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Can I enter Thailand on a visa exemption and later return with a Non-O visa?
Oct 20, 2025
6 months ago
สก็อต *********
ORIGINAL POSTERAm I right in thinking that potentially I could enter Thailand on a visa exempt for 60 then leave for a few days then come back using a non o 90 day visa that I had applied for previously
TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation discusses whether one can enter Thailand on a visa exemption for 60 days, then leave, and subsequently re-enter using a NON-O visa. Most comments suggest that if you already have a NON-O visa issued, immigration will likely require you to use it instead of opting for visa exemption. There's an acknowledgment that while some have successfully used visa exemptions while waiting for other visas, it heavily depends on the immigration officer's discretion. Therefore, caution is advised regarding this approach.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
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Mike **********
I tried to enter on a 60 days exemption but i also have a DTV. I did this because my DTV is attached to one of my US passports and i didnt have it with me and use my other US passports. They caught it at immigration and attached my DTV to both passports and made me use my DTV. So if you are in their system with a Visa they make you use it in my experience
Dennis *********
@Mike *********
"is attached to one of my US passports " i've heard of dual citizenship before, but how is it even legal to have more than 1 US passport?Mike **********
@Dennis ********
it is for me. I have two, somtimes 3 us passports. I travel a lot for work and need certain visa’s. Some take a while to get so the state department lets you have more than one.Dennis *********
@Mike *********
visa yes, passports doubtfulMike **********
@Dennis ********
what you mean doubtful?Reply to
Mike **********
Reply
John *********
Sure, but why would anyone do that? How would that benefit you?
Eddie *********
It depends on the immigration officer. Be nice and he may stamp you in
Helmut *********
Why not use visa first - then leave after 3 months and come back visafree? Would make more sense...
สก็อต *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Helmut ********
that makes better senseKim *********
@สก็อต ********
no that makes more sense is correct! You should say "that makes more sense" because "more" is the correct adverb to use for comparison, not "better". "Better" is the comparative form of "good," while "more" is the comparative form of "well" and is used with verbs like "make". Correct: "That makes more sense."
Incorrect: "That makes better sense."
Why: The adverb "more" modifies the verb "makes" to show a greater degree of sense, whereas "better" would be used to describe something that is "good". For example, you would say "This is a better idea," but "This makes more sense".
Reply to
Kim *********
Reply
Andrew ********
Yes - you can enter thailand under visa exempt while processing non-o visa but you can simply extend visa exempt with 1900 baht at immigration and get 30 more days - but yes you can do that once your visa is granted leafe and come back under new visa
Peter **********
@Andrew *******
No, you can’t. You are not allowed to enter Thailand during the processing of a non-O.You might get away with it but it’s entirely illegal.
Jack ********
@Peter *********
it’s a policy at the consulates. It’s not illegal and you aren’t breaking any laws of Thailand. Find something else to try and scare people. Illegal LOL.Andrew ********
@Peter *********
oh really may want to check cause ed-visa works that way even do in-country conversions its a non-o visa - you can do out of country application and enter the country in processPeter **********
@Andrew *******
You can do an in-country application for a non-O visa, but it requires you stay in Thailand from the application until the issue of the visa.You are not allowed to cross the Thai border during a non-O application process.
Doug ********
@Peter *********
they would not let me in udon thani,and many others I met in laos erw told samePeter **********
@Doug *******
My bad. You’re right. You can’t not do non-o while in Thailand because the purpose of the visa is to enter the country.You can, however, get an in-country extension of stay. E.g. based on marriage or based on retirement; they are for one year. Or shorter extensions for other reasons. (I don’t know them all by heart)
Graham ******
@Peter *********
You can also get the initial 90 day Non-O visas from inside Thailand by meeting the requirements which requires, among other things, the correct funds in a Thai bank accountDoug ********
@Graham *****
omg you can't every where but just keep saying you can..lolGraham ******
@Doug *******
did I say everywhere? No, just inside Thailand.Andrew ********
@Peter *********
ok you posted all that for what - ive done this process myself many others have done this process - you can apply for then enter on another visa there is nothing stopping you from doing that - not one thing - If you other visa is approved while here GREAT make sure you leave thailalnd and come back intime to use the orher visa that was grantedPeter **********
@Andrew *******
Here’s the explanation of the Thai e-visa system for Netherlands:IMPORTANT:
Thai Visa is for entering Thailand. It is therefore issued to those who are outside of Thailand and will visit Thailand. Therefore, your visa application will be rejected if you are already in Thailand during the visa process.
Royal Thai Embassy, The Hague, has the authority to provide visa service only to those who are in the Netherlands for the entire visa process. Therefore, your visa application will be rejected if you are outside of the Netherlands.
Reply to
Peter **********
Reply
Frankie *******
Yes sounds gd
Ian ********
Why abuse the system it ends up spoiling it for others in the long run
Ian ********
Abusing the system
Todd *********
@Ian *******
who exactly is this ‘spoiling’ anything for lolJim *******
@Ian *******
I do not think it spoils anything for anyone. Imm officer will see on their screen and act as per their rules. An idividual is immaterial. Either stamped in or deny entry.What Imm oficers may be after are abuses of border runs (even those are tolerated to an extent). Even then, they would tell "get a proper visa, this is the last time we are letting you in".
Ian ********
@Jim ******
talking rubbish pal you have a valid visa use it end ofJim *******
@Ian *******
Yes, a valid 1 year extension, Non O, stampend in my passport.Reply to
Jim *******
Reply
Phil ********
Ive done this before.
Christer *********
I think thats possible
Brandon ************
If the visa is already issued when you are attempting to enter the first time, you will likely be required to use it then.
There have been many reports of people asking if they could enter using visa exempt and I've never seen anyone say that they were allowed to do so.
I also saw a report from someone who didn't mention they had the visa hoping to enter visa exempt, and the officer found it and required them to use it.
There have been many reports of people asking if they could enter using visa exempt and I've never seen anyone say that they were allowed to do so.
I also saw a report from someone who didn't mention they had the visa hoping to enter visa exempt, and the officer found it and required them to use it.
Jim *******
@Brandon ***********
Yes, one can be in Thai on only one visa base, either visa exempt or any other visa, but only one. Visa "stronger" than visa exempt, if it exists, must be used and becomes the only permission to stay in Thai.Marc *********
@Brandon ***********
im in thailand atm been here for 3 weeks, go back sat. Im due back twice before the end of the year with a few weeks break in between visits..will i be ok getting the standard 60 days each time?Brandon ************
@Marc ********
No one can say for sure. But it's more about the total time in Thailand than it is about number of entries. Generally people start running into issues once they've been in Thailand for 90 days in a 6 month period, and 6 months within a 12 month period.Marc *********
@Brandon ***********
thanks brandonReply to
Marc *********
Reply
Marek **********
@Brandon ***********
I’m interested in the opposite version. Could I enter Thailand using a Non-O 90-day visa, then leave for a few days and come back to stay on a 60-day visa exemption?Justin *********
@Marek *********
back before the switch to 60-day exempt, I used to get a tourist visa, do a border run to Vietnam, and then come back to Thailand for the 30-day exempt (and then leave for Indonesia and come back for another 30 days a month later). So, I think you'd probably be fine. The one concern I'd have is that people have been reporting challenges when they try to enter repeatedly with an exemption now, especially if they've done extensions in the past. Personally, I decided to just do a multi-entry tourist visa for my upcoming trip, so I won't have to stress over it. The consulate in HCMC took 2 business days to get back to me with a request for a newer photo and an itinerary (I had only made reservations for my first 60 days of flights and hotels), and then took another two business days to approve me.
So, if you're just doing one exempt entry, I doubt you'll have any issues (but I'd defer to the experts). If you're planning multiple visits after, I think you can take the anxiety out of the process if you do a border run to HCMC, apply for a tourist visa, and include a proposed itinerary in the PDF of your plane & hotel reservations.
Marek **********
@Justin ********
Thank you for your response🙏I plan to spend 5 months each year in Thailand as my vacation and relaxation time — no less and no more. I am retired and have sufficient financial means to apply for a Retirement Visa or Tourist Visa. This year, my first stay in Thailand is under the 60-day Visa Exemption. After that, I flew to Kuala Lumpur, returned to Thailand, and began another 60-day Visa Exemption with a 30-day extension.
In total, this covers 5 months — no less, no more.
I am now starting to think about next year and my next 5-month stay ( no morę, no less). That’s why I’m considering which option — Retirement Visa, Tourist Visa, or a combination of 60+60+30 days under Visa Exemption — would be the least troublesome for me.
Justin *********
@Marek *********
I’ve basically been doing three exempt visits a year or one 60-day visa and a couple of exempt visits since 2018, and have never had an issue beyond being asked to show my outbound ticket. But on my last entry in Bangkok in June, the immigration officer spent a long time looking over all the stamps in my passport and my flight reservations on the Trip app before she let me in. So, I decided to just go with the multi-entry tourist visa for $200 and use it for a couple of 60-day entries and one 30-day — basically the same 5-month itinerary you’re aiming for. If the $200 isn’t an issue, then I think the tourist visa might be an easier application than the retirement visa. But I’ve never tried the retirement visa application. I don’t want to admit I’m old enough! :)Marek **********
@Justin ********
Thank you 🙏To summarize all the discussions in this group and considering my own stay conditions, I will also lean towards getting a multiple-entry tourist visa. The price at the Thai Embassy in Warsaw is definitely worth the time spent in Thailand. See you somewhere in Thailand! 🌴😎😀Reply to
Marek **********
Reply
Brandon ************
@Marek *********
If you haven't spent a lot of time in Thailand as a tourist over the previous year, then it should be fine to do that.Marek **********
@Brandon ***********
Thank you for your response 🙏I plan to spend 5 months each year in Thailand as my vacation and relaxation time — no less and no more. I am retired and have sufficient financial means to apply for a Retirement Visa or Tourist Visa. This year, my first stay in Thailand is under the 60-day Visa Exemption. After that, I flew to Kuala Lumpur, returned to Thailand, and began another 60-day Visa Exemption with a 30-day extension.
In total, this covers 5 months — no less, no more.
I am now starting to think about next year and my next 5-month stay ( no morę, no less). That’s why I’m considering which option — Retirement Visa, Tourist Visa, or a combination of 60+60+30 days under Visa Exemption — would be the least troublesome for me.
Reply to
Marek **********
Reply
John *********
@Marek *********
it is possible, but why would anyone do that? That would void your Non-O visa. How would that benefit you?Marek **********
@John ********
Thank you for your response 👍I plan to spend 5 months each year in Thailand as my vacation and relaxation time — no less and no more. I am retired and have sufficient financial means to apply for a Retirement Visa or Tourist Visa. This year, my first stay in Thailand is under the 60-day Visa Exemption. After that, I flew to Kuala Lumpur, returned to Thailand, and began another 60-day Visa Exemption with a 30-day extension.
In total, this covers 5 months — no less, no more.
I am now starting to think about next year and my next 5-month stay ( no morę, no less). That’s why I’m considering which option — Retirement Visa, Tourist Visa, or a combination of 60+60+30 days under Visa Exemption — would be the least troublesome for me.
Sean **********
@John ********
does not make sense to me to do that eitherMarek **********
@Sean *********
Thank you for your response 🙏 I plan to spend 5 months each year in Thailand as my vacation and relaxation time — no less and no more. I am retired and have sufficient financial means to apply for a Retirement Visa or Tourist Visa. This year, my first stay in Thailand is under the 60-day Visa Exemption. After that, I flew to Kuala Lumpur, returned to Thailand, and began another 60-day Visa Exemption with a 30-day extension.
In total, this covers 5 months — no less, no more.
I am now starting to think about next year and my next 5-month stay ( no morę, no less). That’s why I’m considering which option — Retirement Visa, Tourist Visa, or a combination of 60+60+30 days under Visa Exemption — would be the least troublesome for me.
Reply to
Marek **********
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