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When does my O-A Non Imm Visa become active after approval?

O-A Non Imm Visa Visa Application Process Thailand Visa Rules Visa Activation Timing UK Thai Embassy Expat Queries

May 9, 2019

6 years ago

Howard ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I am applying for an O-A Non Imm Visa from London Thai Embassy, I hope to return to Thailand in August 2019 after staying with family here in UK. If my application goes fairy quick and I obtain my Visa say in July 2019 will it only become active once I enter Thailand or will I loose maybe 1 month (this is my first O-A as only had tourist visa’s before) thank you🙏

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The O-A Non Imm Visa becomes active once it is issued and attached in your passport. Therefore, if you receive it in July but enter Thailand in August, you'll effectively lose about a month of validity. However, many members emphasized that this loss is minor as the main focus should be on meeting the financial requirements for the visa extension after the first year.

Tod *********

, please do NOT take this the wrong way, BUT you are over thinking this by about a factor of 100. Every day you make a new post about what if, what if, and while I appreciate you being a member of the group. Just wait until you get your VISA and go from there.

Please stop trying to pick it apart and/or have a contingency for every situation.

I messaged you about this yesterday but you didn't see it. So now I'm mentioning it to you now.

Good Luck, get the visa, then go from there. (y)

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Richard *******

My experience when applying in the UK was Police Cert took just 7 days, Visa application posted on a Wednesday, passport back with visa Saturday AM. No need to lose much time. Thai Embassy very efficient if all paperwork in order. Mine was through the help of this group. 👍

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Bill *********

@Richard ******

thanks for your reply. My GP told me 28days waiting time. So I got a Medical Cert from AEK Hospital in Udon Thani for 150bt 👍👍

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Richard *******

, My GP wouldn’t find time but supplied a copy of my medical records, I went to a private hospital, took 10 mins and cost £100.However many GPs are more obliging I’m told.

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Howard ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Richard ******

thank you so much for your advice🙏

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Bill *********

@Richard ******

but where did you get your medical cert from and how long did that take ?

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Bill *********

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Marty *********

I think it is active as soon as you get so you would lose a month. The main thing is to give yourself 1 years time to get your financial requirements in order if you are planning to use the monthly income method when you apply for your year extension. Losing a month will hardly matter. If you are planning to use the 800,000 baht banked money method then it matters even less.

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Marty *********

Tom SchererYes but the O-A is a much better way to come. Particularly for this OP who has been asking questions about this for months.

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Tom *********

@Marty ********

I believe you have to apply for an "O" once you arrive in the Kingdom, which is good for 60 days, the apply for a one year extension based on retirement, marriage, etc.

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Marty *********

That doesn’t sound like an O-A visa. An O-A is 1 year multiple entry. A friend of mine got a 2 or 3 month in the US and then had to convert to a yearly extension of stay based on being retired (i.e. over 50)

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Tom *********

@Howard *******

I know what he said. I commented because when I got my O-A in America about three tears ago, I had a "use by" date. I think it was six months from the issue date but maybe only three months. It may be different now, but I don't think it would be different between Thai Consulates in UK vs USA. Just trying to be helpful.

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James ********

@Oliver *********

yes

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Howard ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

above Robert says your 1st year starts as soon as the Visa is stamped in your passport🙏

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Tom *********

I believe you will see a "use before" date on your O-A visa. When you enter the Kingdom the one year starts.

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Oliver **********

Although you don't need an extension for the second year, correct? So long as you leave the country and come back in right before it expires?

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Howard ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Marty ********

Thank you so much, may drag application out a bit so I don’t loose 1 month, I’m using banked money so if I do loose a month it won’t matter.

Thank you🙏

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Howard ********

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Robert *******

The visa gets valid from the moment it is attached into your passport for 1 year.

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Howard ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thank you so much, as always your advice and help is very much appreciated🙏

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Howard ********

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