Can I return to Thailand on a tourist visa while waiting for my non-O retirement visa to be processed?

NON-O visa retirement visa tourist visa visa processing Thailand immigration expat advice

Dec 24, 2023

a year ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Quick question…

If one applies for a non-O retirement visa in one’s home country and it has not been processed before their scheduled return to Thailand, can they return on a tourist visa then leave and re-enter when the non-O comes through?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Yes, you can return to Thailand on a tourist visa while your non-O retirement visa application is being processed. If eligible, you may be able to enter visa-exempt for 30 days. Once your non-O visa is approved, you can leave and re-enter Thailand under that visa.

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.

Ruth *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I want to thank you both. I needed to take a trip back “home” that I really didn’t want to take. I’m hoping to at least take away one accomplishment with the trip. If I can get the non-O sorted, it may actually be worth the trouble. Thank you.

And,

@Gra***

, again, I’m sorry. I’m very stressed and in physical pain. I’ve also been a bit frustrated with the way some folks respond on these expat groups. I should not have taken out my frustration on you. Mea culpa.

a year ago

Graham ******

Yes, if your passport allows you to enter visa exempt (30 day entry)

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a year ago

Ruth *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Graham *****

that link isn’t working for me

a year ago

Graham ******

@Ruth ******

a year ago

Ruth *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Graham *****

I’m not worried about whether I can enter. I just left. I’m worried about entering with a pending non-O visa.

As you know from my comment on the other post, for some reason, I had not seen the non-O retirement option on my embassy’s website back when I had looked a month ago. As such, I had not included my application in my planning for my travel back to the States. I’m heading there now, but I will only be there for less than two weeks. With the New Year in the middle, I’m worried the non-O will not be processed before my flight back to Thailand. My flight is already booked. I wanted to make sure that I could still enter.

I am not concerned about my number of entries. I just wanted to be sure the pending visa would not prevent my entry. I also assume that all I need to do to then make the visa effective is leave and re-enter the country.

a year ago

Graham ******

You asked if you can enter with a tourist visa, the answer is no, not unless you apply for one but many passports can enter visa exempt and get a 30 days entry stamp

a year ago

Graham ******

@Ruth ******

whatever

a year ago

Ruth *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Graham *****

my apologies. You did say “yes, if your passport allows you to enter visa exempt”. It just got lost in all the other. My bad.

a year ago

Reply to

Ruth *******