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Living in Thailand After 50: Your Guide to the O-A Visa
Alena Brunbender
You can now apply for a one-year Non-Immigrant O-A (long-stay retirement) visa directly in your country of citizenship.
You qualify if:
You are 50 years old or older
You are not prohibited from entering Thailand under Thai law
You have a criminal record clearance certificate
You do not have serious diseases
You apply in your country of citizenship
Key features of the O-A visa
🎯 Purpose: long-term stay (retirement)
⏳ Duration: up to 1 year from the date of entry
🔁 Entry: multiple entry
🚫 Employment is not allowed
⏱ Processing time: approximately 5 working days after submitting a complete set of documents
Financial requirements
The requirements for the O-A visa are higher than for a standard retirement visa:
✔ You must show financial support using one of the following options (or equivalent in any currency):
💳 Deposit of 1,200,000 THB (for the past 3 months)*
💸 Monthly income of 100,000 THB*
🔀 Combination totaling 1,200,000 THB*
* Requirements may vary depending on the country — please check with your local consulate.
Other requirements
🏥 Health insurance (MANDATORY)
Coverage must be at least:
100,000 USD or 3,000,000 THB
Must include:
general medical treatment
COVID-19
👉 Both Thai and foreign insurance providers are accepted.
Spouse
If the main applicant’s spouse is under 50 years old:
They can apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa
A marriage certificate must be provided
After arrival in Thailand
1. Length of stay
Up to 1 year from the date of entry
2. Re-entry permit (IMPORTANT)
If you leave the country:
You must obtain a re-entry permit through the Thailand Immigration Bureau
Without it, your visa will be cancelled
3. 90-day reporting
You are required to report your address every 90 days.
🔄 Visa extension
To extend your stay for another year in Thailand:
You must show financial proof:
800,000 THB in a Thai bank account
or monthly income of at least 65,000 THB
👉 Please note:
Extension requirements are lower than those for the initial O-A visa application.
⚠️ Important note
This type of visa is not issued in all countries — availability depends on the specific consulate. For details and to check your individual case, please contact us.
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