Can I enter Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption while waiting for my O-A eVisa approval?

Question

Hi Everyone.  I've lived/worked in Thailand for 17 years, so would be happy to offer insights on various matters.

I've got an evisa question if anyone confidently knows the rules.  I applied for an O-A evisa with multiple entry about 5 weeks ago but they continue to drag their feet on processing it.  In the meantime, I have a flight booked for Thursday that would be costly to rebook.  I also have some need to be in country by the weekend.   I am wondering whether I should keep my flight and enter on a 30 day visa exemption and try to get the O-A visa put into my passport at Chaeng Wattana once the email with the approved evisa shows up.  Any thoughts on how likely I could accomplish this?  Of course the alternative would be to fly out and back in once the evisa is available, but frankly I would like to avoid that...  Any thoughts?

Ask Thailand · Answer

A user, having applied for an O-A eVisa, seeks advice on whether to proceed with a booked flight and enter Thailand using a 30-day visa exemption while waiting for the eVisa approval. Community members confirm that if the eVisa isn't received by the flight date, the user can enter on a visa exemption and later must exit the country to activate the O-A visa upon its arrival. They discuss typical processing delays and the requirement to leave and re-enter Thailand to switch to the O-A visa.

Wolf ****** · Answer

If you haven't get you eVisa prior departure, flight-in with visa exemption 30 days. You could get another 30 days at immigration.

When you get your eVisa you have to exit Thailand and re-enter to activate for 12 months your visa.

The eVisa is valid 1 year when emitted, so you have time (max 60 days: day 1 is arrival date) to do the in-out with your visa-exemption and eVisa.

Have a print-out of the PDF eVisa and medical insurance certificate.

Good luck🙏

Wannikea ********* · Answer

You could mention what consulate/embassy is serving you.

Douglas ****** · Answer

Thanks Lloyd and Will.  That's what I suspected.  I'm now entering 5th week since submitting all the docs needed for an O-A.  That was after 6 weeks to get police reports etc., so actually I'm 3 months and counting on securing this O-A visa.  Are others experiencing a very slow evisa turnaround?  Anyone know if the thaievisa is controlled centrally in Bangkok or by each Embassy around the world?  Impossible to get to talk to anyone at my local embassy...

Will ************ · Answer

The only way you will get the OA stamp is if you stamp out of the country and then re enter. Make sure you print it.

Lloyd ******** · Answer

If your visa has not arrived by the time of your flight and you arrive visa exempt, then when your evisa does arrive, you would have to leave and re-enter the country to activate it, there is no way of doing that without leaving the country.

Can I enter Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption while waiting for my O-A eVisa approval?

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