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Is a long processing time for a non-O retirement e-visa application at the London embassy normal?
NON-O visaThailand visa applicationretirement visaLondon Thai embassyvisa processing timesexpat information
Oct 15, 2025
7 months ago
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi , my non-o e-visa application based on retirement has been on processing, pending approval since 1st October at London thai embassy. I've not been asked to submit any further documents or photos. I put an expected date of arrival in Thailand as 29/11/25 . Is this normal ?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquired about the unusual duration of their non-O e-visa application for retirement, which has been pending since October 1st without requests for additional documents or photos. Comments from other users indicate that quick processing times are typically expected, and it's suggested that communication through social media may yield better results. A user shared their recent experience of receiving approval shortly after applying, while others noted the need for an additional photo and documents during the application process.
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.
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Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTERVisa has been approved and email and visa have arrived
Jon *****
Definitely sounds odd. You do have to submit a photo almost at the end of the application when asked to submit financials and passport.
Nigel *******
My none O was applied for on the 2nd of October, still showing pending approval. My arrival date is down as 30th of October.
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jon ****
I submitted bio page in passport, a photo of me , proof of being in U.K and 3 months bank statements with a balance over the £18k . When I applied the status was document check then changed to processing pending approval, that was on1st October. I haven't been asked for any further documents. I check the E-visa portal daily and it's been on processing pending approval since 1st October.Reply to
Ian ********
Reply
Shaun ********
I applied for non o Visa on 9th
Approved on the 14th
Just arrived in Thailand this Evening!!
Approved on the 14th
Just arrived in Thailand this Evening!!
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Shaun *******
Great , I'm wondering if it's because I entered *****
/25 as my arrival date that mine is taking so long .Shaun ********
@Ian *******
I put 19 th as my travel date so maybe I got luckyReply to
Shaun ********
Reply
Stuart *********
Doesn’t sound normal as most reports from London say the turn around time is pretty quick.
You probably won’t get an answer by phone or email but others have said they e had success communicating via facebook messenger.
You probably won’t get an answer by phone or email but others have said they e had success communicating via facebook messenger.
Stuart *********
Thai Embassy London.
@https://www.facebook*********************
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
OK, thank you Stuart. I'll try messenger.Graeme ******
@Ian *******
Ian i received this email today from the london embassy about visa processing at the moment. Dear Sir/Madam,Thank you for your email.
Your documents are currently under review. Due to the high volume of applications, we kindly ask for your patience during this process. The estimated processing time is 10 business days after the latest submission of the requested documents. However, in some cases, the process may take longer.
We appreciate your understanding and will notify you once there is an update regarding your application.
Best regards,
The Visa Team
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graeme *****
Thank you Graeme , it's high season soon so they are probably inundated with applications . Just need to keep waiting patiently then .Graeme ******
@Ian *******
yep I'm with you on that 💯 😁Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graeme *****
When did you apply ?Graeme ******
@Ian *******
in the past it has taken 14 days to get approved especially when I have applied a few months earlierIan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graeme *****
That's good you've been updated to waiting approval , I've been on waiting approval since 1st . It was a holiday on Monday and the embassy was closed so they've lost a day there too .Graeme ******
@Ian *******
hopefully you'll be sorted in the next day or two, yes there was a thai holiday on Monday. Which part of thailand are you staying?Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graeme *****
Thank you , fingers crossed , I don't leave until *****
/25 so I've got plenty of time. I'm going to pattaya first then hua hin then on to bangsaphan . How about you ?Graeme ******
@Ian *******
plenty of time, sounds busy!! I'm off to chiang rai and chiang mai beginning of DecemberIan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graeme *****
My visa has been approved and arrived by email.Graeme ******
@Ian *******
brilliant well done 👏Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graeme *****
Thank you , yours can't be far away.Graeme ******
@Ian *******
hopefully soon 🙏Graeme ******
@Ian *******
I applied on the 8th its just updated on the system today to awaiting approval from awaiting document checkReply to
Graeme ******
Reply
Lynnette *******
@Ian *******
check your junk folder in case a message went there.Reply to
Lynnette *******
Reply
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