Can you switch from an Ed visa to a Non-O visa in Thailand while staying in the country?

Mar 9, 2021
4 years ago
Shelley ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello 😊Has anybody switched from a Ed visa to a non-o (in country)?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the possibility of switching from an Ed visa to a Non-O visa while remaining in Thailand. One participant inquires about the process, specifically related to becoming a guardian for a child attending school in Thailand. Various comments provide insights on how to change the reason for the extension of stay instead of changing visas, the financial requirements necessary for the Non-O visa, and complications around the fees charged by immigration offices. The conversation highlights the importance of fulfilling specific criteria and documentation when transitioning from one visa type to another.
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Albert *****
Change to COV visa
Tod *********
@Albert ****
There is NO such thing as a covid visa :(
Tod *********
@Shelley *******
you would get a letter from your school stating you stop studying on the last day of your current extension of stay, MEET the requirements to get an extension of stay based on a Non-O (marriage to a thai, over 50, raising kids, etc) then go to the immigration office, cancel your current extension and pay 1900baht to get a new yearly extension for the new reason.

The ONLY reason I could see that you're being charged a "special fee" is because you're wanting to go on a Non-O extension based on volunteering.

What is the reason you are applying for a non-O? AND what immigration office is your current extension based on education from and what immigration office are you using to change reasons?
Shelley ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
But they want to charge 12,000 baht, I've heard that if I don't they will make life very difficult
Tod *********
@She****
and you have the 500K baht in a thai bank account in your name only for 30 days before you want to change

You do NOT need a Non-O VISA, you need to change the reason for your extension from one based on education to one based on raising a foreign child here who has an ED visa by meeting the financial requirements.
Shelley ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
they are going to tell me to pay, I don't really know how to argue it. Is that the standard form I need to fill in?
Tod *********
@She****
you might be able to cancel your current extension based on education (with the documents from your school) then apply for a 60 day covid extension for 1900 baht and then from that apply for a NEW 90 day Non-O visa based on raising a foreign child on an ED visa here. That costs 2000baht.

Just curious did you get this ED visa from a real school where you actually went and studied or did they pay under the table to get your ED visa and extensions issued whether you studied or not :O I ask because the ONLY time I've seen an immigration office ask for "special fee" is in situations where the rules were bent before
Shelley ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
I don't have to leave the country to do it? I didn't realise you could get a visa on top of the covid extention either.

And its a real school, I go to it, in fact I pay for extra too 👌
Shelley ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
I'm using the same immigration office, Krabi for both. The reason is my son goes to school here and has a Ed visa too. So based on that I can get a guardian visa, a non o.
Jawahar *********
@Shelley *******
I just change tourist mother to non B behalf daughter
Kay ***********
F
Steve *******
You dont need to switch visas, just change the reason for your extention of stay.
Andy ***********
Immigration told me it must expire within 45 days. Otherwise need to leave country, but special payment and they will do it ...I paid.
Steve *******
@Andy **********
Why didnt you wait untill the 45 days?
Andy ***********
@St***
- I had a job and needed the Thai Wife visa to get WP...so it was that or lose the job.
Andy ***********
I changed from O retirement to O Thai Wife...
Andy ***********
@St***
- I had the same thing and had to pay ... if the visa is expiring then there is no fee but mid term change of reason need to pay immigration “special” fees ... I paid more than that !
Tod *********
@Andy **********
then you were extorted. There is no charge to cancel an extension and change the reason for it other than the cost of the extension 1900baht
Shelley ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
,my current Ed visa expires this month!
Shelley ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
No I'm doing it myself. This is immigration directly!
Shelley ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
how do I change my reason?
Steve *******
@Shelley *******
Cancel your extention based on studying and change it to dependancy at your local immigration office.
Shelley ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
ahh but they won't do it unless I leave the country! I think I'm goi g to have no choice but to pay them, otherwise they are going to make it extremely difficult. I've already had to pay them tea money for the Ed visas 😱
Shelley ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
vthey are charging me 12,000 to change my visa
Bobby ********
Shelley Louise. Sounds like you're using an agent who's charging you an extortionate fee to do what you can yourself for 1900 baht! 🤣
Shelley ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Guardian of a child in school here
Benjamin ******
Non-O based on what reason?
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