Anyone with recent experience obtaining a Non O (Thai partner) in the UK? What's the processing time like? I'm on a short turnaround in the UK next month so looking to ballpark some flight dates.

Thanks

I can't give information about any specific type of visa, but London in general is known as one of the fastest Thai embassies in the world. Most visas are issued in a matter of days rather than weeks.

A tip if you need to follow up and call them as I have 6 months ago..................Patience..............I phoned 17 times (just checked log) around 2-4pm trying to get through........I forget the exact phone tones and messages one heard, but, I was under the impression I was being connected after waiting for ages and then the phone just kept cutting out and I had to re-dial...so many times....Finally, an amazing Thai lady answered and was unbelieveably helpful with all the detail I required and advised me to apply for another type of visa. I received new emails within 10 minutes to submit new forms and received the new visa in a few days.............................3 month Non O retirement..........................London Embassy 020 7589 2944

In my experience of applying annually over many years - as long as you fill out the application and upload the required files correctly the visa will be issued within a few days.

Edited June 27Jun 27 by retayl

On 6/25/2026 at 4:53 PM, NanLaew said:

Anyone with recent experience obtaining a Non O (Thai partner) in the UK? What's the processing time like? I'm on a short turnaround in the UK next month so looking to ballpark some flight dates.

Thanks

My current Non O Thai spouse took about 2 weeks as they originaly said I could not use my premium bonds for the financial proof.

I had to contact them and point out I do not have any premium bonds and the financial proof I supplied was a fixed rate bond and it was accepteda cou0le of months previous when I applied for a Non O on retirement basis.

It was then accepted.

Recent reports suggest 5-8 business days.

On 6/25/2026 at 6:05 PM, Off Piste said:

A tip if you need to follow up and call them as I have 6 months ago..................Patience..............I phoned 17 times (just checked log) around 2-4pm trying to get through........I forget the exact phone tones and messages one heard, but, I was under the impression I was being connected after waiting for ages and then the phone just kept cutting out and I had to re-dial...so many times....Finally, an amazing Thai lady answered and was unbelieveably helpful with all the detail I required and advised me to apply for another type of visa. I received new emails within 10 minutes to submit new forms and received the new visa in a few days.............................3 month Non O retirement..........................London Embassy 020 7589 2944

Yes sadly their communication seems to have reverted to how it was pre COVID...lousy! During and after covid there was a great improvement. Last year I also sent them an email question which was never answered. But in relation to this thread my non O was issued within a few days last year.

3 hours ago, SunsetT said:

But in relation to this thread my non O was issued within a few days last year.

Vaguely recall that proof of address in UK was required.

Is that the case?

I was in Uk late March, applied for single non O Marriage on a Saturday, approval came through the following Thursday. I did it all on my small Samsung tablet, a little tricky uploading the docs required but all went well. For finance I did Bangkok Bank statement for 40OK, wife ID, my UK DL for proof of address and the flowery marriage cert -K3. Cost was about 60 GBP...

I had to RTU UK for family reasons and the last 8 years have used a Pattaya based agent. Just done an annual extension and now as they say on here ''gone legal'

On 6/27/2026 at 1:44 PM, retayl said:

In my experience of applying annually over many years - as long as you fill out the application and upload the required files correctly the visa will be issued within a few days.

I have read posts when the eVisa system was first rolled out where any attachments submitted separately created delays with requests for resubmissions, whereas merging them into a single document and a single attachment appeared to work first time. Does their online application accept separate files or is it still a merge job?

16 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Vaguely recall that proof of address in UK was required.

Is that the case?

Per @Pasak110's post above, my UK DL should suffice.

Thanks for the info from all respondents, I plan on stopping 10 days that includes only 1 weekend, so I am not expecting delays. I need to recheck on UK or Thai holidays that could reduce the processing time though.

47 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

I plan on stopping 10 days that includes only 1 weekend, so I am not expecting delays.

Obviously best outcome is obtain Non O (eVisa)

Fall back position if not issued in time would be enter Thailand visa exempt.

Files such as bank account, proof of residence etc. have to be scanned and then uploaded to the application form online.

41 minutes ago, retayl said:

Files such as bank account, proof of residence etc. have to be scanned and then uploaded to the application form online.

Yes, that's correct. Does the online application support multiple, individual file uploads these days? I recall that it didn't initially, and applicants needed to merge bank statements, itinerary and others into a single file before uploading.

10 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Yes, that's correct. Does the online application support multiple, individual file uploads these days? I recall that it didn't initially, and applicants needed to merge bank statements, itinerary and others into a single file before uploading.

Each file has to be uploaded into the appropriate section in the online application form.

If you are based in Thailand with spouse and family isn't it easier to get the Non O in Thailand and extend annually with exit re-entry permits for any offshore jobs to go to, instead of worrying about different foreign countries embassies Thai visa issuance procedures?

32 minutes ago, WorriedNoodle said:

If you are based in Thailand with spouse and family isn't it easier to get the Non O in Thailand and extend annually with exit re-entry permits for any offshore jobs to go to, instead of worrying about different foreign countries embassies Thai visa issuance procedures?

The OP currently in UK.

Wise to obtain the Non O eVisa in UK.

Can obtain 12 month extension after return to Thailand.

And yes buy reentry permit for any future trips abroad.

It's not clear why he doesn't already have extension with reentry permit prior to trip to UK.

On 6/27/2026 at 2:24 PM, DrJack54 said:

Vaguely recall that proof of address in UK was required.

Is that the case?

TBH, l can't recall If it was required. But it usually is.

On 6/29/2026 at 6:55 PM, DrJack54 said:

The OP currently in UK.

Wise to obtain the Non O eVisa in UK.

Can obtain 12 month extension after return to Thailand.

And yes buy reentry permit for any future trips abroad.

It's not clear why he doesn't already have extension with reentry permit prior to trip to UK.

I'm working in Malaysia at the moment, but I will be in the UK next week to apply for a new Non-O visa.

I haven't had an extension since just after covid as work flourished, leaving no time to get a new visa and subsequent extension. I used visa-exempt entries with no extensions for my Thai visits but that "door" is closing

Is there any time limit for applying for an extension? I now have an urgent work call out for Vietnam, so would I be able to 'convert' to an extension quickly? I don't have any funding/seasoning issues.

Edited July 5Jul 5 by NanLaew

13 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Is there any time limit for applying for an extension? I now have an urgent work call out for Vietnam, so would I be able to 'convert' to an extension quickly? I don't have any funding/seasoning issues.

At most immigration offices, you can apply for an extension when you have 30 days or less left on your existing permission to stay.

At some offices, you can apply when you have 45 days or less left.

21 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Is there any time limit for applying for an extension? I now have an urgent work call out for Vietnam, so would I be able to 'convert' to an extension quickly?

The 45/30 days early for applying for extension is covered by post above ^

Which immigration office.

Depending on how long you plan to be in Vietnam might be best to obtain the Non O eVisa there.

After return to Thailand after Vietnam obtain 12 month extension

3 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

At most immigration offices, you can apply for an extension when you have 30 days or less left on your existing permission to stay.

At some offices, you can apply when you have 45 days or less left.

Thanks for that. I'll be using Udon immigration who are fair to work with. About 8 years ago, they renewed my extension about 50 days early as I was time challenged with a job in Myanmar. That was under their previous management, but hopefully, they'll still be flexible if I show evidence like I did last time.

If not, I can use this Non-O to re-qualify my BBL account, open a backup bank account somewhere else, and renew my Thai DL, so not a total waste.

12 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

If not, I can use this Non-O to re-qualify my BBL account, open a backup bank account somewhere else, and renew my Thai DL, so not a total waste.

What are you typing about.

One minute concerned about 12 month extension and yes some offices cut slack re how early.

Very surprised Udon allowed 50 day early. They are a 30 day early office.

Next minute you swing to BBL bank account and TDL renewal.

8 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

What are you typing about.

One minute concerned about 12 month extension and yes some offices cut slack re how early.

Very surprised Udon allowed 50 day early. They are a 30 day early office.

Next minute you swing to BBL bank account and TDL renewal.

So you're surprised that an immigration office you've probably never dealt with did something different from what everyone including myself expected? Really?

I pivoted to what else can be done with my Non-O in my thread about my Non-O and this bothers you? Really?

If you don't like my posts, you can always delete them.

2 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

I pivoted to what else can be done with my Non-O in my thread about my Non-O and this bothers you? Really?

If you cannot obtain 12 month extension at Udon thani immigration given travel requirements then would be foolish to apply for one in UK just for TDL.

You better option would be enter Thailand visa exempt and as advised obtain Non O in Vietnam.

OR

After Vietnam again enter visa exempt and from that obtain Non O with TM87

5 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

If you cannot obtain 12 month extension at Udon thani immigration given travel requirements then would be foolish to apply for one in UK just for TDL.

You better option would be enter Thailand visa exempt and as advised obtain Non O in Vietnam.

OR

After Vietnam again enter visa exempt and from that obtain Non O with TM87

I composed a PM to you in order to clarify my position rather than clutter up my thread. However, it appears you block PM's?

So, without adding too much more detail that seems to upset you, here we go.

My work involves frequent, unscheduled travel with tours of indeterminate length: 10 days, 6 weeks, 2 months, etc..

My BBL account may be suspended or closed at any time as I no longer have an immigration status that they accept. Right now it's my ONLY Thai bank account, so the sooner that's sorted, the better (+ new account elsewhere).

My Thai DL expired last December so I want to renew that before unscheduled work possibly runs out the 1-year clock on "easy" renewal of a 5-year TDL. Need a Non-O to do that.

I am not going to the UK solely for the Non-O visa. It's something I can get while I'm there on other business.

So, if I get a Non-O in London, and I end up not being time-pressured here and get banking, TDL and extension sorted, then BINGO!!!

If I only manage two out of the three, it's still a win as far as I'm concerned.

Of course that means I can always pop over to HCMC for another Non-O to get the extension train on the tracks...or I could get it back in London during my tentative November visit.

Remember, it's my money, my visa, etc..

Thanks for your patience and advice.

Edited July 5Jul 5 by NanLaew

6 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

I composed a PM to you in order to clarify my position rather than clutter up my thread. However, it appears you block PM's?

I receive PM almost daily for advice.

Which I spend lot of time to advise.

Clearly I'm not assisting your thread so "over and out"

13 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

My Thai DL expired last December so I want to renew that before unscheduled work possibly runs out the 1-year clock on "easy" renewal of a 5-year TDL. Need a Non-O to do that

Good you are aware that can renew within one year.

Current thread where guy obtained COR for TDL only to find that appointment were fully booked for 5 weeks. Most likely not an issue in Udon

Ended up using agent for appointment.

BTW: COR at most offices not issued on the spot. Maybe possible at Udon

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Good you are aware that can renew within one year.

Current thread where guy obtained COR for TDL only to find that appointment were fully booked for 5 weeks.

Ended up using agent for appointment.

BTW: COR at most offices not issued on the spot. Maybe possible at Udon

Good point, well made. Keeping tabs on things up there and in the past year at least 3 people I know personally have managed same-day COR at Udon. Book an appointment at the far less busy TO at Nong Han. One mate got in before 9, all done and on the road with new bike and car license 90 minutes later.

4 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Good point, well made. Keeping tabs on things up there and in the past year at least 3 people I know personally have managed same-day COR at Udon. Book an appointment at the far less busy TO at Nong Han. One mate got in before 9, all done and on the road with new bike and car license 90 minutes later.

My post was more directed at the big imm offices such as CW.

Just to make folk aware that COR in some offices can take time.

Some offer VIP service that can be 500b + for instant issue.

How much does Udon charge for this free service?

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

My post was more directed at the big imm offices such as CW.

Just to make folk aware that COR in some offices can take time.

Some offer VIP service that can be 500b + for instant issue.

How much does Udon charge for this free service?

500, so 1000 if you're renewing car and bike.