Answered2 years ago

Can I apply for a work visa through Thailand's new e-visa process after arriving on a tourist visa?

Thailand Visa Work Visa E-Visa Process Immigration Tourist Visa NON-B Visa

Jenna ***

asked Sep 18, 2024

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Has anyone received a work visa through the new “e-visa” process for Thailand?

It sounds as if you don’t need to *physically* go to a Royal Thai Consulate-General and everything comes via email, but I want to make sure that’s true. 

I’m an American wondering if I can go to Thailand now, arrive with a “tourist visa” and change to the work visa after I’ve arrived. 

Thanks!

Answer summary

The e-visa process for Thailand indeed eliminates the need for a physical visit to a Thai consulate, coming instead through email. However, applicants must apply through the Thai embassy corresponding to their physical location. For Americans wishing to switch from a tourist visa to a work visa while in Thailand, it may be complex. Generally, you would need a job offer, and your employer must provide the appropriate documentation for a NON-B visa. Some companies may also allow for a conversion of visa types while in Thailand, but this usually requires more paperwork than applying for a visa abroad.

11 repliesnewest first

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

Nigel **************

You get a job first and then the company will give you the documents to get the work visa

2 years ago

Jenna ***

I understand that, Nigel. Brandon answered the specific question(s) in my post.

2 years ago

Nigel **************

@Jenna **

okay all good!

2 years ago

King *********

funny world hey.. us in Africa want to relocate to the US,and someone in the US want to relocate to Africa,we should just do away with visas.and make a big village

2 years ago

Lynnette *******

@King ********

they want to go to Thailand, not Africa.

King *********

just saying

Jo **********

you smoking something?

2 years ago

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

You are correct that e-visa does not require you to go to the embassy in person. But it changes absolutely nothing else about the visa application process. You must apply through the Thai embassy that serves where you PHYSICALLY are located. So if you are in the US, you use the Thai embassy or consulate in the US through e-visa. If you leave the US you cannot use the this. You would either need to leave Thailand to a neighboring country and apply for the non-B visa there, applying in person since they do not support e-visa (which is the most common method). Or if your workplace can support it, you might be able to convert to a non-B visa in Thailand. Many companies cannot or will not support this as it requires a LOT more paperwork than applying at an embassy.

2 years ago

Jenna ***

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

I believe I read it takes ~15 days to process. Do I have to be in the U.S. for that full time period?

2 years ago

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

@Jenna **

No. If you apply and then leave, and then the visa is issued, you can still use it. But part of the visa application is uploading your plane ticket to Thailand. So if the embassy comes back and asks you to prove where you are and you cannot prove you are still in the US, they could possibly cancel your visa application. It's unlikely but possible.

Also you cannot activate the visa once you are in Thailand, so you would have to leave and return in order to activate your visa.

2 years ago

Jenna ***

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

so if I apply through the U.S. (ie the consulate-general in LA), does that mean I cannot leave the U.S. until I receive the e-visa? I have to be in the U.S. both when I apply AND when I receive it?

2 years ago