Answered7 years ago

How does acquiring a tourist visa affect my existing OA visa in Thailand?

Thailand Visa Rules Non-Immigrant Type OA Visa Tourist Visa Visa Requirements Expats in Thailand Thai Embassy Processing Times

Jennifer *******

asked Jul 31, 2019

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I have an OA Visa that expires in January 2020. I am considering a 6 month tourist Visa, to avoid the 800,000 Baht requirement.  I have a few questions. Do you know how long I would  have to leave my passport with the Thai Embassy in NYC on order to process the request? I am going to return to the USA for a visit in September. If I obtain the tourist Visa at that time, will I  negate my OA Visa? Confused, and very grateful for your assistance. Thank you in advance.

Answer summary

A user seeks advice about their OA Visa expiring soon and considering applying for a 6-month tourist visa to avoid the financial requirement associated with the OA Visa. They inquire about the processing time for a visa application at the Thai Embassy in New York and whether obtaining a tourist visa would invalidate their current OA Visa. Responses from the community include personal experiences regarding the turnaround time for visa processing and clarifications about the differences between an OA visa and extensions of stay.

7 repliesnewest first

Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.

Eddie *******

I live in ny state.

I sent my passport by priority mail. It was back in my hands with a 4 day turn around including time in the mail. They processed it one day.

I think i remember seeing on the website for ny you can get the visa in one day if you go there. Check the site.

7 years ago

Tod *********

Jennifer Davis I think you are getting your wires crossed.

Do you have an O-A visa from a thai consulate in the US?

OR

Do you have an extension of stay from the thai immigration office INSIDE the country.

The Top image is an O-A visa from a thai consulate

The bottom image is an extension of stay from the immigration office

Which one do you have in your passport now that is letting you stay here?

7 years ago

Tod *********

Just so we're totally clear about what you have

You have a year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O-A visa that you bought from a thai consulate in your country before you came here that has a "valid until", or "enter before" date of Jan 2020 on the VISA itself right?

7 years ago

Jennifer *******

@Tod ********

yes. Until now my US bank statements were enough to obtain a notarized document for verification.

7 years ago

Marty *********

Are you on the 2nd year of your O-A visa?

7 years ago

Marty *********

@Tod ********

Yes. So we can ask if she is aware of how to get another year out of it. That also depends if she is planning to stay long term. Maybe there is another reason she is asking about a 6 month visa.

7 years ago