This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What should I do if my Non-O Visa approval is pending before my flight to Thailand?
Feb 25, 2026
2 months ago
EmeraldWa*********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi all , have applied for non o visa from Oz in Canberra. Is currently approval pending , my flight is in 7 days, my question is , if it doesn’t arrive in time, do I then arrive on a tourist visa to enter? If so , do I need to purchase an ongoing flight out of Thailand to enter on tourist visa? Much appreciated any info
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is waiting for a Non-O visa approval from the Thai embassy in Canberra, with their flight scheduled in 7 days. They are concerned about what to do if the visa does not arrive on time and whether they can enter Thailand on a tourist visa. Several commenters shared experiences about obtaining their visas on time and provided insights into entering Thailand without a visa, which grants a 60-day stay that can be extended. They emphasized the importance of having proof of onward travel and suggested that if the Non-O visa is granted after entering Thailand, a border run would be necessary to activate it.
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.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Retirement Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Paul ***************
Mine took over 15 working days . I emailed them the day before I flew out . I actually received the visa whilst in transit airport .
Steven *******
I did mine over xmas new years and it sat there pending document check until the day before i flew out. Took 15 working days. I did my tdac the day before i recieved my visa so stated that i was going for holiday, when i arrived with my non o retired they wanted clarification as my tdac contradicted my e visa. So do your tdac at the last minute, or update if you get your visa in time. Immigration were nice. No stress.
EmeraldWa*********
ORIGINAL POSTERSteven Bruce thanks 🙏 heaps Bruce , good to know & info I was looking for
Reply to
EmeraldWa*********
Reply
Stephen *******
Don’t panic, I applied for the visa early December last year and received it late at night the night before my flight mid January. For some reason they like you to go in to panic mode.
EmeraldWa*********
ORIGINAL POSTERStephen Hodge thanks Stephen
Greg ***********
EmeraldWallaby4034 if you end up flying to Thailand without a visa, you can expect being stamped in for an admitted stay of 60 days. In case the Non-Imm-O Visa will be issued when you are already in Thailand, you can activate it by doing a border run. However your airline might want to see an onward travel proof out of Thailand within these 60 days. In this case you either have a return flight within 60 days, or you need a cheap one way flight like Hat Yai to Kuala Lumpur which can be booked for something like 40 Dollars, on a throw-away ticket
EmeraldWa*********
ORIGINAL POSTERGreg Alexander thanks 🙏 heaps Greg, that was exactly what I was trying to figure, the best way forward, much appreciated
Reply to
EmeraldWa*********
Reply
Ken ********
If it doesn't arrive on time enter Thailand on a 60 day entry wait for the visa to be issued once issued leave the country and re enter to activate new Visa
Lynnette *******
How long you coming for? Without a visa, you get 60 days entry and can extend by 30 days. Tourist visa applied for via embassy, and paid for, is 60 days and can extend. Non-O is 90 days on entry.
Kenneth *******
You get 60 days still on arrival & extension of 30 days when your there . If you applied for Non O mine did take 16 days from embassy in Australia.
EmeraldWa*********
ORIGINAL POSTERKenneth Owens which embassy, Canberra or Sydney?
Atrustwor*********
EmeraldWallaby4034 NSW auto via evisa site goes to Sydney. Every other state goes to Canberra when you put your address in the application.
Kenneth *******
EmeraldWallaby4034 i live Newcastle i just did it on thai visa site I think it was syd
Reply to
Kenneth *******
Reply
Lynnette *******
What passport are you on? Some don't need visas.
EmeraldWa*********
ORIGINAL POSTERLynnette Munoz so Oz is visa free , so no need to apply for tourist visa?
Lynnette *******
EmeraldWallaby4034 It's on the Thai embassy website. 60 day entry without a visa.
Reply to
Lynnette *******
Reply
EmeraldWa*********
ORIGINAL POSTERLynnette Munoz Australia
Phil ******
EmeraldWallaby4034 contact the thailand embassy in Canberra ( I assume thats where you applied) and advise of your travel plans. When did you apply?
EmeraldWa*********
ORIGINAL POSTERPhil Beer Jan 20 ,
Reply to
EmeraldWa*********
Reply
42 comments
2 months ago
9 comments
3 months ago
2 comments
3 months ago
31 comments
4 months ago
13 comments
5 months ago
11 comments
5 months ago
1 comments
6 months ago
45 comments
6 months ago
10 comments
7 months ago
4 comments
10 months ago
Can my husband enter Thailand on a tourist visa while waiting for his Non-Immigrant O visa approval?
5 comments
a year ago
21 comments
a year ago
21 comments
a year ago
20 comments
a year ago
7 comments
2 years ago
2 comments
2 years ago
3 comments
3 years ago
13 comments
3 years ago
2 comments
3 years ago
5 comments
3 years ago
8 comments
3 years ago
7 comments
4 years ago
60 comments
4 years ago
14 comments
5 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.