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

Dec 15, 2023
a year ago
Richard ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
My wife and I are here on a multi entry non-o 1 year visa. However each entry allows you

only 90 days.

So we need to leave Thailand šŸ‡¹šŸ‡­ and return to receive another 90 day stay.

I was thinking of going to Laos for a day and then returning in the evening.

Is this doable? We are in Bangkok and was considering flying in and out.

Please advise
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquired about the feasibility of leaving Thailand to Laos for a day to reset their 90-day stay on a multi-entry Non-O visa. Community responses confirmed that such a border run is possible, requiring users to stamp out of Thailand and into Laos and back. Several comments discussed alternative destinations, suggested staying longer in Laos for a more enjoyable experience, and clarified aspects of the Non-O visa, emphasizing the 90-day stay limit per entry.
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Stuart *********
Ok this is a bit of a train wreck comment wise. The OP says they are on a year long multiple entry Non O. As thereā€™s two people mentioned Iā€™m assuming thatā€™s itā€™s been issued for them being over 50 - or as some refer to it as a ā€œretirement visaā€ - one of a few types of visas that are called the same thing.

A ME Non O is valid for a year and on every entry you get a stamp for 90 days. Entry day is day 1 so you get a stamp for another 89 days. After that time you must leave Thailand and re-enter for a new 90 day stamp. You cannot do a 90 report at an immigration office because you donā€™t have a visa that allows you to stay more than 90 days.

There is no time limit of how long you must leave Thailand for to get your next entry. At a land border (or rather most) you can cross and come immediately back. If flying you can fly out and back on the same day as long as flight schedules allow for such.

Laos borders are generally considered the ā€œeasierā€ choice. Avoid PoiPet at all costs - it may work for you but probably wonā€™t.

Thereā€™s much to see and do in SE Asian countries that surround Thailand. Unless you have a pressing need to be in Thailand for specific dates then why not make a holiday from your needed exit. Spend a weekend or even a week in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, etc and experience some different cultures, then come back for your next 90 day entry.
Merlyn ******
Finally someone said it right
Stuart *********
On any entry using that visa you could apply for a year long extension as long as you meet the financial requirements to do so. If you got an extension then there would be no requirement to leave Thailand every 90 days but you would need to report to immigration every 90 days (online, in person, or by post).
Ruth *******
I don't recommend Singapore. I'm not sure how that would work out, because they don't actually stamp you. It should still work, but why take the chance.
Jennifer ******
You can just go to immigration office and report for another 90 days and it's free
Bonnie *********
@Jennifer *****
I believe you're incorrect. My first year, I had to leave the country every 90 days. My subsequent years, I could just go to immigration. After the first 90 day check-in during my second year, I could use the on-line check-in.
Michael ********
@Jennifer *****
the name is in the visa multi entry maximum allowed stay is 90 days
Jennifer ******
@Michael *******
he mentioned he is on a Non O retirement visa for 1 year. Not a tourist visa. Multiple entry means he doesnā€™t have to pay 1900B for a re entry fee. I have the same Visa that he does. I go to CW to let them know Iā€™m still here every 90 days thatā€™s all.
Graham ******
@Jennifer *****
Wrong, it's only a 90 day entry stamp with this Visa then you either border bounce to get another 90 days or apply for a 12 month extension.
Jennifer ******
@Graham *****
ok he's not on a retirement visa like the one I have that's why.
Robert *******
Iā€™ve done the Laos trip several times for this visa. You can go to Nong Khai, clear Thai customs, do Lao customs, and turn around and go back to Thailand. But I would spend a day or two (or 10) in Laos before coming back. Lots to see.
Chris *******
Laos is fantastic. Why one day?
Terary **********
YES - you can.

As I understand it, you should be eligible for 1 year extension, but I am not that familiar with retirement visas so maybe not.

However I have done a few border bounces. You can fly to Lao, or if you want a little adventure, you can fly to Udon Thani and make your way up to the border and cross on foot.
Richard ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terary *********
when you cross on foot do you go through immigration in Laos and process an on arrival visa and then when you return to Thailand you go through immigration and get stamped in according to the visa you have?

Is the cross over location what folks are referring to as the friendship bridge? And on return here they have Thai immigration???

TIA šŸ˜Š
Richard ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you, has anyone been recently šŸ˜Š
Terary **********
@Richard *****
Yep - you cross immigration both ways. If you choose to do this, I would ask this group for recent experiences. The last time I did it, it was a couple of years before Covid.

I walked across, there is actually a bus for the
***
mile stretch, from what I remember. Go through immigration, there will be a shopping center of sorts. Get yourself a snack, come back through. Probably start-to-finish 2 hours.
David ****
Just checkingā€¦ the non-o 1 year visa only requires 90 day reporting at immigration or online. Not necessary to leave the country and return for another stamp. Right?
Gary ***********
Steve *******
@David ***
Wrong. Only 90 days per entry.
Gary ***********
@David ***
Thereā€™s 2 types of Non-O.

1. u can only stay for a maximum of 90 days

The other u don't need to leave the country but have to report every 90 days...
Steve *******
@Gary **********
The latter is a Non Imm OA, all Non Imm O's are 90 days only.
Gary ***********
@Steve ******
Wrong. I did the 90 day reporting during covid as I wasn't leaving the country... But now back to the 90 days as travelling with work... Never had an OA. Only Non-B's & O's...
Steve *******
@Gary **********
You must've had extentions of stay as Non Imm B and O VISAS are 90 day maximum stay and dont require 90 day reports.
David ****
@Gary **********
So which 1 year visa only requires the 90 day reporting and needs to be extended every year?
Gary ***********
@David ***
Single entry Non-O. If you are over 50 and don't intend to work, then apply for the single entry Non-OA.

U can look at what visas are applicable for you at
**********************
services
Steve **********
@David ***
that's been my understanding for 20 yrs
Richard ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ***
also on the stamp in it was for 90 days only.
Richard ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ***
it says 90 days per entry.
Richard ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
No not a retirement visa šŸ˜Š
David ****
@Richard *****
Oh ok. So itā€™s not a retirement visa. I had an oa retirement visa which had a year stamp.
Richard ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ***
wish it was, I became the Thai and my wife became the American. I can not get her to retire here šŸ˜Š
David ****
@Richard *****
Yeah we all want to retire elsewhere. So your non-o

visa was issued in Thailand or from the embassy here in the US?
Richard ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ***
yup from the WDC Thai Embassy.
David ****
@Richard *****
Thanks for the info. Iā€™m just outside of DC. Have a safe trip wherever you decide to go.
Richard ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ***
folks at the WDC embassy are real nice.
Adrian **********
Entry visa to Laos $40! Plus flight !
Graham ******
Check the costs of the flights plus the costs of the entry Visa (if applicable) to determine the cheapest option then look at the available flights to see if it is possible within one day. You can then choose the best option to suit your needs not forgetting another Visa might use a full page in your passport (without the associated entry/exit stamps).
Gorgon *****
maybe obvious..but ensure you have copy of visa you received by email..to reactivate upon reentry ..think of it as first time..every time..
Tom *********
"Is this doable?" Of course, the question is more: WHY the hack would you want to do that...? Staying overnight or for a couple of days is hardly a drame and more convenient. Flying to Udon is cheaper, BTW, and as others have pointed out, flying to KL better and no visa BS.
Steve *******
@Tom ********
Actually flying to Ubon would be better if you're going to do a border bounce to Laos
Michael ********
Why not fly into Malaysia or Singapore no visas required for most people and both singapore and KL have interesting areas at airport
Vernon *********
@Michael *******
Vietnam too, cheapest flights are to Ho Chi Minh or Kuala Lumpur.
Michael ********
@Vernon ********
it really depends when you have that much notice you can get great deals anywhere as long as you are open to any destination. My friend used to do multi entry and book the years flights in one go
Brandon ************
Yes completely do-able. Just make sure you stamp out of Thailand, stamp into another country (meaning you must go through their passport control and purchase a visa if relevant) and then stamp back out of that country and travel to Thailand. You cannot just turn around in the airport and return to Thailand without having stamped into that country.
Andy **********
@Brandon ***********
I understand it needs to be done exactly how you said, but out of curiosity, do you know why you can't just stamp out and back in again?? I've never understood why you need to physically enter and exit another country before you can return.
Brandon ************
@Andy *********
šŸ¤·šŸ»ā€ā™‚ļø
Richard ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
so when you get there you go through their immigration and process their visa upon arrival and exit the airport.

Then can you reenter the airport and process to board a flight back to Bangkok, when you arrive in Bangkok go through immigration and receive your 90 day entry???

Or must we spend the night in Laos and return the next day?
Brandon ************
@Richard *****
you do not need to spend the night
Richard ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
thank you for your help šŸ˜Š
David ********
@Brandon ***********
Tks I was just thinking the same. So you have to actually go into another country. I was thinking just go out and turn around and just come back in.
Stephen *******
@Brandon ***********
yep must go through immigration. Malaysia is best cause you don't need a visa to enter Malaysia.
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