From Non-F to Non-O

[Olivier2565]

This is my, not so complicated and not scary, experience about changing my visa from non-immigrant F to non-immigrant 0.

 

I am French and for the last 30 years I have been working in Thailand on a non-F visa (it is not a very common one I know). Since I retired in December 2024, I needed to change my status to a non-O visa. Living in Kamphaeng Phet province, I went to the the immigration office there: it is friendly, not busy, there are plenty of rooms in the parking lot. I have one hour driving, but it is largely compensated by the fact there is barely any queue (I never had to wait more than 5 minutes).

 

My first trip to immigration was to get information. I was informed that I had to leave the country, that there was no way to change the visa type while staying in Thailand.

 

I went to a 36 hours journey in Phnom Phen (because it was the cheapest flight and I had already been there and wanted to see how was the country after 10 years). I came back and got the exemption visa (? the stamp automatically granted to French nationals) on arrival at Don Muang.

 

I got a bank certificate about the 800K in my bank account and new ID photos. I had no lease for my place of residence because I had been staying there for 30 years and it was always on an amicable understanding. I had a letter from my landlord and a bunch of electricity bills.

 

On my second visit to immigration, I was said that I needed a lease contract, all my proof of address where not valid enough. That was a visit for nothing, it was my mistake for not following what is written on the web site.

 

I went back 3 days later with a proper lease contract, signed and with the proper stamp apposed. My documents were checked and approved. I was informed that I would get a phone call later on.

 

Within a couple of days, I got a call from an officer who came to visit the place I am renting, my landlord, a retired police officer happened to be there too, the immigration guys took a couple of picture, we exchanged some plaisanteries and they were gone.

 

3 weeks after my previous visit at the immigration office, at the date I was given, I went back, they already knew my face, had my documents ready and after some stamping in my passport I now have a 90 days non-o permit to stay. I will have to extend it in early April.

 

One mistake I made, beside the lease contract, was to not request the re-entry visa when they stamped my passport, but I don't plan to leave the country during the next 3 months.

 

One thing that certainly made the process more pleasant for the officers and for me, is that I can speak enough Thai to go through the process by myself, not having to rely on the approximate translation by a spouse.

 

I had a lot of apprehension about that visa process, I never did anything myself while I was working, giving my passport to the person in charge and getting it back 4 weeks later, I never had any contact with immigration. I had heard some very bad stories, but in my case it was a very smooth process. The immigration office of Kamphaeng Phet may have some exceptionally friendly officers, I cannot compare, but for me, the process was really painless.

[DrJack54]

Thanks for report.

So once the 800k has been in bank for 2 months you will be ready to obtain the 12 month extension.

Obviously you are aware of the financial requirements in the future eg 800k for 3 months after Extension etc. 

[Tod Daniels]

Good update, sounds like a typical "get off one extension by bouncing and apply for a new Non-O in country" scenario
 
1 - Exited to get off the Non-F extension you'd been on
2 - Entered 60 day visa exempt
3 - Went and applied at your immigration office for the in country Non-O for 2000baht
**Waited the under consideration period
4 - Went back and got the Non-O visa and a new 90 day stamp inked in
 

As DrJack54 said once you have 30 days or less left on that 90 day stamp & your 800K baht has been seasoned in the thai bank account in your name only for 2 months you can get all new documentation (bank letter, updated bank book, map, copies, TM30, lease, etc) and apply for the year extension for 1900baht

Once they stamp that year extension of stay into your passport you can buy a multiple re-entry permit for 3800baht that will let you exit/re-enter the whole year and get stamped in until the extension you just got expires each time 🙂