Can I enter Thailand as a tourist and activate my Non O visa approval by bouncing back from Laos?

Non-O Visa eVisa Visa Rules Thailand Immigration Border Crossing Tourist Visa Visa Exempt Entry

Nov 24, 2024

3 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

A month ago, I applied for a Non O (married to a Thai) through the eVisa system while in my home country. However, I still have not gotten an eVisa approval email and my flight to Thailand is in a few days. 

If I don’t get the email, I can still enter Thailand as a tourist (visa exempt). 

But what if I get the Non O approval email while I’m in Thailand as a tourist? Can I enter Laos then bounce back into Thailand with the eVisa approval email and still receive the Non O?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user applied for a Non-O visa while in their home country but has not yet received approval and is concerned about their upcoming flight to Thailand. They asked if they could enter Thailand as a tourist and later activate their Non-O visa by crossing into Laos and returning. Community members confirmed that this is possible; upon receiving approval via email, the user can do a border bounce to activate their Non-O visa upon re-entering Thailand.

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Wannikea *********

Which embassy/consulate did you apply through? Los Angeles?

3 days ago

Daniel ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Wannikea ********

yes, LA—how’d you know? Haha

3 days ago

Wannikea *********

@Daniel *******

snooped your social media. Worst case scenario check your email upon arrival in Thailand before you go through immigration, it might arrive at the last minute, otherwise a border bounce to activate the DTV

2 days ago

Reply to

Wannikea *********

Jan ******************

Check in your e-visa portal if it still says “processing” or “finished” and check the spam filter of your e-mail.

The process is normally done just in a couple of days.

3 days ago

Kevin *******

It took 7-8 days in the US when I applied for the same type of visa a few months ago (via Chicago consulate).

3 days ago

Daniel ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jan *****************

thanks! Sadly the portal says still pending.

3 days ago

Reply to

Daniel ********

James ********

Simple answer... YES

ENTER Thailand Visa EXEMPT ENTRY and get 60 days on arrival... Plus One 30 day extension of stay at your local Thai Immigration office for 1900 Thai baht.

Then anytime you want, do a simple LAND or AIR BORDER BOUNCE... show PROOF of your New NonO visa in the email you received to Thai Immigration Officers upon arrival into Thailand. You will be stamped in for 90 days.

3 days ago

David ******

@James *******

just have a printed copy .

3 days ago

Daniel ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@James *******

definitely a big relief! Thank you!!

3 days ago

Reply to

Daniel ********

Ellie *******

Q. Can I enter Laos then bounce back into Thailand with the eVisa approval email and still receive the Non O?

-> Yes, you can bounce at one of the borders, by land/sea or air, to "activate" your newly approved Non-O as eVisa.

Unnecessary additional, check for the last time just before you go through passport control in Thailand to see whether it's approved or not during the trip.

3 days ago

Daniel ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

will do. Thanks!!

3 days ago

Reply to

Daniel ********

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