Can I convert my work permit to a retirement visa in Thailand without leaving the country?

Question

Can someone please help me with a Thai immigration question? Here are my facts:

(1) I am a US citizen and currently have a valid Thai work permit and visa (Extension of Stay) valid until September 2020.

(2) My Thai employer, however, is terminating my contract on 31 March 2020.

(3) My Thai employer requested a copy of my passport and TM6 so they can cancel my work permit and visa effective 31 March 2020.

(4) I am over 50 and meet the requirements for a Thai retirement visa.

(5) I have a letter from my Thai bank (SCB) stating my savings account had sufficient funds for 3 months (i.e., 800k baht).

(6) I paid my Thai taxes and have an official receipt stating my taxes are paid.

I want to convert my current work permit/visa into a retirement visa without leaving the country. Can someone please explain if I can do this and how?

Thank you very much for your time in answering my question.

Much appreciated.

Philip Lyren

P.S. I contacted several Thai immigration law firms and am getting very conflicting and confusing advice. One firm says I must leave the country to get the retirement visa. Another firm says I must first cancel my work permit/visa and then apply for the retirement visa. This seems wrong because if I cancel my work permit and Extension of Stay, then I must leave Thailand because I am here without a valid visa.

Ask Thailand · Answer

The poster, a US citizen, is seeking guidance on converting their work permit/visa into a Thai retirement visa without leaving the country after their employer terminates their contract. They meet the retirement visa requirements, including sufficient funds and tax payments. Various comments provide conflicting information about whether they need to cancel their work permit before applying for the retirement visa or if they can stay in the country during the process. Some users share their successful experiences and suggest steps to take, including obtaining a cancellation letter and applying for an emergency visa extension.

Kru ****** · Answer

I just retired from teaching and converted my non lmm B to a retirement visa. I gave the following documents...tm7 completed, copy of every page of my passport, landlady id card copy and house info, rental contract, certificate showing cancelled work permit, certificate from school saying i'm retired, letter from the bank certifying money in the bank and updated bankbook and printout of bank transactions for past 3 months.i didn't have to leave the country and was in immigration maybe 30 minutes. I hope this helps.

Dawn ********** · Answer

My situation was different but problematic. I contacted Best Friend Visa (on LINE). Paid 4500 baht and 24 hours later had my non-o immigrant visa. They do consultation free of charge. Good luck!

Mike ******** · Answer

You need to have at least 21 days on your current tourist visa to apply for the retirement Non-O. You will need to cancel your visa (extension of stay), apply for 7-day emergency extension, get consul letter or supply affidavit as to why you can’t get one, apply

For a 30-day tourist visa extension, then drop Non-O Retirement application. Whew.

For a 30-day tourist visa extension, then drop Non-O Retirement application. Whew.

Adrian ****** · Answer

Wait till morning & repin your post when the experts are awake. As far as I am aware you need a O visa that does not need health insurance. But you do need to exit country to start process. Having said that not so easy at moment so wait till morning repost if necessary as things are very different at moment

David **************** · Answer

This is from a volunteer at Chiang Mai immigration who posted about this and other current visa issues...

"People transitioning visas...if you have a cancellation letter, proceed directly to counter three, cancel your visa, them IMMEDIATELY apply for the 7-day extension outside to qualify for the tourist visa 30-day extension no matter what country you are from. You will be provided an opportunity to apply for the extension even if your country doesn't issue extension letters.

If you recently quit your job and DO NOT YET have a cancellation letter from your company/school, GET THAT FIRST before you come to immigration! They cannot / will not cancel your visa to get you on the tourist visa until they get that letter from your old employer."

Philip ******* · Answer

Yes, I'm in Bangkok.

Garrett *********** · Answer

You definitely do not have to leave the country. Where in Thailand are you located, Bangkok?

Roy *********** · Answer

[url redacted]

It says here that you would have to apply for a 90 day Non-O visa at the Thai embassy in your home country, and you can apply for Non-O retirement in Thailand after 60 days.

Reiner ********* · Answer

Did you Mention what Kind of WP and Where you Are ?

All easy ....at this Time IT Will Be Crazy But you Need to Go to the Immigration and ask what us the best WAY..........if your employer cancel you WP  you Need directly to ask For an Extension.....But you can Delay this a Bit To prepair all Papers you Need ...if you have the bankaccount already with 800 the best is done...Do you have an Health insurance ?

Chelsea ********* · Answer

Some people I know did this last year. If I remember correctly, you do need to cancel your work permit to convert the visa. It took them all day to get it done so I'd be ready for a long day. (This was done in Krabi.)

Can I convert my work permit to a retirement visa in Thailand without leaving the country?

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