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Will I encounter issues when re-entering Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption after exiting with multiple COVID extensions?

Thailand Immigration Visa Exemption NON-O Visa COVID Extensions Expat Advice

May 25, 2022

3 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

So a few months ago I was reading some reports about people arriving back to Thailand hoping to enter on a “30 day visa exempt” entry ( but with a lot of Covid extension stamps in their passports ) and getting hassle / refused entry in some cases at airport immigration 

I was originally stamped in on a PE visa (thai elite etc ) and when that finished ( feb 2022) I decided not to renew and instead go for the non O as I’m now over 50 ,which meant I needed to leave Thailand first before applying 

So i got 2 Covid extensions which brought me to may - and am now in Penang for about 10 days 

Will I have hassle coming back in ( prob via CNX ) on a 30 day exempt ??

I asked the immigration guy when I exited at DMK and he said I could come back again on a 30 day exempt ( but that’s assuming he understood me fully etc ) 

I’d rather not get a visa at the consulate here if I can return on a 30 day exempt ( space in current Irish passport is tight , 5 months wait at home to renew etc )and Id rather apply for the non O asap when back 

Thanks .

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The poster is concerned about re-entering Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption after having multiple COVID-related extensions and transitioning from a long-term PE visa to a NON-O visa. They seek advice on potential entry hassles given their circumstances and limited passport space. Comments suggest the poster should have necessary documentation, such as proof of accommodation, funds, and possibly an outbound ticket to minimize the risk of being denied entry. Moreover, they are advised that applying for a NON-O visa in Penang may be a safer option to avoid complications.

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James ********

I think the OP has received many options... now it's up to him to decide.

Best of Luck...

Comments Closed

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Robert *******

No idea what is changed in his story by editing the text.

Apply for the visa in Penang and save space in your passport or

just get back into Thailand, apply for a new visa and an Extension of Stay at Immigration, more stamps more space needed.

If you like to change again, please add your question in the comments or use EDIT to show what is changed, you can do this by clicking on the 3 dots in the upper corner.

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Mike *********

You can apply on line for a new Irish passport (standard or larger book size available). Must be mailed to an Irish address. But you could have it forwarded to you I just did it. Zero hassle for the record! Took 1 week to receive it. You don’t need to surrender your existing passport if it’s within last 12 months of its expiry date.

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Bim *******

I was in the exact same position with a PE visa that expired and had many more Covid extensions than yourself. I flew back to the UK to get the Non O and got back three days ago no problem. The route you are doing coming in on a 30 day will mean you have to apply for a Non O inside the country. You will have to extend the exempt by another 30 days to get enough time to apply. Also when you do you have to show 800 thousand in a Thai bank in your name only and it has to have come from overseas. Applying for the Non O outside the country means you don't have to show the funds came from overseas when applying for your extension. Whether they let you back in on a 30 day is a risk. You may or may not be accepted but be prepared to have at 20 thousand baht in cash on you and a ticket out within the 30 days and accomodation.

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Mika ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I have enough passport pages left for a non O - I just would prefer not to waste 1 page on a tourist visa from Penang if I can come in ( as I normally did before ) on a 30 visa exempt - and get the little stamp etc

So you are saying I definitely need a ticket out ??is proof of my rental agreement ok for accommodations?? ( I have the cash requirements )

Good reasons to come back - I actually live there ( I paid for a 5 year PE visa before ,and want to apply for a non O - hence this trip ( as the non O can’t be applied for From a PE )

Will the immigration officer not be interested in this explanation ???

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Ellie *******

, it would be more problematic with airline if you don’t have onward travel ticket. Better to check with your air carrier to see if they let you board without a ticket out Thailand.

The risk at passport control upon your arrival is: the immigration officer MIGHT ask you to show outbound ticket because it’s one of the requirement to enter Thailand. If you don’t have one when you are asked, it gives IO a reason to refuse your entry. Does IO ask for proofs? Maybe. Maybe not.

Again, it’s your decision.

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Ellie *******

What I said was I would get a Non-O visa there in Penang, not a Tourist Visa.

Not definitely, but if you want to be prepared for the worst, you want to have those three proofs. But how you do is up to you.

Your rental agreement is maybe enough, maybe not.

Pre-covid, some border-bouncer or visa-runner had a rental agreement for long-term that caused for IO decide you are not a tourist and told to get the right visa. But if you can explain that reason well enough, maybe all goes well.

Again, nobody can assure you that you are fine to enter Thailand again with those you have. The decision is yours.

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Mika ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

you mean apply for a non O in Penang and then apply for the 1 year extension ( based on retirement ) when it expires after being back in Thailand ?

I thought this visa ( when applied for outside Thailand is named a non OA ? ( or am I completely mixing up visas )

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Ellie *******

Right, and No. I mean apply for a single entry (90days) Non-O based on being over 50 (retirement), then apply for a 1-year extension at the end of 90days entry stamp.

Non-OA is a multiple entry visa, valid for 1 year and the entry stamp is 365 days. You can apply for Non-OA only at your home country or the country where you have legal residency.

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Ellie *******

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Ellie *******

Side note. If you don't have enough space in your passport for stamps　of 1 entry stamp for

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page, 1 visa stamp (whatever type, regardless of where you get inside Thailand or Penang) for a full 1 page, and an extension stamp (30day tourism or 1-year retirement) for

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page, you may not be able to stay until waiting for that 5months in Thailand. Check the available space and take measures ASAP.

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Lewis ******

Doubt it, you're going from a long term visa to another long term visa. The people getting hassle were mostly using tourist visas and covid extensions over and over

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Ellie *******

, What OP is worrying about is, that even though he was staying on a long-term visa/extension, he got multiple Covid extensions after that and he is going to enter on visa-exempt (without even TR), not with a long-term visa. Based on his current plan anyway.

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Ellie *******

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John **********

If space in your passport is tight are you going to have room for a visa exempt, in country Non-O and then an extension anyway?

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Ellie *******

It might be possible. Just be sure to have three proof-of-s, an outbound ticket (hopefully to your home country), 20K cash, and accommodation. And good reasons to be back to Thailand as well.

But,

I would get a Non-O single entry visa there if already in Penang. It's a safer way with an actual visa. Pages consumed until you get a 1-year extension are the same. visa-exempt entry wouldn't save any part of the passport page compared to entry on a Non-O visa.

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Steve *************

Came back from Australia today. Couple in front of me had no accommodation booked. IO would not allow them entry. Sent them back from desk and told them no booking no entry.

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Philip **********

@Steve ************

… sent them back where ? That’s harsh .

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Philip **********

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