Changing Visa at Korat Immigration Office

[Komerican]

I went to the Korat Immigration Office yesterday to extend my tourist visa for 30days so I could convert it to Non O.

When I asked the Immigration officer when I could apply for the change, he recommended it would be easier to apply in Lao because it would take too long at the Korat Office.

Has anyone changed his or her visa at Korat Immigration Office?

If you did how long did it take?

My tourist visa runs out on Jan 1, 2020.

Is there any other option than going to Lao to apply?

Can I go to Chaeng Wattana if I am living in Korat?

 

[ubonjoe]

I don't recall any reports of how long it took to get one in Korat. At most offices it does not any longer that than about 3 weeks to get the visa and entry stamps done.

They might really mean it would be easier to get the single entry non-o visa in Vientiane or Savannakhet. Less paperwork for you and them.

You can only do the application in Korat.

[Komerican]

7 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

I don't recall any reports of how long it took to get one in Korat. At most offices it does not any longer that than about 3 weeks to get the visa and entry stamps done.

They might really mean it would be easier to get the single entry non-o visa in Vientiane or Savannakhet. Less paperwork for you and them.

You can only do the application in Korat.

Thank you ubonjoe.

If it takes less than a month I rather apply in Korat especially if I can only do it in Korat.

[Peter Denis]

38 minutes ago, Komerican said:

Thank you ubonjoe.

If it takes less than a month I rather apply in Korat especially if I can only do it in Korat.

Korat IO would send you 400 km to Laos, to avoid the paper-work for themselves?

But better apply for your Non Imm O Visa as quick as possible, to undercut the 'not enough time to process' excuse.

Success!

[Tanoshi]

You need at least 15 days permission to stay left in order to apply for the Non O stamp, which is the usual processing time required. They prefer you to get a Non O Visa from a Thai Embassy/Consulate to save them processing the application and getting it approved by regional office.

 

Be insistent and point to their own orders for doing the change of Visa status.

[glegolo]

I thought that you MUST have an extension of stay 1 year as final goal if you are allowed to obtain a Non Immigrant O VISA locally in Thailand.

 

But nobody mentioned it here, so that has changed.... or????

 

glegolo

[ubonjoe]

24 minutes ago, glegolo said:

I thought that you MUST have an extension of stay 1 year as final goal if you are allowed to obtain a Non Immigrant O VISA locally in Thailand.

That is the intent of applying for the non immigrant visa at immigration. It is based upon qualifying for a specific  extension of stay.

[glegolo]

Just now, ubonjoe said:

That is the intent of apply for the non immigrant visa at immigration. It is based upon qualifying for a specific  extension of stay.

Good, nothing changed there then. But good that it came out now so people know, Some think that they just can get a Non Imm O VISA inside Thailand like nothing..

 

glegolo

[ubonjoe]

20 minutes ago, glegolo said:

Good, nothing changed there then. But good that it came out now so people know, Some think that they just can get a Non Imm O VISA inside Thailand like nothing..

I think they would soon know that if they went to try and apply for one or read the requirements for one.

[Peter Denis]

21 minutes ago, glegolo said:

Good, nothing changed there then. But good that it came out now so people know, Some think that they just can get a Non Imm O VISA inside Thailand like nothing..

Not sure what you mean.  But it was my understanding that when entering Thailand Visa-exempt or on a Tourist Visa, that you could apply for a Non Imm O Visa at a local IO.  Of course you need to meet the requirements for your application to be approved (e.g. 800K on the bank for an O - retirement).  And once you have the Non Imm O, you can apply for a 1 year extension of stay based on that Non Imm O.

[glegolo]

3 minutes ago, Peter Denis said:

Not sure what you mean.  But it was my understanding that when entering Thailand Visa-exempt or on a Tourist Visa, that you could apply for a Non Imm O Visa at a local IO.  Of course you need to meet the requirements for your application to be approved (e.g. 800K on the bank for an O - retirement).  And once you have the Non Imm O, you can apply for a 1 year extension of stay based on that Non Imm O.

EXACTLY, that is what I mean.. It must have a goal of an extension in the end otherwise no Non O

 

glegolo

[DrJack54]

9 minutes ago, Peter Denis said:

Not sure what you mean.  But it was my understanding that when entering Thailand Visa-exempt or on a Tourist Visa, that you could apply for a Non Imm O Visa at a local IO.  Of course you need to meet the requirements for your application to be approved (e.g. 800K on the bank for an O - retirement).  And once you have the Non Imm O, you can apply for a 1 year extension of stay based on that Non Imm O.

I have always wondered about this "conversion"...first up I'm most likely wrong about this next bit, but I thought the conversion was only for non o based on retirement. Secondly what stops someone from doing exactly what you outline with no intention of applying for 12 month extension of stay. Maybe just sneaky way to obtain 3 month visa within Los. 

Perhaps too much sake!

[ubonjoe]

27 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I have always wondered about this "conversion"...first up I'm most likely wrong about this next bit, but I thought the conversion was only for non o based on retirement.

There are several types of extensions that a change of visa status from a tourist visa or a non immigrant visa can be applied for. See: https://division1.immigration.go.th/content/change_visa

 

[Peter Denis]

26 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I have always wondered about this "conversion"...first up I'm most likely wrong about this next bit, but I thought the conversion was only for non o based on retirement. Secondly what stops someone from doing exactly what you outline with no intention of applying for 12 month extension of stay. Maybe just sneaky way to obtain 3 month visa within Los.

Indeed, an intent in the future to apply for an extension cannot be a requirement, as it cannot be checked when doing the Visa application.

However, if you apply for a Non Imm O - retirement you need to show that you have 800K on a thai bank-account. Parking that amount for just a 90 day Visa would be rather strange, if you had no intent to apply for an extension.

[Komerican]

8 hours ago, Peter Denis said:

Korat IO would send you 400 km to Laos, to avoid the paper-work for themselves?

But better apply for your Non Imm O Visa as quick as possible, to undercut the 'not enough time to process' excuse.

Success!

Thank you, Peter.

I am going on Monday to apply.

I'll post the whole process if anyone is interested.

[Peter Denis]

10 hours ago, Komerican said:

,,,

I am going on Monday to apply.

I'll post the whole process if anyone is interested.

Thanks. 

And indeed, many TVF members will be interested in a report on the process to obtain an Imm O Visa in Thailand.

[ubonjoe]

10 hours ago, Komerican said:

I am going on Monday to apply.

Do you have everything listed here. Plus there may be some local requirements.

https://division1.immigration.go.th/download/1551323240904.pdf

[Peter Denis]

31 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Do you have everything listed here. Plus there may be some local requirements.

https://division1.immigration.go.th/download/1551323240904.pdf

Hi UbonJoe > You posted the requirements for FOR PROVIDING SUPPORT TO OR BEING A DEPENDANT OFA THAI CITIZEN OR PERSON HAVING RESIDENCY IN THAILAND(SPOUSE VISA)(NON-O)

 

If that does not match the OP's situation > On the first part of the link https://division1.immigration.go.th one can find the different options to apply for a Non Imm O, e.g. the one for retirement purposes (50 year old)

https://division1.immigration.go.th/download/1551323081128.pdf

[ubonjoe]

11 minutes ago, Peter Denis said:

Hi UbonJoe > You posted the requirements for FOR PROVIDING SUPPORT TO OR BEING A DEPENDANT OFA THAI CITIZEN OR PERSON HAVING RESIDENCY IN THAILAND(SPOUSE VISA)(NON-O)

 

I assumed it was based upon marriage since immigration quickly told him to apply in Laos for it. For retirement they would be less likely to tell him to do that.

[Ireland32]

4 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

I assumed it was based upon marriage since immigration quickly told him to apply in Laos for it. For retirement they would be less likely to tell him to do that.

I was in Udon Immigration last week , they HATE doing Marriage Visas...

[Max69xl]

On 11/30/2019 at 12:24 PM, Komerican said:

Thank you ubonjoe.

If it takes less than a month I rather apply in Korat especially if I can only do it in Korat.

You must use the immigration office in the province where you're living. 

[Komerican]

Peter is right. I am applying for non o retirement.

[Komerican]

I went to apply for the change of visa yesterday.

Filed usual forms and submitted bank statement for the 3 month and a letter of guarantee from the bank but the immigration officer didn't take my overseas transfer receipt. I don't know why. Had to make copy of every pages of my savings book not just last three month.

I was told the application will be sent to Khon Kaen Immigration Office to process. It is not handled at Korat Immigration Office. Told to call on January 2, 2020 for the status even though my visa expires on January 1, 2002. The young officer who handled my paperwork, the one that told me to go to Lao in first place, said it would be okay. Whatever that means...

Will see what happens on 2nd.

 

[Komerican]

I am sorry it took so long for the follow up report. We have medical emergency in the family and I am little occupied.

Anyway, I wet to the Korat Immigration office on December 26 to see if my application was approved but informed that they haven't received any response from the Khon Kaen office and to come back on January 2, the original due date.

Went back on January 2, 2020 around 11:15 a.m. and I was given a queue and waited until my number was called. It was approved on December 24 by the Khon Kaen office and all they have to do was update my visa status in the computer and stamp on my passport. Let me just say that everyone at the Korat Immigration office are very polite and courteous and I am very thankful for their assistance. However, the officer that was assisting my application was not familiar with the process, I guess. She tried to input updated information on the computer and find right stamps for more than 30 minutes until the supervisor came over and did everything in less than 5 minutes and I left before the lunch break.

My experience ant the Korat office was very pleasant and I am glad I didn't have to take a trip to Lao.