Can a Covid tourist visa be converted into a Non-B visa in Thailand?

Jun 16, 2021
3 years ago
Brighton ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone. I would like to know if it is possible to change a Covid tourist visa into a Non B visa. If it is possible, how challenging will the process be?

Thank you in advance:)
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TLDR : Answer Summary
It is not possible to change to any visa within Thailand, including converting a Covid-related extension to a Non-B visa. Visa issuance occurs only through Thai Embassies abroad. The conversion process is contingent on the employer's ability to provide necessary documentation, which can be challenging, and some immigration offices require you to have a minimum of 15 days left on your current visa to process the application.
Tod *********
The actual answer "can you go from a covid extension to an in country 90 day Non-B visa?" is

It is totally up to your employer if they can provide the documentation so you can apply for an in country 90 day Non-B visa at your immigration office. SOME employers cannot meet the documentation requirements (which is far more stringent than getting a non-B from a thai consulate outside the country)

SO the people you need to really be asking would be your potential employer and the immigration office you're dealing with.

Remember most offices that can do the in country conversion require you to have a minimum of 15 days left on your current stamp to process the visa application or you can't apply
Rich *****
I’m really liking the look of these older style bubonic plague tourist visas myself!
Darren *******
No such thing as a covid tourist visa, presumably you're currently here on an unable to travel due to covid extension?

In answer to your question, it depends very much on whatever immigration office you'll be using and your future employer. It requires more paperwork to do in country and not all employers can provide it, hence a fair few still tell people to apply from overseas.
Paul *******
You cannot change to any visa within Thailand. Visas are only issued by Thai Embassys overseas.
Tod *********
@Paul ******
totally INCORRECT :/
Tod *********
even though those are old stamps people CAN indeed do a conversion to an in country Non-Immigrant type visa
Pab ***********
@Tod ********
do you recommend any agency to do this with?
Tod *********
@Pablo **********
nope I recommend you to slog on out to your immigration office and get the hand out that lists the requirements needed to apply for an in country Non-immigrant visa (of what ever reason you're getting it for)
Paul *******
@Tod ********
I bow to you experience and knowedge.
Tod *********
here are Non-Immgrant Type visas issued IN thailand at the immigration office. People can get Non-O's, Non-B's, Non-ED.
George *************
@Paul ******
It is possible to obtain a Non-O visa at the immigration office in Thailand (from a Tourist Visa entry) if you meet the qualifications for the visa you are applying for.

As an example,

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Paul *******
@George ************
That is not a visa. It is an extension of stay.
Steve *******
@Paul ******
It's a visa. 90 day Non Imm O visas can be obtained at some Immigration offices in Thailand at a cost of 2000bt
George *************
@Paul ******
I appreciate that many people use the terms visas and extension very loosely, but hopefully I'm not one of them. ;-)

Normally, visas are obtained outside Thailand. This is one of the few cases I'm aware of where someone can actually obtain a visa inside of Thailand.
Julianne **********
@George ************
correct i thought you could only get a non o applying at an embassy outside of thailand. I have been on a non o volunteer for 7 years with a work permit and now on a covid extension for a year and a half. Still have to take in all the paperwork but now every 2 months not 3. Before every year i would leave the country to go to a embassy and apply again
George *************
@Paul ******
It is not an extension of stay. As it states: "Non-O Visa Issuing inside Thailand

Persons arriving with a visa exemption or Tourist Visa and are planing to apply for a 1 year extension can apply for the Non-O visa at Phuket immigration."

After you get the visa (not an extension of stay) you can get an extension of stay on that visa when 45 days are left on the permission of stay gained from that visa.

For example, for a retirement extension:

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Paul *******
@George ************
Have a look at the Immigration stamp that you get in your passport. It will always say "Extension of stay ...." Only say Visa is issued outside of Thailand. Thai Immigration does not issue visas, only embassies.
Steve *******
@Paul ******
You cant get the yearly extention of stay without first having a Non Imm visa. As the link says changing in country from TV or visa exemption.
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