Can South Africans convert a tourist visa to a non-O retirement visa in Thailand?

Sep 9, 2019
5 years ago
Lynda ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
We tried to convert our tourist visa to a non-O visa at Maesai for retirement visa but we're told they can't do it for South Africans. Are there any retired South Africans out there that can help?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user shared their difficulty in converting a tourist visa to a non-O visa in Thailand, specifically for retirement purposes, stating they were unable to do so at the Maesai office for South Africans. Comments suggest trying different immigration offices, as discretion may vary by officer, and one user offered assistance from a legal team for visa and work permit issues.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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Adrien *********
Hi my company has a legal team who can assist to proceed to visa and work permit, would you like to get in contact with us?
Lynda ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Adrien Touchet we live in Chiang Rai been here over 3 years. We don't need a work permit we want a retirement visa. We have all the funds and when we went to our immigration they said we must go to Mae Sai we went yesterday and they said they can't do it for South Africans. We are currently on a 60 day tourist visa
John-Paul ******
Yes try a different office for sure. If you can meet the financial then I cannot imagine not being able. Think it is that office or the officer had a bad day as the discretion is all theirs to wheeled.

So pick another office. Maybe Tak ? There is a bus to it from me sai.
Bo ***********
Some immigration can do in Thailand
Lynda ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Chiang Rai immigration says no, go to Mae Sai???
Lynda ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bo **********
like where? Mae Sai says no, we are South African.
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