I just joined this group. My wife and I are USA citizens and in a few days will be applying for a long term “O-A” visa. What if we arrive in Thailand on regular visitor visa, while our O-A visa is still being processed? If/when approved we leave Thailand and return with our new “O-A” visa. QUESTION > Is there any prohibition or illegality in staying in Thailand legally, while back home in USA, the Thai Embassy is processing our “O-A” visa ? Maybe this question has been asked before. If OK, must we return to USA before returning to Thailand or can we just go to a neighboring county? Thanks for any help
TLDR : Answer Summary
Yes, you can stay in Thailand on a visa-exempt entry (regular visitor visa) while your O-A visa is being processed in the USA. There is no prohibition against this practice, and you do not need to return to the USA to activate your O-A visa once approved. You can exit Thailand to a neighboring country, return, and present the approved O-A visa for re-entry, ensuring you have the necessary documentation, including proof of required insurance.