Can I Convert My Non-O-A Visa to a Non-O Visa in Thailand?

Feb 13, 2020
5 years ago
Shawn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello,

I have a question to ask. My wife and I came to Thailand in August 2018 with Non-O-A visa. We are now on a year of extension until May 29 2020. We want to convert our status to Non-O visa. Both of us are Canadian and over 50. Our visa agent said that we only need to deposit 800k Baht if I become primary applicant and my wife as dependent. Is this true? I appreciate your help.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A Canadian couple on a Non-O-A visa is inquiring about converting their status to a Non-O visa while living in Thailand. It has been clarified that they cannot convert the visa inside the country; instead, they need to exit Thailand, obtain a 30-day visa exemption, and then apply for a new Non-O visa. Once they have the Non-O visas, they can apply for a yearly extension based on one spouse meeting the financial requirement of 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank account, allowing the other spouse to qualify as a dependent.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Shawn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
That's great.
Tod *********
In case you wanted to know how to convert an O-A visa or extension to first an O visa then a year extension I wrote this

It could be useful;
Shawn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you very much Tod. I want to make it sure that everything is right and legal. I will let you know how the things will turn out.

I sincerely apologize violating the group policy by mentioning visa agency.

Again thank you for your quick answer.
Tod *********
One other thing;

SOME immigration offices will tell you IF both applicants are over 50 that they both need to meet the financial requirements on their own even if they're married and they cannot use the "trailing spouse clause" for one spouse to get the matching extension by showing proof of funds for the other spouse on the retirement extension.

That is totally false but you're gonna be trying to push a rope getting them to change, will probably have to say you want to file a written appeal (because those go to Bangkok for review) before the offices backs down and lets you do it IF indeed they back down.
Tod *********
NOW once you do manage to both get new Non-O visas, a married couple can indeed get a yearly extension by one spouse meeting the financial requirements (800K baht in a thai bank account in their name only for 2 months before applying for the extension) AND their spouse can "piggy back" on it to get a matching extension under the "trailing spouse" clause (that allows spouses of people who are on long term extensions here to get matching extensions without showing financial requirements).

GO to your immigration office and get the hand out that lists the requirements to show you're married (some offices require you get your marriage certificate certified and translated some don't).
Tod *********
you can't "convert an O-A extension to an O extension" inside the country. It takes stamping OUT of the country on the extension based on an O-A, getting a 30 day visa exempt entry, then applying for a new 90 day Non-O visa inside the country and the yearly extension after that. OR it requires going to get a new Non-O visa from a thai consulate in another country if you're using an immigration office that can't do the conversion in country to a Non-O from a 30 day visa exempt entry.
Reiner *********
And for what.....Change us Crazy....you Dont Need IT
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