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Can I apply for a business eVisa online while in Thailand on a tourist visa and use it to re-enter?

Jul 10, 2022
4 years ago
Aaron *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Greetings!

Is it possible to apply for a business eVisa online while still in Thailand on a tourist visa, receive the stickerless visa document, then exit the country and use the new business visa to come back in? According to the eVisa website, as a US citizen currently in Thailand, I am eligible to apply for an eVisa buuuut..... Any info or experiences are greatly appreciated!!

Note: I have all the paperwork in order already, and would rather do it as described above vs going to Laos on a visa run if possible. ๐Ÿ˜›
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquires about the possibility of applying for a business eVisa online from within Thailand while on a tourist visa, and whether they can exit the country to re-enter on the new visa. Comments suggest that typically, visa applications should be made from the country where you are physically located, underlining the need for proper documentation and sometimes recommending a local immigration office for visa conversion. There is some skepticism about the eVisa system's readiness to handle such requests.
Robert *******
Just tried it out and after making an account, log in and start to apply for a new visa.

I filled in as above but got this message, so clearly it does not work
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Aaron *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
thank you so much for your advice/help here!
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Aaron *******
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Ellie *******
Do you surely have the documents for Non-B application at the embassy/consulate?

*Generally*, you need to apply at the embassy/consulate where the documents address. In other words, you have to have the documents that address the consular name where you are applying at.
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Tom *********
@Ellie ******
Oh, my bad. sorry. Thanks for catching that 3 am here and my eyes missed that.
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Ellie *******
@Tom ********
OP is applying for a visa for business (or employment), not based on retirement...
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Ellie *******
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Brandon ************
I believe the evisa system just wasn't prepared to answer the question you put into it. You can put any country, even countries that don't use evisa, into the first section and then Thailand in the 2nd section and it says you can use evisa.

You have to apply for a visa from the country you are currently physically in (normal application rules, just online instead of paper application).
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Robert *******
IF you're inside Thailand using the Visa Exempt Entry or the Tourist Visa you can visit your local Immigration Office to apply for a conversion into the Non Immigrant B visa.
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Robert *******
Yes, but no need to use the on-line websit.
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Robert *******
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