I would like to hear the opinion from the immigration experts about:

This is not for me but a relation:

Been on Non O based on retirement with annual extension, the foreigner got a job offer, had to travel abroad to apply for visa Non B.

After few weeks re-entering Thailand, been notified by the company that her contract has been terminated due to economical situation.

His work permit application was canceled and so no visa extension.

As he want to stay in Thailand as retired, he want to swich to Non-O. He still have all the requirements, 50+ and the 800k is still in bank account.

Does he need to go apply for a Non O outside Thailand, then extension… or can the Non B can be replace by a Non O in Thailand at the immigration office and proceed annual extension?

Thanks for the advises.

11 minutes ago, jphasia said:

His work permit application was canceled and so no visa extension.

This is important as that must be done to change to extension based on retirement.

Some folk will post from personal experience.

Thinking a visit to immigration to seek their advice best idea.

Which immigration office

Based on the timeline you provided, the person is still on the 90-day non-B visa entry. That means they basically have no options. The first extension from a visa must be based on the same reason as that visa was issued, which means they can only get a work extension right now. Since they're already on non-immigrant status, they cannot "convert" to a different visa and would need to leave Thailand. They have 2 options, which is to leave and and apply for a new non-O visa while outside of Thailand, or leave and return visa exempt and then apply to convert to a non-O based on retirement from their immigration office. Both options have pros and cons.

Obviously the first thing they would need to know is if their immigration office even allows converting from tourist to non-O visa. If not, then the embassy is the only option.

As far as embassy vs immigration, just depends on how crazy or far their immigration office is. A conversion from tourist requires at least 2 trips to immigration; First trip to apply for conversion, receive under consideration stamp, then 2nd trip to receive the non-O visa in their passport. Then another extension ~2-3 months later.

For the embassy, they can apply online, though the fastest nearby will be in Laos, where they would need to pay in person. But can expect the non-O within 1-3 days after paying. Then they only need to go to immigration one time for the extension after ~2-3 months.

7 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

The first extension from a visa must be based on the same reason as that visa was issued

Ah yes... Forgot about that one.

OP, Brandon has outlined your friends options. Not pleasant.

Thanks to all fast feedback.

The immigration office is Phuket. Yes, as advise, the person went to the immigration office yesterday to ask. 2 options was proposed: 1/ go out of the country before expiration of the non B visa, apply for Non O Thai embassy or re-enter on visa exemption. 2/ convert Non B to 1 year Non-O at the immigration office. The person choose the option 2 to avoid a trip and more cost effective.

14 minutes ago, jphasia said:

The person choose the option 2 to avoid a trip and more cost effective.

PleasePlease update after he has Non O

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

PleasePlease update after he has Non O

He went back this morning to the immigration, submit the required documents (bank statements, letter of the bank, photo of house..). Immigration said to come back tomorrow to collect the passport. I will let you know tomorrow.

Actually, i am also interested as I am working in Thailand too, work permit under BOI but I always wondering when I will stop work, what will be the process to switch to Non O based on retirement. For me, this is not for now, I am expected to work another few years and processes might have been changed at that time already

3 hours ago, jphasia said:

He went back this morning to the immigration, submit the required documents (bank statements, letter of the bank, photo of house..). Immigration said to come back tomorrow to collect the passport. I will let you know tomorrow.

Actually, i am also interested as I am working in Thailand too, work permit under BOI but I always wondering when I will stop work, what will be the process to switch to Non O based on retirement. For me, this is not for now, I am expected to work another few years and processes might have been changed at that time already

You would not switch to non-O, because non-O is a visa. You (unlike your friend) are on a work extension (not a visa). When you stop working, you cancel your work permit and work extension, and then simply apply for a new extension based on retirement. There's no changing to non-O, as there's no visa involved at all. It's just a change of extension type.

My wife and I were able to do it over COVID period..I would hire an agent/lawyer to arrange it.

On your own it's probably unlikely.