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The Non-OA is applied for at a Thai embassy or consulate outside Thailand before you relocate. It requires OIC-approved health insurance, a criminal record certificate, and a medical certificate. More documentation than the Non-O, but your status is confirmed before you arrive.
The Non-OA (Approved Long Stay) is the pre-arrival retirement visa. You apply at a Thai embassy in your home country or country of current residence, and arrive in Thailand with your retirement status already confirmed. It requires more documentation than the Non-O — notably mandatory OIC health insurance, a criminal record certificate, and a medical certificate — but for some retirees the certainty of having status arranged before arrival is the right choice.
Many retirees ultimately choose the Non-O instead, as it often involves less ongoing documentation after arrival and can sometimes be obtained within Thailand. The right choice depends on your individual circumstances.
The Non-OA is normally issued by Thai embassies or consulates outside Thailand before you travel. If you are already in Thailand and looking for a retirement visa, the Non-O — which can in many cases be obtained by changing status within Thailand — is the more appropriate route to explore.
From 1 January 2025
Thailand Global e-Visa System
If you are applying for this visa from outside Thailand, your application will normally begin through Thailand's official e-Visa portal — not at the embassy in person.
Since 1 January 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made online visa applications available through 94 Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates-General worldwide. You create an account, select the visa category, upload supporting documents, and pay the fee online. The underlying eligibility requirements, supporting documents, and approval criteria have not changed — only the method of submission.
Thailand e-Visa PortalYou must be at least 50 years old on the date of your Non-OA application at the Thai embassy. There is no upper age limit.
The Non-OA must be applied for at a Thai embassy or consulate outside Thailand. You cannot apply for a Non-OA from inside Thailand. If you are already in Thailand, the Non-O is the relevant alternative.
You must hold health insurance approved by Thailand's Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) with minimum inpatient coverage of 40,000 THB and outpatient coverage of 4,000 THB per year. This must be maintained continuously for the entire period you hold the Non-OA.
A police clearance certificate from your home country confirming a clean criminal record. Typically required to have been issued within the past 3 months. Obtain this early — processing times vary significantly by country.
A medical certificate from a licensed doctor confirming you are free from certain listed conditions. Typically required to have been issued within 3 months. Confirm the specific requirements with the Thai embassy you will be attending.
800,000 THB in a bank account, or a monthly foreign income of at least 65,000 THB. Requirements for the initial application at the embassy vary — some accept a foreign bank statement. Confirm with the specific embassy you plan to attend.
The OIC insurance requirement is the defining difference between the Non-OA and the standard Non-O. Your policy must be registered on Thailand's OIC-approved insurer list. A policy from a well-known international insurer is not sufficient if that specific policy number is not on the OIC database.
฿40,000
Per year for hospital admission (inpatient) treatment. This is the government-set minimum — most applicants purchase policies with significantly higher limits.
฿4,000
Per year for outpatient (clinic and GP visit) treatment. Combined with the inpatient requirement, this is the absolute minimum threshold.
Commonly used OIC-approved insurers include Pacific Cross, AXA Thailand, BUPA Thailand, Cigna, Allianz Ayudhya, and LMG Insurance. Always verify your specific policy number against the OIC insurer database before purchasing and at each annual renewal — approval status can change.
Pacific Cross is one of Thailand's most widely used OIC-approved health insurers. Complete the form below and a Pacific Cross advisor will contact you with a personalised quote for your Non-OA application.
Held in a bank account in your name. For the initial embassy application, some embassies accept a foreign bank statement showing equivalent funds — confirm requirements with the specific embassy you will attend. For annual renewals inside Thailand, the 800,000 THB must remain in a Thai bank account for 3 months before and 3 months after your renewal date.
A verifiable monthly pension or foreign income of at least 65,000 THB. Verified via an income certification letter issued by your home country's embassy in Bangkok. Confirm current fees and booking timelines directly — these change regularly.
A combination of monthly income and bank deposit totalling 800,000 THB. Confirm with your local Immigration office before applying — requirements can vary by office.
At annual renewal, the 800,000 THB must remain in your Thai bank account continuously for the 3 months before your renewal appointment and 3 months after. Drawing below 800,000 THB at any point during either window is grounds for refusal.
The most established expat banking option in Thailand. Note: as of early 2026, many applicants report significantly more difficulty opening accounts on a tourist or DTV visa. Bangkok Bank has tightened policies in many locations — always check with the specific branch before relying on this option.
Accessible and expat-friendly. KBank branches are widely available across Thailand and accept Non-OA holders for new accounts. Strong online and mobile banking.
Widely used by the expat community. Accepts Non-OA visa holders for new accounts. Issues the bank confirmation letter required by Immigration.
Document requirements vary between Thai embassies. Always confirm the current checklist directly with the embassy you plan to attend before beginning your application.
Once you have entered Thailand on your Non-OA, annual extensions of stay are completed at the Thai Immigration office covering your province of residence. You apply for a 1-year extension — not a new visa.
Apply 30–45 days before expiry
Apply for the extension up to 45 days before your current permission to stay expires. Do not leave it to the last week.
90-day address reporting
Report your residential address to Immigration every 90 days. Separate from the annual extension. Can be done in person, by post, or via the Thai Immigration online portal.
Re-entry permit before travel
Leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit cancels your permission to stay. Single re-entry (1,000 THB) or multiple re-entry (3,800 THB) — purchase before departure.
TM.30 on return or address change
Required each time you return from international travel or change residential address. Your landlord must file it — confirm it has been done before your next renewal appointment.
Every Immigration office in Thailand accepts Non-OA annual extension applications. Applications are best made at larger Immigration offices as these deal with retirement extensions regularly and officers are familiar with the exact requirements.
You must apply at the office covering the province where you reside. Your TM.30 registration must reflect that area.
Regional offices in smaller provinces also accept applications — apply at the office covering your province of residence.
The majority of readers will be deciding between the Non-O and Non-OA. The right choice depends on where you are, your tolerance for paperwork, and whether you are happy to arrange insurance before you travel.
| Visa | Best for |
|---|---|
| Non-O | Most retirees already in Thailand or wanting the simplest retirement route. |
| Non-OA | People retiring directly from their home country who don't mind the additional paperwork and insurance. |
| Non-OX | Wealthier retirees from eligible countries who can comfortably meet the higher financial requirements and want a longer-term visa with fewer renewals. |
These errors regularly cause Non-OA applications or renewals to fail.
The insurer and specific policy must be registered on Thailand's OIC-approved list. A well-known international brand is not sufficient — the policy number must appear on the OIC database. Check before purchasing.
At annual renewal, the 800,000 THB must have been in your Thai account for at least 3 months before the appointment. Transfer funds at least 4 months before your renewal date to allow for any bank processing delays.
Your OIC insurance must remain valid continuously. If your policy expires before your renewal appointment, your application will be refused. Set renewal reminders for your insurance policy separately from your visa renewal date.
Leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit cancels your permission to stay. Purchase a multiple re-entry permit (3,800 THB) if you travel internationally during your extension year.
The Non-OA cannot be obtained from inside Thailand. It must be applied for at a Thai embassy or consulate abroad. If you are already in Thailand and need a retirement visa, the Non-O is the relevant pathway.
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Use the Visa Planner to confirm which route is right for your circumstances, or request your insurance quote above.
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The Non-O can often be obtained by changing status within Thailand and involves less documentation. Many long-term expats prefer it over the Non-OA.