Ask question

What are the best visa run options from Thailand to change a work visa to a tourist visa?

Visa Runs Thailand Immigration Tourist Visa Work Visa Cambodia Visa Laos Visa Singapore Visa Visa Process Visa Regulations COVID-19 Visa Extensions

Apr 11, 2022

3 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Asking for a friend: Does anyone have any recommendations for visa runs? Cambodia or Laos and how the process went returning to Thailand? She has to leave in order to change a work visa to a tourist visa. She is on B2 currently, it expires April 30th so she needs to leave and enter for 30 day tourist visa (then another 30 days extension in Thailand) for her new school to process the new work visa at the end of June.

3,085

views

7

likes

80

all likes

29

replies

1

images

11

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

A user is inquiring for a friend about recommendations for visa runs to Cambodia or Laos, as she needs to leave Thailand in order to switch from a B2 work visa to a tourist visa. The discussion reveals that Laos is currently not an option, and Cambodia, Singapore, or Malaysia are preferred destinations. Participants share insights about the visa application process, required documents, and potential costs involved in returning to Thailand, which includes the purchase of a new entry visa. Suggestions include seeking extensions if possible, as well as considerations for vaccination status and accommodations.

John *********

If no vaccine then Vietnam is probably the best choice.

Like

Reply

Jamie *******

Cant she go on to covid extension 60 days and then change it to a non b? I know many teachers who have done that. I guess it depends on the school and the immigration office she uses.

Like

Reply

Jordan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

If covid extension is possible I'll look into it. We are in Nakhon Sawan, very tiny so they've likely never experienced a situation like this. She went today and they told her she would have to leave. I wonder if anyone has done this personally from non-B to covid extension then back to non-b

Like

Reply

Jamie *******

it can be done. I know several teachers who have done it. Mainly in bkk though. I have one friend who was travelling around thailand who got several covid extensions from different immigration offices . He successfully changed over to a non b without leaving a few months back. Of course if she is cancelling her Visa nakon sawan they would have to approve the covid extension. As that was her place of work and where she resides. Even if they give her a covid and then won't let her change it over to a non b it still gives the school 2 months to get the b Visa paperwork so that when she does leave hopefully by then no test and go and she could get a non b at a consulate outside.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Jamie *******

Reply

Martin ********

if possible avoid bkk as a port of entry...

Like

Reply

Ryan ********

Some of the single entry TR visa requirements seem a bit strict, like needing to prebook your accommodation while in Thailand. Do they not enforce that one or something?

Like

Reply

Estleen ***********

I booked on Agoda for "book now pay later and free cancellation before ____" and just cancelled after I got my visa done

Like

Reply

Reply to

Estleen ***********

Reply

Tod *********

There is no 30 day tourist visa either 😕

IF she doesn't buy a visa from a thai consulate BEFORE she comes back she'll get stamped in on what's known as a 30 day visa exempt entry, she can extend that ONCE by 30 days at the immigration office for 1900baht

As she's just comin' back visa exempt have her fly to Singapore and back (down in the morning, back to thailand in the afternoon) that's the easiest country to get in to right now

Like

Reply

Jordan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks so much!

Like

Reply

Reply to

Jordan *******

Reply

Chelsea ********

My friend just went to Singapore

Fairly cheap and easy, no quarantine for vaccinated visitors

Getting back into Thailand is the more expensive and inconvenient part , however if she has the insurance coverage and her Thai pass figured out it's much less stressful

Currently with even just 1 night in an SHA+ with the PCR test and necessary transportation from the airport etc... the return into Thailand is between 5-10,000 baht incl. flight in.

Like

Reply

Jim *****

@Chelsea *******

hi there ! I’m actually flying to Singapore for non-B working visa. Just wondering how long did it took your friend to obtain the visa from applying online first ,and get approved before submitting documents at the embassy ? Thank you in advance 🙏

Like

Reply

Chelsea ********

hm sorry my friend didn't require any visas

Like

Reply

Jim *****

@Chelsea *******

I meant applying a Thai non-b visa at Singapore’s Thai royal embassy 😅

Like

Reply

Chelsea ********

and I'm sorry I don't know about that process 😅

Like

Reply

Reply to

Chelsea ********

Reply

Chelsea ********

haha! Yes! Random! 🤣

Like

Reply

Reply to

Chelsea ********

Reply

Jordan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

It is a shame you can't just change from work permit to a type of in-between visa and then back to a new work permit without leaving the country.

Like

Reply

Thaddée ************

following

Like

Reply

Tod *********

Laos is closed so they're not going there. Cambodia, Singapore or Malaysia are the places people have been going

Like

Reply

Sam ******

Interesting and sincere interaction.

Like

Reply

Jordan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

True, does anyone have any recent experience doing any of these? Any easier/cheaper than others?

Like

Reply

Tod *********

cambodia (BUT check the website of the thai conuslate in Phnom Penh before you go there. SOME countries take 30 days to get their thai visa processed there.

Like

Reply

Jordan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Is it necessary to apply beforehand? She is from the US so it is visa exempt, so surely you can enter as a tourist visa-free and get stamped at BKK?

Like

Reply

Tod *********

Hang about

. You said she wanted to ENTER on a 60 day tourist visa 😕

I only pointed out can't do that without buying one at the thai consulate in another country 😉 .

She could certainly enter on a 30 day visa exempt by flying out, and then back in <- (meeting the entry requirements in the country she's going to AND the entry requirements to get back into thailand too)

Like

Reply

Jordan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

yes, you're right sorry! I edited it. So confusing trying to help her out with all this stuff.

Like

Reply

Keven ****

Problem with visa exemption is that you said your friend needs to convert the visa to a work visa in June.

You need 15 days (21 days in Chiang Mai and a few provinces) left on your visa to change visa inside the country. Depending on what day in June, when you factor in the

*****

days left needed, visa exemption might not make it since it's only 60 days total. She should take out a calendar and compare dates to see if everything would work out with a VE.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Keven ****

Reply

Tod *********

there is no leave/re-enter get a 60 day tourist visa 😕 She'd need to cancel the extension she's on now at the immigration office, then leave the countr & go to another country, BUY a single entry tourist visa from the thai conuslate in the country she's in, THEN come back to thailand to get stamped in for 60 days

Like

Reply

Jordan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

As long as she has the Thai pass all sorted? She has insurance through our school until the end of May so she is good on the insurance.

Like

Reply

Tod *********

yep, thai pass, test&go and covid insurance

Like

Reply

Reply to

Tod *********

Reply

Jordan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Is it possible for her to leave to Cambodia, come in as a tourist for the 30 day stamp on arrival and then extend another 30 days while in Thailand?

Like

Reply

Reply to

Jordan *******

Reply

Thai Visa Advice

... members · 40% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.

Thai Visa Advice

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice

What are the budget-friendly options for a visa run or border bounce from Bangkok?

16 comments

8 months ago

What are the options for visa runs to Cambodia or Laos for non-immigrant visa holders in Thailand?

23 comments

9 months ago

Which countries can I do a visa run to in order to quickly obtain a 60-day visa?

9 comments

9 months ago

What are the best options for obtaining a new 60-day tourist visa for Thailand after extending my current visa?

28 comments

a year ago

What are the best and cost-effective options for a visa run from Bangkok?

21 comments

a year ago

What is the best and cheapest country for a one-day visa run from Thailand to obtain a tourist visa?

15 comments

a year ago

What are good options for visa runs from southern Thailand and what is the process involved?

17 comments

a year ago

What are the best options for extending a stay in Thailand on a tourist visa?

4 comments

a year ago

How can I and my friend navigate visa options and border runs while in Thailand?

18 comments

2 years ago

How can my friend extend their stay in Thailand for an additional two months after a 30-day extension?

14 comments

2 years ago

What should I know about doing a visa run by land from Thailand to a neighboring country?

24 comments

2 years ago

Can my friend apply for a new tourist visa after exhausting extensions in Thailand?

41 comments

3 years ago

What are my options for extending a Non-B visa in Thailand before it expires?

6 comments

3 years ago

What are the best visa run options from Thailand if you are required to leave immediately?

14 comments

3 years ago

What are the best land borders for a visa run in Thailand, specifically to Malaysia, Laos, or Myanmar?

0 comments

5 years ago

What is the best option for a border run to extend my visa in Thailand before May 20th?

22 comments

6 years ago

What border should I use for a tourist visa renewal while in Bangkok?

24 comments

6 years ago

What are the options for extending my stay in Thailand until April next year with a tourist visa?

19 comments

6 years ago

What should I do if I need to change my visa in Thailand after a visa run?

4 comments

6 years ago

What is the best visa run service for exiting Thailand and applying for a single entry tourist visa?

6 comments

6 years ago

What are the best options for getting a visa after transitioning from a marriage visa to a tourist visa in Thailand?

12 comments

6 years ago

What are the best options for a visa run from Thailand to Cambodia or Malaysia given the consulate closures?

26 comments

7 years ago

What are the best locations for a visa run from Thailand, particularly for third-time applicants?

3 comments

7 years ago

What are the best options for a visa run from Chiang Mai to get a 60-day tourist visa?

7 comments

7 years ago

What are the best options for a visa run by flight from Bangkok?

48 comments

7 years ago

Data protection policy Terms and conditions Disclaimer Privacy policy Refund policy

The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.