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Is it advisable to apply for a long-stay O-A visa while entering Thailand on a tourist visa?

O-A Visa Multiple Entry Tourist Visa Visa Application Timing Thailand Immigration Rules Visa Denial Risks

Feb 24, 2024

a year ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Have a multiple entry tourist visa and traveling to Thailand on March 19 from USA. I have everything prepared for longstay O-A visa. Is it a sound plan to submit an e-visa longstay O-A application on March 18. I’m not worried about the extra application fee more about will it get processed and could there be any problems entering Thailand on the tourist visa on march 19.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The conversation discusses the implications of applying for a long-stay O-A visa while already holding a multiple entry tourist visa (METV) for Thailand. Several commenters advise against applying for the O-A visa from within Thailand, arguing that it should be done before traveling and that having two active visas is not permitted. There are concerns about the processing time and the risk of being denied entry or having the visa application rejected if submitted on the wrong timeframe.

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Rick ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks all that commented.

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Brandon ************

You cannot have 2 visas at the same time. If you already have a METV you cannot get a non-OA because you have a visa already. You'll just be throwing away the application fee because they will deny your application.

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Rick ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

Thanks!

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Rick ******

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Bart **************

That's not a good plan. The OA would be granted while you're in Thailand and you need to go abroad to activate it. If you're interested in the OA, apply for it much sooner, so that you get it before traveling to Thailand. That saves you the unnecessary border bounce.

As others have pointed out, there's a risk they see you're already in Thailand, and deny the visa.

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Rick ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Bart *************

Thank you for information.

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Rick ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Just figuring things out. I have a place to stay so not sure what I want to do long term. I’m going to assess my long term options on the METV then fly back to USA and apply for long stay OA visa or other visa at that point. I think 180-270 days on METV will give me enough time to solidify what I want to do.

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Bart **************

why do you have that METV by the way? If you plan on forfeiting it now? Change in plans?

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Bart **************

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Frank **********

if you have do not leave until the 19 March apply now for the O-A.

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Rick ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Frank *********

ok thx

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Rick ******

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Wayne *********

Apply now at home to get your OA visa. You will not get it in Thailand

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Rick ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Wayne ********

So they will not give me oa if in Thailand even if I apply the day before I leave?

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Rick ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Sorry you all ready answered that on your previous post. Thx

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Wayne *********

NO

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Rick ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Can I get OA while in Thailand on tourist visa at immigration bureau

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Wayne *********

You need to go onto the thai embassy near you and look at the requirements of OA visa

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Don ******

@Wayne ********

Can it also be easily done at a Thai consulate?

Or is it strict embassy.

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Brandon ************

The OA can only be done at an embassy or consulate in your home country. You can only get the non-O in Thailand or another embassy/consulate in the area.

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Wayne *********

consulate is fine. I did my OX at Sydney consulate

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Wayne *********

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Wayne *********

OA and OX are issued in your home country and you arrive and use it

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Wayne *********

nope

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Wayne *********

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Wayne *********

You get the OA from your home country not when in Thailand

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Christopher ********

Why would you have two visas ?

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Rick ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Christopher *******

From what I understand multi entry visa is good for maybe 6 months then a bit risky if you try to get another 3 months so I wanted to be in Thailand possibly a year and I’m not sure how to make that happen.

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Rick ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks I was confused on this point.

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John **********

why bother with the multi entry tourist visa, just go for the OA

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Keith ********

@John *********

on the OA , Do you need 800 K in a Thai bank account

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John **********

no, you can only get the OA in your home country so you use funds in your home country

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John **********

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Rick ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Just need to find the correct dates but have some time to figure it out. thx

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Wayne *********

multi entry can be milked for many months.

Arrive get 60 days extend 30. Go to nearby country come back get another 60 days plus extension. Then a week before your 6 month multi entry expires leave again come back get 60 plus 30 again. You just need to keep an eye on the expiry date of the visa to milk the most time from it

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Rick ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Wayne ********

When you get a new 60 days and it is the second or third time does the visa must be used by date get extended as well or is that the final date you can be in the country?

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Wayne *********

you can enter a week before it expires get stamped in for 60 days plus extension for 30 days so effectively you can get extra say 83 days past the expiry date if you enter before it expires

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Wayne *********

no the visa is valid for 6 months that does not extend

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Wayne *********

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