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Can I return to Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption and apply for an O Visa after canceling my O/A Non Imm visa?

O/A Non Imm VisaVisa ExemptionVisa ApplicationImmigration ProcessThailand Visa Rules
Aug 21, 2023
a year ago
Dave *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi. If I was on an annual O/A Non Imm 50+ visa and left Thailand cancelling said visa, could I return on a 30 day visa exemption and apply for the in country O? I have all the necessary paperwork and financial requirements in place. I will do it myself, i.e. I'm not looking for an agent. TIA.

I know I know I see many posts on this, same same but different...
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion confirms that exiting Thailand can cancel your O/A Non Imm visa, particularly if you are in the second year of your visa. You can return to Thailand under a 30-day visa exemption and subsequently apply for a Non-O visa in-country. However, if your original visa is still considered valid (like during the first year), it wouldn’t cancel upon leaving. It's essential to ensure no re-entry permits are mistakenly purchased, as this could complicate your plans.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Gregor **********
your problem is, in the first year of the Non-Imm-O/A visa, you cannot cancel it by exiting. It is a "multi entry" visa type. you have to sit out the whole year until the visa validity has expired, Exit shortly before and re-enter after this date.
a year ago
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Dave *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gregor *********
 I'm on year 2. No re-entry without a permit.
a year ago
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Dave *********
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Steve *******
Leaving wont cancel an OA visa, it's multi entry.
a year ago
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Dave *********
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@Steve ******
 I'm on year 2. No re-entry unless I get a permit.
a year ago
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Steve *******
@Dave ********
 Ok, So the visa's expired anyway.
a year ago
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Dave *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
 No I have an extension for year 2 so the visa is active until I leave the country.
a year ago
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Steve *******
@Dave ********
 The visa is only valid for 1 year, if you're on the 2nd year then the visa itself has expired.
a year ago
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Dave *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
 I'm on a visa extension of one year from the original one year visa. Therefore I'm here legally until the year extension ends, or as far as I'm aware I leave the country which cancels my 'visa' extension.
a year ago
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Steve *******
@Dave ********
I wasnt suggesting you were here illegally, however if your OA visa was still valid then leaving wouldn't cancel it. An extention of stay is totally different.
a year ago
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Steve *******
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Bob **********
Yes
a year ago
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Steve ********
Two step process. Get the 90 day non-O, and then with 30 or 45 days remaining (depending on office) get the 12-month non-O extension
a year ago
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Dave *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
 Why would I want a 90 day visa if I could just come back in on a visa exempt and apply though?
a year ago
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Steve ********
@Dave ********
 The non-O visa is 90 days whether you get it at an embassy or at immigration in Thailand.
a year ago
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Dave *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
 Oh you are talking about the thread, the process at immigration, not my original question, got you. Enter country on 30 exempt and proceed to immigration as others have said. Thanks.
a year ago
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Steve ********
@Dave ********
 You can do it either way. You can get the 90-day non-O visa in another country and enter on that, and then once in Thailand, with
*****
days remaining on the visa, get a 12-month extension at immigration OR enter on visa exempt, obtain the 90-day non-O visa at immigration, and then with
*****
days remaining get the 12-month extension. It's your choice, whatever is easiest I guess. Getting it at an embassy means one less visit to immigration, and that seems to appeal to some people 😆
a year ago
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Steve ********
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Graham ******
Are you on a the initial Non-OA Visa (first 12 months), in your second year or or an extension of stay? If you're still on the initial Non-OA leaving the country will not cancel it as it's multi-entry for the first 12 months.
a year ago
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Dave *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
 This is year 2, I arrived in 2021 and I haven't left the country in that time... So I guess the visa will be cancelled as I exit.
a year ago
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Steve ********
@Dave ********
 The visa will already be expired. You're now on the second year entry stamp. Just make sure you don't accidentally buy a re-entry permit on your way out. That'll stuff up everything!
a year ago
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Dave *********
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@Steve *******
 Yes that would be a disaster haha
a year ago
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Dave *********
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Graham ******
@Dave ********
 yes, you're ok
a year ago
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Graham ******
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Dave *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for the comments. Leaving the country is a last resort, although I may have to in a few days worst case scenario... I just want to cover my options. Thanks.
a year ago
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Garrett ***********
Yes of course, no issue at all.
a year ago
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Dave *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 Would it be like getting a renewal, rock up with all the paperwork and done in one enjoyable day out?
a year ago
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Garrett ***********
@Dave ********
 Non OA is a multiple entry visa. You can leave and reenter as many times as you want. If you cancel the visa, you can renter on a visa exempt entry. But Non-OA's can only be obtained outside of Thailand. You could apply for a new Non-O in country, witch is 90 days.
a year ago
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Dave *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 I have an O/A but a mix up with the health care company means I won't have the correct certificate in place for renewal. It's year 2 of my O/A visa so my understanding is that as soon as I leave the country (for the first time in 2 years) the visa will be cancelled.
a year ago
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Dave *********
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John **********
@Dave ********
 it's a 2 step process. You come in then apply for the Non-O visa and before that expires apply for the 12 months extension
a year ago
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Dave *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 Thanks.
a year ago
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Dave *********
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Graham ******
@Dave ********
 yes, then go back to get your final stamp after the under consideration period
a year ago
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Dave *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
 Thanks Graham.
a year ago
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Dave *********
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Brandon ************
Yes, you can.
a year ago
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Dave *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 I have read that the process can take up to 4 weeks! Would that be for someone with no previous long term visa background? Seems a long time if you have a history of O/A visa, 90 day reports and funds gathering dust :)
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@Dave ********
 do you have the money in the bank already? If so you shouldn't have any issues though you need to have at least 21 days left on your stamp when you apply since you'll get an "under consideration" stamp
a year ago
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Dave *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 I have the funds there already yes. So it sounds like fly out abroad, come back in hopefully on the same day if possible, go straight to immigration, apply and Bob's your uncle?
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@Dave ********
 you don't need to rush to go the same day. I'd go and pickup the list from immigration on what is required to do the conversion to non-O, go home and make sure you have everything, then go back that week and apply.
a year ago
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Dave *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 Nice one. Thanks.
a year ago
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Dave *********
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