Answered6 years ago

Can I apply for a single entry Non-Immigrant O visa within Thailand while on the Elite Visa?

Elite Visa Non-Immigrant O Visa Visa Extension Retirement Visa Thailand Immigration Visa Regulations

Somchai *****

asked Jan 18, 2021

2.6k

views

replies

likes

In 6 months time my wife and I will finish our almost 6 years on the Elite Visa. It's been great. Can't speak highly enough about the service we've had from them. Would love to do another 5 years but now we are both 50 so we want to move onto the 800k in the bank retirement extensions.

The problem is, if my understanding is correct, that I would need to leave the country to get a 3 month non imm O visa to start the process. 6 months is still a while away but I'm getting the feeling not much is going to change with regard to borders being open etc. So I was wondering is it possible to get an 'in country' single entry O visa to get the process started?

Answer summary

The query addresses the transition from an Elite Visa to a retirement extension (800k in the bank) upon turning 50. The user seeks to know if it's possible to obtain a single entry Non-Immigrant O visa without leaving Thailand, as they currently hold an Elite Visa and plan to switch. Responses indicate that changing from an Elite Visa to a Non-O visa may require leaving the country, and it's suggested to verify this at the immigration office.

13 repliesnewest first

Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.

Vincent ******

I am in similar situation, will be finishing almost 6th year of my elite visa by late Feb and have hit the 50 year old requirement for applying for non-O then extend based on retirement or Non-OA. Not possible to change from TE to Non-O in the country. The new 20-year TE is quite a long commitment for those over 50... Anyone know if the newest 60-day covid extension also apply for PE visa holders?

6 years ago

Vincent ******

@James *******

Thanks for the info. Will pay a visit to CW early/mid Feb to see if CW allows 60 day covid extension and/or converting to a non-O (remember seeing/reading somewhere that one will need to break the TE chain - meaning needing to leave the country - in order to convert to other visa types). Will report back.

6 years ago

James ********

@Vincent *****

going from TE to COVID extension may be the key 🙏🙏

6 years ago

Tod *********

@Ja***

cancelling your current Elite extension, getting a covid extension and THEN applying for an in country Non-O visa might indeed be the way to go. Cancelling the elite extension "breaks the chain" so you're not on ANY visa/extension and getting a 60 day covid extension buys you enough time to apply for an in country Non-O visa. You totally would have to CANCEL the entry stamp OR extension you're on from Elite before you applied for the covid extension to make it work,

6 years ago

Somchai *****

@Vincent *****

please keep us informed. I would like to know if it is possible or not.

6 years ago

James ********

@Vincent *****

I think it will qualify for a 60 day COVID extension...

And during that time ask if you can obtain the Non O as a retiree age 50+ ...I think you can.

Be prepared with the 800,000 Thai baht deposited in your Thai bank account to get the Non O and one year Extension of Stay.

6 years ago

Peter **********

Can't you get Elite Visa extension to 20 years?

6 years ago

Bobby ********

Peter Nothling. The OA is a much cheaper option now he is over 50.

6 years ago

Tod *********

I have never seen or heard of someone coming off a year long Elite entry stamp OR extension be able to get an in country Non-Immigrant visa. Truth be told I don't think it can be done..

About all you can really do is go out to the immigration office you deal with and ask the people in the section that issues Non-Immigrant visas IF it can be done

6 years ago

Somchai *****

@Tod ********

thanks for the prompt reply. Let's hope in 6 months things change a bit or it's time to start thinking about Plan B.

6 years ago

Ken *******

@Somchai ****

i had a similar scenario last nov where my thai elite expired and i wanted to change to non-o (marriage) in country but was denied in both chaengwattna and samut immigration offices. They simply said i need to break the elite chain, meaning go out of the country, apply for non o visa, come back and they will happy to extend the non o. In the end, i just ended up buying another elite access for the time being until traveling is back to normal.

Ken *******

good luck.

Somchai *****

thanks for this. Another elite is out of the question for me. Not just the cost but with elderly parents on both sides who knows what the next 5 years will bring.

6 years ago