Can my friend convert his OA visa to an O visa while in Thailand?

Jan 20, 2020

5 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

My friend was stamped in till mid march 2020 using his OA visa (acquired in home of America) he entered thailand before expiry of visa  April 2019. Can he try and apply for an O visa in Thailand (then convert to extension stay based on retire) or will he 100% need to leave the country and either 1.re-enter on exempt 2.get O from neighbouring country 3.return America and get new OA?

390

views

likes

all likes

replies

images

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

The individual cannot convert a Non-Immigrant OA visa to a Non-Immigrant O visa from within Thailand. He must either leave the country to apply for an O visa in a neighboring country or return to America for a new OA visa. Immigration office policies vary, and if authorized, they may allow conversions from certain visa types, but this does not include OA to O conversions.

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.

Martin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Perfect answer Tod. Thanks

5 years ago

Tod *********

as people said there is NO way to go from an O-A visa to an O visa inside the country.

This is how you "convert an O-A to an O visa"

****************************************************************************

**********

*****

3/permalink/

*****

5 years ago

Tod *********

OR they can go back to their country and buy a NEW Non-O-A visa.

5 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

James ********

He has many choices. The options are as you noted. The key is if he meets the financial requirements if he chooses to try conversion inside Thailand to Non O and Extension of Stay.

5 years ago

Robert *******

he can not convert inside Thailand from the Non Immigrant O-A visa into a Non Immigrant O visa.

He need to ask his Immigration Office first as not all Immigration Offices are authorized to do visa conversions.

But IF the office is authorized he can only convert from a Visa Exempt Entry or a Tourist Visa into the Non Immigrant O visa inside Thailand IF he meets all the requirements.

IF the Immigration Office can not do the conversion or your friend can not meet the requirements he might go abroad to find a consulate who sells this visa with less requirements that he can meet OR he goes back to the America and apply there for a NEW Non Immigrant O-A visa if he can meet all the requirements.

5 years ago

Reply to

Robert *******

Thai Visa Advice

... members · 40% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.

Join the Group

Thai Visa Advice

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice

Can I change my Non-OA visa to a Non-O visa while in Thailand?

4 comments