirement Visa)
That is Thailand’s long-term retirement visa, out there solely to residents of choose international locations (e.g., the UK, US, Japan, Germany, Australia, and so on.). It’s legitimate for five years and could be renewed as soon as, totaling 10 years.
Eligibility necessities:
- Age 50 or older
- No intention to work
- Monetary necessities: THB 3 million in a Thai checking account, OR THB 1.8 million in financial savings + THB 1.2 million annual revenue
- Should preserve a steadiness of THB 1.5 million throughout the visa
- Necessary medical health insurance
This visa offers an extended keep with out the necessity for yearly visa runs, however comes with larger monetary and documentation necessities.
+ Extra on the O-X Visa right here
Making use of for a Visa
It was once the case that long-stay visas needed to be utilized for via your native Thai embassy or consulate. That’s not the case. Visas can now be utilized for through Thailand’s e-Visa system.
You possibly can nonetheless attain out to your native embassy for additional data. And, all embassies reserve the suitable to request additional documentation after you submit the appliance via the e-visa system.
In case you are from one of many 63 international locations eligible for visa-exempt entry, and also you enter Thailand with out a pre-arranged visa, you’ll be able to nonetheless apply for a Non-O Visa at a neighborhood immigration workplace. Nonetheless, you could start the appliance course of virtually instantly, because the visa-exempt entry solely permits a 30-day keep (presently, and quickly 60 days) which is extendable by 30 extra days in some circumstances. You can’t apply should you’ve overstayed your permitted time, even by a day.
Functions are dealt with at a neighborhood immigration workplace (e.g., Chaengwattana in Bangkok). Make sure you verify if appointments are wanted and ensure all paperwork are signed, as unsigned pages can delay or invalidate your utility.
Extensions
30-Day Extension
- Accessible at any immigration workplace
- Charge: THB 1,900
- Requires passport, TM.7 kind, and images
One-12 months Extension
- Accessible to retirees and Thai spouses
- Requires monetary proof, relationship paperwork (if relevant), and probably medical health insurance
- Charge: THB 1,900
One-12 months O Visa Extension Necessities:
- Passport: Your authentic passport should have no less than one clean web page. Photocopies of the principle pages are required and have to be signed.
- Proof of Residence: Submit your TM30 (Notification of Residence) to substantiate your registered handle in Thailand.
- Monetary Proof: It’s essential to meet one of many following monetary standards:
- Financial savings Requirement: Maintain a minimal of 800,000 THB in a Thai financial savings or fastened deposit account. This quantity have to be maintained for no less than three months previous to making use of and, within the case of retirement extensions, additionally for 3 months after approval. A financial institution letter and copies of your passbook are required.
- Month-to-month Revenue Requirement: Show a constant month-to-month revenue of no less than 65,000 THB. Resulting from adjustments in embassy insurance policies, revenue affirmation letters are not broadly issued. As an alternative, present a full yr’s financial institution assertion exhibiting common transfers into your Thai account.
- Mixture of Financial savings and Revenue: A mixed annual whole of 800,000 THB from each financial savings and month-to-month revenue can also be acceptable, supplied ample proof is equipped.
- Well being Insurance coverage: For Non-Immigrant O-A and O-X visas, legitimate medical health insurance is required with no less than 40,000 THB outpatient and 400,000 THB inpatient protection. This requirement doesn’t apply to plain Non-Immigrant O visas or their extensions primarily based on retirement.
Re-entry Permits
If you happen to plan to depart Thailand throughout your visa validity, it is best to apply for a re-entry allow to keep away from voiding your visa. With out one, your visa turns into invalid when you exit the nation. Frequent vacationers must also double-check immigration stamps upon return, as errors are tough to appropriate later.
+ Extra on re-entry permits right here
Last Ideas
- Examine all documentation necessities fastidiously, as they fluctuate barely relying on the visa sort.
- Ensure to maintain proof of residence up to date with the TM30 kind (additionally known as “Notification from Home-Grasp”).
- Holders of any O visa sort should report their handle to immigration each 90 days until they exit and re-enter the nation.
- Visa guidelines can change, so it’s advisable to substantiate the newest necessities together with your nearest Thai consulate or immigration workplace.
If you happen to plan on being a dependent of a Non Immigrant O Visa holder, you’ll be able to learn a complete dependent visa information right here.
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