Can I Change My METV to a Non-Immigrant O Visa in Thailand?

Visa Conversion NON-O Visa Thai Immigration

Mar 28, 2020

5 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I currently have a 6 month METV and was wondering if its possible to change this in country to an over 50 Visa which I believe is a Non Immigrant Type O Visa.  Is this possible to do if I have sufficient funds in by Thai Bank Account. I can transfer funds from the UK no problem but believe the money has to be in my Thai Bank account for a minimum of 2 months and with the current situation of border bounces not being an option is there a way around this (a legal way).  I still have until 16th April before I need to extend at the immigration for a further 30 days and then if the situation hasnt changed by then extend a further 30 days using the Covid-19 letter from the UK Embassy.

Any help and suggestions much appreciated.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The possibility of converting a 6-month METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa) to a Non-Immigrant O Visa in Thailand depends on the jurisdiction of the immigration office you visit. You need to have 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account, with no minimum seasoning period for money transferred from abroad. You can apply for the Non-Immigrant O Visa with a 90-day stay, after which you can extend for a year, provided the funds have been seasoned for at least two months.

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Robert *******

It depends on where you are, not every Immigration Office is authorized to do this conversion.

To go from a Tourist Visa into the Non Immigrant O visa you need the 800.000 Thb in a Thai bank, it has to deposit from outside Thailand and there is no seasoning, You get the visa with a 90 days stay and after 60 days you can apply for the 1 year Extension of Stay and therefor the money needs to be 2 months seasoned, but if you did not touch it will be still there. Visit your Immigration Office, bring your passport and tell them your plan and if they can do, ask the hand out with requirements. Do not wait to long as you need at least 21 days of stay left

5 years ago

Andy ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Great, many thanks for that. I dont suppose anyone knows if I can do this at Chiang Mai Immigration or if I need to look elsewhere.

5 years ago

Robert *******

if you get the visa you get 90 days of stay and after 60 days you apply for 1 year Extension of Stay and therefor the money must be 2 months on your bank account

5 years ago

Robert *******

First you convert your tourist visa into a Non Immigrant Visa, for this there must be money in the bank and that money has to come from abroad, no minimum time on the bank required

5 years ago

Andy ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Im in Chiang Mai at the moment and this is where I plan to rent an apartment if the Visa granted. Just to clarify the terminology around the money in the bank doesnt require seasoning is that meaning it doesnt need to stay there for 2 months etc?

5 years ago

Reply to

Andy ********

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Can I convert a tourist visa to a Non-Immigrant O visa in Thailand by meeting financial requirements?

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