Converting a Tourist Visa to a 12 Month Extension

[fittobethaied]

I have a friend who is new to Udon Thain and needs advice on converting his 60 day Tourist Visa from the Thai Consulate in Vientiane to a 12 month extension based on retirement at the Udon Thani Immigration Office. He went to Vientiane recently to seek a Non-Immigrant O Visa based on retirement and was able to show 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank, but was unable to provide the Police Clearance and Medical Certificate, so he was only given the Tourist Visa.

He has already spoken with the new Director at the Udon Immigration Office for his requirements to convert to a 12 month extension, but rather than explain what documentation would be required he immediately went for the throat and told him he could make it happen for several thousand baht.

I have searched the main Thai Immigration Bureau website and there are no guidelines set out for this specific conversion...only a phone number to call for further advice, and there is never any answer when the number is called. Therefore, does anyone on the forum have any specific experience with this, and if so, will you kindly respond with your suggestions/comments. Thanks in advance for your help!

[ubonjoe]

It is a 2 step process to get the extension of stay.

First is to apply for a 90 day non immigrant visa (category O) entry. He will need at least 15 days remaining on his 60 day entry.

Requirements are here: https://www.immigration.go.th/content/service_80

For the visa application the 800k baht only needs to be in the bank on the date he applies but he will need proof it came from abroad.

Then during the last 30 days of the 90 day entry from the visa he will apply for the extension of stay based upon retirement. The 800k baht will need to be in the bank for 2 month on the day he applies.

[elviajero]

16 minutes ago, fittobethaied said:

He has already spoken with the new Director at the Udon Immigration Office for his requirements to convert to a 12 month extension, but rather than explain what documentation would be required he immediately went for the throat and told him he could make it happen for several thousand baht.

It should cost 2,000 baht for the visa, then 1,900 baht for the extension of stay.