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What should I do if my Non-O visa application is delayed before my flight to Thailand?

Non-O Visa Thailand Visa Process Visa Application Delay Travel Plans Retirement Visa Visa Exemption

Mar 3, 2024

2 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I am an American who has applied for the 90-day Non-O visa with the intention of applying for Retirement visa when in Thailand.

The morning of February 14th, I submitted my application through the consulate in Chicago. I still see the submission in the "Processing Pending Document Check (1)" state. My flight is booked for March 26th and I am concerned about not having the visa in time. 

I believe the website says usual processing time is 10 days. Are my expectations unrealistic? What wait time should I expect through the Chicago consulate?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An American applicant for a 90-day Non-O visa, aimed at transitioning to a Retirement visa, expressed concern about delayed processing through the Chicago consulate before their flight on March 26. Commenters shared experiences of varying processing times, with suggestions to contact the consulate for updates, consider entering Thailand on a visa exemption, or adjust travel plans if necessary. The discussion also addressed the validity of e-visas and the timing of their use with respect to travel dates.

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Dana ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

An additional question around this topic. I know the e-visa must be used within 90 days. Does that mean 99 days before or after initial travel date? So, I submitted a travel date of April 8, but will be traveling 2 weeks earlier on March 26. If I receive me e-visa before March 26 can I use it prior to my initial travel date without raising questions? Should I just plan on entering under Tourist and doing a border run for reentry on visa?

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Dana ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks.

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Brandon ************

a visa is valid for 90 days from the day it's issued. What you put on your application is irrelevant

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Brandon ************

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Ruth *******

I’m sure you’ll be fine. Just keep an eye on it to make sure they don’t need anything else. The worst that could happen (& I really don’t think it will) is you take your flight, enter on a visa exempt stamp, then leave and return on the visa when it comes through. You don’t need to go back to the States. You only need to apply there (if not in-country). A quick, cheap trip to a nearby nation will do.

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Ruth *******

And, yes, it does seem like a long time. That’s why I suggested making sure they didn’t ask for anything additional (check email and the website). I applied December 27th and received mine January 4th. However, my flight was January 7th. I only arrived back in the States on December 26th. My visa was through the embassy though. The date of your flight may have put you at the back of the pile, but I’d still check that they don’t need anything.

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Dana ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

yes, I am starting to realize my mistake of applying weeks in advance. I'm guessing my projected travel date may have made it less of a priority.

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Dana ******

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Christopher *************

Easy, you can always enter on visae free ans when the real one arrives leave and renter.

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Dana ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks all for the reassurance.

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John *********

I agree. Don’t change your travel plans even if you don’t get the e-visa in time. Arrive on 30 day visa waiver then activate your e-visa later.

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Bob **********

If it’s an e visa you can come in on an exempt stamp 30 days and extend for 30 when you get the visa leave and re enter to activate that will give you time to open a bank account and get your 800 K seasoned

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Ruth *******

it’s much easier to get the account once they have the non-O stamp, so I assume you mean they will have the time when they enter with that.

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Bob **********

yes tough to get it done with exempt stamp or a TV

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Ruth *******

yes. I tried over a dozen banks. With the non-O, I opened two accounts with no problems at all.

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Ruth *******

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Phil *****

Come on visa exemption 30 days then get extended for another 30 days . In that time you will get your visa or can apply asap when here for retirement visa

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Stacey ****************

Plenty time yet. They took about the full ten working days for mine last year.

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Dana ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for sharing the time it had taken for yours. It let's me know what to expect, or that this time is fairly normal.

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Dana ******

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Chris ****

Contact them and ask the status politely. And you can always bump your flight if need be. You’ll be fine.

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David ******

I submitted online/Chicago on Feb 18 and got email approval on Feb 22 for a 60 day VISA. It is definitely overdue for you.

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Dana ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

ugh! Unfortunate to hear that. What did you put as your travel date? I initially said April 8 and wondered if it was made a lower priority because of this.

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David ******

March 11. They can see this date when you submitted your travel itinerary.

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David ******

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