tl;dr: For a Non-O Immigrant (Retirement) visa, do I have to enter Thailand from the country listed on the visa or from any country?
Details: I've applied for a Non-O visa on the Thai eVisa website ([members only]/). The process was straightforward once I knew how to do it and as far as I know the documents I submitted were good.
The Australian Thai consulate says the eVisa should take 10 business days except in high season (whatever that is) ([members only], scroll down to "Attention"). Since the visa application required an arrival date and flight number I booked a flight. My departure date is fast approaching and I'm worried I won't get the visa issued in time. I acknowledge this situation is "all on me" - for brevity I'm leaving out why I chose the date and flight that I did.
Possible options:
1) Cancel the current flight, wait for the visa to be issued, rebook the flight, travel to Thailand. Question: Does it matter if the arrival date and flight number is different from that on the visa application?
2) Book a second flight out of Thailand, say to Malaysia. I think (?) this will allow me to get on the flight using a tourist visa (visa on arrival), although 1) it's not a return flight to Australia - don't know if that's a problem, and 2) it's possible Malaysia would not let me enter without an outbound ticket. Enter Thailand, wait for the visa, fly to Malaysia, re-enter Thailand on my Non-O visa, minimal stay in Malaysia. Question(s): Same question as above. Also, for the Non-O visa do I have to enter Thailand from the country listed on the visa or can I enter from any overseas country i.e. Malaysia? Lastly, Thailand would know I was in Thailand when the visa was *issued*, although not when it was *used*. Is that a problem?
3) Same as #2 but have a return flight already booked out of Malaysia. This issue is when to book that flight - I don't know how long the Thai visa would take to get issued, regardless of what the Thai Consulate says.
I prefer option #2 but definitely want to stay on the right side of Thai immigration. In typing out these options #2 and #3 seem to be risky. Option #1 and eating the rebooking cost for the flight might be the safest approach. Your thoughts?
The eVisa website does list a number at the bottom of the home page: (+66) 2203-5000. I will call them Monday. This post is just to cover all bases in case calling that number goes nowhere.
Thanks...
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around questions related to entering Thailand on a Non-O (Retirement) visa. Key points include that once your visa is approved, you have 90 days to enter Thailand from any country, and initial flight booking proof is generally not necessary for the visa application. Therefore, options for traveling to Thailand without stressing about the specific arrival date or original flight booking are clarified. It is suggested to stay in the application country until the visa is received.
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.
