Answered4 years ago

What are the best options for returning to Thailand on a visa after the Special Tourist Visa expires?

Special Tourist Visa Visa Exemption Tourist Visa Non-O Visa Retirement Visa Proof of Onward Travel

Jon ******

asked Aug 26, 2022

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Here's my situation. 

I'm 8 months in on the Special Tourist Visa (exp Sept 7). I'll fly out for 2 weeks Sept 1-14, and then fly back.  My goal is to come in on either a 30 day visa exemption or a 60 day Tourist visa, then change to Non-O (retirement).  I've already got my bank account opened and wired in the 800k (July 1st) from my US bank.  I've got a new 3yr condo rental contract.   My fear is in coming back in after almost 9mo on the STV, is it better to try to come back in on the visa exemption, or the tourist E-visa?  Also would you advise me to buy a "throw away" cheap flight ticket out - dated toward the end of the visa exemption or tourist visa?  You only retire once, so this is a big step, and I don't want to screw it up.  Your advice would be greatly appreciated.  😎🙏🏼

Answer summary

The user is currently on a Special Tourist Visa and is planning a brief trip out of Thailand. They seek advice on whether to return on a 30-day visa exemption or a 60-day Tourist visa and express concerns about the duration of their stay on the STV. Community responses suggest obtaining a single entry tourist visa before returning and having proof of onward travel, or considering a 90-day single entry Non-O visa instead.

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Jon ******

Thanks Tod, you guys are awesome!

4 years ago

Tod *********

Sounds like a good plan, and I'd say get a single entry tourist visa before you come back AND have proof of onward travel in 60 days (which you can cancel after you get the visa issued and after you successfully stamp in)

OR

As James mentioned, look into getting the 90 day single entry Non-O outside the country before you come back.

4 years ago

Jon ******

Hey Tod, follow up question for you... If I'm going to be in Vietnam, can I still apply for an Evisa as a US citizen even though I'd be coming back in from Vietnam, and NOT from the US?

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Jon *****

so i leave it to you on if you wanna spoof the eVisa system to get the visa or just slog on over to the thai consulate in either Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi and get the single entry tourist visa

4 years ago

Jon ******

@Tod ********

Thanks Tod, you ROCK!😎🍺

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Jon *****

That is between you and the eVisa system. 😮

In order to get that to work you have to select you are in the US, and use an US address, and show proof of travel FROM the US 😕

If you log in, select you have a US passport and then select you're in Vietnam the system errors out and you can't go any further, you get a warning saying go apply at the thai consulate in the country you're in.

4 years ago

Ken ******

@Tod ********

hi is the 90 day single entry non-O called 'retirement visa'?

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Ken *****

nope, as

@Jon *****

pointed out a Non-Immigrant Type O visa <- the O means "Other reason" is issued for a variety of things, being over 50 (retirement) is just one of them. Married to a thai, married to a foreigner who legally works here or is retired here, raising half thai children, raising foreign children in school here, missionary work, volunteering, etc.

Inside thailand you can only get a 90 day Non-O visa and then you apply for an extension when that time runs down. They don't sell Non-O visas longer than 90 days at the immigration offices

4 years ago