Answered5 years ago

Can I enter Thailand on my USA passport while waiting for my Non-Immigrant OA visa approval?

Non-Immigrant OA Visa Visa Approval Process Visa Exemption Retirement Visa Thailand Immigration Rules Financial Requirements for Visa

Gee ******

asked Feb 28, 2022

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If my Non-immigrant OA visa is not approved before I leave, can I still enter on my USA passport? And then just wait for approval after I'm in Thailand? If its not approved and I'm already in Thailand will there be any issues making corrections and resubmiting? TIA

Answer summary

The user inquired about the possibility of entering Thailand on their USA passport while awaiting approval of their Non-Immigrant OA visa and whether they can apply for it while in the country. Responses indicated that the user would likely need to leave Thailand and re-enter to activate the OA visa but could also start over by applying for a visa while in Thailand, keeping in mind financial requirements, including the need to transfer funds to a Thai bank.

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Gee ******

So my choices are after entering on USA passport:

1) Before 30 days, leave and come back on the new OA visa

Or

2) Apply for OA visa in Thailand but I have to transfer 800tbh to Thai Bank

Correct?

5 years ago

Steve *******

You'd have to leave and re-enter to activate the OA visa.

5 years ago

Stephen *******

If you come visa exempt you'll be stamped in for 30 days extendable at immigration in Thailand for another 30 days. If your O-A is approved and you leave and re-enter you would be stamped in for a year. But you need to enter to get the new stamp

5 years ago

George *************

If you enter visa-exempt, you could apply for a Non-O visa from Immigration and then apply for an annual extension of stay for retirement. Assuming you meet all the requirements which are mostly financial. I don’t understand why people are saying you would have to leave Thailand.

5 years ago

Bobby ********

George Marinkovich..If he can activate the OA visa he doesn't need to transfer money to Thailand. This can only be done by entering the country with the visa. Getting an O visa in-country means transferring 800k into Thailand

5 years ago

George *************

@Bobby *******

agree, maybe the problem is that on my phone I can't read long OP if they choose a gigantic font. Sorry if I missed something in the OP, but more... doesn't work.

5 years ago

Kool *******

You can enter Thailand, on an exemption stamp, and then start over and apply for your retirement visa/extension. The only difference will be needing to have bt800,000 in a Thai bank in your name only. When you apply you'll get a 90 day type O, giving you enough time to get your money in the bank for at least two months before you apply for the one year extension. Just be aware that the money must come from an overseas source. You can't just deposit cash for the retirement extension.

5 years ago