Can I convert my work extension of stay to a retirement extension in Thailand without leaving the country?

Non-B visa Non-O visa Visa extension Retirement visa in Thailand Changing visa status Thailand immigration rules Work permit cancellation BOI work permit Chaengwattana immigration office

May 30, 2024

6 months ago

Mike ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I am currently on an extension of stay (initially a non-B visa) based on my work permit (BOI). My job will end in late June, and my employer will cancel my work permit at that time. Then I change to a non-O retirement visa (CW, Bangkok).

I seems that some people managed to change their extension from work to retirement. So, I contacted immigration via email and received confirmation that this change is possible. They even sent me the application forms.

Knowing that time is critical once my work permit is canceled, I completed the forms and visited the immigration office today to ensure my documents were in order. However, the officer at the non-O retirement counter informed me that the extension cannot be converted.  I have to leave the country, return as a tourist, and then apply for a new non-O retirement visa.

Well, that's not the news I was hoping for, but probably no choice. I wanted to check with the group: has anyone else experienced this? Did you have to leave the country, or were you able to convert a work extension to a retirement extension in the country?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The individual is currently on a non-B visa extension due to their work permit and wants to switch to a non-O retirement visa upon concluding their job. Despite receiving confirmation from immigration that the switch is possible, an immigration officer suggested they must leave the country first to apply for a new visa. However, community responses indicate that it is indeed possible to change the reason for the visa extension from employment to retirement without leaving, pending the necessary documentation and financial requirements are met.

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Wannikea *********

I'm in the process of doing this exact thing next week, you need the 800k in the bank for 2 months before the extension switching application takes place.

6 months ago

Tod *********

What does this mean exactly

@Mike *******

𝗛𝗼𝘄𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗢 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱.

What is the Non-O counter? The Section that sells Non-Imm visas out there is C-1 (and they have no knowledge of if you can or can't switch the reason for an extension because it's not their job)

The Section that issues yearly extensions at Chaengwattana is Section L1, did you ask there in that first cubby on the right as you enter the section where it says "Document Check"? Because you CAN change the reason for the extension.

6 months ago

Mike ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I visited section L1 with my queue number. Since my current WP and extension will only be cancelled at the end of June, I just wanted to double-check my application forms (TM7, STM2) and the additional required documents for a normal retirement extension (bank deposit certificate, Passbook copy, etc.).

The IO checked my passport stamps and informed me that I need to cancel my current extension first (which I was aware of), then leave the country and return as a tourist. And then request for a new non-O retirement visa. He even specified that I should return "to the same counter".

6 months ago

Tod *********

@Mike *******

nope that's not correct 😕 and I think you should have not wasted the time going out there to check. Just cancel the extension, get the bank letter, the statement, update the bank book, have the map to your house, the TM30, your last 90 day report, the TM7 form and all the copies of your passport and just go apply. I believe you were told incorrectly

6 months ago

Mike ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks

@T**

. My last working day is June 27th, which is also when my WP will be cancelled at BOI.

I assumed that my extension would be automatically cancelled at the same date. Is it possible to cancel the extension earlier, even if I'm still working until Jun 27th?

6 months ago

Tod *********

@Mike *******

MOST employees who cancel BOI extensions at Cham Churi get a stamp giving them between 7 and 21 days AFTER the termination date of the contract. You need to be talking to your employer, AND you can go in up to a couple weeks before the termination date to get the extension cancelled

6 months ago

Mike ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Update: I've coordinated with my employer, who confirmed that typically I can modify the extension. They'll verify with BOI next week and initiate the cancellation of the WP/extension 21 days before the end date (earliest possible).

After cancellation, I'll visit CW and try again. I've got an appointment on the same weekday, same time, and same counter (even my queue number is the same). So most probably I will talk to the same IO. This will be fun 😂

6 months ago

Mike ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I'll discuss the situation with my employer and work out a strategy.

It’s indeed a strange situation. Everything I read here matched my understanding, and immigration even confirmed via email that I can apply for an extension based on retirement. Even the IO today said, "come back to the same counter," which implies the counter for extensions, not new visas. However, he also clearly stated that I have to leave Thailand and return as a tourist.

Anyway, we'll find a solution. Thanks

@T**

for all your help!

6 months ago

Reply to

Mike ********

John **********

I wonder if it's just a terminology mix up? You would not be getting a non-o at all, you would simply be changing the reason for your extension of stay from one based on work to one based on retirement (being over 50)

6 months ago

Tod *********

Totally NOT correct, you cancel the current extension you're on at the office that issued it and then go to the immigration office at Chaengwattana and apply for a new year extension of stay based on retirement.

People stop work and switch the reason for their extension all the time ..

The good thing is you can cancel your extension a couple weeks early and they will stamp you in until that termination date, then you have time to get your documents together and go apply for the year extension.

Dunno who or why they would tell you that you can't change reasons for extensions from employment to retirement.

You work here in bangkok right? As in you use the Cham Churi Square OSSC for your visa/extension thru the BOI company you work for?

6 months ago

Mike ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks

@T**

for your detailed reply. Yes, I work in BKK and use Cham Churi Square OSSC for my visa and extension.

6 months ago

Reply to

Mike ********

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