How can I transition from a tourist visa to a Non-O visa in Thailand?

Jul 16, 2020
4 years ago
Tony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Well I took the plunge and used a paid service for a Non O as it takes 10/14 days to process from Hua Hin to Bangkok. We will wait to see if there is an extension but I cannot see any chance of borders opening and I needed to do a run to start the move from tourist visa into Non O and soon for retirement visa. Without that option, my only choice was to pay up or get out of Thailand! Not happy having to pay “extra” as I have the required bank funds but...TIT !!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the challenges and experiences of expats in Thailand transitioning from a tourist visa to a Non-O visa. The original poster highlights the necessity of using a paid service for processing due to the current border restrictions and the urgency to change visas. Comments from the community offer advice on the transition process, mention the possibility of extensions, and share personal experiences with visa processing times and fees.
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Thomas *****
I used a service for two years in a row. Very worth it
Gary ******
Mogens Nygaard needs to get his facts right before writing derogatory comments. The Non-O applications are processed in Bangkok. I went to the immigration offices on outskirts of Hua Hin on Wednesday and submitted my application for 90 day visa. Got my passport back today and got to go back to immigration on 30th July to get my stamp that's being processed in BKK
Billy *******
WHO only knows when the one world order is ready to open.
Terary **********
I did the same as you, for the same reasons. I did wish bad for people but I hope it was the right move.
Joe ***********
For all those of you trying to get a solution to stay past July 31... I strongly suggest blocking this Ass Mogens Nygaard. He is an asinine jerk who basks in his superiority. He comes here berating people who are in need of receiving accurate helpful advice and all he does is to fling insults

Please Block - Mogens Nygaard. Just go to this profile page and look for the 3 horizontal dots on the right ...
Tony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Joe **********
Doesn’t the moderator of this site want to block him? He should!!
Joe **********
10 to 14 days from Bkk? And you believe that..?!
Tony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Joe *********
actually I am prepared to believe as I get the visa starting 31st July(apparently!). Anyway..I sorted...one way or another.
Steven ****************
what is the going rate?
David *********
Just got an exstention 60 days cost 1900 and it did take 5 hours waiting on a O visa till September I am now praying for the boarders to open but you no what there’s to many people making lots of money out of us now so I think it will stay shut a lot longer hope I am wrong
David *********
Yes mate I totally agree
Todd *********
@David ********
well that was a waste of time and 1900 baht.
David *********
@Todd ********
yes it was mate these fuckers at imorgration just hate foreigners I truly believe that especially Bangkok
Ivan ************
@Da***
I'm not 100% on this but if you got moved on to the visit Thai Family extension it might be possible for you to move to a non O and year extension from that, without leaving. You would need the money in the bank (400k).

You can't do this from the amnesty but from the visit Thai Family extension may be different as you are now back on an actual stamp.
Roy ***********
@David ********
No, I guess you are right. I do not see them changing anything soon. At first I thought they were too scared, but as the situation does not improve outside of Thailand, I do not blame them.
David *********
@Roy **********
Roy at this moment we have been lucky they gave us three months visa for free

But to be really honest with our selves do you think they will do it again just think of the lost revenue from visa

Like I said before I went just to find out information the truth but no one would tell me a thing I was told to fill out the forms for the exstention which I New I can only get 60 days once and I didn’t really want to do it I would rather cross the boarders and come back that way me and my wife have a little holiday every 3 months seeing her mom in ubon now I am ok till September 14 but if they give us a amisty again for two or three months then I have lost 1900 plus 60 days I could have got later but like I said nobody would tell me anything so it’s Russian roulette now we wait and see and I pray the boarders open September then the next question will they let us come backing without all this quarantine which is costing the earth people are making money out of this but they always do mate
Todd *********
@David ********
now you know the answers lol. All you had to do was absolutely nothing. Next time, don't panic. All will be ok
Garrett ***********
Mate, if you have the 800k/400k seasoned in a bank account anyone can transition from a tourist visa to a Non- O at an immigration office without leaving the country. Non-B is a different story.
Nick ************
@Garrett **********
not if they are on amnesty they cant. You have to have a valid Visa with sufficient time left on it.
Tania ********
@Garrett **********
are you talking about the retirement visa? Not anyone can do it - I’m only 45
Garrett ***********
@Ta***
Wow, is that really what you guys got from my comment?
Marguyvin **********
@Garrett **********
Anyone? Isn't it only age 50+ ?
Tony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
sorry to disagree with you but was told by Immigration that my exemption added tourist visa could not be converted. I had (or wanted) to go out of the country and return with another tourist visa to start the process.
Bim *******
@Tony *******
my immigration told me that 30 day exempt is fine but have to extend by another 30 days (1900 bht) to allow time to do the Non O. 6O tourist visa is easier.
Garrett ***********
@To**
Sorry, you're right. Traditionally you CAN go from a tourist visa to a Non-O in the country. I have read however immigration will not go from the amnesty extension to a new visa class.
Bim *******
@Garrett **********
agree. After 7 years here I need a tourist visa. Laughable rules.
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