Answered3 years ago

Can I change my Non-O visa to a Non-B visa while in Thailand?

Thai Visa Rules Non-O Visa Non-B Visa Visa Change Restrictions Immigration Procedures in Thailand

Upen *******

asked Mar 28, 2024

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I am on a non-immigration O visa that expires on 4 April 2024. I was in the United States for a few months, and when I returned to Thailand last week, the immigration officer stamped my visa with an expiration date of 22 June 2024. He said I could stay with the non-O visa for 90 days, which would be better than a 30-day tourist visa.

I recently got hired by a Thai company that is willing to sponsor my work permit (non-B visa). The company’s lawyer says I should have gotten a 30-day tourist visa because we cannot change a non-O visa to a non-B visa at the Bangkok immigration office. He suggests I go to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and request a 30-day tourist visa.

It seems odd that I cannot change from Non-O to Non-B from within the country. Is this true?

Answer summary

The original poster (OP) is currently on a Non-Immigration O visa, which expires in April 2024, and has been informed by an immigration officer that he can stay for 90 days. He has received a job offer from a Thai company that will sponsor his Non-B visa, but the lawyer advised him to apply for a 30-day tourist visa instead, stating that changing from Non-O to Non-B within Thailand is not allowed. Various comments confirm that it is indeed correct that one cannot change from a Non-O to a Non-B visa while remaining in Thailand; the OP would need to exit the country and apply for the Non-B visa from abroad.

11 repliesnewest first

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James ********

I believe that the OP has the answers needed for his question.

Thanks all for your helpful replies ☺️

Comments Closed

3 years ago

Pertti *************

Done this very recently and couldn't change in here. Just go savannakhet with documents or border run and apply insude when you cancel extension. Remember you need your school certificate to apply B visa! I forgot that and lucky copy was ok. You can go back non o if shit hits fan. Good luck🙏

3 years ago

Ellie *******

what reason of Non-O are you on? O of Non-O stands "other" that includes marriage to a Thai, being over 50, parent to a Thai child, etc.

3 years ago

Tod *********

@Upen ******

pay attention to Ellie's reply because there is no reason you have to switch to a Non-B visa if you're on a Non-O based on marriage to a thai just to work here. you're legally allowed to hold a work permit and work on marriage to thai visa/extension.

3 years ago

Upen *******

Thank you

@Ellie ******

@Wylie ******

@Tod ********

.

I just spoke with the Department of Labor, and they said that I will be able to apply for a work permit without the change to non-B, and there is no need to leave the country.

Question: In case of a separation (divorce) in the future, then my work permit will automatically get invalidated, yes?

3 years ago

Tod *********

@Upen ******

, you need to talk to the Ministry of Labor who issue work permits, this is a VISA advice group. 😉

As far as how it works when you're married to a thai but you divorce

If you have a year-long, multi-entry visa based on marriage (which you can only get from a thai consulate in another country) where you bounce out and back every 90 days to get a new 90 day stamp

When you divorce the visa is fine and you can bounce out and back every 90 days using it until it expires.

HOWEVER

If you have a yearly extension of stay based on marriage (which you can only get from the immigration office inside thailand) where you do 90 day reporting,

When you divorce your extension is invalid the day you sign the decree at the Amphur and the divorce is finalized.. You would have to go to the immigration and cancel your extension

Upen *******

marriage to a Thai

Wylie *******

just get a 1 year extension for being married to a Thai. As Ellie says you can get a work permit on that. If they demand you switch to a non-b then I would question it. Seems to just be a way for them to control your visa. If you quit or leave then your visa is no longer valid. Not the case if you stay on a non-o.

3 years ago

Ellie *******

@Upen ******

, If you are going to change to Non-B, you need to leave Thailand as Tod explained.

As you are on Non-O based on being married to a Thai, you can hold a work permit without changing your Non-O visa entry to Non-B.

BUT, it depends on your contract with your employer and how they would help with your visa/work permit if you need to change to Non-B or can stay on Non-O married to a Thai. Talk with them well.

3 years ago

Tod *********

𝗜𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗱𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗡𝗼𝗻-𝗢 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗼𝗻-𝗕 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆. 𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲? Nope not odd at all 😕

It's totally correct, you cannot change a VISA from one type to another one (except for a tourist visa to a Non-Immigrant type)

Suvarnabhumi isn't gonna change that stamp because you entered on a valid visa and were stamped in for the amount of time that visa allows you.

If you're wanting to change to a non-B you need to wait until the VISA itself expires (the one that you said expires 4th of April) then bounce out and back (by land would be fine) which will get you OFF that 90 day stamp and on to a free 30 day entry stamp and then go apply for the in country Non-B visa from that 🙂 That's the way you can do it now.

And just so you're clear (there is no such thing as a 30 day tourist visa 🙂 it's a 30 day free entry stamp called a visa exempt entry, you just get in free without any visa for a month.

3 years ago