What is the process for switching from a Non-O foundation volunteer visa to a religious (RA) visa in Thailand?

Dec 11, 2024
7 days ago
Matt *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I currently have a non-O foundation volunteer visa and work permit that I've held for 15+ years. I'm switching to a religious (RA) visa soon. The department of religion said I need to apply for an E-visa and recommended getting it in Penang, Malaysia.

The problem is that I can't apply for an E-visa if I'm in Thailand. What's the process for switching visa types like this?

I see my post was removed. The answer from Tod was great. Not sure why it was removed. I had a follow up question about my wife and son. Do they need to apply separately or is there a place to include them as "followers" on my application?
1,105
views
2
likes
34
all likes
14
replies
1
images
2
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
To switch from a Non-O foundation volunteer visa to a religious (RA) visa in Thailand, you will need to cancel your current visa and exit the country. You cannot apply for the RA visa from within Thailand โ€” it's recommended to go to a Thai consulate in a nearby country like Malaysia or another option that processes eVisas. After canceling your extension at the immigration office and securing documentation from your supporting organization, you can either return to Thailand on a free 60-day entry stamp and apply at the immigration office or apply for the visa online at a consulate. It's important to note that each family member (wife and child) must apply separately unless applying at a walk-in consulate where simultaneous applications are possible. Keep in mind that rules may vary depending on the local immigration office.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Tod *********
There is no "followers" option, everyone cancels their current extension, everyone goes to a thai consulate outside thailand and everyone applies for a visa.

If you go to a thai consulate that is eVisa, sadly you might have to apply for your visa FIRST, get it approved and then apply for your wife's / child's visa after that <- as your visa is needed to show why they need theirs

Where as If you go to a walk up consulate (like Taipei) you can all apply at the same time (because it's in person application
Tod *********
Really if you can swing it I would strongly suggest you to to Taipei and apply in person all at one time, they have FAST processing time and I think you'd get the passports back with the visa stickers in them the next day

There is rumor they will go eVisa after the new year, but they have no update on their f/b page or their website yet

I'd say get there before they switch over and apply in person for everyone at once
Matt *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Excellent. I just called my contact at the religious office and asked him if he can prepare the papers for Taipei instead. He said he'll talk to his boss and let me know tomorrow.
Tod *********
@Matt ******
that would sure save you a BUNCH of time doing them all at once together, (y) good luck with it
Tod *********
I answered you HERE

Each person needs to apply for the eVisa (although it can be thru the same main account) It is unlikely they would get approved until you have YOUR visa to show why they need theirs (and remember you pay when you apply so if you're rejected you lose the money) ๐Ÿ™
Matt *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I can only find a website in Taipei for the Thailand Trade and Economic office in Taipei. They don't have a place to request an RA visa on their site.
John **********
@Matt ******
that's the consulate
Tod *********
they would apply for this reason but they'd need PROOF of why they are applying when you upload the documentation <- which means as a rule you need to have the primary visa holder approved FIRST)
Tod *********
You're not on ANY Non-O visa anymore, you're on a yearly extension of stay based on volunteering (just like your stamp says "extension of stay permitted until")

AND

while you can "change the reason" for an extension for a lot of things, you cannot go from a volunteer extension to a religious one..

You would have to cancel that extension at the immigration office that issued it with documentation from the foundation that supports it saying you will stop on xxx date

THEN

You would exit the country and do one of two things

1 - come right back in on a free 60 day entry stamp, get documentation from who ever is supporting the RA visa and apply for it inside the country at the immigration office where you are located

OR

2 - go to a thai consulate in a nearby country and apply for the visa. Almost all the consulates nearby are eVisa online system consulates now, <- meaning you go to that consulate, you apply online, upload your documentation, pay

THEN

you wait in that country for the visa to be approved and you to receive the email that has the PDF file which is your visa.

You'd print that and then come in to thailand presenting it with your passport when you enter and get stamped in on the RA visa

Another option is to go to one of the FEW thai consulates on this side of the world that are "walk in" apply in person consulates, like Taipei (which you just show up and apply) or Yangon (which requires an appt to get in the gate) and apply in person.

Those would be your choices,

Check with your immigration office IF you can even get a Non-Immigrant Type RA visa issued inside the country from a free stamp entry because if you can't you go out of the country and buy the visa from a consulate nearby
Tod *********
sorry that was long, perhaps it was helpful
John *************
@Tod ********
A long, accurate but precise explanation is ALWAYS very helpful & welcoming in my opinion ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘
Matt *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
that was great. Super helpful. What are the steps for my American wife and son who will also be "followers" on my visa?
Tod *********
@Matt ******
just answered that
Matt *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Sorry, I think my question wasn't clear. I'm wondering if both my wife and 17 year old son need to also apply for an E-visa as "followers"? Or are they somehow added to my e-visa application?
Thai Visa Advice
... members ยท 40% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice