The Visa Type O in Thailand

The first Category of Visa Type O : Non-Immigrant Visa Type O (Retirement) in Thailand 

The Non-Immigrant Visa Type “O” (Retirement) allows eligible applicants to reside in Thailand for a period of 90 days, with the possibility of renewal under certain conditions. It is vital to underscore that this visa strictly forbids any kind of paid work or income-generating activity within the nation’s borders.

Eligibility Requirements for this category of Visa Type O 

To qualify for a Non-Immigrant “O” (Retirement) Visa, candidates must satisfy specific prerequisites. First and foremost, they must be at least 50 years of age on the date of application submission. Additionally, they cannot be subject to any point of entry prohibition under the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979). The visa is exclusively available to individuals who are either citizens or inhabitants of the country in which they are applying.
A pivotal requirement is proof of financial means, which can be demonstrated through alternative options. Applicants for the Visa type O (Retirement) must either hold a Thai bank deposit of no less than 800,000 Baht, receive a monthly pension of at least 65,000 Baht, or provide a combination of both, ensuring that the total amount reaches a minimum of 80,000 Baht.

Necessary Supporting Documentation 

In addition to fulfilling the financial requirements, applicants for this Visa Type O must submit supporting documents that establish their accommodation in Thailand, such as a hotel reservation or other proof of residence. They must also furnish a travel itinerary that incorporates flight bookings validating their entry into and departure from Thailand.
Ensuring that all necessary documents are correctly prepared and submitted in accordance with Thai immigration regulations is essential to facilitate the approval process and avoid needless delays.

Second Category of Visa Type O: Non-Immigrant Visa Type “O-A” (Extended Stay) 

The Non-Immigrant Visa Category “O-A” (Long Stay) is an option for eligible foreigners seeking to reside in Thailand for an extended period of up to a year, with the opportunity of renewal. While employment is strictly forbidden under this visa classification, it allows for long-term living arrangements.

Eligibility Criteria for this Visa Type O 

To apply for a Non-Immigrant “O-A” (Long Stay) Visa, applicants must meet several conditions. They must be at least 50 years old at the time of application and must not be subject to any entry ban under the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979). Additionally, they must be either citizens or residents of the country where they are submitting the application, and in certain cases, a certificate of residence may be required.

Mandatory Health Insurance 

Applicants must hold a health insurance policy that covers the entire duration of their stay, including COVID-19 coverage, with a minimum pay-out of 3,000,000 Thai baht—roughly equivalent to $100,000 US dollars. Insurance from foreign company needs the original plus copies, whereas two copies of the document suffice for policies from recognized Thai insurance companies listed at longstay.tgia.org. The insurance certificates must bear the signature and stamp of the underwriting company.

Criminal Record Requirement 

A criminal record certificate is necessary, verifying that the applicant for this Visa Type O has no criminal history. This document must be issued within three months before the application date. Online criminal records without an authorized signature are not accepted. The certificate must be issued by a State or Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Medical certificate required for this Category of Visa Type O
Applicants for this visa Type O must provide comprehensive medical documentation confirming the absence of any illnesses restricted under Ministerial Regulation No.14 (B.E. 2535). These conditions incorporate leprosy, tuberculosis, narcotic addiction, elephantiasis, and syphilitic diseases in their third stage. The medical certification must be released within three months prior to the application date for the Visa Type “O-A”.

Proof of Financial Means

To demonstrate fiscal stability, candidates for this category of Visa Type O must fulfill one of the following criteria:

• a bank deposit of no less than 800,000 Baht maintained for a minimum of six months
• a monthly pension of at least 65,000 Baht
• a combination of both totalizing no less than 80,000 Baht.
  If a bank deposit is used as proof, an official letter of guarantee from the bank confirming the deposit must be submitted.

Supplementary Application Forms and other documents required 

Applicants are expected to fill out and submit the Non-Immigrant “O-A” Prolonged Stay Visa Request Form, downloadable online.
To finish the application, evidence of travel plans is necessary, like flight details confirming both entry into and exit from Thailand. Additionally, applicants must furnish legitimate proof of residence in Thailand throughout their stay, such as a hotel booking confirmation spanning the entire duration.
Ensuring that all records are correctly organized and comply with Thai immigration law is pivotal to expediting the visa approval process and avoiding needless delays.

Third Category of Visa Type O : Non-Immigrant Visa Type “O-X” (Extended Stay) 

The Non-Immigrant Visa Category “O-X” (Extended Stay) allows qualified candidates to reside in Thailand for a five-year period per visa, renewable up to a maximum ten-year stay. However, any form of employment is strictly prohibited under this visa class.

Candidate Qualification Standards

To qualify for this category of visa type O, applicants must be at least 50 years old at the time of submission and must not be subject to any entry restrictions under the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979). Only nationals of certain countries are eligible to apply, including Australia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, New Zealand, South Korea, Canada, and the United States.

Mandatory Health Insurance

Applicants must provide proof of health insurance that covers their entire stay, including COVID-19 coverage, with a minimum insured sum of THB 3,000,000 (approximately USD 100,000) per year. If the insurance is issued by a foreign company, the original document along with two copies must be submitted. If the policy is from a Thai insurance provider, two copies of the policy document are required. A list of recognized Thai insurance companies is available at longstay.tgia.org. The insurance certificate must be completed, signed, and stamped by the provider.

Criminal Record Requirement 

A criminal record clearance is also demanded. This document cannot be over three months old and must come directly from the investigating body, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation for American applicants. Online criminal records without an authorized signature will not be accepted.

Medical Certificate Requirement 

The application for this Category of Visa Type O further necessitates a medical certificate that the individual has none of the prohibited health conditions referenced under Ministerial Regulation No.14. These encompass leprosy, tuberculosis, narcotic addiction, elephantiasis, and late-stage syphilis. The certificate must be issued within the three months preceding the application date.

Financial Solvency 

Applicants must satisfy either of two financial prerequisites:

• they should keep up a bank store in Thailand of no less than 3 million Baht
• they hold a deposit of no less than 1.8 million Baht joined with an annual pay of no less than 1.2 million Baht. The deposit must be kept for at least one year after visa endorsement, and after that time frame, the balance should not fall underneath 1.5 million Baht.

Travel and Accommodation Requirements 

To finish the application for this category of Visa Type O, confirmation of travel plans, including flight details affirming both entry and departure from Thailand, must be given. Furthermore, candidates should submit an accommodation booking affirmation or some other substantial proof of living in Thailand. The documentation and budgetary necessities are important to ensure consistency with Thai migration laws and help a fruitful visa application procedure.