Can I Apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa from Thailand Without Leaving?

Question

Hello Guys,
After the restrictions on foreigners arrivals are lifted later on this year I am planning to go to Thailand & get a retirement visa in order to live there.
Usually I enter Thailand on the Visa exempt scheme. ( Italian citizen ).
Currently I live in the US & I am planning to flight directly from the US to Thailand.
The question is:
Is there a way to do the whole Non Immigrant Visa aplication from within Thailand without the need to fly back to Italy to apply for it..?
Thank ypu for your attention.

Ask Thailand · Answer

An Italian citizen plans to retire in Thailand and inquires about the possibility of applying for a Non-Immigrant Visa while in Thailand, without returning to Italy. Comments suggest entering on a single-entry tourist visa to facilitate the application from within Thailand, as some immigration offices allow conversions from tourist visas to Non-O visas.

Yuri ********* · Answer

My idea is to live in Phuket.

Yuri ********* · Answer

Hi Tod,

Thank you much for the explanation so far.

The bit I did not understand completelly is: If I have the 60 day tourist visa and all orher stuff organized within this period is it possible to apply ( convert ) for the 90 day Non-O visa based on being over 50 in Thailand or I will necessary need to go to another country Thai embassy to apply for it ?

Thank you once again !

Tod ********* · Answer

I'd say your plan is sound depending on the immigration office you use. Not all immigration offices offer the ability to do an in country conversion from a 30 day visa exempt or a 60 day tourist visa entry to a 90 day Non-Immigrant visa.

I would say get a single entry tourist visa BEFORE you wing your way here. Get stamped in for 60 days, get your bank account opened, get your money transferred into the account and go apply for the 90 day Non-O visa based on being over 50 (retirement).

Depending on the office you need between 15 and 21 days on your current stamp to do the conversion. (That's why I suggested comin' in on a tourist visa because you'll have a 60 day stamp to get things organized to apply. Once you apply and wait the under consideration period you go back and get the Non-O visa and a new 90 day entry stamp inked into your passport

Can I Apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa from Thailand Without Leaving?

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