thailand
Ask question

Can I transition from a Non-B work visa to a tourist visa in Thailand by leaving the country?

Thailand Visa RulesNon-B VisaTourist VisaVisa TransitionImmigration Procedures
Oct 12, 2023
a year ago
Gregory *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey, i might have messed up. I didn’t realize the 13th was a holiday and I had planned to go to immigration as I need to transition from a nonB work visa to a tourist visa before the 17th. Does anyone know if I have to go to immigration or can I just leave the country and come back and it’ll be a normal tourist visa now? Thanks in advance!
771
views
5
likes
33
all likes
19
replies
0
images
3
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is concerned about transitioning from a non-B work visa to a tourist visa before a deadline, but is unsure if they can simply leave Thailand instead of going to immigration due to a holiday. Commenters explain that a tourist visa cannot be obtained while in Thailand. If on a work extension, they must cancel their permit at immigration to avoid fines. Alternatively, if eligible for visa-exempt entry, the user can leave and return for a 30-day entry without a visa.
Wilhelmina ********
@Brandon ***********
e Are you sure about that fine, even if it would show that one went out of Thailand from an exit record or stamp?
a year ago
Like
Reply
Wilhelmina ********
@Brandon ***********
 No, not the agent, but at the border control when you cross and exit. The pre-informed agency rep assists in the process, afaik.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Wilhelmina ********
@Brandon ***********
 It's stamped, so it's legit? I think it still goes technically right with "must inform the immigration of any change ... " so long as it's timely done.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Brandon ************
@Wilhelmina *******
 I told you, you can only cancel an extension at the office you received it at. No one else can cancel it regardless of what a random agent puts into your passport.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Wilhelmina ********
@Brandon ***********
 As far as I know, it could really be done at the border for a penalty fee (not sure even with the absence of a cancellation letter). Visa run agencies could assist and it is stamped on your passport during the crossing. That stamp is the reference used when you apply for a future extension.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Brandon ************
@Wilhelmina *******
 That's not legit at all. Your extension will still be active in the system.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Wilhelmina ********
@Brandon ***********
 Ah, OK, and that would be stamped again (the visa cancellation), right? And then, I heard visa run agencies could help for the penalty when this is done at the immigration border without the cancellation letter, right?
a year ago
Like
Reply
Brandon ************
@Wilhelmina *******
 you can only cancel an extension at the office you received it. You won't have any issues leaving or entering Thailand, only when you apply for another long term extension at immigration.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Brandon ************
@Wilhelmina *******
 yes. You sign a document when you apply for a work extension that says you'll notify immigration when there's a change in your status. You ending your work is a change in your status and this is what they will fine you for, failure to notify them of the change.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Brandon ************
You can't get a tourist visa inside of Thailand. Going to immigration won't do anything. When you have a work visa or work extension, the only extension you have available to you as another 1 year work extension.

If you are on a work extension now, you need to take your cancelled work permit to immigration and cancel it before you leave, or you will not be able to get another long term extension again and will be fined 500b per day that you did not cancel up to 20,000 baht.

If you are still on the original non-B visa that you obtained, then you cannot cancel that and you can just leave.

Leaving the country and returning will not put you on a tourist visa, as a tourist visa can only be applied for and purchased from a Thai embassy or consulate outside of the country. If you are from a country that is eligible for visa exempt entry, then you can leave and return without a visa and you will be stamped in for 30 days visa exempt, which is eligible one time for a 30 day extension.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Gregory *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 okay, so that did answer a lot of my questions and I appreciate all the information. So yes I am currently on a work visa but it is being cancelled by the 17th, I just never brought the paperwork to the immigration office because I was planning to do that tomorrow. Now I do not need another long term visa, just a tourist visa and my plan was to do a visa run on Saturday out of the country.

Is the visa run useless if I don’t bring the paperwork to the immigration office beforehand?
a year ago
Like
Reply
Brandon ************
@Gregory ********
 it will get you off your visa. But if your have an extension rather than a visa you're going to need to cancel it regardless. The sooner the better to avoid fines.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Gregory *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 okay perfect! So I can do the visa run Saturday to get me on the tourist visa and then bring the paperwork back Monday before the 17th to avoid fines and that would solve it right?
a year ago
Like
Reply
Brandon ************
@Gregory ********
 how do you plan to do a visa run on a Saturday when the embassies are closed?
a year ago
Like
Reply
Gregory *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 bangkok buddy said they were still doing. Cambodia runs
a year ago
Like
Reply
Steve *******
@Gregory ********
 You wont get a Tourist visa until Tuesday(in Laos) or Wednesday(in Cambodia). Embassy/Consulate closed at the weekends. Processing time 1 day in Laos, 2 days in Cambodia
a year ago
Like
Reply
Brandon ************
@Gregory ********
 that's not a visa run which is where you go apply for and purchase a visa. That's a border bounce. You also aren't changing to tourist visa because you won't have a tourist visa because you're not going to a Thai embassy and applying for one. You'll have NO VISA and enter visa exempt. I explained that all in my first post.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Gregory *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 Is if possible for me to message you?
a year ago
Like
Reply
Wilhelmina ********
@Gregory ********
 Are you even reading? You need to cancel your visa first by taking the paper to the immigration before you go anywhere. Get it?
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Wilhelmina ********
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
How can I switch from a non-B visa to a tourist visa after my work permit expires in Thailand?
2 comments
8 months ago
Can I change my non-immigrant B visa to a tourist visa at the immigration bureau in Thailand?
2 comments
a year ago
Can I switch from a non-immigrant B visa to a tourist visa in Thailand?
9 comments
a year ago
Is it possible to switch from a Non-B visa to a Retirement visa without leaving Thailand?
11 comments
a year ago
What are the steps for transitioning from a non-B visa to a tourist visa after quitting a job in Thailand?
17 comments
2 years ago
Can I extend my visa in Thailand or do I need to leave the country?
5 comments
2 years ago
Can I enter Thailand on a tourist visa if I hold a work permit and my visa is about to expire?
10 comments
3 years ago
How can I obtain a tourist visa when my non-B visa is expiring before my flight to the USA?
29 comments
3 years ago
Can I exit Thailand, visit Cambodia, and re-enter on a tourist visa to apply for a Non-B visa?
2 comments
3 years ago
Can I switch from a work visa to a tourist visa while in Thailand?
19 comments
3 years ago
Can I switch from a Non-B visa to a tourist visa while remaining in Thailand?
3 comments
3 years ago
Can I convert my Non-B visa to a tourist visa while staying in Thailand?
4 comments
3 years ago
Can I switch from a TR tourist visa to a Non-B work visa while in Thailand, or do I need to leave the country?
12 comments
3 years ago
Can I switch from a working visa to a tourist visa in Thailand after my contract ends?
19 comments
3 years ago
Can I apply for a tourist visa in Thailand without leaving the country after terminating my work visa?
10 comments
3 years ago
Can I switch from a Non-B visa to a tourist visa or apply for a Covid extension without leaving Thailand?
1 comments
3 years ago
How can I change from a Non-B visa to a Tourist visa in Thailand after my work permit has expired?
8 comments
4 years ago
How can I switch from a Non-B visa with work permit to a tourist visa in Thailand?
8 comments
4 years ago
Can I extend my Non-B Visa in Thailand or do I need to switch to a Tourist Visa?
12 comments
5 years ago
Can I Let My Non-B Visa Expire and Get a Tourist Visa Instead?
7 comments
5 years ago
Can I Extend My Work Visa in Thailand for 3 Weeks or Do I Have to Leave?
6 comments
5 years ago
Can I get a 30-day tourist exemption by flying to Kuala Lumpur and back on the same day?
16 comments
5 years ago
Can someone switch from a non-b visa to a tourist visa in Thailand without leaving the country for a border run?
0 comments
6 years ago
Can I switch from a Non-B visa to a tourist visa after working in Thailand?
35 comments
7 years ago
What are the rules for obtaining a tourist visa after canceling a work visa in Thailand?
44 comments
7 years ago
Data protection policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimerPrivacy policyRefund policy
The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.