Answered6 years ago

Can we convert a tourist visa to a Non-Immigrant O visa in Thailand without leaving the country?

Visa conversion Non-O visa Tourist visa Retirement visa Thailand immigration Visa application process

Jules ******

asked Jan 9, 2021

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Hi we are Brits living in Bulgaria. BG will only issue us a tourist visa. So without having to go to a neighbouring country to get the non-immigrant O visa, can we swap a tourist visa for a non-immigrant O visa once we are in Thailand? We would then apply for the retirement visa once we are in country. Thanks for any info....

Answer summary

It is currently possible to enter Thailand on a 60-day tourist visa and then convert that to a 90-day Non-Immigrant O visa based on retirement, followed by applying for a year extension of stay. Applicants need to meet the financial requirements and provide the necessary documentation. Reports indicate that this process has been successful for others in similar situations.

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Jules ******

Thanks - very useful. Good to hear others are doing it. We don't want to pester you/others about every step of the process...but...we also have dogs to bring in and shipping - are flights getting in at the moment do you/does anyone know? We know to other Asian countries there are lots of cancellations. It's a lot to organise so would be good to have info so we can decide if this is a good...or ridiculous...time to be doing this!! Thanks x

6 years ago

Tod *********

No offense intended

@Ju***

but post on a f/b page related to where you live (or will live) in thailand to ask your questions that aren't VISA related. This is a super specific group that only deals with people who are in (or coming in) and trying to get visas.

AND

I'd wait until you're here, and in quarantine to start asking questions about the process. You'll have enough free time on your hands then to get good answers and know what you're doing once you get out

6 years ago

Tod *********

At this time there is no problem coming in on a regular 60 day tourist visa entry stamp and then applying at the immigration office for first a 90 day Non-Immigrant Type O visa based on retirement and then a year extension of stay after that.

You would need to meet the financial requirements and turn in the appropriate documentation for each part of the process. BUT I am hearing no reports of it not being able to be done. In fact I know of several people who have converted both a visa exempt entry and a tourist visa entry to a Non-O and then a year extension

SO, as it sits now, your entry plan is totally doable

6 years ago