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Why did I receive a tourist visa instead of a Non-O visa for my Thai wife?

Dec 24, 2024
a year ago
John ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Sent for a year non o visa as got thai wife they sent me tourist visa multiple entry

So I got 60 days on arrival I just got my extra 30 days.do I need to do a visa run now .or can I go back to immigration

Don't understand as sent to thai embassy in London cost me £150.

I got year visa last time was better for me

Can someone explaine as so many changes on visa changing so fast.hard to keep up with
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user intended to apply for a Non-O visa due to their marriage to a Thai citizen but received a multiple-entry tourist visa instead. They are confused about their current visa status, wondering if they need to perform a visa run or if they can return to immigration for assistance. Several comments from other expats clarified that the Non-O visa service has changed, specifically the discontinuation of the one-year multiple-entry option, now replaced with a shorter 90-day entry that can be extended. Users advised on the process of managing visa extensions, potential visa runs, and the challenges of communication with the Thai embassy.
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Lauren *******
Had this happen also with my thai husband, brought my ppw and explained to Thai embassy, they fixed it and i had my year non-o visa. Had to go through a lot of steps, visits from officers and marriage verification. Good luck!
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Simon *******
What you have is a 60 day multiple entry tourist visa it lasts for 6 month but you can only spend 60 days at a time then you have to do a boarder run to get another 60 days ,you can leave as often as you want and get 60 days on return.

I came on one of these in April have since converted it to a retirement visa using an agent.

You can get more than 6 month out of the visa if you leave and reenter on the day before the visa expires you will get 60 days and be able to extend it for 30 days.
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Daniel **********
I got o visa before I left £60 now I got retirement visa here was quite easy
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David ***********
Make sure the details are correct. They add an extra digit to my passport number and I missed it.
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Greg ***********
@David **********
you need to enter every detail manually first, save it, and only after that upload your passport detail page
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David ***********
@Greg **********
I did. But the page came back incorrect. Missed it. This year visa exempt, easier.
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David ***********
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Brian *********
Marriage visa a shambles 2 months ago, wouldn't let me pick multiple entry, said in small writing multiple or single entry up to London.

Had all the paperwork like the year's before, they send a single entry visa😵‍💫

Emailed them and they said you need to pick mult-entry and I said it didn't give me this option.

They just brushed it off and took no responsibility.
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Greg ***********
@Brian ********
yes, I am aware London Embassy hasn't updated their website yet. They still offer multi entry Non-O, despite it got discontinued by October 30, 2023 . . . they are very incompetent and lazy, won't keep their website up to notch
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Brian *********
@Greg **********
had 2 emails from them they didn't once mention it's not a option now, why they seem to crucify us when married for years, don't get it.
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Brian *********
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Brandon ************
@Brian ********
it's not an option. Doesn't exist anymore
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Brian *********
@Brandon ***********
ok thanks, so what we supposed to do about a multiple-entry entry visa, shambles 😳
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Brian *********
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Greg ***********
@John *******
Sorry, but you missed to take notice of something really important, when you applied for the 1-year multi entry Non-Imm-O family Visa in the E-visa system of the London embassy.

The 365-days multi entry Non-Imm-O Visa (both family and retirement) got discontinued by October 30th, 2023, in all over the World's Thai embassies and consulates

(except for reason “married to a Thai wife” in Savannakhet, where it remained to be still available until now, but yet to be seen if the still offer it after January 1st, 2025, when the e-visa system will be introduced in Savannakhet)

Only the 90-days single entry version remains available.

If you need a multi-entry that is valid for one year, you first must enter with or apply inside Thailand for the initial 90-days Non-Imm-O Visa,

And after you have fulfilled the financial requirements, apply on Immigration for the "1-year Extension of Stay".

Only then, for this extended 1-year stay permit, you are able to buy a multi re-entry permit for 3800.- THB
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Phil ********
You cant get a year Non O evisa.

It's 90 days, I arrived on mine a few days ago.
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Will ************
Non-o applied from London is £60
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Mark **********
You’ll get 9 month out of this utilizing visa runs every 90 days and coming back in on March 28
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Herbert *******
@Mark *********
I think every 60 Days.This is what happened with my Multiple Tourist Visa in 2024.
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Mark **********
You go to immigration at 60 days and extended for 30 more.
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Mark **********
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Georgia ********
We have the same from Canada and we do not have to do a visa run every month, we go to the office and pay to stay here. That is why we got it..and it allows you to also travel and return with no issues.
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John **********
You got a multiple entry tourist visa. If you use this carefully you can get up to 9 months out of it with a couple of border hops. The visa you think you applied for is no longer available in London (or anywhere else) so there's been some sort of mix up
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Gary ********
The whole Visa system is capricious, whether here or abroad 😟
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Graham ******
@Gary *******
Try being a Thai trying to get a Visa to visit the west and you might change your mind
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Scott *******
@Graham *****
easy if you are going to the uk. You go to France and get a small boat. On arrival in the UK you will be taken to a free 5 star hotel. Fed the best of food. After several months you will be given a free house. No visa required.
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Scott *******
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Carl *********
Never heard of a non o e visa for a year online, I've always got 90 days then extended for the year when I'm here
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Matthew ********
@Carl ********
I used to get non O e visa 12 months from the uk but they stopped it this year as it was much too easy and didn’t require the 400k in a thai bank account they allowed foreign funds to be accepted. Probably stopped it to keep people in jobs in Chang wattana
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Carl *********
@Matthew *******
all the times I've done a visa I never noticed it 😅 I need better glasses. Mind there nothing I like more than getting my 90 days coming here spending most of the day in immigration to get the year 😁
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Matthew ********
@Carl ********
they stopped it now
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Matthew ********
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Marvin ********
FYI.......

A "Non-O" visa in Thailand can be obtained with a multiple-entry option, allowing the holder to enter and exit the country multiple times within the validity period of the visa, which is typically one year, with each stay permitted for up to 90 days per entry; however, to get a multiple-entry Non-O visa, you need to apply specifically for it and may need to provide additional documentation like proof of sufficient funds or a marriage certificate to a Thai citizen depending on the reason for your visit.

Key points about a multiple-entry Non-O visa:

Validity: Typically valid for one year from the date of issuance.

Stay duration per entry: Up to 90 days per entry.

Application process: Requires applying specifically for a multiple-entry visa at a Thai embassy or consulate.

Who may qualify: People who are married to a Thai citizen, family members of a Thai national, or those seeking to enter Thailand for specific purposes like medical treatment or volunteering.

When applying at a Thai Embassy outside of Thailand, you would receive the Non Immigrant O Visa which would be valid for 3 months, Single Entry.

After arrival in Thailand, you apply for the extension based on Marriage, Retirement etc at Thai Immigration.

Every year thereafter you apply to renew the extension of your visa.
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Greg ***********
@Marvin *******
Sorry, you are wrong! In short: The multiple-entry Non-O visa (both reasons family and retirement) got discontinued by October 30th, 2023 - on EVERY Thai Embassy and Consulate worldwide
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Marvin ********
@Greg **********
I don't apply at Embassies. I applied for my Non O and Retirement extension and renew my Retirement extension every year in Thailand. I have lived in Thailand for 20 years. lol. Keep trying.
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Marvin ********
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Greg ***********
@Marvin *******
Sorry but you are completely wrong.

The 365-days multi entry Non-Imm-O Visa (both family and retirement) got discontinued by October 30th, 2023, in all over the World's Thai embassies and consulates

(except for reason “married to a Thai wife” in Savannakhet)

Only the 90-days single entry version remains available.

If you need a multi-entry that is valid for one year, you first must enter with or apply inside Thailand for the initial 90-days Non-Imm-O Visa,

And after you have fulfilled the financial requirements, apply on Immigration for the "1-year Extension of Stay".

Only then, for this extended 1-year stay permit, you are able to buy a multi re-entry permit for 3800.- THB
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Dirk **************
@Marvin *******
a Non-O visa has NO limit on your stay duration per entry. It is clearly not 90 days as you claim.
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Marvin ********
@Dirk *************
Depends on the length of visa you are given. Generally they will given you a 90 day Non O Visa that you have to extend in Thailand for 12 months.
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Dirk **************
@Marvin *******
you can not overstay the length of your non-O but it is clearly not 90 days per entry. The only thing that happens after 90 days is that you file a report.
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Nongnuch ********
@Dirk *************
the Non-imm-O Visa clearly gives you only 90 days stay permit per entry, regardless if it was single entry or multi entry. However, the 1-year multi entry Non-Imm-O Visa got discontinued by October 30th, 2023. You can't get it no longer
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Graham ******
@Dirk *************
You do not do a 90 day report on a Non-O 90 day entry stamp, you get an extension or leave. An initial Non-O is 90 days.
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Marvin ********
@Dirk *************
I know. I have been on Retirement Extension in Thailand for 12 years and living in Thailand 20+ years. lol
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Marvin ********
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Graham ******
@Dirk *************
yes the multi-entry 12 month version does, 90 days per entry over 12 months but you cannot get one anywhere that uses the eVisa system which, from 1-Jan, will be everywhere
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Greg ***********
@Graham *****
the 1-year multi entry Non-Imm-O visa (family & retirement) were discontinued by October 2023 on ALL Thai embassies and consulates worldwide (with exception only the consulate Savannakhet still offering one for reason married to a Thai wife)
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Graham ******
@Greg **********
and HCMC I believe
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Graham ******
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John ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marvin *******
that's what I applied for as done before but they sent me tourist visa .I could have got that on entry free.cost me £150 at Thai embassy london
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Paul ********
@John *******
if you appiled for a multi entry then that’s why they sent you that.

London do not issue multi entry non o visa anymore. Retirement & marriage visas is what some know them as.

Only single entry that you are meant to extend in Thailand.
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John ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul *******
they still have same form I filled in 10 years ago and got 1 year visa.so they should update there system and followed there instructions how to fill in I was done big time
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Marvin ********
@Paul *******
Correct.
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Marvin ********
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Graham ******
@Marvin *******
From 1-Jan the last two Consulates that sold the 12 month multi-entry marriage Non-O will both be on the eVisa system which does not offer this visa
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Nongnuch ********
@Graham *****
correct. It is to be expected that Savannakhet and Yangon will discontinue issuing the 1-year multi entry Non-O family visa, once their e-visa system has started
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Nongnuch ********
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John **********
I found the first part of the E-Visa site where you put in what visa your after is glitchy. It almost happened to me, as it kept crashing and timing out.
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กาเลน *****
@John *********
I noticed the same timeout issue with visa selection drop down menu. I can see mistakes easily happening, especially if applicants are not familiar with available visas. I haven't actually applied using the system. Only started an account to see what it's all about. May need to use it next year.
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John **********
@กาเลน ****
Once you get by this section it's fine . Like I said I almost applied for the wrong visa because of the glitches. I applied for a Non Immigrant O Visa it was simple I got my visa in 6 days. The only documents I had to supply were the passport page, Passport Photo, proof I'm in my country. I used my licence, and proof of finances. Good Luck
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John **********
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David *******
Thai embassy in london are liars and incompetent.
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Nongnuch ********
@David ******
they are neither lying nor are they corrupt. It simply is a fact that the 1-year multi entry Non-Imm-O Visa got discontinued a while back. To be exact, the date when they stopped issuing this visa type was October 30th, 2023 . . . . . .So, they can't issue a visa that doesn't exist any more, they are no magicians . . . sadly, the website of the Thai Embassy London is NOT up-to-date, they still post long gone requirements and visa types that don't exist any more
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Brandon **********
@Nongnuch *******
incompetent wouldn’t include not updating a website for more than a year? When it’s your job . We are talking 300+ days. Seems to fit
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Brandon **********
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Graham ******
@David ******
How, by not issuing a visa that no longer exists?
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John **********
@Graham *****
Maybe just incompetent. 🤣
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John **********
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John **********
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Brandon **********
@John *********
because they are Thai
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Paul ******
@Brandon *********
If you feel that way about Thai people why are you on the site?

I’ve been in Thailand for nearly 10 years and most of the farang I’ve met are lazy, drunken and dishonest.

Maybe you are just confused.
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John **********
@Brandon *********
I'm here to tell you the, Thais don't have a monopoly on being incompetent 🤣
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Brandon **********
@John *********
you have an extra “,” in there so maybe you’re right
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Brandon **********
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Brandon ************
There's so such thing as a multiple entry non-O visa in the e-visa system, so you didn't apply for a non-O visa.

You applied for and received a multiple entry tourist visa. That means every time you enter Thailand until 29 March you'll receive a 60 day tourist stamp and you can apply for a 30 day extension. If you need more time you must leave and return again for a new stamp.

You can also apply for a 60 day visiting Thai family extension after the 30 day extension since you are married to a Thai.
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Brandon ************
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