Can I travel to Bali on a Non-O Retirement Visa while still within its validity period?

Non-O Retirement Visa Re-entry Permit Thailand Immigration Travel to Bali Visa Validity UK Citizen Visa Rules

November 12, 2023

a year ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi all. I have applied for a Non o retirement visa which I believe is single entry but valid for 3 months pre visit. 

 I would like to go to Bali for 10 days with a friend and then return to Thailand. 

 Is it possible to travel from the UK as a UK citizen for 30 days, then go to Bali, then use the Non O visa on returning to Thailand? This will be within the 3 months validity of the visa. Thanks in advance for advice.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user inquires about traveling to Bali for 10 days while holding a Non-O retirement visa that is valid for 3 months. Answers from the community indicate that it's possible to enter Thailand with the Non-O visa and apply for a re-entry permit to maintain the visa's validity. However, there's a risk that immigration may require the use of the visa upon entry. A personal experience shared suggests that it's possible to explain the situation to immigration and potentially receive an exemption from using the visa for that entry.

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.

Sam ******

@Graham ********

I did exactly this UK-BKK-DPS-BKK with no problem.

On arrival at BKK I explained to the IO that I had a Single entry Non O visa but that I had a flight booked to Bali a few days later, and asked if he could please just stamp me in on a waiver to save me the time and money of a re-entry permit.

He did, and suggested that when I return to BKK, that I remind the IO to activate the Non Imm visa.

All went smoothly.

10 months ago

David **********

You will need a re entry vasa cost about 1000 bht from immigration

a year ago

Graham *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. Where would I get a re-entry permit? And how long before I go to Bali would I have to apply?

a year ago

Gillian ******

@Graham ********

the form you need is a tm8 and it’s a one page document that is very simple to fill in. In Samui, we handed it over with our passport, and was told to collect it the next day. It was stapled in the back of our passport when we collected it 👍

a year ago

Graham ******

@Graham ********

You can get a re-entry permit from your local Immigration Office at any time (single re-entry 1000B) or you can get it at the airport when you are departing (between security and Immigration at BKK) but here you'll be charged 1200B unless you have a completed form).

a year ago

Brown ********

@Graham *****

that's a good post man. I wasn't aware of the 200baht hike up at the airport

10 months ago

Graham *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for the advice.

a year ago

Reply to

Graham *********

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

You can ask the immigration officer at the airport if they will let you enter visa exempt even though you have a valid visa, but we've never gotten a report of anyone successfully doing this. The officer can decide to force you to use your visa or stamp you in visa exempt.

The only report we've ever received was of someone who had a valid tourist e-visa but didn't want to use it yet so they didn't give it to the immigration officer. The officer saw the visa in the system and forced the person to enter using the visa.

You can enter with your non-O visa and leave Thailand as long as you purchase a re-entry permit before leaving. Then you'll be stamped back in on the same entry stamp you received the first time you entered with your visa.

a year ago

Sam ******

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

I fortunately found a kind IO at Suvarnabhumi on 23rd Sept this year. I showed him my single entry Non O and explained that I had a flight booked to exit and return in the next few days, and asked if he could please just stamp me in on the waiver. He did, without any questions. 👍😄 UK passport if it has any relevance.

10 months ago

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

@Sam *****

good to know at least one person has had success!

10 months ago

Reply to

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

Steve *******

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

surly coming from the UK the OP will have a printed out e visa. So if he doesn't show it, how will they know. Only a thought.

a year ago

Will ************