Answered4 years ago

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

Visa Types Non-B Visa Tourist Visa Visa Conversion Work Permit Immigration Procedures

Billy *********

asked Oct 5, 2022

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Hi, is it possible to switch my visa status from tourist visa to Non B visa within Thailand? The company that I intend to work for will issue me the appropriate paperwork and attach a work permit as well. 

Any information will help

Thank you

Answer summary

Yes, it is possible to switch from a tourist visa to a Non-B visa while in Thailand, provided you have the correct documentation from your employer. You typically need a minimum of 15 to 21 days remaining on your current visa to apply for this change at your local immigration office. Once your Non-B visa is obtained, you can then apply for a work permit, which is a separate process.

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Edward ********

For clarity they won't be "attaching a work permit" at all. That is a subsequent step (through the labor office) once you have the Non-B, and THEN you can legally work.

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Haz **********

correct (y) and the work permit has to be applied for before you can apply for the 90 day non-B as you need that receipt of application in your Non-B document packet for the immigration office 🙂

4 years ago

Billy *********

Ok thanks again

4 years ago

Billy *********

@Tod ********

, I spoke with them today and I have been following your comments on other peoples issues and you seem very knowledgable and your information seems trustwothy, so I posed that question and your advice is yet again, outstanding. Thank you

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Billy ********

the sad fact of the matter is many employers cannot meet the in country requirements to get you a non-B issued at the immigration office 😮

That's because the requirements are much more stringent than they are at the thai consulates in nearby countries.

This is why pre-covid shit show companies sent their employees to other countries to get the 90 day non-B, lower document requirements.

It comes down to whether your employer can or can't meet the requirements, they know good and well if they can or can't, OR they can certainly call someone and find out FAR easier than you can find out.

4 years ago

Billy *********

Yeah ok, can I do this all within Thailand?

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Billy ********

and why are you NOT talking to your employer about this?

That's who either can or can't give the documentation to do it and they usually apply for the work permit for you at the ministry of labor

4 years ago

Tod *********

Totally IS possible to switch from a tourist visa to a 90 day Non-B visa inside thailand with the correct documentation from your employer at your immigration office

Most offices require you have a minimum of 15 days left on your current entry stamp or the 30 day extension from it to apply for the conversion (Some offices require a minimum of 21 days)

Your employer should know what documentation you need to go apply and where.

4 years ago

Billy *********

@Tod ********

, thank you for the info.

4 years ago

Gary ******

@Tod ********

isn’t it dependent on how many Thai staff they have ?

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Gary *****

that is between them and the employer.

The O/P asked can they get a Non-B issued inside the country based on employment from a tourist visa.

The answer to that is YES most definitely

As long as the employer can meet the documentation requirements (one of which IS the appropriate offset of thai/foreign workers) 🙂 they can get a Non-B issued in country.

4 years ago