Why is it now recommended to obtain a Non-O visa before arriving in Thailand instead of applying in-country?

ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS:

Change in group recommendation for Non-O visas

This is just going to be an FYI type of post to relate information..

In the past we'd advise people to come in free stamp (visa exempt) open a thai bank account, transfer in the required funds and apply for the Non-O visa inside the country at your immigration office.

Unfortunately due to the banks tightening up who can open an account and what visa you need to do it, showing up free stamp often means you're not going to be able to open a bank account to start the whole in country Non-O visa process.

That is why we are recommending people get their 90 day single entry Non-O visa OUTSIDE of thailand (hopefully before you wing your way here) because once you stamp in on that Non-O it's usually not that difficult to open a bank account (although you still might have to try a couple banks/branches, you can get it accomplished).

If you're already here in thailand you can go to a nearby country to apply for the initial 90 day Non-O visa thru a consulate there.. The consulates in Lao and Vietnam are not difficult to deal with and have fast processing for 'regular visas' (Non-O, Non-B, Non-ED).. In Lao you do have to go to the consulate in person to pay for the visa once you apply

Another upside to applying outside thailand is that you can use money in your account in your home country as proof of funds.

I would say give the thai consulates in Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Kota Bharu, Penang) a pass for these visas as their processing time seems to be long. Same for the thai consulate in Phnom Penh give it a pass as they have extended processing times..

I just wanted people to understand why we used to say come in, get the Non-O in country and now why we're saying get the Non-O BEFORE you wing your way here or go to a thai consulate in a nearby country and get one.