A new visa has been launched and is dividing opinion across the expat community. It's called the Non-Immigrant O-X (long stay).
Technically it is a “new” retirement visa because it shares very similar properties with the Non Immigrant O-A visa, commonly known as the ‘retirement visa'.
In this post I'll run you through all you need to know about the O-X visa and help you determine whether this is the right visa for you.
I also give you my opinion in the conclusion. Let's get into the details…
Who is the O-X visa for?
This visa is for applicants aged 50 years and over. This is exactly the same as the standard retirement visa.
How long does it let me stay in Thailand for?
The visa lasts for 10 years, with a maximum stay of 5 years. So potentially you could do two stays of 5 years each. Confused? Okay: so you stay 5 years, leave the country, come back again and activate the next 5 years, Simple.
Do I have to do 90-day reporting?
Yes. Like the standard retirement visa, you have to report to immigration every 90 days.
What if I want to leave the country and come back in again, within the 5-year period?
The visa is multiple entry, so you can leave and re-enter at any time.
Can I work on an O-X visa?
No. Employment of any kind is strictly prohibited.
What countries are eligible?
You must be a national and passport holder of one of the following countries:
- Japan
- Australia
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Netherland
- Norway
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- United States
What financial conditions are there?
You must have a bank deposit of no less than 3M Baht in a Thai bank account, or a bank deposit of no less than 1.8M Baht and an annual income of no less than 1.2M Baht. You must have this bank deposit in full for at least one year, and keep at no less than 1.5M Baht in the bank account thereafter.
Any other conditions?
Yes. You must have Thai health insurance for the entire duration of your stay. Your coverage must include outpatient treatment of no less than 40,000 Baht, and inpatient treatment of no less than 400,000 Baht.
✓ Your Next Read: The Big Thai Visa Post (includes O-A visa)
Who is not eligible for the O-X visa?
You must not have a criminal record in Thailand or in your native country, or have a prohibited disease such as Leprosy, Tuberculosis, Elephantiasis or the third phase of Syphilis. Further stipulations can be found in the Ministerial Regulation No. 14 B.E. 2535. Drug addicts are also non-eligible.
How much does the O-X visa cost?
$400 (USD) per application. Applications are non-refundable.
How long does it take to apply?
The processing times are as follows:
- In person : 5 business days
- By mail: minimum 15 business days
What documents are required?
Submit 3 sets of each document: 1 original and 2 copies
1. Your Passport: Passport must have 6 months + validity and contain at least one blank visa page.
2. Visa application form completely filled out (can be downloaded here)
3. Three passport-size photographs (2″ x2) Photocopies are not accepted. Photographs must have a light colored background with a full- face view and without a hat or dark glasses. Photos must be no more than 6 months old.
4. A copy of your bank statement from the Thai bank where your deposit is held, and a letter of guarantee from the bank — with the bank’s contact information — showing a deposit of the amount equal to and not less than 3m Baht. Or, a copy of your bank statement from the Thai bank where your deposit is held, and a letter of guarantee from the bank — with the bank’s contact information — showing a deposit of the amount equal to and not less than 1.8m Baht, and proof of annual income of not less than 1.2m Baht.
5. A letter of verification stating that you have no criminal record. The verification must not be more than 3 months old.
6. A medical certificate showing no prohibitive diseases as indicated in the Ministerial Regulation No.14 (B.E. 2535). The certificate must not be more than 3 months old. (can be downloaded here)
7. Evidence of your health insurance plan. Please choose from the providers listed at here.
8. Visa processing Fee of $400USD
9. In the case of an accompanying spouse, a marriage certificate must be provided as evidence. The spouse must also apply and include items number 1-8 on this list.
10. In the case of an accompanying legal child/adopted child (who is under 20 years old), a birth certificate/adoption order must be provided as evidence. The accompanying child must also submit items numbered 1-3, 7, 8 on this list.
In the case where a spouse and legal child/adopted child are not eligible to apply for the Category ‘O-X’ (Long Stay) visa, he or she would apply for Category ‘O’ or “O-A”(Long stay) or “ED” (for child) visa.
My Opinion – Is it Worth It?
My first impression, when I saw “5 years” was “wow”! My second, when I saw three obvious points of friction, wasn't so jubilant:
1. Still having to do 90-day reporting
If this is the case, why not just get a one-year extension based on retirement for 1,900 Baht? I'm talking about the standard O-A visa (retirement visa).
If you have to visit immigration every 90 days anyway, you might as well just extend your visa each year – as long as you meet the financial requirements for the retirement visa. That said; they have 90-day reporting online now, so maybe this is a moot point.
✓ Your Next Read: The Big Thai Visa Post (includes O-A visa)
2. A fairly big financial commitment
3M THB in a Thai bank account, tied up for 10 years at pretty much zero interest rate really isn't an attractive proposition. Most savvy expats would baulk at this idea. That sort of cash could be making 3-5% interest quite happily elsewhere!
Of course, you could always go for the 1.8m THB and 1.2m THB income (yearly) option. But even then, it's far more than the 800k you need for a standard 1-year retirement extension.
3. Taking out a health insurance policy with one of their “suggested providers”
It is unclear as to whether you have to choose one of the four they suggest, but being pushed towards a policy doesn't sit well with me.
I accept that every expat needs health insurance, but I don't recommend any of these for expats. Check out my recommendations here.
On a Positive Note
Most people don't really need a 5-year visa; they usually fly home at least once every 2 years. But this might suit those who aren't very mobile and for whom it is a hassle to extend each year.
And then there are those who have a ton of money, and for whom depositing 3 million THB in a Thai bank is a drop in the ocean, as long as they don't have to think about extending each year.
The 1.8 million THB and 1.2 million THB income combination is less of a commitment, and if you just want to get a visa one time (for 10 years) and have done with it — and then report online every 90 days — it's a little bit of a time saver, at least it is once a year when you'd otherwise have to extend on a O-A retirement visa.
What do you think?
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Last Updated on
Chris says
Thanks!
Nov 02, 2022 at 9:22 am
Rick says
Sep 14, 2022 at 6:40 pm
john squire says
Jan 04, 2022 at 5:44 pm
JamesE says
But as to your question: All of the money has to be in your name for an O-X.
Jan 04, 2022 at 11:18 pm
Jeff Smith says
Jun 14, 2022 at 11:36 am
Ian Mitchell says
Also note that it takes some banks several weeks to process these requests, so ask you bank and get the letter a few weeks early.
Jun 14, 2022 at 8:53 pm
Ian Mitchell says
I usually request official paperwork so that it is dated within 30 days of it being required. Otherwise, Bank Books with a recent deposit transaction will suffice/
Sep 14, 2022 at 7:27 pm
Jeff Smith says
Sep 14, 2022 at 8:00 pm
woody says
thank you for the update of the chat forum.
I am wondering anyone actually received and used Ox visa?
and my wife also need to prove another own 3-4 million baht in her bank account?
thanks
Sep 04, 2021 at 1:20 am
Jeffrey Smith says
Jun 14, 2022 at 11:37 am
Ian Mitchell says
Sep 14, 2022 at 7:30 pm
Joseph Arden says
1) Why am interested in O-X visa---?? Just the convenience of not needing to
be concerned with "extension" issues for at least five years.
2) Am aware that the description of O-X in xxx Thai Embassy/Consulate
websites indicates that police reports/health reports/etc., are required.
3) But, such descriptions in Thai diplomatic missions around the world, would
naturally be written from such a perspective. So, I find myself wondering
whether if one physically were at C.W. would the same requirements
actually be insisted upon....??
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Suspect no way to be certain unless someone should surface who has attempted to change to X-0 while on an "O" extension of retirement here in
Thailand. If someone has tried and either a) was denied or b) was allowed to
change to X-O---that would answer the question.
Best and again, thanks. Joe
Feb 01, 2021 at 12:58 am
Darrel Vaught says
Holders of the O-X Visa must go to Thai Immigration annually to prove they still meet the financial requirements for funds on deposit and still have the required health insurance in force. They must also file the 90 day address report the same as all foreigners on a long stay extension.
There are so few O-X visa holders, that I have seen no reports from anyone that has gone through that annual process and the consequences if they do not continue to meet requirements -- based on living here for 18 years and dealing with Immigration for annual extensions of my "O" Visa, my best guess is they would cancel the permission to stay in such cases and order the person out of the country.
In the case of required health insurance. O-A visa holders applying for annual extensions, Immigration (under Ministry of Interior) requres that they have health insurance from one of the Thai companies listed on the TGIA webpage (this is in the Immigration Police Order covering extensions of stay) - however, in applying for the Visa at Thai Embassies/Consulates (under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) a foreign health insurance policy is acceptable if the insurer completes the required "certificate". I mention this because it is quite possible that Thai Immigration in doing the annual check may impose the requirement on O-X visa holders -- but, in the absence of any reports, it is uncertain, but in my opinion a definite risk for O-X visa holders when they do their annual review with Immigration.
Feb 01, 2021 at 6:27 am
Mitchell says
Jan 04, 2022 at 6:41 pm
Jeff Smith says
Sep 14, 2022 at 8:07 pm
JamesE says
Feb 01, 2021 at 11:20 am
Ian Mitchell says
As a Canadian Expat, I was issued my Thai O-X Visa by the Thai Embassy in Abu Dhabi, UAE in October 2019.
I was employed as a pilot in Abu Dhabi and had a Residence Permit for the UAE.
Jun 14, 2022 at 9:29 pm
Joseph Arden says
First, thanks for your periodic newsletters. They are very well done and contain helpful information. Certainly, I appreciate.
With regard to the O-X long stay visa, if may, would like to check with you, please:
1) Have been in Thailand for last 10 years of so....Extension of Retirement
status almost all of this time;
2) Am considering changing to O-X visa.
3) With regard to the stated health insurance requirement, believe is same
or very similar to the insurance requirement for those applying from
ABROAD for initial retirement visa. Whereas those of us here in
Thailand in "Non-O" status are NOT required when applying annually
for an "extension" to provide health insurance information.
4) Thus, might you have any sense of whether---if request a change to X-0---
would I be required to satisfy the "Thai Health Insurance"
requirement---?? In past, when applying for the annual extension,
have NOT been required to show proof of Thai Health insurance.
5) Also, let me note that I have been a member for decades in the State of
Maryland Blue Cross/Blue Shield Health Insurance plan in the U .S.
This plan provides reimbursement for medical expenses here in
Thailand---and covers amounts far larger than required/provided
by the recommended Thai insurance companies.
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Given above, what is your best sense of how Immigration at C.W. would deal with me...if at C.W., I request a change to X-0. But, do NOT have coverage with one of the Thai insurance companies...??
Understand, of course, that you probably will not be able to respond with
definite certainty, but any comments/suggestions, would be very much
appreciated.
Thanks a lot...
Joe Arden
Jan 26, 2021 at 12:03 pm
JamesE says
Jan 26, 2021 at 5:12 pm
Mike Baker says
Feb 08, 2021 at 7:36 am
woody says
I am going to apply for OX visa at LA Thai consulate. Only the issue I have was about the health insurance. I have BlueShiel/BlueCross that covers the requirement of Thai health coverage.
I talked a visa person in the consulate that he is considers the insurance if it covers the amount of Thai health insurance coverage. Which means I don't need to buy Thai health insurance, isn't it?
Sep 04, 2021 at 1:13 am