Answered10 months ago

Can I re-enter Thailand on my Non-O visa after traveling to Laos?

Non-O Visa Visa Exempt Entry Re-entry Procedures Thailand Immigration Visa Activation Laos Exit and Return

Steven ************************

asked Jan 11, 2026

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Had to fly into Thailand b4 I got my Non O visa so in Thailand November 30th with visa exempt. Subsequently got my Non O approved from New York Thai Consulate January 7 to April 6. If go to Laos can I re-enter Thailand on my Non O? Udon Thani Immigration said didn't know for sure.

Answer summary

The user inquired whether they could re-enter Thailand on a Non-O visa after traveling to Laos. They initially entered Thailand on a visa exempt basis and later obtained their Non-O visa while in the country. Commenters suggest that departing Thailand, even for a brief period, can help activate the visa upon re-entry. One user shared their experience of successfully doing this through a land crossing.

14 repliesnewest first

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John *********

Simply leave Thailand and return to active your Non-O visa. I had to do this 2 years ago. Did a land crossing and returned to Thailand 20 minutes later. Easy. If an IO in the neighbor country questions you about this, tell the IO the truth, you crossed the border to activate your visa. Don’t show anger or emotion and you will succeed.

9 months ago

Steven ************************

Arrived Thailand visa on arrival November 30.Then Non Ovisa approved January 7 to 6 April.

10 months ago

Brandon ************

@Steven ***********************

You arrived visa exempt, not visa on arrival. But yes you can just leave and return to activate your visa.

10 months ago

Steven ************************

@Brandon ***********

Udon Thani immigration said to go to Vietnam but I'd rather go to Laos it's one hour away. Immigration saud not sure about Laos.

10 months ago

Nongnuch ********

@Steven ***********************

so you got a 90-days Non-Imm-O retirement visa issued while you already had entered Thailand on a visa-exemption, for which you got stamped in for 60 days. And now you want to activate the Non-Imm-O Visa by doing a border run . . . . . . the Laos land border can be tricky, they might tell you can leave but to re-enter you must use an airport. So actually flying to Vietnam or Penang/Malaysia and back, might be better, make it easy for you, spend a week holiday in any of these countries but make sure you re-enter Thailand using the 90-days Non-Imm-O Visa before its visa-validity expires

10 months ago

Bob **********

10 months ago

Dca *****

So, do you currently have now a 1–Year OA, an O, something else entirely, or nothing at all??

10 months ago

Steven ************************

@Dca ****

It's an Non O

10 months ago

Frank **********

????

10 months ago

Brandon ************

Your question isn't really making sense.

You applied for a non-O visa. Where did you apply for it?

Then you flew out to where? If you are in Thailand now, how did you enter? Visa exempt? With a visa?

10 months ago

Steven ************************

@Brandon ***********

It's an Non O

10 months ago

Steven ************************

Applied Evisa New York Consulate

10 months ago