Can my husband switch from a tourist visa to a dependent visa in Thailand if he enters on a tourist visa?

Mar 31, 2018
7 years ago
Emma *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi all,

I have a long question that may just have a simple answer. I'm a teacher moving to BKK in July and my school is processing visas for myself and my son. The reason they are not processing my husband's at the moment is because he is trying to get the M media visa. In the event that he doesn't get it, we are worried that the school might not have time to get him a dependent visa. If he comes over with us with just a tourist visa then, how hard is it to convert it to a dependent visa while we are over there? Or would he have to leave the county? I am American, and he's French. Thanks!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A teacher moving to Bangkok is concerned about her husband's visa situation as he applies for an M media visa. If he enters Thailand on a tourist visa, the question is whether he can convert it to a dependent visa without needing to leave the country. Responses indicate that he may face difficulties obtaining the M visa and suggest alternatives like a single-entry tourist or Non-O visa for ease of transition.
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Matt *******
Juzt a clarification Tod. Iff he is on a tourist Visa he can directly switch over to a Non 0 visa as.dependant?
Matt *******
Useful to know this Tod thank you
Tod *********
they could if they meet the requirements and have at least 15 days left on their current stamp.
Tod *********
He's gonna have a hard time pulling an Non-Immigrant Type M (media/journalist) visa :/ Since the coup many people who were on M visa extensions have had to switch to another form of visa to stay here.

I'd say have him come in on a single entry tourist visa OR a 90 day single entry Non-O visa based on having a child that will go to school here.
Emma *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for weighing in. He works for some pretty major French media channels, so hopefully that will work in his favor, but I understand what you're saying. Could you elaborate at all on the requirements for switching to a dependent visa in country?
Matt *******
In the first year, if he have not obtained his imm B visa in an oversea consulate, he will need to make a border run carrying over all applicable paper work to the visa in context, I am assuming the school is processing and forwarding the paperwork to you at your overseas residence for attendance with a consulate.
Tod *********
I don't even know what that means :/
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