Answered7 months ago

Can I enter Thailand on visa exemption if my OA visa is still valid?

Visa Exemption Retirement Visa Non-O Visa OA Visa Thai Immigration Visa Conversion

Guido **********

asked Mar 19, 2026

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Entering on Visa exemption instead of OA visa

Hi, I'm currently in my first year OA retirement visa and I would like to switch to an O visa.

As I am in Hanoi now, I thought about re-entering Thailand on visa exemption instead of on my OA visa which is still valid for 3 weeks.

After that I want to apply for my non-immigrant O in Chiang Mai.

Is this possible, will Thai immigration let me in on visa exemption if my OA visa is still valid for a few weeks?

And will CM immigration office then allow me to apply for the O visa based on my exemption entry?

Answer summary

The user is currently on an OA retirement visa and is considering re-entering Thailand on visa exemption while the OA visa is still valid, in order to switch to a Non-O visa. The conversation revolves around the feasibility of this plan, discussing the potential risks and necessary conditions for immigration approval. Various community members provide insight on the complications of converting visas within Thailand versus applying for a Non-O visa from outside the country, as well as specific details on required documentation and the implications of visa validity.

14 repliesnewest first

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Michael *********

What do you intend to declare on your TDAC ? Usually you advise of your O-A visa number and you don't need to enter a return airfare.

7 months ago

Guido **********

I thought leaving visa nr blank.

And I will need an onward ticket just to be sure.

But the officer may not even look at the tdac on his screen, so I will request visa exemption on presenting my passport, then see what happens.

7 months ago

Graham ******

You say 3 weeks left but is that actually the expiry of your Non-OA or your current entry stamp?

7 months ago

Guido **********

Hi Graham, you're right to ask, I need to learn the correct terminology or I will get myself in a mess!.

It is the "Permit to Stay" date that I got when I entered Thailand on my non-OA visa in 2025. So if I want an extension then I need to do it before this date.

So I have 3 options:

1. Do a regular extension of my non-OA visa on re-entry or at an immigration office.

2. Ask immigration to enter with visa exemption and then apply for new non-O visa at an immigration office (conversion of my visa exempt entry)

3. Leave Thailand again before the permit to stay date and then apply for non-O after permit to stay date passed.

I'm going to try option 2, if I cannot enter with visa exemption then I will try option 1 or 3.

Any comment or question is appreciated :)

7 months ago

Graham ******

Guido Oosterom If you got a full 12 month entry stamp (with 12 months insurance) then re-entering after this date guarantees that you cannot get a new entry stamp based on your Non-OA (as it will be expired) so you will get a visa exempt 60 day entry. You don't need to ask as your Non-OA will be expired although your 12 month permission to stay will still be within date.

7 months ago

Graham ******

Guido Oosterom As long as you have 800k from an international transfer (seasoned for Jomtien) and your Immigration Office will allow the conversion from Visa Exempt to Non-O then it should be straightforward.

7 months ago

Guido **********

Graham Seal Any specific issue you would recommend me paying attention to if I'm applying (converting) non-O in Thailand?

7 months ago

Guido **********

Yes I was thinking that too, much easier. The only thing is that I am abroad *now*, returning in a few days and I don't want to have to go abroad again in a few weeks time after my Permit to Stay ends.

But in the end, I have plenty of options as you have all mentioned, one of them will work out. Just wish I would have posted in this group earlier, would have saved me a failed non-O application in Hanoi (because my non-OA still valid 🫣)

7 months ago

Jaden *******

Guido OosteromI'm in the process of converting my visa exempt to non-O retirement visa inside Thailand. It's been a pain in the ass, but my visa is under consideration so I'll probably get it. Much easier to get your non-O outside the country.

7 months ago

Guido **********

Sorry to hear that Jaden. Which city are you and are they giving any specific issue?

I have already been here for 8 months on my non-OA visa, so I cannot imagine having any documentation issue... but with Thai immigration it can swing both ways

Getting the non-O abroad is my fallback option, but I don't like to be abroad (outside Thailand) with the uncertainty of getting a visa or not

7 months ago

John **********

The OA is a multiple entry visa so it is highly unlikely an immigration officer would allow you to enter visa exempt if it is still valid. You need to be outside of Thailand when it expires and either apply for a Non-O wherever you are or come back visa exempt at that point. Are you aware you can get a 2nd year out of that OA visa by bouncing out and back just before it expires as long as you have another year's worth of insurance? You'd also need a re-entry permit to leave and return in that 2nd year

7 months ago

Guido **********

Thank you for the quick response John!

I know about the easy extension, but the insurance is exactly what I'm trying to avoid, because it serves nothing and it will get more and more expensive every year. But maybe the easiest way for just one more year.

For re-entering on exemption instead of OA visa, Google AI suggested simply asking the immigration officer or even putting a sticky note on the visa page saying "please use visa exemption" or something like that. I don't know where it found this suggestion :)

Maybe I just try it, if it doesn't work I will take another holiday abroad 🤗

7 months ago