Can I convert a Non-O marriage visa to a 5-year visa in Thailand?

Non-O Visa Thai Elite Visa Work Permit Visa Types Marriage Visa Expatriate Visa Regulations

Apr 19, 2018

7 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Ok, so I understand if I have a visa based on marriage I can apply for a work permit. Is it possible to go from a non o based on marriage to one of those special 5 year visas?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The conversation addresses the possibility of transitioning from a Non-O visa, granted based on marriage, to one of the special 5-year visas in Thailand. The notable point is that the 5-year visa in question is the Thai Elite Visa, which is a tourist visa that does not allow employment. Therefore, while you can apply for a work permit with a marriage-based visa, you cannot convert that to a visa that permits work while holding the Thai Elite Visa.

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Tod *********

The BOI people are definitely the ones to talk to about that visa.

I'd bet they haven't issued all that many of them yet.

7 years ago

David *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks, I will keep it in mind, this would be in about 12 months time. Would save me a lot of hassle for sure.

7 years ago

Reply to

David *******

Tod *********

And you are going to be employed with what company exactly to get your work permit?

You don't just automatically get a work permit, you need a job and documentation from the company you're going to work for.

7 years ago

David *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Chris *******

I might then not retire until I am 64 so would get 2 of them free lol The HK criteria is similar to this.

7 years ago

Chris ********

Hi Dave .. good chance of getting one if the company can provide letter ... the product is high tech med device and that's a preferred industry and with your skills in knowledge transfer to Thais I believe you'll get a four year deal ok..

7 years ago

David *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Looking at the criteria seems I could satisfy e or t but the T looks best with 4 years multi entries and yearly reporting

7 years ago

Tod *********

@David ******

The thing is with that Smart visa it's only for certain trades. Here's the blurb about it from BOI thailand

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8-smart%20visa-EN-

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125_

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.pdf

7 years ago

David *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Well currently I work in APAC and getting non o from savannakhet as you suggested. Not working in Thailand. But as it happens there is a strong possibility of a new system going into a BK hospital and my job is installing and training people in APAC so I would be required to do that in BK as no one in APAC can do this task yet, so my question was about switching to the 4 year smart (thought it was 5) once project starts. Ialready had to get a 2 year via for china and another for HK.

7 years ago

Reply to

David *******

Robert *******

Not if you want to work. The 5 year Visa is the Thai Elite Visa and is a tourist visa with employment prohibited.

7 years ago

Robert *******

I picked this one, hope he will make clear what he really wants.

7 years ago

Tod *********

I wonder if they were talking about that 4 year Smart visa instead..

7 years ago