Can I Change My Non-O Visa Based on Marriage to a Non-O Business Visa Without Leaving Thailand?

Feb 2, 2020
5 years ago
A.T. ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Good Morning from Khon Kaen. I currently have a non O based on marriage, admitted until 20 Apr 2020. I wish to change my visa to a non O Business visa. Am I am able to do this at my local immigration office in KK or do I need to leave the country? With my current extension of stay am I able to go to immigration prior to 20 APR and extend may stay for 60 days? Thanks 🍻
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is inquiring about the possibility of changing their Non-O visa based on marriage to a Non-O business visa at their local immigration office in Khon Kaen without leaving the country. They also want to know if they can extend their stay for 60 days before the current visa expires on April 20, 2020. Responses indicate that it is generally possible to change the reason for an extension of stay without leaving Thailand, but it often involves substantial paperwork and requirements from an employer. It's recommended to check with local immigration for specific procedures and requirements.
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Biff *******
Another thing worth considering is that if you, for whatever reason, lose your job, you no longer have a valid extension of stay. If you get a work permit on an extension based on marriage, and you stop working, you still have your permission of stay.
Tod *********
VERY GOOD POINT. (y)
Tod *********
@Andrew *****
sounds lik you aren't changing the type of the visa because you're NOT on any visa, you're on a yearly extension of stay from the immigration office :O

All you'd be doing is changing the reason why you're getting an extension

BUT

know that getting an extension based on employment inside the country takes a WHOLE PILE of paperwork from your employer, the shares of the company, who owns what, the taxes, the employment records of the thais that are employed to offset giving you a work permit, your taxes, pay stubs, withholding documents etc.

If you're wanting an easier way to get a yearly extension rather than the marriage extension I think you're sadly confused :/

It is NOT less paperwork nor is it any easier than the marriage extension you're getting now. AND as people pointed out you already can legally hold a work permit and work here on an extension based on marriage.
A.T. ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
.. Thanks Tod.. Point taken.
Ramy *******
I just had the same situation reversed and I didn't have to leave the country. I was on Non-B "Work Permit" and I changed it to Non O "Marriage". I did it at Changwattana immigration office
Ellie *******
You canceled the reason for extension as being employed and apply for new reason for extension as being married to Thai national... You call them Non-B and Non-O and immigration officers understand what you mean. That does not mean what you call them are right...
Ramy *******
And I didn't get one year Non-O visa on theat day, it's only for 30 days and then I have to go and extend it for a year
Ramy *******
I'm telling you what happened last week with me personally. I was the one talking with the immigration officers , I was the one told to cancel my "Non-B" by immigration officers and I was the one told where to apply for the Non-O by immigration officers.
Tod *********
@Ramy ******
you did NOT change a Non-B VISA to a Non-O visa inside the country at Chaengwattana (or any immigration office) because that cannot be done.

You were obviously on an extension of stay and simply changed the REASON for your extension from employment to one based on marriage
A.T. ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ramy ******
... Thanks Ramy
Ellie *******
If you are already on extension, it could be done inside the country. But better to check your immigration office if they do and for a handout of requirements.

At least your employer needs to prepare a bunch of papers.

You can apply for an extension when you have 30days or less on your current stamp in most of provinces, some only 15days or less. Check your local immigration office in how many days left they allow you to apply.

If you mean you want to apply 60days extension visiting Thai family, this is also better to check with your local immigration office if you can apply another extension after that 60days.
A.T. ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
.. Thanks Ellie.
Robert *******
no problem to change from the Extension to Stay based on being married to a Thai into working inside Thailand.

The reason sounds strange as based on working is at least double the amount of documents needed to apply for an Extension of Stay.

But I guess look at the option to back up your financial statement of being married using your Thai Income and work permit in stead of the income from abroad as you do now
A.T. ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
.. Thanks Robert
Gregor **********
the extra paperwork for a "based on marriage" Non-O has made many change to the much easier Non-O based on being over 50. However if the OP intends to work, he cannot do so with a Non-O based on being over 50, but he can with a Non-O based on marriage plus a work permit
George ******************
@Gregor *********
you can get a work permit on a non O based on being over 50. I have had four from three different provinces.
Benjamin ******
I don't think you want to get rid of your Non-O visa, as much as you want to stop your extension of stay based on marriage and convert it to an extension of stay based on employment. This requires you having a job within Thailand.

Do you currently have a job in Thailand, and is the employer willing to give you the paperwork for an extension of stay? Do you have a work permit?
Brian *******
What’s the reason for the Non B visa?
Gregor **********
@Andrew *****
you surely can work on a marriage visa or extension based on marriage, but this doesn't mean that you can do it without a work permit by the Labour Office. I guess you got one. If not, so have you theoretically been working illegally all the time? I would not hang this subject too high when you apply for a Non-B and its yearly extension
Don *********
wish i had the same option !!
A.T. ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Br***
Wells..basically I'm tired of the process.. Transferring money, updating wedding certificate, multiple visits to immigration with 2 witnesses, drawing maps, photos and all the carryon, my employer is happy to provide me with a b visa and I don't have to go through all the carry on every year
James ********
Are you still married to a Thai?

Do you have a Thai child?
A.T. ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
... Hi James.. Yes I am still married to a Thai.. No children mate
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