Can my wife convert her arrival into a Non-O visa after returning to Thailand?

March 20, 2023
2 years ago
Peter *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi @all, we recently arrived on KS on a non O visa. My wife left without applying for a re-entry permit and received an arrival visa when she returned. she’s been advised to leave and get a tourist visa then return. Once returned the immigration office in Surat Thani can then convert the original Non O visa.

Dowe this sound right and if anyone has experience please let me know, thank you
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquires about the process for their wife, who returned to Thailand on an arrival visa without a re-entry permit, to convert this into a Non-O visa upon her return. Responses indicate that a tourist visa can be converted to a Non-O visa while in Thailand, provided certain conditions are met, including having adequate days left on the visa. Specific advice varies depending on the reason for the Non-O visa, such as retirement, requiring the spouse to apply for the visa outside Thailand if she does not meet individual requirements.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
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Richard *********
she can convert the VISA EXEMPT entry stamp to a Non O

i did in Dec>

there is no arrival visa for western Passports
Peter *********
She was a silly Billy lol đŸ˜†
Brandon ************
There's no difference between a tourist visa and visa exempt. They can both be converted to non-O inside Thailand. You must have 14-21 days remaining on the stay though so a Tourist visa gives more time to get things ready.

You did not tell us the reason for non-O though so it's difficult to give accurate advice. If you are planning on getting retirement extension and she will be trailing spouse without meeting the requirements on her own, this cannot be done in Thailand and she would need to wait until you're on the full 1 year extension then she should need to leave Thailand and apply for the non-O at a neighboring country.
Peter *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
thank you for the above. We initially applied for a Non O, to follow our two children at school whom will have NonED…
Brandon ************
@Peter ******
that's one type of non-O I don't know anything about unfortunately.
@Stuart ********
can you convert from exempt to non-O supporting foreign student inside the country?
Stuart *********
@Brandon ***********
No. have to either come in with a non O or leave and get from a nearby consulate.
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