Answered4 years ago

Can I change my non-O Visa from retirement to marriage criteria before expiration?

Visa Change Procedure Non-O Visa Retirement Visa Marriage Visa Visa Regulations Thailand Expat Visa Issues

Piero ************

asked Aug 10, 2022

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I currently have a one-year extension to a non-O Visa (based on retirement criteria) which expires in July 2023.

I would like to be able to apply for a work Visa, and would need to change from a "retirment non-O" to a "marriage non-O".   I am married to a Thai national, so I satisfy the "marriage criteria".

I was wondering whether there is any way to change from "retirment criteria" to "marriage criteria" without having to wait for the expiry of the visa extension in July 2023.   Any way this could be achieved via a "border run" or any other means?

I am a Canadian citizen, so technically I can could re-enter Thailand "visa exempt" and then restart the Visa application process.   But as far as I know, its not possible to get stamped-in Visa exempt on re-entry if you already have a Visa.

Any thoughts?

Answer summary

The user is seeking advice on changing their non-O Visa category from retirement to marriage as they wish to apply for a work Visa. They are married to a Thai citizen and want to know if they can transition to a marriage non-O Visa before the current retirement extension expires in July 2023. One commenter suggests visiting the local immigration office with the spouse to request the change, without mentioning intent to work until the visa type is adjusted.

3 repliesnewest first

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Kool *******

Just go to your local immigration office, with your wife, and explain that you want to change to the "Thai wife" type O, but, it can be better if you don't mention working until you get it changed. If they ask why you want to change, just say you can never get permanent residency, or citizenship, with a retirement extension.

4 years ago

Piero ************

@Kool ******

: The only alternative to the above procedure is waiting for the expiry of the current Visa and changing the criteria to "Thai wife" on the next extension application (and of course providing all the other necessary documentation).

4 years ago

Piero ************

@Kool ******

: I went back to the immigration office at Chaeng Wattana today and, after some lengthy explanations, was given a procedure that I can follow in order to change the type of Visa (without having to wait for the expiry of the existing Visa). I am sharing the information in case it might be useful to someone else on this forum.

This does require travelling out of Thailand and then coming back into Thailand. Here is the procedure:

1. On the day that I plan to travel out of Thailand, go to the immigration office and request that the current Visa be cancelled. They will then cancel the current Visa. As I understand it, it will be cancelled on the passport itself.

2. On re-entry to Thailand, get stamped-in on a 30 day visa exemption.

3. ASAP after re-entry, apply for the non-O 90 day visa based on marriage criteria.

4. After that, proceed as usual in order to get the one year extension to the new 90 day visa.

The important thing in this procedure is that you have to synchronize the cancellation of the existing Visa to be right before you plan to travel out of Thailand. After the Visa is cancelled, you are required to leave Thailand as soon as possible.

4 years ago