Entering on Different Visa Category

[ajs73]

If you entered Thailand on a 90 day Non-O based on Marriage and then return to your home country can you enter Thailand again using say a Tourist Visa? Or is it required to continue entering under the Non-O if you're married. I only plan to visit for a few months (Christmas/New Years) then have to return back to the States again to wrap some things up. Wasn't going to re-apply for the Non-O based on Marriage until I had things figured out stateside and then do the 12 month extension 2024. I had to return to the States to handle some family business so that negated me applying for the extension. 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 18, 2023 by ajs73

[timendres]

Once that Non-O expires, or is negated by an exit without a re-entry permit, it ceases to exist and you are back to being a random tourist - no problem. For example, I have been on a work permit extension based on a Non-B for 9 years. That extension, and thus the original visa it is based on, has been canceled, and shortly I will visit Cambodia to return using the visa exempt. I will then convert to Non-O and then the retirement extension. There is no requirement that you re-enter on the Non-O just because you are married to a Thai national.

[ajs73]

7 minutes ago, timendres said:

Once that Non-O expires, or is negated by an exit without a re-entry permit, it ceases to exist and you are back to being a random tourist - no problem. For example, I have been on a work permit extension based on a Non-B for 9 years. That extension, and thus the original visa it is based on, has been canceled, and shortly I will visit Cambodia to return using the visa exempt. I will then convert to Non-O and then the retirement extension. There is no requirement that you re-enter on the Non-O just because you are married to a Thai national.

I was kind of thinking that but with immigration being so nuanced I wanted to check before applying for the Visa and paying the fee online. Thank you for the info!!

[DrJack54]

OP, You have a permission of stay.

Exit Thailand without a reentry permit and you can return to Thailand with tourist visa , Visa exempt etc.

One option is to enter visa exempt with option of 30 day extension or 60 day "extension to visit wife"

[Red Phoenix]

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

OP, You have a permission of stay.

Exit Thailand without a reentry permit and you can return to Thailand with tourist visa , Visa exempt etc.

One option is to enter visa exempt with option of 30 day extension or 60 day "extension to visit wife"

As drJack wrote, in your case only returning to Thailand for a few months, you could consider simply entering Thailand Visa Exempt (without A visa).  Doing so will provide you with a 30-day Permission to stay stamped in your passport by border-immigration on entry.  Then you could apply for a 30-day extension of stay at any Thai Imm Office (costs 1.900,- THB) which will be provided on the spot and added to your Permission to stay expiry date.  And then at the end of those 60 days, you - being married to a Thai national - you can apply for a 60-day extension of stay for reason of visiting your wife. 

Doing so you will have almost 4 months of stay, without having to apply for a Visa. 

Note that in order to be allowed boarding your flight to Thailand the airline will want you to show an outbound flight to an international destination from Thailand on a date PRIOR to the expiry of the 30-day Permission to stay you will receive when entering Thailand VisaExempt.  You can either buy the cheapest possible 'throw-away' ticket (e.g. one way Bangkok to HoChiMin city, for less than 1500 THB). Or use onwardticket.com or similar service, to buy a fully legit reservation, cost something like 12 to 15 US $ but which is automatically cancelled 48 or 72 hours after having bought it (immediate delivery by e-mail when paying by credit-card).  So you need to buy such reservation either evening before or morning of your departure flight to Thailand.

Edited October 19, 2023 by Red Phoenix

[Maestro]

Removed a troll post (false information) and the replies to it.