What is the correct order to obtain a Thai Non-O visa, Certificate of Entry (COE), and book a flight from China?

Dec 17, 2020
4 years ago
Colin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have read on the Thai Embassy (China) website that you need your visa to get your COE, but to get your visa you need to have a flight booked, and to book your flight you need a COE so I'm going round in circles trying to figure out what comes first! I have a Thai wife, I'm currently working in China and intend to apply for a Non-O, any advise? help?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The process to obtain a Non-O visa and COE when traveling from China can be confusing due to conflicting information about order of operations. It is generally suggested to apply for the visa first, which often does not require a confirmed flight just yet. After securing your visa, you can apply for the COE by providing the necessary documentation, including proof of travel arrangements. It's important to ensure compliance with COVID-19 requirements, such as having medical insurance that covers COVID-19 in Thailand and negative PCR test results prior to travel. Overall, the steps involve applying for the visa, getting approval, then registering for the COE with all required documents.
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Jill ******
Steps are:

1. Apply for visa approval

2. When approved get passport stamped

3. Go to Thai embassy we site and register for COE

4 Upload passport, visa, health insurance policy- must say that it covers you for COVID in Thailand

5. When COE accepted (not approved yet) you can then upload flight and ASQ booking and evidence that is is fully paid - when all is approved you can download the COE document

6. Get Medical check for yellow fever etc- form on embassy website- get checked 72 hours before landing

7. Get COVID test (must be PCR) make sure you get a certificate emailed to you- collection must be 72 hours before landing.

Australia has a dedicated website for COVID testing with urgent return

TIP- the COE is tricky as the upload is a 2 step process
Colin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Excellent Jill, exactly what I was looking for. The COVID test 72 hrs prior to flying could be an issue, I'll have to check.
Colin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
This is taking from the Thai website, heck number

4) Fully paid and confirmed air ticket

Is this no longer the case?
David *******
Visa first. Book flights, quarantine hotel and Covid insurance. All the information is on the Embassy website
John ********
You need flight so COE knows the date you will arrive but probably visa first
James *******
Are you a doorman in China?
Colin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James ******
old joke, nvm
Ronald *****
Thailand going to ease visa free for many countries..

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Benjamin *********
You get your visa first
Steve *******
At most Embassys/Consulates you dont need to book a flight for the visa, just give them the date you intend to travel.
Graham ******
Apply for visa where asks for tickets put down the flight numbers u think u Will use after visa get tickets insurance asq hotel then apply Coe .
Ervin ***********
You don't need coe to book flight, you have to show it at check in
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