Thailand’s Non-Immigrant O Visa, often simply called the “O Visa”, is one of the most commonly used long-stay visas, suitable for a variety of personal circumstances. It’s available to retirees, those with Thai family connections, volunteers, and dependents of foreign nationals working or studying in Thailand.
Whether you’re planning a long-term stay or seeking a visa extension from within Thailand, the Non-O category offers several pathways depending on your eligibility and intentions.
In this post, I’ll outline the different types of O Visa to help you identify which might suit your needs. More detailed information on many of these categories is available elsewhere on the website, and I’ll link to the relevant sections below.
What Is a Non-Immigrant O Visa?
The Non-Immigrant O Visa is a long-stay visa designed for foreigners who wish to remain in Thailand for purposes other than tourism or business. It can be issued for up to 90 days initially, with the possibility of extending the stay to one year or more depending on the visa category. Applications can be made online or from within Thailand, under specific conditions.
Who Is Eligible for a Non-O Visa?
The Non-O Visa is issued to individuals in the following categories:
- Foreigners married to Thai nationals.
- Parents of Thai children.
- Retirees aged 50 and over.
- Volunteers working with registered NGOs or charities.
- Dependents of foreigners working or studying in Thailand.
- Family members of Thai residents.
- Those accompanying foreign workers or students.
Types of Non-Immigrant O Visas
1. O Visa Based on Thai Spouse or Child
This is ideal for those married to a Thai national or who are the parent of a Thai child. You can apply before entering Thailand or convert your visa once inside the country, provided you entered with either a tourist visa or visa-exempt entry. (More on the Tourist Visa to O Visa conversion process here)
Requirements include:
- Proof of relationship (marriage or birth certificate).
- Copy of your Thai spouse or child’s ID and house registration.
- Proof of adequate financial resources (usually via a Thai bank account).
- Residence notification (TM30 form).
Applicants can extend this visa annually and add a multiple re-entry permit if they plan to travel frequently.
+ Read specific marriage visa requirements here
2. O Visa Based on Retirement
Designed for foreigners aged 50 or older who wish to reside in Thailand without employment.
To qualify, you need:
- Proof of age (50+).
- Evidence of financial means: THB 800,000 in a Thai bank account, OR Monthly income of THB 65,000, OR A combination of savings and income totaling THB 800,000/year.
- Notification of residence (TM30).
- The retirement visa is initially valid for 90 days and can be extended for 12 months. A multiple re-entry permit is optional but necessary if you plan to leave and re-enter Thailand.
+ More on retirement visa requirements here
3. O Visa for Volunteer or Charity Work
This is suitable for foreigners volunteering with registered Thai organizations or NGOs. Paid work is not allowed under this visa.
Documents required:
- Invitation letter from the organization.
- Copy of the organization’s registration certificate.
- ID of the authorized representative.
- Proof of financial self-sufficiency.
- Residence notification (TM30).
+ Read more on volunteering in Thailand
4. O-A Visa (Long-Stay Retirement)
Often confused with the standard O Retirement Visa, the O-A visa is issued only outside of Thailand and is aimed at retirees aged 50 or above who plan to stay long-term, without employment.
Key features/requirements
- Valid for one year with annual extensions possible.
- Requires proof of income or savings like the standard retirement visa.
- Mandatory health insurance covering: At least 400,000 THB inpatient and 40,000 THB outpatient coverage.
While some retirees opt for this visa because it provides a year’s stay upon entry – rather than having to do an extension when you arrive – others prefer the standard O Retirement Visa due to the absence of the health insurance requirement.
5. O-X Visa (10-Year Retirement Visa)
This is Thailand’s long-term retirement visa, available only to citizens of select countries (e.g., the UK, US, Japan, Germany, Australia, etc.). It’s valid for 5 years and can be renewed once, totaling 10 years.
Eligibility requirements:
- Age 50 or older
- No intention to work
- Financial requirements: THB 3 million in a Thai bank account, OR THB 1.8 million in savings + THB 1.2 million annual income
- Must maintain a balance of THB 1.5 million for the duration of the visa
- Mandatory health insurance
This visa provides a longer stay without the need for yearly visa runs, but comes with higher financial and documentation requirements.
Applying for a Visa
It used to be the case that long-stay visas had to be applied for through your local Thai embassy or consulate. That is no longer the case. Visas can now be applied for via Thailand’s e-Visa system.
You can still reach out to your local embassy for further information. And, all embassies reserve the right to request further documentation after you submit the application through the e-visa system.
If you are from one of the 63 countries eligible for visa-exempt entry, and you enter Thailand without a pre-arranged visa, you can still apply for a Non-O Visa at a local immigration office. However, you must begin the application process almost immediately, as the visa-exempt entry only permits a 30-day stay (currently, and temporarily 60 days) which is extendable by 30 more days in some cases. You cannot apply if you’ve overstayed your permitted time, even by a day.
Applications are handled at a local immigration office (e.g., Chaengwattana in Bangkok). Be sure to check if appointments are needed and confirm all documents are signed, as unsigned pages can delay or invalidate your application.
Extensions
30-Day Extension
- Available at any immigration office
- Fee: THB 1,900
- Requires passport, TM.7 form, and photos
One-Year Extension
- Available to retirees and Thai spouses
- Requires financial proof, relationship documents (if applicable), and possibly health insurance
- Fee: THB 1,900
One-Year O Visa Extension Requirements:
- Passport: Your original passport must have at least one blank page. Photocopies of the main pages are required and must be signed.
- Proof of Residence: Submit your TM30 (Notification of Residence) to confirm your registered address in Thailand.
- Financial Evidence: You must meet one of the following financial criteria:
- Savings Requirement: Hold a minimum of 800,000 THB in a Thai savings or fixed deposit account. This amount must be maintained for at least three months prior to applying and, in the case of retirement extensions, also for three months after approval. A bank letter and copies of your passbook are required.
- Monthly Income Requirement: Demonstrate a consistent monthly income of at least 65,000 THB. Due to changes in embassy policies, income confirmation letters are no longer widely issued. Instead, provide a full year’s bank statement showing regular transfers into your Thai account.
- Combination of Savings and Income: A combined annual total of 800,000 THB from both savings and monthly income is also acceptable, provided sufficient evidence is supplied.
- Health Insurance: For Non-Immigrant O-A and O-X visas, valid health insurance is required with at least 40,000 THB outpatient and 400,000 THB inpatient coverage. This requirement does not apply to standard Non-Immigrant O visas or their extensions based on retirement.
Re-entry Permits
If you plan to leave Thailand during your visa validity, you should apply for a re-entry permit to avoid voiding your visa. Without one, your visa becomes invalid once you exit the country. Frequent travelers should also double-check immigration stamps upon return, as errors are difficult to correct later.
+ More on re-entry permits here
Final Tips
- Check all documentation requirements carefully, as they vary slightly depending on the visa type.
- Make sure to keep proof of residence updated with the TM30 form (also called “Notification from House-Master”).
- Holders of any O visa type must report their address to immigration every 90 days unless they exit and re-enter the country.
- Visa rules can change, so it’s advisable to confirm the latest requirements with your nearest Thai consulate or immigration office.
If you plan on being a dependent of a Non Immigrant O Visa holder, you can read a comprehensive dependent visa guide here.
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