Switching from Work Permit to Marriage Visa

[s1bc]

Hi everyone and thanks in advance for the regular advice and updates on the forum.  Very much appreciated especially now! ❤️

 

My work permit is ending on June 9th and won't be renewed but I'm in the process of getting married to a Thai national...  We're waiting on COVID to calm down before we start visiting embassies for affirmation letters etc though.  The case numbers make NO SENSE to me and as we're both high risk we aren't taking any chances.

 

Can anyone advise me if I can just transition straight to a Non-O Marriage visa or will I need to exit the country and come back in?  I'd prefer to avoid travelling if I can.  If yes, I assume I just visit immigration with necessary papers and make a new Non-O application?  Do I still have time to do that?

 

Any advice or experience very welcome and thanks again...

 

Also - does anyone have a working link to make appointments at the British consulate please?  The only one I can find online doesn't actually work!

[ubonjoe]

Since you state you have a work permit I assume you are on a extension of stay based upon working or teaching that ends on June 9th.

If you are married on June 9th and have 400k baht in a Thai bank for 2 months or proof of 40k baht income you could change the reason for your extension to one based upon marriage to a Thai.

If not then you would have to wait until you are able to get a non-o visa from a embassy or consulate.

After your extension of stay ends you could stay in the country until July 31st if needed.

[s1bc]

Thanks for your reply joe...  Much appreciated...   

 

Do you mind if I ask how/where I would change the reason for the extension of stay (is that the common term for a work permit then? Sorry! :)) then please?  I don't have contact with the company anymore so wouldn't be able to get any info from them.

 

Any if I've understood correctly I have until July 31st as a grace period after my work permit ends anyway so I could wait a little longer and then travel for a new tourist visa until I can get this sorted out?

[ubonjoe]

A work permitonly allows you to work. It does not allow you to stay in the country. A extension you your permit to stay issued by immigration allows you to stay. Look in your passport the extension stamp. 

If you are not working now technically your extension of stay that is tied to you working is no longer valid.

If you do not change the reason for your extension you could stay until July 31st. When the borders opens you could go to a nearby embassy or consulate to apply for a non-o visa based upon marriage if married then.