Can I convert a W30 visa to a Non O visa in Thailand while staying in the country?

January 22, 2022
3 years ago
Rob ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi Admins, I am getting answers from different people and would really love a definitive answer to this question please.

Is it possible to convert a W30 (originally arrived on a visa waiver) to a Non O (trailing family of a Non B and WP holder.) in country please?

If possible, can you give me the steps please.

Thanks in advance.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The question asks whether it is possible to convert a W30 visa (originally from a visa waiver) to a NON-O visa for trailing family of a Non B and work permit holder while remaining in Thailand. Responses indicate that while conversion is theoretically possible, it depends on the specific immigration office's capabilities, and it is suggested to verify with the local office.
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Tod *********
a ผ.30 entry is not a visa waiver (that's a ผผ.30 stamp)

I think you have a regular 30 day visa exempt entry. What is the country your passport is from.
Rob ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
we entered Thailand on a 30 day visa waiver, however we have changed to the W30 Covid extension. Mine is a UK passport, the family are on Vietnamese passports at present.
Tod *********
@Rob *******
UK is a 30 day visa exempt

Vietnam is 30 day visa waiver. they are two completely different types of stamps

The visa waiver stamps (the vietnamese passports) can't get a 30 day extension but they could get covid extensions, where as the visa exempt entry on the UK passport COULD get a 30 day extension and covid too
Rob ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Thank you for your answer, I really appreciate it. However my question is, as I now have a WP, can the 3 W30's in the VN passports be converted to Non O's in country. Thats the part I am getting differing answers for.
Tod *********
@Rob *******
and that is gonna be between you, your employer, the immigration office you're dealijng with AND how much time is left on those covid extensions that are in the passports of the people applying.

You might get blow back trying to go from covid extensions on visa waiver entries to an in country Non-O visa based on being family members of a foreigner who legally works here

You're gonna hafta slog out to the immigration office with your family and someone from your employer to find out I'm afraid

AND

you wouldn't be able to start the conversion until you got your year extension (your 90 day Non-B & work permit isn't enough to get it started)
Robert *******
Yes, in theory it is possible to convert a Visa Exempt Entry or the Tourist Visa into a Non Immigrant Visa at the Immigration Office.

BUT not all offices are allowed to do this, so contact your local office for details.
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