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Can I apply for another Non-O visa after returning to the US if I used my Non-O visa to enter Thailand?

Jan 24, 2026
3 months ago
R**
ORIGINAL POSTER
I got my non O retirement 3 months single entry visa on Jan 09.

I arrived to Thailand today on Jan 24 for vacation for 2 weeks and fly back to the United States and thought I could just come in as a visa exempt without using my non O visa this time. But I was told to use my non O visa today at the immigration.

My plan to move to Thailand is in March. And I don’t have the time to extend to a one year extension on this trip. Is it possible for me to get another Non O 3 months visa again when I get back to the United States or are there any ways for me.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is facing confusion regarding the use of their Non-O retirement visa and the potential for future extensions. They have recently arrived in Thailand with a single-entry Non-O visa, but upon trying to enter under visa exemption, were informed they must use their Non-O visa. With plans to retire in Thailand in March, they are unsure if they can obtain another Non-O visa upon returning to the U.S. The community discussion emphasizes the importance of obtaining a re-entry permit before exiting Thailand, opening a Thai bank account, and transferring funds to meet the financial requirements for future visa extensions.
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.
David ******
Get a TM30 from I hope your hotel , get a residence certificate and open a bank account. That way you knocked that off the list. Also try to get a driver license,. might be hard to secure a spot for DL. Don't waste your $80 do the things you are allowed to do.
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Nongnuch ********
WHY WHY does everybody get it wrong? A single re-entry permit is valid for the duration of the 90-days stay permit, not for the duration of the visa validity . . . a re-entry permit would be valid until April 21, that's as long as he got stamped in today. He must open a Thai bank account ASAP. If the 800K deposit arrives in his Thai bank account by February 5, for example, he can apply for the 1-year Extension of the Stay Permit up from April 3 . . he would have 18 days left if he has all ducks in a row
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Ralphy *****
Nongnuch Kamdee yes get a re entry permit before you go
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Alan **********
Nongnuch Kamdee You said "A single re-entry permit is valid for the duration of the 90-days stay permit, not for the duration of the visa validity"

I'm sorry. Who got it wrong ? 🤔
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Nongnuch ********
Alan Rothwell three people commenting got it wrong. Three people claimed that the re-entry permit would not help the OP. They assumed wrongly that the re-entry permit only keep the visa validity alive. That's where they are wrong. The re-entry permit keeps the 90-days stay permit alive
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Nongnuch ********
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Ron ******
Nongnuch Kamdee You've just repeated exactly what Greg said previously!
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Ron ******
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Graeme ******
Suggest you open your bank account on this trip to mKe it easier when you come back later
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Stuart ***********
Like others have said you applied too early for the non-O, but at least you know what to do in March.

If you can, try to open a bank account now, as it is probably the most difficult part of the process. Then when you come back in March with another non-O, you will simply have to deposit the 800,000, wait 2 months and then go to immigration to extend your stay for 12 months.
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Alan **********
Stuart Chiverton He did NOT apply too early for the Non-O. He applied Jan 9, intending to enter for RETIREMENT in March, well with the validity of the visa.

He INTENDED to use visa-exempt to enter TODAY but was forced by Immigration to use the Non-O.
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Stuart ***********
Alan Rothwell okay, the Thai immigration got it wrong and you are correct 🤔
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Stuart ***********
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Greg ***********
Stuart Chiverton he would not need another Non-O if he is able to open a bank account now and transfers the money. He could enter visa-exempt and apply for the conversion (change of visa type) from the exempt entry to the initial 90-days Non-O on Immigration, with the 800,000 THB already sitting in his account, a rental contract and a minimum of 15 days left on his entry stamp
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Deborah *******
Greg Alexander he also has to get a Thai phone number. I believe he also qualifies (if over 50) to show a combo of $65k baht in passive or retirement income which includes pension or Social security and 400k baht instead of the 800k that has to be seasoned.
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Greg ***********
@Deborah ******
Sorry but you are ignoring the actual situation. . . he is a US citizen, his embassy in Bangkok does not issue any income affidavit. He however would need it on Immigration if he wanted to prove any income or pension. So, he can't use NEITHER the combination method NOR the income method. His only option for the first year Extension of Stay, is the 800,000 THB deposit. He can immediately start to transfer a minimum of 65,000 THB to his Thai bank account, month for month, not missing out any single month. After 12 months of consecutive transfers, for the application to the next EOS, he can use a 12-months bank statement as the financial proof. Only then, if approved and the next extension gets issued, he can take the 800,000 THB out of his Thai bank account. A US Citizen is never able to use the combination method
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Greg ***********
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Stuart ***********
Greg Alexander I didn't realise he could do that Greg. That's even easier.
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Stuart ***********
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Greg ***********
Stuart Chiverton why?? The re-entry permit is valid for the duration of the stay permit, not for the duration of the visa. If he buys a single re-entry permit for the 90 days stay permit he got stamped in today, on January 24, it will enable him to re-enter Thailand until April 21. If he opens a bank account now as soon as possible, and the 800,000 THB arrive by February 5, he can apply for the 1-year extension up from April 3 when the deposit has seasoned for 2 months
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Yo***
Greg Alexander correct. however, maybe he has no time to wait until 3. April. If the money is in, it should be seasoned for two months, so maybe he can not wait in Thailand. I think this is the problem to him.
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Yo***
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John **********
You should apply for another Non-O once you return home
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Shane ******
Open your bank while here put money in, and apply for a re entry permit when you leave, when back in March apply for 30 day extension and then get on your 12 month extension.
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Greg ***********
Shane Wilo he cannot get a 30 days extension, but even if he could, he doesn't need it. If he buys a single re-entry permit for the 90 days stay permit he got stamped in today, on January 24, it will enable him to re-enter Thailand until April 21. If he opens a bank account now as soon as possible, and for example the 800,000 THB arrive by February 5, he can apply for the 1-year extension up from April 3 when the deposit has seasoned for 2 months
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John **********
@Shane *****
no 30 day extension on a Non-O visa
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John **********
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Graham ******
Sounds like you applied for your Non-O too early if you intended using it in March as it is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. You will need a new one for March.
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Alan **********
Graham Seal nvm - [you were corrected already and fixed it]
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Greg ***********
Graham Seal The re-entry permit is valid for the duration of the stay permit, not for the duration of the visa . . . it would be valid until April 21
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Graham ******
Greg Alexander of course
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Graham ******
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Greg ***********
Graham Seal why? If he buys a single re-entry permit for the 90 days stay permit he got stamped in today, on January 24, it will enable him to re-enter Thailand until April 21. If he opens a bank account now as soon as possible, and the 800,000 THB arrive by February 5, he can apply for the 1-year extension up from April 3 when the deposit has seasoned for 2 months
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Yo***
Greg Alexander I am not sure. I just got informed that the visa for 90days means the visa holder must stay until he gets extension. Visa is something like that. He is not on tourism visa, so it looks different. My point is if retirement visa for 90 days can allow to go out and come back within 90 days time of visa.
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Graham ******
Young no, a Non-O is single entry, exit without a re-entry permit and it is finished
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Graham ******
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Graham ******
Greg Alexander Oops, 555, mental arithmetic flop. Yes, a re-entry permit gets back to Thailand and proceed as you said.
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Graham ******
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Andreas *********
When you fly back to the USA, the 90-days stay permit you received when entering on the Non-O visa will expire and the visa is worthless, it can’t be used for another entry.

If you plan to retire, you got two options:

Either

*** apply for another 90-days Non-Imm-O visa. Enter, get a Thai bank account opened and apply for the 1-year Extension as soon as the minimum of 800,000 THB has been sitting in your account for 2 months

Or

*** get a Thai bank account opened NOW while you are still here! Transfer a minimum of 800,000 THB into it. You need a proof that the money came from abroad.

Then enter visa-exempt in March and apply for the “change of visa type” from the exempt entry to the initial 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa on Immigration.

You will need a rental contract and the bankbook confirming the 800,000 THB already sitting in your Thai bank account. As soon as 60 days are up from these 90 days, you can apply for the 1-year Extension of the Stay Permit based on retirement
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Bob **********
Andreas Mueller he can get a single re entry if he’s back before it expires but to no avail if he didn’t open a bank account and get his money in there
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Andreas *********
Bob D'Andrea yepp, he could do that, if he gets a Thai bank account opened in the next few days and transfers the money. A single re-entry permit would allow him another entry until April 21 (that's the date the 90 days stay permit expires) and some time left to apply for the extension, as soon as the 800,000 THB have been sitting in the account for 2 months
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Andreas *********
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Alan ********
Yes, l would say so. It's a 90 day visa for people who meet the retirement criteria. It's a way into retiring in Thailand
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Alan ********
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