Just FYI to Americans in the Northeast, the NYC consulate appears to be very backed up with visa applications so I'd strongly recommend applying early and triple checking things before clicking submit. I applied for a 90 day non 0 retirement visa on September 15 and was finally approved *today while literally on the plane to Thailand.* The immigration officer accepted the PDF version of it on my phone as I had nowhere to print it out.
Would have been pretty funny if I hadn't checked my email upon landing.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The processing times for visa applications at the Thai consulate in NYC are currently experiencing delays. An individual who applied for a 90-day Non-O retirement visa on September 15 reported receiving approval just before their flight to Thailand, indicating significant backlog issues. It is recommended that applicants file their visa applications 6-8 weeks before their intended travel date. While one can enter Thailand on a 60-day visa exemption, it's advisable to have the Non-O visa approved before arrival to avoid complications.
90 DAY REPORTING RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Use the trusted Thailand 90 Day Reporting Service to get your in-person report done and mailed to you for as low as 375 THB (even if the online system doesn't work for you).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.