Renewed Passport, changing from OA Visa to O Visa

[PhuketDok]

I have been living in Phuket for the past 5 years on a Non-Imm OA Visa. My passport is full so I am applying for a new Passport to replace my existing Passport. I know I can get my Extension Stamp and Multiple Entry Stamps transfered into my new Passport at the local Immigration Office. Due to the Insurance Requirement I would like to apply for a Non-Imm O Visa. Instead of waiting for my extension to expire, can I apply for the Non-Imm O Visa with a blank Passport, i.e., no Stamps transferred? 

[DrJack54]

5 years on what? Doing extensions based on retirement?

Unless you have a reentry just leave Los. Your extension is then history. Reenter visa exempt and do conversion to non o at imm or apply for non o at consulate. Vientiane just one example

[Sheryl]

Sounds like you have a multiple re entry permit? If so have to wait for it to expire. Then leave country and either get an O abroad or come back in visa exempt and convert to O here 

[ubonjoe]

You could leave the country without having the stamps transferred. 

When you depart the country you would show both passports to immigration. They will transfer you most recent entry and extension stamp to the new one and do a annotation about the visa or extension of stay you had and stamp you out  of the country in it.

Then when enter the country only show the new passport and be stamped into the country visa exempt unless you applied for a non-o visa before returning.

 

[PhuketDok]

Thank you for your replies. I was hoping that I could apply for the Non-Imm O without leaving the country since my new Passport would not have any stamps in it. But you all indicate I must leave Thailand first.

[ubonjoe]

12 hours ago, PhuketDok said:

Thank you for your replies. I was hoping that I could apply for the Non-Imm O without leaving the country since my new Passport would not have any stamps in it. But you all indicate I must leave Thailand first.

You can only apply for a non immigrant visa (category O) at immigration with a tourist or visa exempt entry. 

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

You would still have a valid extension shown in your old passport and in immigrations records. You would have to show your old passport since you would have no permit to stay stamp of any kind in the new one.

[Peter Denis]

15 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Sounds like you have a multiple re entry permit? If so have to wait for it to expire. Then leave country and either get an O abroad or come back in visa exempt and convert to O here 

If you are presently in Thailand on an extension of stay based on a Non Imm OA - retirement, and want to apply for a new Visa type (Non Imm O - retirement), you need to exit Thailand first in order to 'kill' your present permission to stay.  This because you cannot switch to a different Visa category when the permission to stay of your present one has not expired yet.

However if you have a re-entry permit your present permission to stay will be kept alive by that re-entry permit when exiting Thailand.  So the re-entry permit prohibits you from applying for a Non Imm O Visa 'early' (i.e. when your permission to stay from the Non Imm OA has not expired yet).

There are 2 options to tackle the above:

- wait till your permission to stay has almost expired, then exit Thailand, and after expiry either return Visa exempt and apply for a Non Imm O in Thailand, or apply for a Non Imm O at the thai embassy/consulate of the country you exited to;

- before exiting Thailand, visit your local IO and request to have the re-entry permits cancelled.

Please note that there have been reports of consulates that refused to issue a new Visa when you still have a non-expired permission to stay (even if it was voided because of exiting Thailand without a re-entry permit).  Obviously these consulates are not well-informed, but it might prove difficult/impossible to convince them that your permission to stay has been voided by you exiting Thailand.  However, there is of course still the option then to simply return to Thailand Visa-exempt and apply for a Non Imm O at your local IO.

 

[PhuketDok]

Excellent information from you all. This was my first time to use this site and it was a very positive experience. Thanks once again.