Answered9 months ago
Is it possible to convert a tourist visa to a Non-O visa in Thailand?
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Answer summary
The conversation addresses the complexities of converting a tourist visa to a Non-O visa in Thailand. Several comments highlight that a Thai bank account is essential for conversion and that many immigration offices do not allow this conversion if one enters Thailand on a tourist visa. Some responders suggest that it can be done with the correct documentation and funds in place, while others emphasize that it's best to apply for the Non-O visa from one's home country. The discussion also touches on the costs associated with using agents versus applying autonomously and the general requirements for the conversion process.
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Julian *******
I’m leaving to Penang this morning as I want to change my expiring elite visa to retirement, but no choice but to exit Thailand which I don’t really want to do.
Graham ******
Yes it is possible if you already have a Thai bank account and the necessary funds in it or to transfer to meet the requirements (800k).
John *********
Get a 5 yr DTV , like who wants a boring retirement visa it will age you quickly and make you become an old Biddy, who’s got time to retire anyway, boring as fcuk
Todd *********
John Hampton people who can't afford freedom yet definitely don't want to. Working also appeals to people who need to be told what to do. Most of them would struggle to dress themselves daily, so work is good for them
John *********
Todd McGowan I’m talking about working for yourself, not working for someone else, that’s a mugs game
Todd *********
John Hampton no different. nobody works for themselves. You work for an employer or for clients. Either way is a mugs game.
Nigel *********
I’ve just done mine here using a visa agent, yes it was a bit pricey, but they done everything, it was so easy and hassle free. If you’re worried about spending a couple of thousand dollars, are you really financially ready for retirement?
Andreas *********
I fully qualified. I entered on a Non-Imm-O Visa, opened a Thai bank account, transferred 820,000 THB into it and applied for the 1-year extension of the stay permit. Total costs in fees 200 Baht on the bank for their letter confirming the 2 months seasoning, and 1900 Baht application fee on Immigration. It is so easy to do it by yourself when you get your ducks in a row. Total time spent 25 minutes on the bank and 30 minutes on Immigration. Why somebody is willing to fork out $2000 USD for 1 hour of work, is beyond my understanding
Cato *******
Nigel Vincent The only reason to fork out 60 000 thb for a 1 year extension of stay is if you not qualify!
If you qualify, but have problems documenting your income you should talk to immigration...
There is other ways to qualify, like getting a OA visa outside Thailand and return and set up a bank account.
You have to show that you you have sufficient funding anyway, agent or not!
When you sign the application form, you sign that every information you give is correct. How can a pricy agent do that legally?
It's your signature on the application, not the agents 😉
The pricey agent is expensive because this is done with a fee under the table!
I don't know how they do it, but if you get caught for using fabricated documents your probably in deep shit.
If you qualify, but have problems documenting your income you should talk to immigration...
There is other ways to qualify, like getting a OA visa outside Thailand and return and set up a bank account.
You have to show that you you have sufficient funding anyway, agent or not!
When you sign the application form, you sign that every information you give is correct. How can a pricy agent do that legally?
It's your signature on the application, not the agents 😉
The pricey agent is expensive because this is done with a fee under the table!
I don't know how they do it, but if you get caught for using fabricated documents your probably in deep shit.
De ******************
Nigel Vincent
Couple of thousands for a 15 months visa?..
Wtf!..🙄
Couple of thousands for a 15 months visa?..
Wtf!..🙄
Alan **********
OPDe Simmeo Giovanni Dealing with Thais over a multitude of issues, documents, getting bank accounts, etc. is often confusing and repetitive.
Ask me how I know ? 🤣
And some people would rather pay for a local agent to jump through all the hoops.
Ask me how I know ? 🤣
And some people would rather pay for a local agent to jump through all the hoops.
Nigel *********
De Simmeo Giovanni yes that’s what I said, but I also said that they do everything for you. So I prepared to pay that, just for the ease of everything.
Matthew *********
You can do it so easy. I did it in less than half day after arrival. And yes it did cost me.
Richard ******
It never was! ....you need an "non-im O visa to apply for an
EXTENTION on that visa And that visa must be applies for outside Thailand. Then you can apply for an extension inside Thailand.
EXTENTION on that visa And that visa must be applies for outside Thailand. Then you can apply for an extension inside Thailand.
Graham ******
Richard Shaw No, you can also get the Non-O from inside Thailand by meeting the requirements
Wannikea *********
Richard Shaw Non-O is the retirement visa, criteria of being 50+ years of age
Dee ********
True. You are better off applying in your own country before entering Thailand.
Ant ***********
It can be done but
Pricey
Pricey
THAI ******************************
We regularly assist with initial Non-O applications and annual extensions from within Thailand for applicants entering on a Tourist Visa or visa-exempt entry.
Process may involve bank account opening as well.
Process may involve bank account opening as well.
Burkhard ********
I tried, but no chance — I had to go outside Thailand.
Even the application itself has to be done abroad. If you stay in Thailand while applying, they’ll cancel it.
Without a Thai bank account, nothing really moves forward, and you won’t get it on a tourist visa anyway.
I’m in Krabi and had exactly this experience in Malaysia.
After waiting two weeks, my application was cancelled because I applied while still staying in Thailand.
In the end, I got my visa at HMC and have already extended it.
Even the application itself has to be done abroad. If you stay in Thailand while applying, they’ll cancel it.
Without a Thai bank account, nothing really moves forward, and you won’t get it on a tourist visa anyway.
I’m in Krabi and had exactly this experience in Malaysia.
After waiting two weeks, my application was cancelled because I applied while still staying in Thailand.
In the end, I got my visa at HMC and have already extended it.
Andreas *********
Burkhard Herwig you haven't extended your visa. The visa became invalid when you entered. You have been issued an extension of the stay permit. A visa cannot get extended
Burkhard ********
Andreas Mueller
Technically correct 😉
What gets extended is the permission to stay, based on that visa.
But yeah, that’s exactly what I meant 👍
Technically correct 😉
What gets extended is the permission to stay, based on that visa.
But yeah, that’s exactly what I meant 👍
Brandon ************
There have always been some immigration offices that do not allow to convert to non-O visa if you enter as a tourist.
The biggest problem for most people is that you must already have a Thai bank account to convert from tourist to non-O visa, and you cannot open a Thai bank account if you are a tourist.
If you have a Thai bank account and enough time left on your tourist entry, then most immigration offices will still allow you to convert to non-O if you meet the requirements.
The biggest problem for most people is that you must already have a Thai bank account to convert from tourist to non-O visa, and you cannot open a Thai bank account if you are a tourist.
If you have a Thai bank account and enough time left on your tourist entry, then most immigration offices will still allow you to convert to non-O if you meet the requirements.
Alan **********
OP@Brandon ***********
OK, so FIRST time trying any of this. "Clean slate" so to speak. Been here a dozen times as a tourist and want to live in Thailand.Come in v-e. Can't get bank account as a tourist, so I need to convert to Non-O before getting a bank account. And I "must already have a Thai bank account to convert from tourist to non-O visa"
So, can NOT get Non-O from a v-e tourist entry.
Or did I misunderstand what you wrote ?
Ian ********
So apply for a non o in your own country
Brandon ************
@Alan *********
I literally told you how the special case works. You already have a Thai bank account. No Thai bank account, no visa. Go to a Thai embassy and do it the way it's meant to be done.
A clean slate means you are sitting at home, and you apply from the Thai embassy in your home country.
Alan **********
OP@Brandon ***********
I proposed to you "Clean slate" and your explanation appeared to say "No, its not possible"Now you say it's a special case. I suppose I could have been misreading for 3 months, but as I recall, it seemed like it was pretty simple - apparently, I was mistaken.
OK, fine. So how does the "special case" work ? TIA
Brandon ************
@Alan *********
Because it IS possible. For people that already have a bank account. It's a special case, and it's NOT how things are meant to be done. Everywhere in the world, you get the visa BEFORE you travel to a country. So do it the correct way.Alan **********
OPIan Carman (& Graham) You guys don't seem to get the drift.
It's been said, MANY times in the last few months, that one can enter Thailand visa-exempt and change to a Non-O and retire in Thailand.
The scenario I've described, unless I've mistaken what was said, seems to indicate that's not possible.
It's been said, MANY times in the last few months, that one can enter Thailand visa-exempt and change to a Non-O and retire in Thailand.
The scenario I've described, unless I've mistaken what was said, seems to indicate that's not possible.
Graham ******
Ian Carman or any neighbouring country if already in Thailand
Scott *******
@Brandon ***********
Do you know if Jomtien is one that will let you convert? I already have the bank account/800K and a 1 year lease.
John ********
I converted in Bangkok a few weeks ago. With those two things. A letter from the bank day before, a passport photo, copy updated bank book, copy passport pages and a TM30. I think she took some signed copy ID from the landlady too.
The 800k was transferred in two halves and had only been in the account one day when I applied.
The 800k was transferred in two halves and had only been in the account one day when I applied.
Vincent ******
John Wenman hi, a question on your conversion from tourist to non-o in Bangkok, assuming at Changwattana? 1) Do you also need to show rental contract and rental receipt past 3 months as per requirement 8 on immigration website? A bit confused on obtaining the past 3 month rental receipt, and 2) on proof of money wired from abroad, is that the FET form which needs to apply from the bank or just the bank book showing incoming foreign currency and the converted amount in baht? thank you.
Brandon ************
@Scott ******
I believe they allow it, but they require the funds to be shown as an overseas transfer and must be in the account for THREE months, when most immigration offices require only two months.Andreas *********
@Brandon ***********
Jomtien does not require the funds have to come from abroad. However they require that the funds have been in the account for 3 months on the day one applies for the "change" from the touristic entry to the initial 90-days Non-O visaActivity
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