Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing O and O-A Retirement Visas. This is kind of a topic that seems to kind of swirl around and around; it seems like I am constantly talking about it. I thought this was pretty clear to folks; I have had some correspondence past few days wherein I have found that no, it's not quite as clear as I thought it was and that is kind of why I am making this video. 

So to be clear, both the O-A and the O are O Visas so they occur under the miscellaneous category; they operate under the Ministerial Regulations so they are a product of Regulation if you will but there is a slight difference. O-A Retirement Visas are issued abroad exclusively, but they can be extended in Thailand. O Retirement Visas traditionally, are only dealt with in Thailand and can be extended in Thailand. Now due to extenuating circumstances, the O Retirement Visa was kind of issued during COVID, it has been kind of phased back out. Long story short, where we see O Retirement Visas is in the context of internal visa extension for example you are going to see the O Retirement Visa, but generally speaking, the O-A is issued abroad, the O is dealt with here internally under the auspices of Thai Immigration as opposed to the auspices of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the form of a Thai Embassy or Consulate. 

So again there are some differences. A major difference between the two, there are Financial requirement differences associated with the O-A and the O as we discussed; those went into effect 4th quarter of 2022. Meanwhile, there are also insurance requirements associated with the O-A so there are substantial differences between the two and folks need to understand that, if they are looking to come to retire here in the Kingdom of Thailand.