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How can I change my medical extension visa to a tourist visa while staying in Thailand?
visa rulesmedical extensiontourist visaThailand immigrationCOVID-19 extensionNON-B VisaThai Elite Visa
Mar 31, 2021
5 years ago
Brian *******
ORIGINAL POSTERHello, gang. I'm having trouble changing my medical extension visa to a tourist visa. I have been in Thailand for ten years, but now I'm told I have to leave and come back to get a new tourist visa. Any suggestions?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster is seeking help with changing a medical extension visa to a tourist visa while currently in Thailand. The responses clarify that tourist visas cannot be obtained while inside the country and suggest options like applying for a COVID-19 extension instead. They discuss the implications of using agencies for visa issues and recommend checking with immigration offices regarding converting visa types. Additionally, there are discussions about the challenges of working with Thai bureaucracy.
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Carlo **********
Whats a medical visa?
Tod *********
@Carlo *********
it's NOT a visa, it's an extension issued inside the country based on medical reasons and can be issued for up to 90 days at a time. Agents/agencies were getting them for people (at crazy prices) when it looked like there would be no way to stay after the amnesty ran out,
Reply to
Tod *********
Reply
Pinky ******************
You can apply for a visa extension with documents, photos and fees. Please read the details on the website
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Helen *************************
Normally for medical visa difficult to change to any type of visa. Try to apply covid-19 extension. Immigration have extended it until May 29, 2021. Using covid-19 extension then you will be able to swap it with another type of visa.
Andy **********
Leave and come back to get a new tourist visa.
Tod *********
@Andy *********
news flash you BUY a tourist visa from a thai consulate in another country you don't get them inside thailand. :( Andy **********
@Tod ********
Yes, thats why I used the word "LEAVE".Reply to
Andy **********
Reply
Dwight ***********
Ronald Eikenberg
Tod *********
The real question
Did you hand your passport and a pile of to an agent/agency who took it to a province you don't live in, used an immigration office you don't go to and got you a 90 day medical extension without documentation from a hospital or doctor?
@Brian ******
ISDid you hand your passport and a pile of to an agent/agency who took it to a province you don't live in, used an immigration office you don't go to and got you a 90 day medical extension without documentation from a hospital or doctor?
Brian *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
great question! No I didn't. Nakhon sawan hospital, doctor, note, immigration. Local, by the book, no shifty agents.Tod *********
@Br***
(y) , and you live in Nakhon Sawan and use that immigration office still?If that's the case then you shouldn't have ANY problem getting a 60 day covid extension tacked on to that extension.
Remember though because you're changing the "reason" for an extension to one from medical reasons to one based on "clause 5" (covid) they would start the 60 days the date you apply not add it to your current stamp.
Brian *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
It is the same office. I have two ***
months left on the medical extension, so I can lose that and convert to a covid-19 extension. I have a job offer and need to get into non-B status.Lisa ********************
@Brian ******
you can apply for the Covid extension until May 29th now. ( been extended again) So you have plenty of time before you decide to go down that route. Brian *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lisa *******************
Thank you Lisa. I'm having trouble with the notion that one arm of the government wants to hire me, and another wants me to go.Sammy *******
@Brian ******
if that throws you, then ur in the wrong country!Brian *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Sammy ******
nah, I'm not thrown, just thinking that every country has its own version of complex and often strange procedures.Lisa ********************
@Br***
This is Thailand 🤷♀️😁Brian *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lisa *******************
Yes it is and I love teaching the kids. Bureaucracy is global.Tod *********
@Brian ******
, you aren't converting anything, you'd be changing the reason for your extension from the one you have now that was issued for medical reasons, to one issued for covid. BEFORE you burn the medical extension and jump on the 60 day covid extension band wagon though, make damn sure your new employer can pull a 90 day Non-B inside the country at the immigration office from a covid extension..
Brian *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
I understand and will get with HR at the new school before I do anything else. thanks a lot!Reply to
Brian *******
Reply
Tod *********
As people pointed out, you can't switch to a "tourist VISA" inside the country.
BUT
As people also pointed out you CAN get a 60 day "covid 19 extension"
I think IF you used an agency and have medical extension stamp from a province you don't live in that's the problem AND you should contact the agency who "pushed paper" (got the stamp) for you so they can get you a 60 day covid extension. :)
It's a slippery slope once you start down the "lemme use an agency" path.
On the other hand if you didn't use an agent/agency and have a medical extension issued from the immigration office where you live with documents from your doc or a hospital there shouldn't be a problem getting a 60 day covid extension :P
BUT
As people also pointed out you CAN get a 60 day "covid 19 extension"
I think IF you used an agency and have medical extension stamp from a province you don't live in that's the problem AND you should contact the agency who "pushed paper" (got the stamp) for you so they can get you a 60 day covid extension. :)
It's a slippery slope once you start down the "lemme use an agency" path.
On the other hand if you didn't use an agent/agency and have a medical extension issued from the immigration office where you live with documents from your doc or a hospital there shouldn't be a problem getting a 60 day covid extension :P
Reply to
Tod *********
Reply
Garrett ***********
You can get a 60 day "covid unable to travel extension." Tourist visas can't be obtained in country.
Astrid **********
Its all about using the right terminology. What you been told is correct. Now lets see whats possible ..
Your medical "visa" .. you obtained it inside thailand? Via Immigration with a medical letter? Or via an agent (3month stamp +/-20.000tbh?
Or you obtained it outside Thailand to recieve medical treatment in Thailand?
If outside can not extend or switch.
If inside can convert and apply for 60 day " Extension of stay due to Covid". You be stamped first time from day of application .. 1900tbh
There are no Tourist Visas available inside Thailand, only this extension (for Tourists).
If you want a proper tourist visa sticker in your pasport you indeed have to apply outside Thailand as usual.
Your medical "visa" .. you obtained it inside thailand? Via Immigration with a medical letter? Or via an agent (3month stamp +/-20.000tbh?
Or you obtained it outside Thailand to recieve medical treatment in Thailand?
If outside can not extend or switch.
If inside can convert and apply for 60 day " Extension of stay due to Covid". You be stamped first time from day of application .. 1900tbh
There are no Tourist Visas available inside Thailand, only this extension (for Tourists).
If you want a proper tourist visa sticker in your pasport you indeed have to apply outside Thailand as usual.
Astrid **********
Yes, though if this person is outside Thailand I don't see how to get an extension outside Thailand. He can only then apply for a new visa.
If inside he can apply for 60day Covid but no visa
If inside he can apply for 60day Covid but no visa
Reply to
Astrid **********
Reply
Rich ********
Thai Elite visa works
David *********
Nothing comes for free. Go thru the hoops like the rest have had to do.
Benjamin ******
What is a "tourist visa"? The only tourist visa that lets a person stay for more then 10 years is a elite visa. You can get medical treatment on an elite visa.
Darren *******
You can't get a tourist visa in Thailand so what you're being told is correct. Your best bet right now is to get the 60 day covid unable to travel extension and then work something out to stay longer.
Brian *******
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you for the responses! I will find an agency to consult.
Brian *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Darren ******
thank you. My medical extension has nullified my tourist visa, and they say I have to leave the country and come back. That means quarantine, insurance and baht hemorrhage.Darren *******
@Brian ******
you say you've been here 10 years, what visa were you on before? I doubt you've been on a tourist visa the whole time.Brian *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Darren ******
No I have had several teaching jobs and a couple of work visas. I had to quit the last job for med reasons, and was then trying to convert to non-B.Darren *******
@Brian ******
you might be able to convert from the 60 day covid unable to travel extension but that's very much up to how willing any future employer and the immigration office in question are likely to be. Reply to
Darren *******
Reply
Frédéric ******
@Brian ******
I think if you pay Agency maybe they can Solution for youLindsey **********
@Brian ******
they should have told you this when you got the medical visaThey told me before I got one
So did not bother doing it for this reason
Reply to
Lindsey **********
Reply
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