Answered3 years ago

What is the process for changing a Non-O visa to a Non-B visa while in Thailand?

Non-O visa Non-B visa Thailand visa process change of visa work permit immigration rules

Jac ******

asked Jan 30, 2024

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Does anyone know what the process is for changing a Non-O (spouse visa) to a Non-B (business visa sponsored by a company in Thailand)? Do I need to fly out to my home country or other countries to process this or can I do it within Thailand? I am holding a Philippine passport. Thanks!

Edit: my spouse is also a foreigner and it’s his employer sponsoring my non-o.

Answer summary

To change a Non-O (spouse) visa to a Non-B (business) visa in Thailand, the process depends on your current visa situation. If you are under the initial 90-day Non-O visa, you typically cannot switch to a Non-B without leaving Thailand; you can either apply for a Non-B visa from a Thai embassy/consulate in another country or return without a visa and apply for a conversion in Thailand. If you have a 1-year extension of stay based on marriage, you can only apply for a Non-B during renewal time. However, note that many companies prefer employees to apply for Non-B visas outside of Thailand due to the paperwork involved.

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Brandon ************

Your ability to change depends on a few things.

Are you on the initial 90 day non-O Visa? If you are then you cannot change to non-B without leaving Thailand and either getting a non-B from a nearby Thai embassy, or returning without a visa and applying for a non-B conversion inside Thailand.

Are you on a 1-year extension of stay based on marriage?

If you're on a 1-year extension of stay, then the only time you could possibly switch to work extension would be when your marriage extension is coming up for renewal. Since there's no way to cancel your marriage extension, you would just apply for a different extension reason at the appropriate time. You would need to check with your immigration office first to see if they would allow this though.

If you're on the 1-year extension of stay based on marriage and not near extension time, then you're going to need to leave Thailand without a re-entry permit which will nullify your extension, and then apply for a non-B outside the country or return without a visa and apply for a non-B conversion inside Thailand.

Note that most companies cannot or will not supply the large amount of paperwork required to apply for a non-B conversion inside of Thailand. Most companies send their new employees out of the country to apply for a non-B at a nearby Thai embassy/consulate since it's so much easier.

3 years ago

Angelik *******

@Brandon ***********

do you know what extra paperwork they ask for to convert it in the country? I'm on a visa exempt and I need a non b to work in a school, but the school tels me I can't get it inside the country.

3 years ago

Brandon ************

@Angelik ******

I don't know. Your work would know if they support it. If they don't support it then your only option is to go outside the country. It's a huge amount of paperwork to convert inside the country and some jobs simply cannot provide it all regardless of the situation. Not even every immigration office allows a conversion.

3 years ago

Jac ******

@Brandon ***********

gotcha that’s clear. I guess I need to cancel and fly out and process nearby. Thanks!

3 years ago

Brandon ************

Why do you want to change? You can get a work permit while on a non-O based on Thai spouse, and that means that your job doesn't have control of your permission to stay in Thailand. If you change to non-B then your company can fire you and your permission to stay in Thailand ends immediately.

3 years ago