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Can I Switch from a Non-Immigrant B to a Non-Immigrant O Visa in Thailand?
Feb 17, 2020
6 years ago
Fero ******
ORIGINAL POSTERI just returned from the Ayutthaya immigration office. Basically the officer told me that even if I meet all requirements for for non-immigrant O extension it would be too difficult to switch in Thailand from my current Non-imm B extension to Non-imm O. The reasoning was somewhat unclear to me but I was told I must go out of the country anyway. Apply for single-entry Non-imm O visa and then do extension.... I just hate the visa runs and dealing with embassy so I wanted to avoid it, but seems like I have no choice. Anyway thanks guys.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user who recently visited the Ayutthaya immigration office was informed that switching from a Non-Immigrant B extension to a Non-Immigrant O extension in Thailand would be challenging and would require exiting the country to obtain a Non-O visa before returning to apply for the extension. Multiple comments from other users shared insights about similar experiences and suggested that while it should be possible to switch premises for extension based on marriage without leaving, the application process can vary significantly between immigration offices. There were also suggestions for utilizing legal assistance to navigate the requirements more smoothly.
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Tod *********
I think what has happened is there is a "lost in translation" situation.
It is clear from the O/P's post that the immigration office thinks they want to go from a non-B visa to a Non-O visa.
First
AND
do do NOT need a Non-O to get a yearly extension based on marriage.
ALL you are doing is changing the REASON for your extension from one based on employment to one based on marriage.
Give it another shot, seeing as you're getting an extension based on marriage TAKE your thai wife with you if you can to help bridge the communication gap
It is clear from the O/P's post that the immigration office thinks they want to go from a non-B visa to a Non-O visa.
First
@Fe**
, understand you are NOT here on a Non-B visa anymore, you are on a yearly extension based on employment.AND
do do NOT need a Non-O to get a yearly extension based on marriage.
ALL you are doing is changing the REASON for your extension from one based on employment to one based on marriage.
Give it another shot, seeing as you're getting an extension based on marriage TAKE your thai wife with you if you can to help bridge the communication gap
Ellie *******
I guess when you guys share your experience, it would be valuable information if you include which immigration office you experienced at, since each immigration office has a bit different implementation.
Darren *********
It seems it depends on the immigration office. I went from a non imm b visa to a an extension to stay based on marriage 12 months ago. This time around I got ALL my paperwork together including tax records, employment contracts, house documents photo’s etc AND showed the 400k in a bank. This time they refused noting that I’d gone from a non Imm b visa to an extension to stay based on marriage and that you ‘shouldn’t be able to do it’ however they did accept it when I used a lawyer..(expensive) they did advise me to go out and do a non O in the future IF I wanted to do my marriage extension application myself. So I’m trapped with using a lawyer and paying a ‘fee’ until I do this.
Tod *********
something is NOT right about that I am not doubting your story I'm, saying they should have accepted it just fine especially seeing as it was your second extension based on marriage.
There is NO problem going from an extension based on employment to one based on marriage inside the country and there is NO requirement you had a Non-O visa to get that extension. The ONLY requirement is that you held a non-immigrant TYPE visa (O, ED, F, B, etc) to apply for an extension
There is NO problem going from an extension based on employment to one based on marriage inside the country and there is NO requirement you had a Non-O visa to get that extension. The ONLY requirement is that you held a non-immigrant TYPE visa (O, ED, F, B, etc) to apply for an extension
Lauren **********
@Darren ********
what difference does a lawyer make? So long as you have the papers. CrazinessReply to
Lauren **********
Reply
Fero ******
ORIGINAL POSTERbtw it's very ridiculous that at the Ayutthaya immigration office they have the visa requirements only in Thai language and no English.
Ed ********
@Fero *****
hmmm I’ve always found Ayutthaya office very accomodatingAmornrat **********
sorry, I read wrong, have deleted my previous reply.
Robert *******
You Thai wife should be able to help you out.
Reply to
Robert *******
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Yan *****
Too bad. I wanted to do exactly what you do. Change the extension of stay based on marriage. It seem like it’s going to be a problem for me too. 😢 please let me know if you found a solution that you can do it without going out of the country.
Ellie *******
Don't Panic yet... If your local immigration office is Not Ayutthaya, your situation would be different. For example, no problem at Chaeng wattna, Bangkok.
Reply to
Ellie *******
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Tod *********
it is NOT difficult at all, you're simply changing the REASON for your extension of stay from one based on employment to one based on marriage.
Still if they said you can't do it then GO to a thai consulate in a nearby country and get a 90 day single entry Non-O visa based on marriage to a thai. Vientiane/Savannakhet Lao, Penang Malaysia, HCMC Vietnam, all issue that visa..
Still if they said you can't do it then GO to a thai consulate in a nearby country and get a 90 day single entry Non-O visa based on marriage to a thai. Vientiane/Savannakhet Lao, Penang Malaysia, HCMC Vietnam, all issue that visa..
Fero ******
ORIGINAL POSTERthanks, I'll try to go there again tomorrow and maybe talk to another officer and use the information you gave me to try it again. If it doesn't work I'll probably fly to Penang.
Reply to
Fero ******
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Tod *********
so you were going to cancel your extension based on employment and immediately apply for an extension based on being married to a thai by meeting the financial requirements?
Fero ******
ORIGINAL POSTERI have still 74 days left on my current extension. I thought that if I put tomorrow the money in my thai bank account and keep it there for 2 months I would be able to cancel my current extension with 14 days left and apply for the new extension.
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Fero ******
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