The Thailand Visa Application Process
Why is an article like this needed to explain how to get a Non Immigrant Category O Visa for Thailand? Surely the requirements are available on the Thai Embassy and Consulate websites. Well, yes there is a lot of information on the requirements for obtaining a Non Immigrant Category O Visa for Thailand on the Thai Embassy and Consulate websites and also on various third party websites such as Thai legal websites and Thai forums. But those websites have a lot of information and about all types of visa.
This article is specifically about getting a Non Immigrant Category O Visa for Thailand and so the information is much clearer than the other websites. Additionally the language used on the Official’ Thai websites is in semi-legal language and being translated from the Thai language it is not always clear what the meaning is. On the other hand, this article is written in clear easy-to-understand English. Also the requirements for a Non Immigrant Category O Visa for Thailand appear to be different according to which website you read and in my experience also according to where you go to get your visa!
All this will be explained in the article along with answers to questions like these:
- Who Needs A Non Immigrant Category O Visa For Thailand?
- What Is A Non Immigrant Visa For Thailand?
- What is A Category “O” Non Immigrant Thai Visa?
- How Long Does A Category “O” Non Immigrant Thai Visa Last?
- What Is A Multiple Entry Category “O” Non Immigrant Visa For Thailand?
- What Do You Need To Get A Non Immigrant Visa For Thailand?
- What Other Types Of Visas For Thailand Are There?
- Where Is The Best Place To Get A Non Immigrant Visa For Thailand?
Who Needs A Non Immigrant Category O Visa For Thailand?
There are ten classifications on Non Immigration Visas for Thailand each for a specific purpose and only one called the Category “O” Visa, “O” standing for “Other”. The Non Immigrant Category O Visa for Thailand, by definition is for people and reasons not falling into the other classifications. Typically it is for people who want to stay in Thailand for a longer period than they could with a standard tourist visa which may be valid for just a few weeks. Often people seeking a Non Immigrant Category O Visa for Thailand want to visit their Thai spouse, children, parents or for retirement. They are people who are not planning any type of work or business in Thailand. In addition, with a Non Immigrant Category O Visa you are able to apply to open a Thai Bank Account and to apply for a work permit in Thailand.
How Long Does A Category “O” Non Immigrant Thai Visa Last?
A normal Category “O” Non Immigrant Thai is valid for 90 days (three months) unless otherwise instructed by the Office of Immigration Bureau. e2 visa los angeles
Extending The Period Of Validity
Qualified people can obtain an additional one year stay permit counting from the date of entry in Thailand at the discretion of the Immigration officer. The application has to be made either at the Thai consular mission aboard or at the Office of Immigration Bureau in Bangkok.
What Is A Multiple Entry Category “O” Non Immigrant Visa For Thailand?
A multiple entry Category “O” Non Immigrant Visa for Thailand is exactly what it says. It is exactly the same as a normal Category “O” Non Immigrant Visa except that multiple entries are permitted. The maximum time you can stay in Thailand with a Thai multiple entry Category “O” Non Immigrant Visa is 90 days. Then you must leave Thailand and go to another country but you can re-enter Thailand the next day. (Or even perhaps the same day, but I have not tried that)
The multiple entry Category “O” Non Immigrant Visa is valid for one year. So you can effectively stay for one year in Thailand with this kind of visa provided that you leave the country every three months. Leaving and re-entering Thailand to authorise the next three month period on your multiple entry visa is not as onerous or expensive as it sounds. You can simply cross the border into Laos or Cambodia to the East to Malaysia to the South.