What are the steps for converting a non-B visa to a tourist visa in Thailand?

Non-B Visa Tourist Visa Visa Change Process Thailand Immigration Visa Regulations

May 21, 2024

6 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Does anyone know the steps for changing a non-b visa into a tourist visa? I can only find information for the other way around. 

The situation is I've accepted a job in a different province and they're telling me I will need to cancel my current visa/ work permit and switch to tourist while the new employer completes the new visa documents. Anyone who can share their experience or advice will be appreciated. (American)

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TLDR : Answer Summary

To change a non-B visa to a tourist visa in Thailand, you cannot change it directly while staying in the country. Instead, you need to cancel your existing non-B visa at the immigration office, exit the country, and then re-enter with a tourist visa, which can be obtained via a free stamp or at a Thai consulate abroad.

Tod *********

𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗯 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮?

You're asking about something that can't be done.

There is no way to go from a non-B visa or extension to a tourist visa without exiting the country.

If you're on an extension you need to cancel that before you leave at the immigration office.

Then you exit/re-enter either on a free stamp entry or you go to a thai consulate while you're out of the country and buy a real tourist visa to come back in on

6 months ago

Nick ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

thanks for your reply. Do you know if it's standard procedure to have to leave the country when transferring work visas between provinces? There's no way to directly transfer from one to the next?

6 months ago

Tod *********

@Nick *******

that is between you, the old employer and the new employer, it takes them ALL working together to pull off cancelling the extension in one province, then you going to the new province and applying for a brand new extension.

That's why they're telling you to exit/re-enter on a free entry stamp so they can do the process from square one up at the new province in the new immigration office with the new employer

6 months ago

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Tod *********

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How can I switch from a non-B visa to a tourist visa after my work permit expires in Thailand?

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