Can I Change a Tourist Visa to a Business Visa Without Leaving Thailand?

Jul 16, 2020
4 years ago
Renee *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is it possible to change a tourist visa to a business visa without leaving the country? Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Changing a tourist visa to a business visa without leaving Thailand is possible, but you must have at least 15 to 21 days left on your current stay. Due to border closures extending beyond 90 days, the process may currently be limited. Additionally, holders of a tourist visa can obtain a 30-day extension of stay.
Benjamin ******
Just a heads up. If you have a multiple or single entry tourist visa, you can still get a 30 day extension of stay on that visa.

So Roberts advice above is correct
Tab *****
cheers
@Benj****
, sounds about right with everything else we're seeing :) amnesty extension not happening considering the appointment website has added a specific 'Tourist Visa Extension' option in the past week - so seems more than likely that's the plan. also, would be ridiculous if they were asked thousands of people to book slots & come in just to reject them.. so hoping they are lenient atleast on people who have not yet claimed one before. just wish they announced all this earlier!
Tab *****
hey
@Benj****
, is this ^ for certain now, then? If so, that's great news, because we've been told about conflicting reports on this page about people on SETV/METV (who fell into amnesty *before* having to buy their 30-day extension) still getting their extension requests rejected even with all the correct paperwork?
Benjamin ******
@Tab ****
its what I seen and a report from one of the members of this group. I'm advising people to wait as close to the 31st as possible before trying to apply, you will be losing time if you apply early.
Lyndon ************
@Benjamin *****
Am i reading that correctly. Can you extend an old SETV which expired during amnesty and hasn't been previously extended?
Benjamin ******
@Lyndon ***********
yep, that's what it looks like to me too. But it might be immigration office specific
Lyndon ************
@Benjamin *****
assuming one is successful in obtaining an extension to an SETV, now on Amnesty. Is it possible to convert that then into a non imm B visa, without leaving the country?
Benjamin ******
@Lyndon ***********
no, you can not get a non-b visa from an 30 day extension of stay based on vacation. You also can't get a one year extension of stay based on employment from a SETV since the visa is employment prohibited
Lyndon ************
@Benjamin *****
sorry, I must be having an i am 'stupid' day. The OP was pretty much asking this and Robert said yes
Benjamin ******
@Lyndon ***********
good question. Let's ask the expert:
@Robert ******
can you go from an extension of stay based on vacation to an extension of stay based on employment
Robert *******
@Benjamin *****
you convert your Tourist visa first to a Non Immigrant B visa and get 90 days, after that you apply for the Extension of Stay based on employment.
Nattaporn *****************
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Michael ********
Kevin *********
@Michael *******
Subscribe and turn on notifications?
Robert *******
Yes, but you need at least 15 (some offices 21) days left on your valid stay. The borders are closed longer than 90 days, so at the moment it is a No,
Renee *****
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