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.
We handle Non-OA applications and annual renewals for clients across Thailand. The cases we see go wrong at renewal almost always involve the OIC insurance requirement, the bank seasoning rule, or a TM30 gap that only surfaces at the Immigration appointment. We advise clients to get these in order well before the renewal date.
Already in Thailand?
Thailand Global e-Visa System — Since 1 January 2025
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. The underlying eligibility requirements, supporting documents and approval criteria have not changed — only the method of submission.
Thailand e-Visa Portal →Section 1
Eligibility Requirements
Age 50 or Over
Applying from Outside Thailand
OIC-Approved Health Insurance
Criminal Record Certificate
Medical Certificate
Financial Evidence
Section 2
OIC Health Insurance Requirement
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.
Minimum Inpatient Coverage
฿40,000
Per year for hospital admission (inpatient) treatment. This is the government-set minimum.
Minimum Outpatient Coverage
฿4,000
Per year for outpatient (clinic and GP visit) treatment. Combined with the inpatient requirement, this is the absolute minimum threshold.OIC-Approved Providers
Section 3
Financial Requirements
800,000 THB Bank Deposit
65,000 THB Monthly Income
Combined Method
The 3-Month Seasoning Rule: Renewals
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.
Recommended Thai Banks
Bangkok Bank
Kasikorn Bank (KBank)
SCB: Siam Commercial Bank
Section 4
Documents: Initial Embassy Application
Requirements Vary by Embassy
- Passport: valid for at least 18 months, with photocopies of all relevant pages
- Non-OA visa application form (available from the Thai embassy)
- OIC-approved health insurance certificate: minimum 40,000 THB inpatient and 4,000 THB outpatient coverage
- Bank statement or letter confirming financial threshold: requirements vary by embassy
- Police clearance certificate from your home country: typically issued within the past 3 months
- Medical certificate from a licensed doctor: typically issued within the past 3 months
- 3–4 passport-sized photographs (confirm size requirements with the embassy)
- Visa application fee: confirm current fee with the embassy before attending
Section 5
Annual Renewal in Thailand
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.
- Passport: with current Non-OA visa and entry stamp, plus copies of all relevant pages
- TM.7 extension application form (available at Immigration or online)
- Bank book showing 800,000 THB balance: 3-month history
- Bank letter confirming current balance: issued same day at your Thai branch
- OIC-approved health insurance certificate: valid for the coming year
- 3–4 passport-sized photographs
- 1,900 THB extension fee
- Proof of address: current rental contract or TM.30 confirmation
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).
TM.30 on return or address change
Required each time you return from international travel or change residential address. Your landlord must file it.
Section 6
Where to Renew
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.
Major Immigration Centres
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
- Designed specifically for retirement: status confirmed before you arrive in Thailand
- One-year permission to stay from the outset
- Renewable annually inside Thailand if requirements continue to be met
- Clear, defined process through a Thai embassy
Disadvantages
- Health insurance compulsory: adds ongoing cost and administration
- Police clearance certificate required
- Medical certificate required
- More paperwork than the Non-O route
- Must be applied for outside Thailand: cannot convert in-country
Which retirement visa is right for you?
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. |
Free Tool
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Use the Visa Planner →Avoid These
Common Mistakes
These errors regularly cause Non-OA applications or renewals to fail.
Purchasing insurance not on the OIC list
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.
Not seasoning funds in time
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.
Insurance lapsing at renewal
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.
Travelling without a re-entry permit
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.
Applying for a Non-OA inside Thailand
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.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Non-OA retirement visa in Thailand?
The Non-OA (Non-Immigrant O-A, or Approved Long Stay) is a retirement visa that must be applied for outside Thailand at a Thai embassy or consulate. It requires OIC-approved health insurance, a criminal record certificate, and a medical certificate — more documentation than the standard Non-O. It suits retirees who prefer to arrange their visa status before arriving in Thailand.
What health insurance is required for the Non-OA retirement visa?
Non-OA holders must carry health insurance approved by Thailand's Office of Insurance Commission (OIC). The minimum coverage thresholds are 40,000 THB per year for inpatient (hospital admission) and 4,000 THB per year for outpatient (clinic/GP visit). The policy must remain valid continuously throughout your stay on a Non-OA.
Where do I apply for the Non-OA visa?
The Non-OA must be applied for at a Thai embassy or consulate outside Thailand. It cannot be obtained from inside Thailand. Many applicants apply at their home country's Thai embassy before relocating. Requirements vary slightly by embassy, so confirm the current document checklist directly with the embassy you plan to attend.
What documents are required for the Non-OA retirement visa?
Core documents include: a valid passport, completed application form, OIC-approved health insurance certificate, bank statement or letter showing the required financial threshold, criminal record certificate from your home country (issued within 3 months), medical certificate from a licensed doctor (issued within 3 months), and passport photographs. Requirements may vary slightly by embassy.
Is the Non-OA the same as the Non-O retirement visa?
No. They are different pathways to retirement status in Thailand. The Non-OA must be obtained outside Thailand and requires OIC health insurance, a criminal record certificate and a medical certificate. The Non-O can often be obtained by changing immigration status within Thailand and requires less documentation. Many long-term expats prefer the Non-O as the simpler ongoing route.
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We handle Non-OA applications and annual renewals for clients across Thailand.
