What are the steps to return to Thailand on a Non-O visa after my previous visa expired?

Nov 28, 2021
3 years ago
Jak *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
If I could kindly ask for some advice please.

I don't know why but a little brain freeze on my part as I have had a few visa's in the past.

I am married to a Thai, live in Thailand on a "Non O" visa usually, child etc. I have a lease with my wife and family in both names etc.

I had returned to Aus in July 2021. Visa now expired as well as Covid Insurance etc .

I still pay 40k Baht per month in my Thai account as per requirements.

...

Ok, Here is the brain freeze, what is the cheapest and quickest way to return to Thailand.

Can I get a 30 day tourist visa, then do a Tm30 on arrival. Then go to (CW) Immigration and apply for a Non O visa. Or is that not possible, I need to get a visa here and then apply for an extension of stay based on marriage.

Also what would be the minimum visa I could get to minimise the spend on the Covid insurance just to get in before the extension of stay.

Thank you for any assistance.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking advice on the best way to return to Thailand after their Non-O visa expired. They are married to a Thai national and questioning if they can enter Thailand using a 30-day tourist visa and then apply for a Non-O visa within the country. The comments clarify that entering on a tourist visa is possible, but it's important to consider the associated costs, such as Covid insurance and visa fees.
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Jak *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks once again Tod. Would this mean that would be 3 trips to immigration then? Just to save on the covid insurance. Or me being a tight asset I should just buy 60 day visa here and that would only be 1 trip to immigration for the extension of stay afterwards. I know it would be an additional 30 days payment on the required 60 day Visa
Tod *********
@Jak ******
here's how it will play out if you enter 30 day visa exempt OR on a 60 day tourist visa to go from it to a 90 day to a year

visit 1 - apply for the 90 day Non-O 2000baht

(wait 14 days)

visit 2 - go back and get the 90 day Non-O inked in

visit 3 - apply for the year extension 1900baht

(wait 30 days)

visit 4 - go back and get the year extension inked in

There is no way to do it with less than 4 visits comin' in on a tourist visa or a visa exempt entry.

Now on the other hand

IF you were to get a 90 day Non-O visa from a thai consulate in your country before you come here you only need to visit the immigration office 2 times, one to apply for the yearly extension and one more time 30 days after that to get the year extension inked in
Jak *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Thank you Tod. I appreciate the information you and the moderators on here provide. Safe and easy to understand. Thank you again.
Ellie *******
Tod explains how to..

The official fee for an in-country visa is 2000thb. The extension fee at the local immigration office is 1900thb regardless of its length.

You can check the official visa fee at Thai embassies/consulates on their website.

You need insurance that covers your first stamped period. That insurance would cost you whatever price you bought on.

The calculation and comparison are yours.
Jak *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
Thank you for all the advice here. It maybe easier to get the minimum visa here, a little more $ required for the covid insurance but appears less trips to immigration?
James ********
@Jak ******
you have the best of advice...Good Luck...see you soon once again in Thailand.

Commenting closed.
Ellie *******
@Jak ******
, As long as you enter on tourist status (visa-exempt or SETV), the number of visits to the Immigration office is the same, actually four times.

(initial visa application, get a visa after an under-consideration period, apply for an extension, get final extension stamp after an under-consideration period.)
Ellie *******
If you enter with Non-O you purchase at Thai embassy/consulate before you fly, the number of visits to Immigration office would be twice. (you don't need the trips for the visa you already on)
Jak *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
Thanks Ellie, sounds easier to enter on a Non O. Also means less immigration trips inside Thai for the sake of saving extra 30 days ($) of covid insurance as well.
Tod *********
@Jak ******
then get the 90 day Non-O (AND 90 days of 50K USD covid insurance) come in and when that runs down go straight to the office to apply for the year extension
Tod *********
Let's take it step by step and leave out the b/s ๐Ÿ˜›

1 - You're outside the country with NO visa, end of story,

2 - you're married to a thai national and you have half thai kids

3 - you are still putting 40K baht a month into a thai bank account in your name only

This would work

Come in on a 30 day visa exempt entry (meaning you will only need 30 days of 50K USD covid specific insurance)

Then apply for an in country 90 day Non-O visa based on marriage to a thai at your immigration office for 2000baht.

Wait for the 14 day under review period on that, get the 90 day stamp and Non-O visa inked in.

THEN wait until you have 30 days or less left on that new stamp and apply for a year extension for 1900baht.
Jak *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Hi Tod, yes.
Tod *********
@Jak ******
that's the way to do it with you needing the least covid insurance policy (30 days) but it also goes under the premise that you will get here and get your shit together so you can go apply for the 90 day Non-O before your current stamp runs out of days to apply (Most offices require a minimum of 15 days left on your current stamp SOME require 21 days like Chiang Mai).
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