What should I do if my Non-OA e-visa doesn't arrive before my flight to Thailand?

Non-OA Visa Visa Processing Thailand Immigration Visa Exemption Entry Procedures

Mar 20, 2023

2 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello!  First, I want to say thank this group for this resource being available!  I've learned so much by simply reading existing posts.  I do honestly wish I had discovered it a bit sooner.  😉

I have a non O-A visa related question but more about logistics, timing and situational 'what if' as time is running out, meaning my 'flight' leaves in 10 days and I'm growing more and more nervous if the e-visa will be completed on time.  The referenced '15 business day minimum' has past and again, I still have 10 days left before wheels up.

So...to the question...what if my evisa does not arrive before my scheduled flight?  How do I manage this, what would be the logical procedure?  Do I take the scheduled flight to BKK (getting a visa exception on entry) and assuming the O-A visa will be issued (there's no reason why not) can I then simply go to an immigration office and get 'the stamp' processed like I would upon entry...or is it literally ONLY on entry and I would have to do something like leave the country and re-enter?

Thanks for any insight.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user seeks advice on managing their travel plans if their Non-OA e-visa does not arrive before their scheduled flight. Community responses suggest that in such a case, the user should enter Thailand under visa exemption, which grants either 30 or 45 days of stay depending on the timing. If the e-visa is approved after arrival, they would need to leave and re-enter to activate the visa effectively.

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Wannikea *********

Leave and reenter, show your PDF evisa and you'd be stamp in for a year or the length of your insurance.

2 years ago

James ********

2 years ago

James ********

Suggest you enter Thailand Visa EXEMPT. If your OA visa approval has not been to received

That will get you either 45 or 30 days STAMP on arrival. If by March 31, it's 45 days Visa Exempt Entry. From April 1 it's 30 days.

Plus you get a 30 days extension of stay at the Thai immigration office for 1900 Thai baht.

IF you get the OA visa after you arrive into Thailand ..

You will need to do a BORDER BOUNCE to leave and re-enter Thailand.

Getting the up to One year stamp on re-entry arrival. The expiration date of your stamp will match the ending date of your OA based health insurance policy.

Be sure to PRINT out the OA visa email and show it to the Thai Immigration Officer upon your BORDER BOUNCE arrival.

2 years ago

Brian *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@James *******

Perfect! So as I'll be in Khon Kaen, simply hopping the border over to Laos (for example) and back doing as you described and the problem is solved?

Whew!! Thank you! That's really not so bad!! 🙌

2 years ago

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

@Brian ********

yep, no problem at all. Just make sure you print your visa first and bring proof of your health insurance policy!

2 years ago

Brian *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

thanks for mentioning the policy!!

2 years ago

Reply to

Brian *********