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How quickly can I obtain a Non-O visa from Laos, and is it worth using an agent?

NON-O visa LTR visa Thailand visa agency fees Visa application process Children's educational visas Visa exemptions

Jul 20, 2025

15 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Edit: Oy the visa agency just said if I get the non o I have to wait til it expires to apply for the ltr  its a lot of money to an qgent to only get rhe 90 day  because I will have enough passive income as of approximately mid September. Visa exempt plus 30 day extension would maybe get me there if they don’t take forever to do the ltr. Maybe 4-5 weeks. Same with the kids educational visas cause they would convert. 

I’ve seen people post they’ve gotten their non o from Laos in like 3 days rather than weeks. I’m torn between paying 60,000 for an agent (don’t have time to get the visa before entering the country). If I can just go with my kids for a few days that would be much easier … especially as I will hopefully qualify for the ltr-wp in a few months (getting a big dividend)  so it’s a lot of money for something I will hopefully not need for very long

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The conversation discusses the challenges and considerations involved in applying for a NON-O visa in Thailand, particularly in light of the LTR visa application process. The poster expresses frustration with high agency fees and the waiting times for visa processing, contemplating whether to enter Thailand on a visa exemption with a potential extension. Several commenters provide insights about typical processing times for NON-O visas, share their own experiences, and advise against relying solely on visa agencies, suggesting that direct communication with relevant authorities may yield better results.

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

You need to stop listening to this agent whose only goal is to get your money. You don't have to wait for anything to get your LTR. Talk to the BOI, not this agent.

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Tony *********

60k agent fee you must be fucking mad 🤦

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X *************

I think agent fee is around 37k for non O and first extension

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Norbert **********

If its not the first visa ,then you pay with agency only 15.000(if you not have the deposit),if you have the deposit is cheaper.

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Norbert **********

where you stay in Pattaya?

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Kim **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Norbert *********

or do you know of a way to get the non o in country without an agent and before getting a bank account? I can make the deposit immediately once I get an account. But I can’t see that you can get a non o with outside bank info

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

it's impossible to get a non-O visa without proof of funds in a Thai bank account. Go to Laos and apply for a non-O there. You should have done it before you originally traveled to Thailand. That's how visas work.

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Kim **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

yes I know that. However my ltr got denied after months of waiting less than two weeks before my scheduled flight. So I did not have time.

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Kim **********

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Kim **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Norbert *********

it’s the first visa. I have the deposit. I can’t open an account without a visa and can’t get a visa without an account

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Norbert **********

you can get a bankaccount only with a agency with connections in the moment!!!

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Norbert **********

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

As long as you do your part (submit immediately after arriving, go to pay the next morning), then yes it's generally 3-5 business days for non-immigrant visas. But you also need to make sure you amount l account for weekends and holidays.

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Bradford ******

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

My friend is trying to get a Non O from the US. His wife is Thai and she also has US Citizenship. Her ID card and Thai passport are expired. Can these expired documents still be used for a Non O Visa application? Only her US passport is current because they are still in the US.

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John **********

@Bradford *****

why would a Thai have a pink id card?

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Rob **********

@John *********

I was thinking the same thing🤷‍♂️

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Rob **********

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Stan *******

@Bradford *****

sadly , expired passport means just that , you need to apply for new passport for his wife . Passports need to have a minimum of 6 months left and the visa they give you will only be stamped to the expiry date of your passport.

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Wylie *******

his freinds wife is Thai. She will not need a visa. Thai citizens can enter the country even with an expired passport as long as they can prove their citizenship. Which may or may not be anissue with and expired pink ID card as well, but there are other ways to prove citizenship.

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Wylie *******

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

@Bradford *****

I don't know. Plus every embassy is different. Why can't she get new documents from her embassy?

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Bradford ******

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

In the US, the Thai Embassy in in Washington DC and they live in Miami. Quite a travel distance. They can both enter Thailand on US passports and she can update her documents once she gets here. The question was for the husband wanting to apply for a Non O from the US before arriving using her expired documents as evidence on the Non O. Might be easier for him to apply when they get here and she gets her documents updated.

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

@Bradford *****

He would need a Thai bank account in order to apply in Thailand. If he already has that then it shouldn't be an issue. If he doesn't have that yet then he likely will not be able to open it if he enters as a tourist.

Also, she can enter on her expired passport, which is a better option than entering as a foreigner and then being seen by the law as a foreigner subject to immigration laws.

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

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The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.

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