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Can my husband switch from an OA retirement visa to a paid research visa in Thailand without future implications?

OA retirement visa research visa Thailand visa rules paid fellowship visa immigration policies expat visa concerns extension of stay

Feb 3, 2025

a year ago

Bennett ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

OA retirement question: My husband is on his 2nd year of a OA retirement extension he obtained in his home country, Taiwan. Now, a Thai university is considering giving him a paid research fellowship, so the question is: If he replaces his current OA with a paid research visa (similar to education visa), is there any risk in the future for him to re-apply for OA or O retirement extension?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion clarifies that switching from an OA retirement visa to a paid research visa should not pose any future issues when reapplying for the OA or O retirement extension. However, there may be complications regarding changing from a one-year OA extension to a research visa while still in Thailand, which depends on the policies of the sponsoring university.

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Tod *********

Nope no issue at all switching back to either an OA (which he'd get in his country) or a year extension based on retirement (which he'd get from the immigration office) once he's done with the research visa/extension

but

I am doubtful he can go from an OA entry stamp OR a year extension to a research for thai uni visa/extension inside the country. 😕

However that is between him and whatever uni he's getting the visa from. 🙂

a year ago

Bennett ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

Thank you! To clarify - you mean that he would have to exit Thailand to activate the new uni visa & then enter Thailand under that? (If so, that is not a problem.)

a year ago

Tod *********

@Bennett *******

i mean he would have to TALK to them to see how it would be done. many times they have the person exit the country to get OFF their "retirement stamp" come back in "free entry" (visa exempt) then apply at the immigration office for the 90 day Non-Immigrant Visa for 2000baht

OR

they give documentation for them to go to another country and apply thru the thai consulate there online for the 90 day visa.

a year ago

Bennett ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

Thanks so much!

a year ago

Tod *********

@Bennett *******

but once they're done with what ever research they're doing it shouldn't be hard at all to switch back to retirement (either OA or O) visa/extensions

a year ago

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Tod *********