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What recent changes to the Non-O visa affect expatriates frequently traveling to Thailand?

Non-O VisaThailand ImmigrationVisa RegulationsVisa TypesFamily VisaExpatriate LifeVisa ExtensionsEntry Permits
Mar 7, 2025
a month ago
James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
After 7 years of multi entry non O family visa and just expired just noticed that multi is now not a option and only single entry non O is the new which is bad for me as I leave and come back home every month. Carry a British passport and for sure can come in on VOA but for how long and how many times before start questioning me and they clearly see the amount of times I've been in. Just been to see my local immigration and even they are bewildered as to why this visa has changed. Seem to be making it harder for young family's to live here. Anyone in same situation?

Called Doha where I have had my last 6-7 years and they was same didn’t know why it changed.

Hopefully this will change soon seems like trying push young people to the elite visa.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The recent removal of the multi-entry option for the Non-O visa has left many expatriates, especially families, concerned about their ability to travel in and out of Thailand. The challenge of frequent travel with a single entry visa has prompted discussions among expats, with many sharing their experiences and discussing alternative options, such as applying for yearly extensions or considering other visa types. The change has raised frustrations as it imposes stricter conditions on travelers who had previously relied on the multi-entry visa for their lifestyle.
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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Arty ********
i faced the same issue.

DTV visa saved my day.
a month ago
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Scott ******
As a non visa person, to retire there is the Non O retirement visa (multi) still available? Not the OA. Thanks.
a month ago
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Mark *******
Welcome to my world have to apply for a vise every entry and they change the level of screening on each one it’s a nightmare
a month ago
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Rob *******
@Mark ******
 ... it's not that difficult, you just have to time everything right switching from the 90 day to the 1yr extension. I had 1yr multi entries for years doing a rotation schedule up until covid when it wasn't available to return to Thailand. I've been on the 1yr extension ever since. For sure it's not ideal and inconvenient but it's definitely doable and only needs to be done once per year. Just make sure you get a multi entry permit.
a month ago
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark ******
 it’s a nightmare it’s almost like they don’t want young families staying here or forcing the hand towards elite as we know who made that whole program just a coincidence now they are back the rules changes again 🤣
a month ago
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James *********
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Bob **********
Just deposit the 400k
a month ago
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Tod *********
It can be done but it sure takes you coordinating your travel as best you can

- you get the Non-O single entry visa, come in get 90 days

- get a single re-entry permit exit

- come back in on that original 90 day stamp (now 2 months gone)

- Immediately apply for the year extension based on marriage for 1900baht

- get the 30 day under consideration stamp

- BUY a single re-entry permit again

- leave, come back before that 30 day stamp runs out to get the year inked in

- get the multiple re-entry permit

I had a person who worked 28 day rotation just pull it off (by the skin of his teeth 😛 ) but he did it and now has a year extension of stay with a multiple re-entry permit
a month ago
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Graham ******
@Tod ********
 The timings you lay out work as you say, only just, but what you do not mention is the possibility of a house visit during the under consideration period when the person applying will be out of the country on the
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working cycle. Should the application not be submitted on one of the 28 day cycles when in the country notifying Immigration of the departure flight on day 28 of the current entry stamp?
a month ago
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Tod *********
@Graham *****
 it's something they'd have to work with the immigration office with and their timing, I watched it work so I know it can be done, just takes a LOT of coordination and timing it right
a month ago
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Tod *********
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 sure is a lot of work but if needs to be done will work it in my next issue is back right before songkran so will be closed I think will be June before I can realistically do all this when I have a full month in Thailand. Out of curiosity how many times per year can I enter on VOA? is a very vague question I know as really hard to find answers or is it down to the officer on the day ?
a month ago
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Tod *********
@James ********
 you aren't coming in on a Visa On Arrival 🙁 you're talking about coming in free stamp for 60 days "visa exempt", and the actual answer is you can do it until you can't. 😮

AND

When you can't you'll find out because they'll ship you back to where you flew in from on your dime (deny you entry)

This isn't the thailand it was when you got 30 days free entry and could pretty much get as many as you wanted by air. Since it went to 60 days visa exempt entry for 90+ countries they have started getting harder and harder about letting people in who they think are 'living here' on free stamp entries
a month ago
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Tod *********
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Jan ******************
Non O with multiple entries was removed from the e-visa portal, for both retirement and marriage. You can apply for one year extension of stay on your Non O visa with multiple re-entry permits and do yearly extensions.
a month ago
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jan *****************
 thank you I think I’ll take this option get a 90 day non O and go immigration here and apply for 1 year then ask for multi entry
a month ago
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James ********
@James ********
 Wise to do that !
a month ago
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Jan ******************
@James ********
 Probably the best option if you manage to plan to be back each year in time to apply for your extension. Then you can just come and go as you wish and the 90 days report is suspended while you’re out.
a month ago
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jan *****************
 ok thank you my problem is I come in around 8 times per year. My visa just expired in February and was planning usual renewal in Doha but then noticed this bombshell. Not nice but will work and will be a way I don’t think they would ever turn you away at airport if never had a problem In the country and have a wife and 2 kids but never know thank you for your support
a month ago
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Jan ******************
@James ********
 Ok, most immigration allows you to apply 30 days before it expires, some within the last 45 days and you can apply up to the very last day just make sure you have all required documentation ready.
a month ago
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jan *****************
 sure will do I know the officer quite well so he may be able help but even he was confused by my situation today let’s see I’ll update once know to help the others as seems to be many of us in same boat. Seems like just make it hard for young families to live here now
a month ago
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James *********
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Tod *********
Sadly doesn't make a difference how long you've been using the year-long, multi-entry Non-O visas to enter/stay in thailand. I know people who'd been getting them for 10+ years get knocked for a loop when the consulates stopped issuing them.

The shortly after the consulates in the west went from walk up to online eVisa, the multi-entry was discontinued from the Non-O visa 🙁

Immigrations wouldn't have a clue anyway because they don't SELL visas at thai embassies, they sell visas/extension INSIDE thailand at the immigration office. The Embassies are run by a completely different governmental agency

You either get a single entry 90 day non-O then jump thru the hoops to get the year extension OR you find another visa type to go on. There's no work around for it.

It's not gonna change soon, it's a change that has been going on for at least since Nov 2023, I believe, when we saw consulates on the eVisa program not offer the multiple entry as a choice and then as the rest of the consulates came online none of them have it as a choice anymore.

This affected a LOT of FIFO, or rotation workers and it's going to take some careful planning to go from the 90 day Non-O to a year extension
a month ago
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 thanks for your support mate. I think best option is 2 x 6 tourist visas which I have asked embassy alreday they said will be fine. Or get 90 day non O and try some how get it into 1 year from immigration here. My problem is like many others I work
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and also a couple holidays so in around 8 times per year so questions will definitely be asked but if get 2 x 6 month tourist am almost sure immigration at airport won’t even care but I could be wrong.
a month ago
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Jan ******************
@James ********
 Should be possible if you apply for the initial 90 days from abroad or inside Thailand early in one periode, get a single re-entry permit, leave and apply the extension next time.
a month ago
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Graham ******
@James ********
 How can you get a METV which is only available from your "home" country but you admit you live in Thailand?
a month ago
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
**********************************************************************************************************************
a month ago
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Pat *****
@James ********
 what about a DTV visa?
a month ago
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
 work in Qatar and have a residency which I can apply from there. 🤞 had my last 7 yearly non O visas from Doha embassy
a month ago
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Tod *********
@Graham *****
 he would just use an address in his country or where ever he holds permanent residence to get the METV issued.

plenty of people LIVE in thailand and have METV's 😛
a month ago
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Tod *********
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Riccardo *******
@Tod ********
 multiple re-entry permit no ?
a month ago
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Tod *********
@Riccardo ******
 that doesn't ADD any time to a 90 day single entry visa 😕 You still only have that 90 days just that with a re-entry you can come in and out DURING that 90 days.
a month ago
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Riccardo *******
@Tod ********
 Excuse me, I meant that after obtaining the one year extension he can buy a re-entry permit. Sorry if my comment is inappropriate, if it's not correct , you can delete it. 🙂
a month ago
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Tod *********
@Riccardo ******
 My apologies I thought you were suggesting to get a multiple re-entry permit on the single entry Non-O (which many people ask about) and I wanted to mention it doesn't add time to your stamp 90 day stamp

You are 100% correct about the multiple re-entry after you get the year extension inked in (y)

again my apologies for mis-understanding what you had written
a month ago
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Riccardo *******
@Tod ********
 you don't need to apologies, my english is terrible 🤣🤣
a month ago
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Tod *********
@Riccardo ******
 nope you're correct, after you get the one year extension you can indeed get a multiple reentry permit and then come in and out all you want during the year that extension is valid for
a month ago
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Tod *********
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