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Is applying for a Thai visa by leaving to Malaysia a good option?
Thai visaeVisa applicationNON-O visaMalaysia immigrationThailand expatriatevisa processing experience
Jul 23, 2025
9 months ago
Zara *******
ORIGINAL POSTERHello. Has anyone ever tried to leave Thailand to Malaysia to try and apply for an evisa there??🤔 if so how did it go? And does it always work? Thanks in advance)
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the experiences of individuals applying for Thai visas from Malaysia, particularly the eVisa. Opinions vary: some users warn that the Malaysian visa application process is slow and complex, while others share positive experiences, noting quicker application approvals, particularly from Penang. Some suggest alternative options like applying from one's home country or considering online applications. Overall, the effectiveness of applying for a Thai visa from Malaysia appears mixed, with some having success while others recommend other countries for easier processing.
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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Chireen *******
I went to Malaysia (KL) to apply for non-o dependent visa. I uploaded all my documents whilst in Thailand and saved my application. Arrived on the Monday afternoon (was a public holiday), uploaded my entry stamp and submitted the application. I received my evisa on the Friday at around 18h00. They requested me to upload all my passport pages, and additional documentation relating to my husband's business registration, but other than that a seamless process.
Much more to do in Malaysia, cheaper flights, and in most cases don't need a visa to enter.
Much more to do in Malaysia, cheaper flights, and in most cases don't need a visa to enter.
Mike *******
I am in penang and applied online for a non O visa for retirement. It took around 12 days to be approved
Zara *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mike ******
okay so Penang is better yeah?Mike *******
@Zara ******
if you're in Malaysia to use online it will offer you the options of your nearest immigration office to process the application. I guess that's incase they need to call you in for interview. I chose penang as im near there on the mainland. KL was also an option. The website tells you to choose your nearest office in a drop down menu.I dont know that penang is 'better' but my non O application was processed reasonably quickly
Reply to
Mike *******
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Kitty *******
Yes, I just recently did this and it was great! Laos had just changed the rules, so it was a much easier option, all done online, straight forward and clear what to do.
Jimmy ****
@Kitty ******
how long did it take?Kitty *******
@Jimmy ***
5 working days - bearing in mind that both Thai AND Malaysian public holidays are non working daysReply to
Kitty *******
Reply
Zara *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kitty ******
which one is easier, Penang or Kuala Lumpur ? I’m hearing most people saying it’s stricter in KLKitty *******
@Zara ******
it’s online. You don’t see a human, so it doesn’t matter.But given the choice I’d go to Penang for the food!
Reply to
Kitty *******
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David *******
Well ChatGpt seems to recommend Malaysia ahead of Vietnam Laos and Philippines. Have you thought to apply online to embassy in your home country? I see many countries do whole process online. They're hung up on your exact location at time of application but you might get around that by using a VPN.
Steve *******
@David ******
ChatGpt? Laos seems to be the best option for manyZara *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve ******
okay . But for my own passport I need visa to Laos , of which I do not have time. That’s why I was considering Malaysia because I can enter visa free.Graham ******
@Zara ******
you get your Laos visa at the border before you cross or eVisaKitty *******
@Zara ******
you also have to remain in Laos for a minimum of 2 weeks now.Thomas *******
@Kitty ******
I just got my 90 day non-o last week in Vientiane. Got there Monday afternoon applied and then paid Tuesday morning. Had to get a couple of my documents corrected (completely my fault) and had an approval Thursday morning. Would have been ready Tuesday most likely if my paperwork was in order. Came back to Nong Khai Thursday afternoon.Kitty *******
@Thomas ******
that’s great. I did mine in February and at that time Vientiane had just brought in a mandate to remain for 2 weeks. Sounds like they scrapped it pretty quickly then!Reply to
Kitty *******
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Steve *******
@David ******
All Countries are on-line applications nowDavid *******
@Steve ******
to apply from Philippines through thai embassy manila everything is in person. To apply as UK passport holder online thai embassy London requires your physical presence in uk. Therefore if outside UK must use a uk VPN.David *******
@Steve ******
in philippines need to hand in paper application form and passport then return 5 days later to collectDavid *******
@Steve ******
not true. Laos philippines and Vietnam require attendance in personSteve *******
@David ******
Only to pay. The visa application is made on-lineGraham ******
@David ******
you apply online but have to attend in person to pay so all countries ARE online applications nowReply to
Graham ******
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Brandon ************
@David ******
Malaysia is the WORST option.Innes ******
@Brandon ***********
which country in SEA is best to apply for the Non-O for retirement purposes for a New Zealand citizen? Thanks!Brandon ************
@Innes *****
Either consulate in Laos is probably the fastest option. 2-4 business days after you pay at the embassy. If you want it completely online, then probably Vietnam.Innes ******
@Brandon ***********
brilliant. Thank you!Reply to
Innes ******
Reply
Graham ******
@David ******
You prove your current location with a passport entry stamp, how will a van help that?David *******
@Graham *****
your computer IP address indicates to the Thai visa portal your location as you communicate. Use a VPN provider in your home country if you're not there when making applicationsSteve *******
@David ******
How will the VPN show your entry stamp into the Country you're applying from?Kitty *******
@David ******
you have to send a copy of every page of your passport including the entry stamp to the country. VPN isn’t going to help that!David *******
@Kitty ******
the uk doesn't use entry stamps. So where is the passport evidence I'm there or not?Kitty *******
@David ******
you use a border force officer to get one. They do use them, you just don’t necessarily require one. You just ask.David *******
@Kitty ******
no British passport holder ever gets stamped IN ...they'd think you were mad to ask. It's not necessary in uk. The thai embassy can't refuse to process a visa application because a British passport holder doesn't have a date stamp he last arrived in UK. Have u been to UK?Kitty *******
@David ******
as a Brit, yes, I’ve been to the UK 🙄. I’m not entirely sure why you think the OP would want to go to the UK to get their visa from Thailand, but still, in answer to your question, border control will have no opinion on your state of mental health, were you to ask for a stamp.David *******
@Kitty ******
cannot obtain a Thai e-visa whilst in Thailand. Must leave Thailand. Mention was made of Malaysia. I pointed out can apply when physically outside Thailand using a VPN for UK as an example. You talked about scanning all passport pages for arrival stamps. Uk doesn't stamp UK passports on arrival. You bizarrely suggested requesting a border force stamp. Totally unnecessary and dumb. It would be the only one stamp IN to uk of millions of UK passports entering UK each year. Thailand e-visa needs to believe OP is in uk at time of application. A uk VPN should do the trick. No need to scan whole passport. Ive got 60 pages. Ridiculous idea. Just a UK vpn and uk proof of address documents. E-visa issued electronically. Print for example in Malaysia or Laos and fly to Thailand. Easy.Kitty *******
@David ******
clearly you’re the expert…I’m only using my very recent personal experience (and I was in Thailand, had to leave, went to Malaysia, followed the process and got my visa).
And yes, I also have a bumper passport and ridiculous or not, they are the requirements.
You seem to have an awful lot of opinions for something about which you clearly have no experience. But nevertheless, I hope your day gets less boring. 😊
Steve *******
Reply to
Steve *******
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Brandon ************
Malaysia is the absolute worst option in SE Asia if you want to get a Thai visa. They are very slow, very demanding, request things many of the other Thai embassies do not request, and request documents you already sent them multiple times. It can take more than a month sometimes, and you must remain in Malaysia the entire time. Even going to Yangon Myanmar is a better option than Malaysia.
Chireen *******
@Brandon ***********
you are allowed to exit and enter Malaysia as often as you want, you just cannot enter Thailand during the application process. I received this information on email from the embassy because I was considering going to Singapore for a few days if the application took too long.Brandon ************
@Chireen ******
other embassies say you must stay within the jurisdiction of the embassy during the entire application processReply to
Chireen *******
Reply
Donnie ************************
@Brandon ***********
is myanmar open for tourists again?Erica ********
@Donnie ***********************
: Open but European passport holders need to apply for a visa. I am not sure about American passport holders though.Brandon ************
@Donnie ***********************
Land borders are still closed. But you can fly there to apply for a visa. Have been able to for years already.Reply to
Brandon ************
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