Can I activate my non-immigrant OA visa while in Thailand?

Jan 27, 2024
10 months ago
Mu ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello, I applied for a non immigrant OA visa in Germany a few days ago. Now I had to fly to Thailand for urgent family reasons . As my OA visa was not yet granted, I arrived on a 30 day visa exemption. Now my OA visa is granted meanwhile, but I am on Thailand already.

I need to stay here for 100 days.

Anyone a recommendation if I can use my OA visa from within Thailand ?

I would not like to go on a visa run ..

Thank ypu all.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user applied for a Non-Immigrant OA visa in Germany and arrived in Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption due to an urgent family matter. Although the OA visa was granted while in Thailand, it cannot be activated from within the country; the user must exit and re-enter Thailand to activate the visa. Forum responses confirm that a 'border bounce' is necessary to activate the visa, alongside the requirement to show health insurance documentation upon re-entry.
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Steve *******
Nope, you need to leave and re-enter to activate your Non Imm OA visa
Bob **********
No you’ll have to exit and re enter
Nongnuch ********
@Bob *********
and show health insurance documents
Bob **********
Nongnuch ********
@Hans ******
your multi entry Non-Imm-O/A visa is valid for use for an unlimited number of entries within the one year visa validity period. . . . . . .

you will need to activate your O/A visa by doing a "border bounce" – exit Thailand at a land border or by air, turn around and re-enter

Print out the E-visa document.

And have your health insurance policy and the F.I.C. document your insurer signed, ready to show to the Thai immigration officer at the border.

Upon entry into Thailand, you will get stamped in EITHER for 365 days OR at least for the remainder of the period your health insurance is valid (if it's less than one year at this point!)

Make sure you do get your accommodation TM30 registered, and don’t forget your 90-days reports
Kevin *********
@Nongnuch *******
just a quick question, why would he need to print out his insurance policy and his signed F.I.C. and show to I.O. if he was already approved for OA?
Nongnuch ********
@Kevin ********
you have to show these documents to the immigration officer at EVERY entry into Thailand. At least you must do so during the first year of the O/A visa validity. They will check on how long your health insurance will still be valid, because if it is less than one year, you will get stamped in not for the next 365 days but only for the remainder of the insurance validity
Kevin *********
@Nongnuch *******
thank you for that information, I didn't know that.
Nongnuch ********
@Kevin ********
that's why, if you wish to squeeze the possible two years stay in Thailand out of a Non-Imm-O/A visa, you should make sure you sign an insurance contract that gives you two full years validity from the start. By this way you do not have to worry to get stamped in for a shorter stay than expected
Kevin *********
SteBu ******
Go out, and in with the OA
Nippanut ***************
need to leave and reenter. dont know if the fact that visa was issued while you are in TH can be a problem. Per regulation, Embassy cannot issue visa to applicant residing in TH
Rel***
@Nippanut **************
as was previously stated once you are in Thailand cannot use a visa granted by an embassy/consulate abroad. However should be able to hop across the border and use upon your return.
Graham ******
@Nippanut **************
No problem as he applied from Germany
Vernon *********
What part of Thailand are you staying?
Mu ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Vernon *********
@Hans ******
You can do a quick border bounce to Malaysia, either by plane, train or road.
Bent *************
@Vernon ********
A border run from Koh Samui by train or road?

*****
55
Vernon *********
@Bent ************
Any idiot knows that involves a small boat trip first!
Mu ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Vernon ********
hi, i could not fibd any plane conbection to Malaysia any longer ..? Maybe it is paused ?
Vernon *********
@Hans ******
Singapore will do.
Jeffrey ************
You've got to leave and return....
Brandon ************
You can only activate your visa when entering Thailand. You cannot activate it from within the country. Whether you want to do a border bounce or not is irrelevant, it's the only way to activate your visa.
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