Can I switch from a tourist visa to an extended yearly visa in Thailand?

Thai visas Non-O visa tourist visa visa extension immigration expat advice retirement visa marriage visa

Jan 21, 2025

17 hours ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Can I go to Thailand on a tourist ex visa then turn it into extended yearly visa

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Yes, you can convert a tourist visa to an extended yearly visa in Thailand, specifically through a Non-O visa. However, you must first obtain an initial 90-day Non-O visa and then apply for an extension. It's essential to have sufficient time remaining on your current visa (at least 15-21 days) and to meet certain requirements, including financial prerequisites like maintaining a bank deposit of 400,000 Baht for a marriage visa or 800,000 Baht for a retirement visa.

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.

Stian *********

Why does this topic have a Facebook page. And why do I have to read it.

Go to Thailand. Be nice..

Problems solved!

4 hours ago

Bill ********

No....

6 hours ago

Rolf *********

YES

8 hours ago

Nongnuch ********

oh my god . . . this thread is a dead train . . should delete everything and ask the question again

15 hours ago

Gregory ********

Yes

16 hours ago

Bart **************

In principle you can do that, but obviously switching to a new type of visa comes with conditions.

Why not get the visa that you need upfront?

17 hours ago

Colin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Bart *************

asked for documents which are in Thailand

16 hours ago

Bart **************

@Colin ********

ah right.

Then either have it mailed or go for the switch.

16 hours ago

Reply to

Bart **************

James *******

No you should get a normal visa if you know you want to be there a year

Kev *********

why?

James *******

because it's responsible and correct

16 hours ago

Kev *********

@James ******

there are other perfectly legitimate avenues James.

James *******

name them

Bart **************

the one referred to in the opening post, for instance.

James *******

not my post

Bart **************

so you can't read it? How did you reply to it then?

12 hours ago

James *******

@Bart *************

I read just fine. can you read? not my post

11 hours ago

Bart **************

@James ******

are you playing stupid? Dude you ask someone if there are other ways to obtain a visa except getting one upfront, even though the whole damn topic is about one. It's in the opening post which you replied to. It's not your post, so what? It's still written, it answers your question, but somehow you can't read it. Fine. I'm afraid you may have more defections than just reading issues.

10 hours ago

James *******

@Bart *************

Are you playing stupid?

If you can help him just do it.

Why are you so attracted to me?This isn't my post talk to the person who made it.

10 hours ago

Bart **************

@James ******

I talk to the one who asked if there are other ways to get visas beside from abroad, and who then stubbornly refuses to even listen to the answer, who somehow reasoned that because somebody else wrote something it cannot qualify as an answer to YOUR question, possibly because it makes you stand corrected on your initial reply.

9 hours ago

James *******

@Bart *************

What is your goal here with me?

This isn't my post I don't need your opinion I didn't ask for it

9 hours ago

Bart **************

@James ******

you did ask a question. You forgot. How convenient it was deleted 😅

9 hours ago

James *******

@Bart *************

I never asked you anything besides "What is your goal here with me" did you forget?

There's nothing to delete

9 hours ago

Kev *********

@James ******

done already

15 hours ago

Reply to

Kev *********

Bart **************

@Kev ********

"should" is a strong expression, you can switch visa types if that's how things play out. But why not get the visa that you need upfront? That's how it's supposed to work; switching has been made possible for edge cases but you don't seem like one as you already know that you want to stay for longer. If you get your visa upfront, the terms and conditions that you'll encounter along the way are better suited. For instance, for your tourist visa you'd need proof of onward travel, for longer visas you do not. With a tourist visa, it will be hard if not impossible to open a bank account, which you then, depending on the visa you aim to switch to, may need. If you come with the right visa, you can open the account and comply with the extension conditions without trickery.

17 hours ago

Kev *********

@Bart *************

A long stay visa from your own country will be OA requiring health insurance . Equivalent of 800,000 baht in your home account will satisfy the fund aspect for the first year. However onward travel is simply a matter of buying an online bus ticket out of the country. Arrival on 60 day visa exempt and then apply for 90 day extension 3 weeks before visa exempt period expires. Ensure funds are deposited for the requisite time - it can be done. The 90 day extension will start from the end of the 60 days exempt period. As soon as the 90day visa is issued, get a resident's certificate from the immigration department issuing the visa. Take it to the bank to open an account.

@Brandon ***********

please correct my errors.

15 hours ago

Nongnuch ********

@Kev ********

mistake: you need to open the Thai bank account BEFORE you apply for the "change of visa type" to the 90 days Non-Imm-O visa. Because in to be allowed to apply, the money must already sit in the bank account. So for opening a bank account while being on a 60-days visa exempt, you will need the service of an agent, and you need to do that as soon as you have entered visa-exempt, because you need time to get the account opened and the money transferred from your home country bank AND still have a minimun of 15 workdays left on your 60-days stamp

4 hours ago

Reply to

Nongnuch ********

Brandon ************

@Kev ********

it makes everything easier and is the way it's meant to be done

17 hours ago

Reply to

Brandon ************

กะลาสี *****

You'll also need to open a Thai bank account and deposit 400,000 Baht for the marriage visa or 800,000 for the retirement visa.

17 hours ago

Jan ******************

Yes, but you have to apply for a initial 90 days Non O visa first and then apply for a one year extension of stay. You’ll need at least 15-21 days left on your current stamp. Check with your immigration and get handed over their requirement list

17 hours ago

Colin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jan *****************

haveing trouble get o visa in uk

16 hours ago

Steve *******

@Colin ********

Why? They usually issue the visa within

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days

15 hours ago