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Do I need to leave Thailand to activate my NON-O visa after entering visa-free?

Dec 15, 2025

a day ago

Just need clarification. I entered Thailand visa free. I applied for non-o in Australia. I have just received visa today. Do I have to leave Thailand and re-enter on non-o or can it be done while still in country?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

When applying for a NON-O visa, you must leave Thailand and re-enter to activate the new visa even if you originally entered the country visa-free. Your new visa will give you a 90-day stay starting from the date you enter Thailand, and if you plan to apply for an extension, certain steps like opening a bank account are recommended.

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Nongnuch ********

Greg Low . keep in mind: when you enter Thailand and activate the 90 days stay permit, the 1-year extension of stay will start and expire exactly 90 days after the date when you entered. If for example you exit Thailand now, and re-enter to activate the visa tomorrow on December 16th, you will get stamped in for 90 days, and the 1-year extension of stay based on retirement will start on March 13th. This date will remain the date when your annual "1-year EOS" will expire and needs to be applied for up from 30 days earlier. In case are sure that you will always be inside Thailand every year until this date and apply up from 30 days before this date, you are fine. If you wait until your 60 days stay permit expires, you are shifting this date further away from March 2026 and thus for every future year

a day ago

Mark *******

Hey Greg, how long did it take to get the non-O issued in Australia.

a day ago

Greg *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Mark ******

11 days

20 hours ago

Reply to

Greg *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Priority.

a day ago

Nongnuch ********

@Greg ****

keep in mind: when you enter Thailand and activate the 90 days stay permit, the 1-year extension of stay will start and expire exactly 90 days after the date when you entered. If for example you exit Thailand now, and re-enter to activate the visa tomorrow on December 16th, you will get stamped in for 90 days, and the 1-year extension of stay based on retirement will start on March 13th. This date will remain the date when your annual "1-year EOS" will expire and needs to be applied for up from 30 days earlier. In case are sure that you will always be inside Thailand every year until this date and apply up from 30 days before this date, you are fine. If you wait until your 60 days stay permit expires, you are shifting this date further away from March 2026 and thus for every future year

a day ago

Reply to

Nongnuch ********

Dick ********

Be sure to get a bank account as soon as possible….probably after you enter on the o visa ….. if you intend to apply for an annual extension

a day ago

Stuart *********

Yes you need to leave to activate your new visa. Wait the 60 days you got. It’s valid for 90 days from issue.

a day ago

Nongnuch ********

@Stuart ********

depending . .if he waits, the date of the annual Extension of stay moves further out into the Thai rainy season. Mind ya - the 1-year extension will start on the day after expiry of the 90 days stay permit

a day ago

Mauro *********

@Stuart ********

no dnt do run visa extend when u here 30 days at immigrations

a day ago

Nongnuch ********

@Mauro ********

you better don't touch any key on your computer keypad

a day ago

Reply to

Nongnuch ********

Greg *****