Do You Need a Return Ticket When Applying for an O Visa in Thailand?

Jun 19, 2020
4 years ago
Garry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I understand to change an O-A visa to an O visa you should leave the country which will negate the O-A visa. Then when you return you apply for an O visa at your local immigration office. My question is: When you return to Thailand will you be required to have a return ticket?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The question addresses whether a return ticket is necessary when entering Thailand to apply for an O visa after leaving the country on an O-A visa. Various comments discuss entry requirements, including proof of funds, onward travel, and visa specifics, but the overall consensus is that entry conditions may vary due to the current travel climate.
Tod *********
and seeing as you can't get IN to thailand at this point in time on a 30 day visa exempt entry so you can begin to apply for a 90 day Non-O inside the country I'd say we're done :O ;)
Marty *********
An O-A is a multiple entry visa. In the first year you have to wait for the visa to expire. Leave just before it expires and come back after it has expired. Same if you are on an extension and purchased a multiple entry permit.
Barry ***********
You do not have to leave the country just apply at your local immigration office and they will give you a non O visa good for 90 days 1900 Baht
Tod *********
@Barry **********
, You cannot apply for a non-O visa INSIDE the country while you're already on an O-A visa entry stamp or an extension from that visa.

To apply for an in country Non-O visa you have to be on a 30 day visa exempt entry, a 60 day tourist visa entry, OR an extension from one of those entries.
Tod *********
that is NOT correct.
Tod *********
I'll answer the question as if this covid-19 shit-show isn't going on.

When you enter the country on a 30 day visa exempt entry (which is what you'd be doing) you can ALWAYS be asked for proof of funds (20K baht or the equivalent in CASH) proof of onward travel (within the days you're to be stamped in for) and proof of lodging for your stay.

Now with that being said, in this day and age no one knows what the entry requirements will be once they re-open the country AND no one knows how it will work
Garry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
yes i do understand that this question doesnt apply right now with all that is going on. Im just wondering in the future what i will have to do. I have been here 10 years. Im from the US. I have an O-A visa extension now. I dont want to buy insurance here as i have very good insurance from the US that covers me here. But not accepted by Thai immigration.
Tod *********
@Garry *******
there are several insurance options you can explore that have high deductibles and get the yearly premium down to a manageable cost.

In essence what you're doing is getting the deductible so high that you're buying the policy more to "tick the box" when you get your extension :O
Tod *********
You do realize that the country is closed now and if you leave you're out until they let in 'regular foreigners' right?
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