Answered6 years ago

Can you change from a TR tourist visa to an O-Visa (Guardian Visa) after enrolling kids in school in Thailand?

TR Tourist Visa O-Visa Guardian Visa Visa Change Education Visa Immigration Policy Thailand

Paul *******

asked Jan 31, 2021

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QUESTION about changing visas after arrival. Can we enter on a TR tourist visa and change to an O-Visa (Guardian Visa) after kids are enrolled in school? Is this possible? One school said this is not possible from an STV Special tourist visa, but can it be done from a normal TR tourist visa

Answer summary

The possibility of changing from a TR tourist visa to an O-Visa (Guardian Visa) after enrolling children in school in Thailand is highly debated. While some commenters believe that it is not feasible to adjust from a tourist visa in-country, others mention that such conversions typically depend on the specific immigration office. The consensus indicates that a valid Non-O visa is generally required to apply for a Guardian visa. Furthermore, using an STV (Special Tourist Visa) complicates matters, as this visa does not allow for in-country adjustments to other visa types. Applicants are advised to secure appropriate visas before arriving in Thailand to ensure a smoother transition.

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Tod *********

Okay, let's suss this out. in order for YOU <- the parents of a foreign child enrolled in a school here ON an valid ED visa to apply for a "guardian visa", the children would need to be ON valid ED visas, you would need to have the 500K baht in a thai bank account in your name only, AND you would need to have the required days left on your current tourist visa entry stamp (some offices require 15 days some require 21 days)

I doubt you'd pull it off bringing everyone in on tourist visas, getting the kids ED visas and then you applying for 90 day Non-O's based on supporting foreign children here.

Why not get documentation FROM the school before you wing your way here that says the children are enrolled and apply for 90 day Non-O visas from the thai consulate in your country before you come here? That way all you'd need to do is get the kids ED visas from tourist visas once you arrive and you could go straight for the year extension when your 90 day stamp ran down

6 years ago

Paul *******

Thank you all for the replies. It really helps. As we haven't chosen a school we wanted to look at several before deciding (need to be there). Could another possibility be, apply for the STV for all of us which gives up to 270 days in Thailand and while there enrol in (chosen) school and start the guardian visa process? After 270 days hopefully, borders are open and the Guardian visa could be planned and applied for, a border run is done and Guardian visa activated?

6 years ago

Tod *********

just as long as you know

@Pa**

that on a Special Tourist Visa you'll get stamped in for 90 days, be able to get two 90 day extensions, then after that you need to leave AND that you can't do any in country conversion to any other visa type. You aren't gonna "start anything" in country on that visa type. you're gonna leave after 9 months whether the borders are open or not :(

6 years ago

Stuart *********

You can’t change to a guardian visa in country. Doesn’t matter what visa you have. They just won’t allow it. You need a non o visa to start with. Then you can apply for the extension of stay based on being a guardian as long as you meet the financial requirements.

6 years ago

Tod *********

I do not believe that is correct

@Stuart ********

6 years ago

Stuart *********

@Tod ********

perhaps like everything it’s office dependent. Won’t allow it in Phuket.

6 years ago

Tod *********

could very well be

@Stu***

(y)

@Pa**

, I'd sure check with the immigration office in the place you're gonna live BEFORE you wing your way here thinking you'll pull that visa in country :)

6 years ago

Benjamin ******

The school is ABSOLUTLY correct

6 years ago