Answered5 years ago
Can I change to a Non-O visa if I entered Thailand on a visa exemption?
Can I change to Non O if I entered Thailand on visa exempt? Or do I need to get 60 day tourist visa then change no Non O?
Answer summary
Yes, you can change to a Non-O visa if you've entered Thailand on a visa exemption. You need to have at least 15 days remaining on your visa exemption in Bangkok (or 21 days in Chiang Mai) to apply for the Non-O visa at immigration. You can also obtain a 30-day extension before starting your Non-O application process.
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Chulala **********
you should start before 21 days your visa left
Nicky *********
@Chulala *********
what about Jomtien? I am still in quarantine and will get to Jomtien on May 17. My 45 day exempt is until June 6. I want a non o based on retirement. Tod *********
@Nicky ********
you need at least 15 days on your stamp because they have a 2 week under consideration Tod *********
@Nicky ********
sure canNicky *********
@Tod ********
can’t I just get my first 30 day extension as it nears June 6? Then start my process on the non o visa? Tod *********
@Chulala *********
in chiang mai you need a minimum of 21 days left on your stamp in Bangkok you need a minimum of 15 Chulala **********
@Tod ********
should keep for 21 days but you can het start earlyChulala **********
@Tod ********
thank you so much kaTod *********
@Chulala *********
the LEAST number of days you can have on your stamp to do the in country conversion to a Non-Imm visa up there is 21. You can have more no problem but not less than 21 
Dennis ***********
I'm doing this now. I needed to get the extension, before getting the Non O.
I think you can do it without the extension, but you need to start on the non o as soon as you exit quarantine.
I think you can do it without the extension, but you need to start on the non o as soon as you exit quarantine.
Tod *********
@Dennis **********
yep if you don't get on it right after getting out of ASQ (especially on a visa exempt entry) you can burn your time down too far making you have to either get a 30 day extension OR a 60 day covid extension so you have enough time left on your current stamp to apply for the Non-O Tod *********
What is the reason you're wanting a Non-O visa? Marriage to a thai, or retirement
Haydn *******
OP@Tod ********
it's retirement.. I just heard that non O was only possible from a TR visa, and not from exempt.@Russell ******
Tod *********
@Haydn ******
not correct. As long as you meet the requirements and have the required days left on your current visa exempt entry stamp and you can do it without any issues.
What immigration office will you be using to apply for the conversion?
Russell *******
@Tod ********
apologies for my terminology, I was just trying to distinguish between having a visa, as you describe, from a Consulate or the visa exempt entry 'just fill the card in on the plane'.Thanks for explaining that you could indeed convert the visa exempt entry to the Non O.
The next stage would then be to look to extend based on the Retirement criteria.
Tod *********
@Russell ******
I think you are confused. There is no "390 day fill out the card on the plane' visa :/ EVERYONE (whether they have a visa from a thai consulate or not fills out the card on the plane).You need to understand that people from 51 countries can show up here without having bought a visa from a consulate before hand and get stamped in for free <- that is called a visa exempt entry.
Russell *******
@Tod ********
thanks for your replies, I have just joined the group and this was a question I was chatting with @Haydn ******
about.As I guess you know only too well, there are a lot of posts regarding the visas and I had seen some conflicting advice about whether you could apply for the Non O if you had entered Thailand via a '30 day fill the card in on the plane' visa or if you entered using a TR tourist visa.
Thanks for you reply 👍
Haydn *******
OP@Tod ********
thanks... Understood.. 👍🏻Tod *********
@Haydn ******
no problem they will do it as long as you meet the financial requirements and have at least 15 days left on your current entry stamp or 30 day extension from that stamp Haydn *******
OP@Tod ********
Jomtien Immigration Tod *********
You can indeed enter on a 45 day visa exempt get thru quarantine, meet the requirements for the Non-O visa you're applying for AND apply for a 90 day Non-O visa inside the country at most immigration offices.
In Bangkok (and most other offices that let you do the conversion) you need 15 days or more left on your current visa exempt entry or a 30 day extension from that entry. (NOTE: chiang Mai requires 21 days or more left on your stamp)
You apply, pay the 2000baht, turn in your documentation and it goes under consideration for 14 days. Then you go back and get the Non-O visa and new 90 day entry stamp inked in
In Bangkok (and most other offices that let you do the conversion) you need 15 days or more left on your current visa exempt entry or a 30 day extension from that entry. (NOTE: chiang Mai requires 21 days or more left on your stamp)
You apply, pay the 2000baht, turn in your documentation and it goes under consideration for 14 days. Then you go back and get the Non-O visa and new 90 day entry stamp inked in
Tod *********
once that 90 days starts running down you then go back and apply for a yearly extension based on what ever reason you got the Non-O issued for and by meeting the requirements for that extension
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