Answered4 years ago

Can an ED visa be directly converted into a 1-year retirement visa in Thailand?

ED Visa Retirement Visa Visa Conversion Non-O Visa Thai Immigration Rules

asked Mar 31, 2023

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Dear all,

May I ask if anyone have the experience to convert the ED visa into 1 year retirement visa?  If yes, would you please kindly let me know if the ED visa can directly convert into the 1 year retirement visa, so that no need to go through the 90 days non O visa again.  

Thank you in advance.🙏☺️

Answer summary

The conversion from an ED visa to a 1-year retirement visa is generally not permitted within Thailand. It is typically required to cancel the current education visa and exit the country to apply for the non-O visa at an embassy outside Thailand, or you may enter as a tourist and then convert to a non-O visa.

13 repliesnewest first

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Todd *********

You had one year of ‘education’ to figure this out

4 years ago

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

Usually cannot convert from one type of non immigrant visa to another inside the country.

You would need to cancel your education extension and then leave Thailand and apply for a non-O in an embassy outside of Thailand, or enter as a tourist and apply to convert to non-O

4 years ago

Steve *******

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

If you're on an extention of stay, having previously been on a Non Imm visa, can you not just change the reason for the extention providing you meet the requirements?

You can definitely do it from Non Imm B extention to 'retirement extention'

4 years ago

Chan ******

Thank you

4 years ago

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

@Steve ******

no because they are different types. You can change the "reason" for a non-O from marriage to retirement for example, but cannot change from work to retirement, or education to work, etc.

4 years ago

Steve *******

@Chan *****

I'm not sure with ED visa, you'd have to ask your local Immigration Office

4 years ago

Steve *******

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

I know quite a few people who worked here and then decided to retire here, never had to leave the country, they just changed the reason for the extention.

4 years ago

Chan ******

@Steve ******

Thank you, Steve. Then, no need to go through the 90 days non-O visa procedure again provided that I have already have that 800,000 bahts in bank account over 60 days, right?

4 years ago

Steve *******

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

You CAN change from Non Imm B extention to 'retirement extention'

4 years ago

Chan ******

@Steve ******

So that can directly convert the ED visa into retirement visa, is it correct please? Thank you.

4 years ago

Chan ******

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

Thank you. May I clarify, if apply from an embassy outside Thailand, is it an Non-OA visa not O visa please?

4 years ago

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

@Chan *****

you don't understand how it works. It doesn't matter where you apply, you still choose which one. But you can ONLY get a non-OA from your home country.

4 years ago

Chan ******

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

Thank you.

4 years ago