What should I do to activate my Non-Immigrant O visa after entering Thailand with a visa exemption?

Question

Good afternoon,

I've got an unusual situation that I'm wondering whether anyone here has had some experience with.
Usually before I come to Thailand, I apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa from the Thai Embassy in Poland (I'm a Polish national and my wife is Thai). Previously I've applied in person at the embassy so I had to leave my passport there until I get the visa (usually took just a couple of days), but this year the embassy has switched to the new e-visa process, which I do think is an improvement (no need to go to the embassy or leave the passport), but at the moment takes a lot more time than before.
As a result, I arrived in Thailand before I got my 3-month visa, and entered by getting a visa exemption stamp. The visa was granted a couple days later.
So I imagine that in this situation I would need to get out of the country, and enter again to activate my 3-month visa. However, I would like to ask if there is some easier (more reasonable?) solution here - I assume I'm not the first person in this situation, so if someone knows how to handle such a case please kindly let me know.
Specifically, I'm wondering if the immigration office in Bangkok could possibly help with the issue, or it this route not worth trying (in my previous experience the immigration officers there are very helpful if asked politely) - that's currently the best idea I have, but maybe someone knows a better way.
I would be very grateful for any advice.

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user is seeking advice after arriving in Thailand on a visa exemption while waiting for their Non-Immigrant O visa, which they applied for online. Community responses suggest that to activate the new visa, the user must leave Thailand and re-enter, as it's not possible to have two visas simultaneously or alter the immigration stamp once issued. Some recommend visiting neighboring countries like Laos for a brief stay before re-entering to ensure the Non-O visa is properly activated.

James ******** · Answer

I believe that the OP has the answers to his question. Thanks All for the helpful replies 🙂. Comments Closed

Micky ********** · Answer

The simple way is to leave and re-enter. Perhaps enjoy a few days in Lao?

Randy ******** · Answer

You HAVE to leave and re-enter to have the non-o activated. Unfortunately, there’s no way around it.

I would wait until the visa exempt stamp is about to expire before you left to come back to activate the non-o. Unless your plan is to only to be here for the three months.

John ********** · Answer

You need to leave Thailand, check into another country and return to Thailand to enable the visa. While immigration in Thailand can issue a Non-O visa providing you meet the criteria they can't do anything with an already issued visa, and you can't have 2 visas at the same time

James ******** · Answer

Sorry but your ONLY option is to leave Thailand and reenter using the Non O Visa as Married to Thai you have received using the Evisa online application system.

PRINT out the email you received with the Non O Visa and show it to the Thai Immigration Officer who greets you on arrival.

You can use a land border crossing or enter Thailand by air. Be sure you look at the STAMP in your passport when the Thai Immigration Officer gives you back your passport.

The Thai Immigration Officers at any Thai Immigration office are NOT able to change your passport stamp.

You are eligible to get a 30 day extension of stay at your local Thai Immigration office for 1900 Thai baht.

But be sure you use the Non O Visa as Married to Thai within the 3 MONTHS from the DATE it was ISSUED.

What should I do to activate my Non-Immigrant O visa after entering Thailand with a visa exemption?

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