Is it necessary to leave Thailand to apply for a 90-day Non-O visa from a tourist visa?

Question

Hi. Thanks for the add. Need advice re Visa and extension. My circumstances- age 59 - arrived in Thailand 4 September 2018 on a 60 day tourist visa (Issued in Liverpool ,UK) . Am currently in Prachin Buri  where I went to the Immigration Office with a view to convert tourist visa to a 90 day Non Immigrant O visa -(retirement )I was informed all they would issue was a 30 day extension to my tourist visa which takes me to 2 December 2018. (1900baht). - which I did.(after providing proof of address with my partner - (she's a Thai national).  Furthermore I was informed I would HAVE to leave Thailand to apply for Non O Immigrant extension , then re-enter . I have confirmed I can open an account with Bangkok Bank to deposit the required  800,000 baht.  is it REALLY necessary to leave Thailand to apply at overseas consulate ? Seems to conflict with what I have read elsewhere.  Any advice greatly appreciated - am just not sure how to proceed . Thanks.

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user is seeking advice on converting a tourist visa into a 90-day Non-Immigrant O visa in Thailand. Initially, they received only a 30-day extension but were told that to obtain the Non-O visa, they must leave Thailand and apply at a consulate. Several commenters provide mixed feedback, with some suggesting that specific immigration offices may not have the authority to issue the Non-O visa, necessitating a trip to a neighboring country such as Laos. Others mention that, under certain conditions, it might be possible to apply from within Thailand if certain documentation and income proofs are provided. There’s a consensus that the user should verify the policies at their local immigration office.

Tod ********* · Answer

If your immigration office will not do the conversion from a 30 day visa exempt entry or a single entry tourist visa entry to a 90 day Non-O visa inside the country your only option would be to go to a neighboring country and get a 90 day single entry Non-O visa . As posters suggested, Vientiane or Savannakhet would be good choices.

Brian ********* · Answer

Just like to say thank you to all that replied to my post - appreciated

Robert ******* · Answer

It depends on the Immigration Office, some smaller offices do not have the authority to hand out Non Immigrant O visa. If you're in that area, the only option is to visit a Thai Consulate in a neighbor country and apply there for the Non Immigrant O visa.

Mikkel ******* · Answer

Maybe depends on the particular immigration office. I had a friend coming in on a METV last winter, and got a years extension based on being over 50 directly from that in the local immigration office.

James ******** · Answer

I suggest you leave your money in the UK. You can get a income verification letter from your British Embassy in Bangkok. You should not have to leave Thailand to change your current status to the so called retirement visa. Tod Daniels and others can reply with detail.

Is it necessary to leave Thailand to apply for a 90-day Non-O visa from a tourist visa?

Activity

Related

Resources