Ask question

Can I activate my Non O visa by doing a border run to Laos instead of returning to France?

Non O visa visa exemption border run Thailand immigration visa activation expat advice

June 1, 2024

4 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello everyone, I hope you are all well. I have a quick question. If I don't receive my Non O visa before my flight date, I will have to enter Thailand on visa exempt. When the Non O arrives via email, can I validate it by flying to and from a nearby country (Laos) or must I return to my country of residence (France) where the Visa is from and fly back? Needless to say, the latter option would be a pain and very expensive. 

Thanks. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

886

views

1

likes

21

all likes

10

replies

0

images

7

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

If you do not receive your Non O visa before your flight to Thailand and enter the country on a visa exemption, you can activate your Non O visa by doing a border run to a nearby country like Laos. It is not necessary to return to your home country (France) for activation. A border run allows you to leave and re-enter Thailand, which validates your visa upon return.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

Bob **********

Yes

Like

Reply

Graham ******

No Visa is entry specific. Once you have a valid Visa you can (exit and re-) enter the country at any entry point (air, land or sea) departing from any other country to activate it.

Like

Reply

Kay ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you, Graham. Have a nice day.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Kay ******

Reply

Terary **********

Border run will do. I live in Pattaya and there are agents that will run you to Cambodia. Round trip 3500 - takes about 8 hours. Flights will likely cost a little more and take a bit longer (taxi, wait at the airport there and back, etc, etc).

Like

Reply

Janet ***************

We call it boarder run. Cambodia

Like

Reply

Brandon ************

You do not have to return to your home country. You just need to do a border bounce to activate your visa. You can leave and return the same day.

Like

Reply

Richard ********

@Brandon ***********

is land border bounce ok or only by air ?

Like

Reply

Brandon ************

@Richard *******

either is fine

Like

Reply

Richard ********

@Brandon ***********

🙏

Like

Reply

Reply to

Richard ********

Reply

Kay ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks Brandon. That is a relief. 😘

Like

Reply

Reply to

Kay ******

Reply

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

... members · 60% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

Can I enter Thailand on a visa exemption while waiting for my NON-O visa approval?

7 comments

22 days ago

Can I enter Laos again on land once I have completed my Non-B visa paperwork, considering I'm currently visa exempt?

11 comments

3 months ago

Can South Africans convert a Non-O visa to a tourist visa at a Laos border instead of a Thai embassy?

8 comments

5 months ago

Can I enter Thailand on a visa exempt and validate my Non-O visa later without returning to France?

22 comments

5 months ago

Can I enter Thailand on exemption while waiting for my Non O retirement visa approval and re-enter with it later?

6 comments

5 months ago

Do I need to do a border run to activate my O-A visa approved while in Thailand?

3 comments

5 months ago

What should expats do if they receive their Thai visa after entering the country on a visa exempt entry?

6 comments

8 months ago

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

23 comments

8 months ago

Is it possible to apply for a 90-day non-O visa while out of Thailand for a short trip?

2 comments

8 months ago

Can I apply for a Non O Visa online before arriving in Laos?

12 comments

9 months ago

Can I do a border bounce to renew my visa exemption in Thailand, and how long should I stay in Laos?

11 comments

9 months ago

Can I do a same-day border run to Laos with a Non-O visa to extend my stay in Thailand?

51 comments

9 months ago

Can I switch to a Non-O visa by leaving Thailand and entering as visa exempt?

4 comments

10 months ago

What should I do to activate my Non-Immigrant O visa after entering Thailand with a visa exemption?

7 comments

a year ago

Can I use my Non-O visa upon re-entry after entering Thailand on a visa waiver?

2 comments

a year ago

Can I activate my Non-Immigrant B E-Visa by traveling to Laos and re-entering Thailand?

6 comments

a year ago

Can I activate my e-visa (Non-Immigrant O) after entering Thailand on a 30-day exemption?

2 comments

a year ago

Can I activate my NON-O visa with a border bounce if I'm on a visa exempt in Thailand?

5 comments

a year ago

Can I activate a new e-tourist visa when re-entering Thailand by land after a border run?

4 comments

2 years ago

Can I enter Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption and apply for a retirement visa without applying from France?

9 comments

2 years ago

Can I activate a Non OA visa in Thailand if I applied for it from the US?

21 comments

3 years ago

What should I do if my Non-O visa is invalid after returning without a re-entry permit?

13 comments

5 years ago

Can I Apply for a Non Immigrant O Visa at a Consulate in Laos Without a Re-Entry Permit?

11 comments

5 years ago

Can I do a same-day border bounce from Thailand to Laos with a Multi Entry Non-O Visa?

4 comments

5 years ago

Can I activate my Non-B visa by crossing into a nearby country after previously entering Thailand on a dependent visa?

4 comments

6 years ago

Data protection policy Terms and conditions Disclaimer Privacy policy Refund policy

The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.