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 Re-entry Visa Process

Feb 28, 2022

3 years ago

Gee ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

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TLDR : 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.

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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Gee ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

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?

3 years ago

Steve *******

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

3 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

3 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.

3 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

3 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.

3 years ago

Reply to

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

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.

3 years ago

Gee ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you for the information. Is there a reason why I'd have to leave?

3 years ago

Steve *******

@Gary ********

To activate the OA visa. You can only activate the OA by entering the Country.

3 years ago

Michael ********

@Gary ********

visa is for entry INTO country.

The immigration department that does extensions of stays is one thing and the Immigration for entry is another.