Can I change my visa status from an ED visa to a Non-O visa while in Thailand?

Question

Hello peops. Has anyone been able to change a visa status or "reason for stay" while being inside the country, directly at immigration? I find it quite crazy that you have to fly outside Thailand to apply at an embassy again, while you are already legally inside the country.

Objective is to change a soon to expire ED visa to an non-O visa (so the spouse can be attached to / following husband visa and work permit). Am I missing something ?...

Ask Thailand · Answer

The original poster is inquiring about the possibility of changing a visa status from an ED (Education) visa to a Non-O (Other) visa while remaining in Thailand. They find it perplexing that such a change requires leaving the country to apply at an embassy. Responses clarify that while some visa changes can be made from within Thailand, transitioning from an ED visa to a Non-O based on being a spouse of a visa holder typically necessitates an international application at a Thai consulate. This process is confirmed by multiple users in the comments.

Stuart ********* · Answer

You can indeed change certain extensions of stay to a different reason without having to leave. However there are some reasons that you can’t. It sounds as though you’re wanting to get a Non O based on being a trailing spouse to someone who has a long term visa/extension. Unfortunately that’s one of the categories where they won’t issue in country. You’d have to go to a nearby consulate and apply for the initial non O there. Once you have it and when the allowed days are winding down you can then go to immigration with your spouse and get an extension which will match their date.

Guide **************** · Answer

Hey [mention redacted] , Bobby. I am all sorted with my visa and work permit already (BOI company). The enquiry is for my spouse who was on ED visa from her university until now as she was studying. She s done with her studies and we would like now to transfer her under my visa (as spouse attached to husband visa). Everyone is telling she has to travel to her country and apply at a thai embassy for a non-O visa, then back to BKK so my company can apply for her spouse visa at BOI. So i find it quite strange that she can't just change her visa status from ED to non-O or whatever is required, while being inside the country ?

Bobby ******** · Answer

Is the spouse Thai?

Brandon ************ · Answer

O visa based on what?? The only O visa that allows work permit is for being married to a Thai, and the way you explained it that doesn't sound like the situation.

It's probably not possible to switch from non-ED to non-O without leaving Thailand after you cancel your ED extension.

Can I change my visa status from an ED visa to a Non-O visa while in Thailand?

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