Can I convert my visa exempt status to a marriage visa (Non-O) in Thailand without leaving the country?

Question

Good afternoon- I am after some information regarding changing my visa exempt (60 day upon arrival) to a marriage visa ( Non-O). Has anyone recently converted the exempt to the non-O without leaving the country. I am hearing mixed information that you can change without leaving. Update information will be greatly appreciated… thank you

I also have a yellow book and pink card.

Update- I’ve been living in Thailand 12 years on a Non-B (work permit). I have all the necessary funds in my Thai bank account already. Basically, I did not renew my contract with my employer as I’m just about to set up a Thai company with my wife.

I have been to Chiang Mai immigration today with all the documentation (photos, marriage certificate, updated bank book with letter etc etc) they refused and told me to apply outside of the country.

This is where is gets very annoying- I have literally just returned from Laos last weekend to enter on a visa exempt. My wife and I were told by Bkk immigration (we physically sat with the officer and she explained the process, that we can apply with a visa exemption as long as there’s at least 15 days before it expires) we did everything to the law .. it seems every immigration division has a different policy.

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user has been living in Thailand for 12 years under a Non-B visa and seeks to convert their visa exempt status to a marriage visa (Non-O) while remaining in the country. They have received conflicting advice from different immigration offices, with the Chiang Mai office stating that they must leave the country to apply for the Non-O visa, contrary to information provided by Bangkok immigration. Users advise that not all immigration offices facilitate such conversions and suggest that traveling to a neighboring country to apply for the Non-O visa might be necessary.

Jørgen ******** · Answer

If you come to Thailand visa exempt (Without Visa, then you do not have any Visa.

How would you convert a visa you do not have, to anything...

John ********** · Answer

Addressing your update. Not every immigration office has the ability to issue in country Non-O visas, if your local office is one of them then the advice to travel out of Thailand for the Non-O visa is correct. As your now aware what is the case with one immigration office isn't the case with every immigration office

Ian ******** · Answer

He already has a Thai bank account with the funds

Greg *********** · Answer

Well, it is true that not every Immigration is willing to handle a conversion ("change of visa type"). So Chiang Mai is not doing it. Maybe fly to Bangkok, check into a hotel, get their TM30 receipt and use the Chaeng Wattana office.

Nongnuch ******** · Answer

Anton Mogg . . . .    You not only need an already existing Thai bank account with a minimum of 400,000 THB already sitting in it, to be able to apply for the conversion. You also need your marriage already registered inside Thailand, because Immigration wants to see a fresh printout of the marriage registry Kor Ror 2 or 22 (whichever applies) from the Amphur. Can you show the 400,000 THB deposit and the registry printout ? P.S. . . okay, you already confirmed it while I was texting my reply

Ant *********** · Answer

Contact

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Wolf ****** · Answer

It's possible, but you need 400k THB in a Thai bank account on your name.

But good luck to find a Thai bank who open an account on visa excemption or a tourist visa (even a DLT)

Graham ****** · Answer

You can do it in country if you have a Thai bank account to season the 400k or if your Embassy still does the income affidavit.

John ********** · Answer

You won't be able to do this unless you either have a Thai bank already or your embassy provides an income certificate. As it looks like you're from the UK your embassy stopped providing that some years ago, and you can't open a bank account on a visa exempt stamp any longer. So if you don't already have that Thai bank account your going to have to leave to a nearby country for a few days and apply for a Non-O visa based on marriage using funds in your home bank. Once you have that you can return to Thailand and open a bank account then place 400k baht in it for 2 months before you can apply for the 12 month extension of stay. To open the bank account you'll need a residence certificate from immigration and a Thai SIM registered against your passport

Can I convert my visa exempt status to a marriage visa (Non-O) in Thailand without leaving the country?

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