How can I switch from a Non-OX visa to a Non-O visa in Thailand?

Non-O visa Non-OX visa visa conversion process Thailand immigration expat visa TM30 registration annual visa requirements visa exempt entry Chiang Mai immigration office

Apr 4, 2024

7 months ago

Othmar ****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi there,

AUS passport, registered TM30 in CM, with Non-OX (5 year retirement) visa, due to expire in August.

Whilst I could extend the Non-OX, I decided to change to a Non-O visa (reasons below).

I was told the Non-OX visa can’t be changed directly into a Non-O visa. The process would be;

1. On my next return to Thailand in July, request the IO to ignore the then still valid visa and enter on a 30 day visa exempt stamp.

2. Get 30 day extension 

3. Apply for Non-O visa (90 day visa)

4. Get annual extension (+ multiple entry re-entry permit)

Questions:

Will the IO ignore a valid visa on my request?

Could I skip step 2. As money is already in the bank for some time.

Thanks for your expertise and insight.

Reason to change away from OX:

If the Non-OX would mean 5 years without dealing with immigration (besides 90days/TM30), it would be great. 

BUT, I still need to visit immigration every year for the document inspection and provide bank and insurance verification documents

SO; either way annual immigration visit, but with a Non-O there is no insurance requirement and a lot less money to keep in the bank (and with the freed up money better invested, it pays easy for the visa/extension and re-entry permits).

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The original poster (OP) seeks advice on changing from a Non-OX (5 year retirement) visa to a Non-O visa due to the latter's less stringent financial requirements and no insurance obligation. The OP plans to re-enter Thailand with a visa-exempt stamp, request the immigration officer (IO) to ignore the current valid visa, and then apply for a 90-day Non-O visa. Community members provided insights on whether the IO would comply with the OP's request, the practicality of skipping an extension step, and the necessity of addressing visa validity concerns when switching visas. They also discussed the possibility of needing to wait until the current visa expires to avoid holding multiple valid visas. Ultimately, the OP aims to simplify their immigration status while adhering to Thai visa regulations.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

James ********

I believe that the OP has the answers needed for his question.

Thanks all for your helpful replies.

Comments Closed

7 months ago

Ellie *******

@Othmar ***

@Ray *********

pointed out something essential I missed.

In case you can enter on visa-exempt (1), you still have to wait to apply for Non-O in-country (3) until your current Non-OX expires because you cannot have multiple valid visas at the same time in your passport.

Possible measures, but either may or may not work:

a) ask the embassy that issued your visa to void it before you fly to Thailand again.

b) ask the IO at the entry point to void your visa.

( c) as mentioned already, enter Thailand after your visa expired)

Thank you,

@R**

@Oth***

, hope your plan will work smoothly. Good luck changing visas.

7 months ago

Othmar ****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

@Ray *********

thanks for the update/heads up.

I thought that an existing visa would be automatically cancelled when a new one is issued. I guess, a visa exempt stamp is not a visa, hence does not cancel current visa…?

Could/would my local IO in CM cancel it?

Thanks for options:

a) No good: Not in AU and won’t be rest of this year.

b) definitely worth a shot.

c) absolutely plan B; a quick dash out and back in on visa exemption.

Thanks again for your expertise and suggestions.

7 months ago

Othmar ****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Ok. Got it 👍

7 months ago

Ellie *******

@Othmar ***

, Your entry stamp (and extensions) are invalidated when you leave Thailand without a re-entry permit. I understand you have a still valid multiple entry Non-OX visa in your passport. Multiple entry (<- not single entry) visas are valid until the "valid until" date on the visa sticker regardless you are staying inside or outside Thailand.

7 months ago

Reply to

Ellie *******

Thank you, OP, for sharing the information.

This post is about how to get Non-O after Non-OX, NOT about how the annual check-up is handled at the immigration offices. Please check with your local office about their policy regarding 90-day reports and 1-year check-ups when a Non-OX holder keeps staying in Thailand for more than one year.

7 months ago

John **********

You may need to wait until your visa is expiring and do a border bounce to get onto a visa exempt stamp by reentering just after it has expired?

7 months ago

Othmar ****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

, yes that is plan B. Thanks.

7 months ago

Reply to

Othmar ****

Ellie *******

Q. Will the IO ignore a valid visa on my request?

-> That would be hit or miss. You can ask for it for sure, but the decision to ignore your visa or not is in the officer's hands.

Q. Could I skip step 2. As money is already in the bank for some time.

-> That depends on how fast you can get all the necessary documents for your application. You don't have to apply for 30 days extension if not necessary. Remember, the Chiang Mai office has a minimum of 15 working days remaining policy for an initial in-country visa application. And there are supposed to be 3 holidays in late July and 1 in middle August.

7 months ago

Othmar ****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

thanks for the answers to my specific questions.

It seems the rest of the discussion is more about the pros & cons of the OX.

7 months ago

John **********

@Ellie ******

I thought chiang mai was 21 days

7 months ago

Ellie *******

@John *********