Change 60 Day Tourist Visa To Non O On Marriage Or Retirement

[Tafia]

A Friend on an Irish passport is here on a 60 Day Tourist Visa. Is over 50, married to a Thai national and wishes to stay in the country.

Under the new rules is it possible to convert his 60 day Visa for a Non O and what is he required to do and provide?

He can satisfy both marriage or retirement requirements.

Any help please

Edited January 26, 2009 by Tafia

[ubonjoe]

A Friend on an Irish passport is here on a 60 Day Tourist Visa. Is over 50, married to a Thai national and wishes to stay in the country.

Under the new rules is it possible to convert his 60 day Visa for a Non O and what is he required to do and provide?

He can satisfy both marriage or retirement requirements.

Any help please

Yes it can be done but he needs at least 21 days left on his permit to stay.

Form TM86 is the form he will need for either one and 2000 baht is the fee for a change of visa status.

800K for retirement 400K baht for marriage in bank for 60 days. For change it does not have to be there for 60 days and they will give him 90 day permit to stay and then he goes back for extension. For both a letter from bank certifiing the deposit. Plus copies of bank book.

Or 65K for retirement or 40K baht income for marriage.

Both copies of passport photo page, visa and entry/permit to stay stamps and TM6 (departure card) and 1 photo.

For marriage copy of marriage certificate (both sides) wifes ID card and house book. Photos of him and the wife around the house together and a map to the house. Also his wife must go along.

Some immigrations offices will do the change and extension at the same time if finacial requiremtne are met at time pf application. Extension requires TM7 form and 1 photo 1900 baht.

If extension is not done at same time all documents will be required again when is extension is applied for.

Also for the marriage extension there will be a 30 day wait while they cinsider the application before extension is stamped in passport. Plus during the wait there might be a visit from immigration to confirm that they are living together.

[Tafia]

Thanx Joe I'll pass that on

[RoueLeJour]

ubonjoe, I just followed your advice and it worked out fine, so thanks for that.

My local Immigration, Pattaya, doesn't do conversions, so I had to go to Bangkok. Here is a list of exactly what they asked for:

1. More than 21 days remaining on tourist visa

2. Form TM86 + Passport photo + 2000 Baht

3. Show passport and provide copy of details page, Tourist Visa & TM6

4. Show bank book and provide copy

5. Confirmation letter from bank

6. Show Marriage Certificate and provide copy both sides

7. Provide document C2? & copy of Affirmation

8. Show wife ID & House book and provide copy of each

9. Provide photos of wedding

10. Wife

Notes:

All forms are downloadable as Word docs from Bangkok Immigration Bureau website and can be filled in before they are printed for a neat job.

At Bangkok, go directly to room 303 on the third floor.

1. Bangkok display a notice insisting on the 21 days. I guess they mean it.

5. This is a standard letter, my bank did it in 5 mins and charged 200 Baht.

7. I'm not sure of the name, I think the officer said C2, but it's the document the District Office supplied to pass on to immigration when we registered the marriage. Also, the District Office told me to retain a copy of the Affirmation as Immigration would need it. Very kind of them as it would have been a real pain if they had forgotten to mention it.

8. We didn't have my wife's house book as her father had just died and the family had it to register the death. The officer told my wife no problem, just go to the nearest District Office, a couple of blocks away, and get a letter from them.

I was told to return in 17 days to pick up the Visa.

I prepared the TM7 in anticipation of being able to do the conversion and the extension at the same time but was told it was not possible.

We did get questioned, but not aggressively. Why did you come to Thailand? How long have you been here? Where did you meet? What Thai food do you like? Routine questions anticipating routine answers, was my impression.

I found the officer to be polite and helpful. I was anticipating a problem over the house book but it was easily sorted.

[Maestro]

...My local Immigration, Pattaya, doesn't do conversions, so I had to go to Bangkok...

It’s good to see that the Bangkok office gave you the services that the Pattaya office refused to give. Theoretically, with the new, strict enforcement of having to use the immigration office in one’s service area, every office should give all services.

--

Maestro

[ubonjoe]

Maybe they will do a change of visa status because he would then do his extension in Pattaya after they issue the visa.

It did suprise me but maybe that is what Bangkok is doing now.

[RoueLeJour]

...My local Immigration, Pattaya, doesn't do conversions, so I had to go to Bangkok...

It's good to see that the Bangkok office gave you the services that the Pattaya office refused to give. Theoretically, with the new, strict enforcement of having to use the immigration office in one's service area, every office should give all services.

--

Maestro

Yeah, I remember reading about that. But Pattaya said go to Bangkok, and Bangkok didn't ask why I was there.

Being a bit of a conspiracy theorist, I wondered if maybe Pattaya wasn't allowed to do them, maybe for being a bit slack in the past? One hears stories.

No complaints about Bangkok, though. I didn't have any wedding photos, didn't think I'd need them (I only have a video). The officer accepted the photos of me and the wife around the house that I'd done for the TM7 instead!

ubonjoe, Yes, I certainly hope to be doing the extension in Pattaya. The mrs gets very fractious on long bus rides.

[RoueLeJour]

Update: That doc in point 7? it's kor-kwai ror-rua 2. Close, but no banana.

[pTh]

ubonjoe, I just followed your advice and it worked out fine, so thanks for that.

My local Immigration, Pattaya, doesn't do conversions, so I had to go to Bangkok. Here is a list of exactly what they asked for:

1. More than 21 days remaining on tourist visa

2. Form TM86 + Passport photo + 2000 Baht

3. Show passport and provide copy of details page, Tourist Visa & TM6

4. Show bank book and provide copy

5. Confirmation letter from bank

6. Show

...

I found the officer to be polite and helpful. I was anticipating a problem over the house book but it was easily sorted.

- - - - -

Update (?) - change Tourist to Retirement (Non-Imm. O-A) in Pattaya (Jomtien)

(Oops - after I typed all this, I reread the OP - a Non-Imm O (-M for marriage?) Maybe that's why they had to goto BKK/wait for visa?)

When I read this, I was curious, so I went (6/29/09) to Pattaya (Jomtien/S. 5) Immigration & asked if they could change my 60 day Tourist (double entry/on second extension) to a Retirement (Non-Imm O-A) - they said "No problem" BUT they gave me form TM. 87 (eighty-SEVEN) to fill out. Which MIGHT be why I was able to convert Tourist to Retirement, in one day (7/2; pick up my passport the next day, 7/3). I had to do a TM. 87 & a TM. 7 (for one year extension) plus all the usual - passport & visa copies, bank letter/book copy, embassy letter, plus ThB 2,000 to change plus ThB 1,900 to extend for one year.

Or maybe I was lucky? ALWAYS helpful when dealing w/ natives and bureaucraps. Anyway, it all went smoothly (except for one passport copy I missed - left all my paper on Desk 10 while I ran out next door & made the missing copy). They were helpful, if a bit brusque (understandable when dealing w/ complicated paper & many clueless clowns - everywhere I have gone in the world (not all that many places, really), it is the same - it is hard for many technocrats (paper fetishists?) to remember that what they deal with all the time/every day (& maybe in their nightmares?) is all very strange & wondrous to those of us who only deal w/ it every (month? 6 mo.s? year?), so they can be impatient).

Anyway, it all worked out fairly easily (because I read ThaiVisa & others, ask questions of friends & officials, try to stay calm, positive & respectful - I did wear long pants, sox w/ my sandals & a shirt w/ a collar - all concessions to grease the wheels), considering I am an unregenerate hippy - long hair, beard, critical of authority, etc. They also gave me a fairly complete rundown on address reporting & visa extension, etc. NO questions except about my address - I rent an apt. & had a copy of the contract/rent receipts/copies of envelopes addressed to me - "No problem!"

Also, here is a link to the P/J Imm. office -

http://pattaya.immigration.go.th/ (gov. site, NOT the .org "for sale" I often see in other places)

Chok dee kop. & Remember, TIA - This is ASIA - over-populated & under-liberated but very educational!

Edited July 3, 2009 by pTh

[Maestro]

That was the standard operating procedure. Some immigration offices do both the change to non-immigrant visa and the annual extension during the same visit, as yours did judging from your account, others do only the change of visa first and have you come back two months later for the extension.

Happy retirement in Thailand!

--

Maestro

[lopburi3]

I suspect you did not have a tourist visa but only a visa exempt entry (30 days) so used the TM.87 form to obtain a non immigrant visa. If you have a Consulate issued tourist visa you use a TM.86 form to convert it to non immigrant.

[pTh]

I suspect you did not have a tourist visa but only a visa exempt entry (30 days) so used the TM.87 form to obtain a non immigrant visa. If you have a Consulate issued tourist visa you use a TM.86 form to convert it to non immigrant.

No, very definitely a Tourist visa - 60 day/double entry, from Vientiane (actually third such while I got Retirement organized), & on the second entry/extension thereof!

Cheers!

[lopburi3]

In that case they may be using the TM.87 for all now. It is essentially the same form but the original TM.86 was titled for change of visa and could not be used with a visa exempt entry. So when they started to allow visa exempt they changed to the TM.87 which just says application for visa (if applicant did not have a visa entry). Perhaps they will retire the TM.86. Or it may just be Jomtien.

[Somnambulist]

My Thai wife and I went to the Chiang Mai Immigration office yesterday with all necessary documents (we were well-prepared thanks to this thread) to convert my two-month tourist visa to a Non-O for marriage but were told we have to go all the way to Bangkok, that the CM office will only do conversions to retirement visas!

My wife was impressed by their efficiency because now there is a man in uniform at an initial info desk who seems to know everything whereas in the past you had to wait hours just to be told they can't help you. So she was back outside by the time I'd finished parking the car. So that's something, eh?

We phoned today just to make sure and got the same answer and their advice is to get a three-month Non-O outside Thailand and then get the year-long extension in Chiang Mai.

I called a friend who did the conversion in BKK - said it's a hassle because of the two-week wait. So, it's back to Vientiane again.

Edited February 16, 2010 by Somnambulist

[Mario2008]

Many immigration offices now will tell you to apply in Bangkok if you want to convert to a non-immigrant visa, including Chiang Mai. Only a few seem to be willing to do the conversion themselves.

[JimGant]

convert my two-month tourist visa to a Non-O for marriage but were told we have to go all the way to Bangkok, that the CM office will only do conversions to retirement visas!

Sounds like that's the policy overall......conversions with the intent of getting an extension based on marriage have to be done in Bangkok.

Post #4 showed this for Jomtien....where the poster had to go to Bangkok to get his conversion -- since a marriage extension was his goal.....

....while post #9, also for Jomtien, had the conversion done at Jomtien -- since the poster's goal was a retirement extension....

...which he got 'same day' as the conversion. I've seen same-day conversions/extensions at Jomtien from other posters.

Anybody recall seeing 'same day' at Chiang Mai?

[cihan]

can we change the tourist visa in sakon nakhon immigration or i have to go to bkk? they want to see the bank book with 400k and letter or they only want for extention not for change visa?

[lopburi3]

You must meet the retirement extension conditions to do this so yes they will want to see proof of the fund. You will have to ask if they can do as some places do and some don't. If not you will have to obtain the visa entry in Bangkok and later the extension of stay at local immigration office.

[NancyL]

convert my two-month tourist visa to a Non-O for marriage but were told we have to go all the way to Bangkok, that the CM office will only do conversions to retirement visas!

Sounds like that's the policy overall......conversions with the intent of getting an extension based on marriage have to be done in Bangkok.

Post #4 showed this for Jomtien....where the poster had to go to Bangkok to get his conversion -- since a marriage extension was his goal.....

....while post #9, also for Jomtien, had the conversion done at Jomtien -- since the poster's goal was a retirement extension....

...which he got 'same day' as the conversion. I've seen same-day conversions/extensions at Jomtien from other posters.

Anybody recall seeing 'same day' at Chiang Mai?

I had recent experience trying to help an American friend go straight from an airport-issued 30 day permission to stay straight into an O visa with 12 month permission to stay based on retirement. No can do, according to the CM Immigration office. The best we could do was to get an O visa and kind words about how he has to come back after 60 days with a new income letter from the American consulate to do a 12 month retirement extension. Meanwhile, his small FedEx shipment of clothing, photos and documents was held up in customs near Bangkok while FedEx said they will deliver the two boxes once he paid over 42,000 baht in duty. This, plus a few other setbacks, has caused him to reconsider retirement in Thailand. I think he's going back to the U.S. as soon as he knows his FedEx shipment has been returned to the U.S. and the funds he transferred into a BKK account have cleared so he can clean out the account.

He is amazed at how different it is to live in Thailand as a retiree vs. as a tourist for a few weeks.

[lopburi3]

Actually it is not very difficult at all - perhaps he should check how a foreigner would do this in the USA? A simple proof of age and funds is all that is required here to start - ongoing is a 90 day address report. As to customs that is another ball game and a minefield for anyone - as he entered without even a visa not sure why he expected duty free import.

[NancyL]

Yes, he did try to get an O-A visa in the U.S. and couldn't get any exact step-by-step instructions over the phone from the Embassy in D.C. He doesn't use the internet much; mainly just to check email. So he read somewhere on the internet about how easy it is just to come over here on a "tourist visa" and then get the retirement visa once he got here -- no medical exam or criminal check needed once here, only proof of income which is not a problem for him.

As to his shipment -- well it was small (two boxes, total of about 70 kilos) and it was the sort of stuff you'd put into personal luggage. He worked with an agent at his local FedEx office who came to his residence and helped him to box up the stuff. That agent quoted an "exact price" for door-to-door delivery and didn't mention anything about duty. I did point out the little place on the FedEx form that mentioned duty and customs charges would be "for the receivers account". Somehow that little trick was glossed over by the FedEx agent in Florida.

The man had lived overseas before, but his employer had always arranged for visas and household good shipment. Plus I suspect his wife took care of these little details without him being aware of just how much she did. She passed away a few months ago. They had been planning to retire to Thailand before she passed suddenly and he still decided to go ahead with the move.

Yes, I agree, things could have been better planned before he left the U.S. I met him after he got here and was already having problems.

Edited May 14, 2011 by NancyL

[lopburi3]

Plus I suspect his wife took care of these little details

That is likely the case and he had an entirely manufactured version of what living overseas was really like having everything taken care of in his work years. Most third party advise is to obtain a non immigrant O visa prior to entry and then extend stay. Arrival on a visa exempt would normally not even allow him to board aircraft without buying an onward ticket. Expect FedEx just gave him the normal cost information as they can not say what the customs will be and likely he never asked as never had to think about it before. Obviously life in Thailand (or anywhere) is not for everyone and expect it may have been his wife that really wanted the retirement here if all these negative feelings are so pronounced this quickly. Most of us have at least a short period with rose glasses.

He blames Embassy because he could not understand there phone instructions - did he even get the forms?.

He blames "X" man for saying how easy is was to do without proper visa entry because he has to meet normal criteria.

He blames FedEx for not telling him about customs.

He "plus a few other setbacks" has other "not what he expected" experiences.

"He is amazed at how different it is".

[NancyL]

Actually this guy isn't blaming anyone. I think he realizes this just isn't the right thing for him, at this late stage in his life. I learned these details in conversations with him; he's not going around like some bitter old man talking to everyone he meets about his disappointments. He's kept a fairly positive attitude and hasn't decried the amount of money he's spent on this little late-in-life experiment. I'm just sorry it hasn't worked out better for him because life here can be quite nice once you get settled, especially if you have some financial resources to work with.

This forum has been most helpful with quick responses from caring people. Thank you for helping me in my first attempt to help someone thru the retirement visa process.

Edited May 14, 2011 by NancyL

[cihan]

You must meet the retirement extension conditions to do this so yes they will want to see proof of the fund. You will have to ask if they can do as some places do and some don't. If not you will have to obtain the visa entry in Bangkok and later the extension of stay at local immigration office.

Thank you for your answer. i will try to change my visa to non o on marriage next month in sakon nakhon immigration. i will post the result here. maybe they start changing in the local immigrations

[BangkokPersonalShopper]

Hi,

Can you tell me if they convert 2 months tourist visa to Non immigrant O based on marriage at Pattaya immigration ?

What are the other solutions to stay more when the tourist visa ends ?

Thank you for your info.

Edited February 22, 2012 by BangkokPersonalShopper

[Mario2008]

I believe they do.

At worst they will send you to BKK to do it there.

[lopburi3]

You can never convert to non immigrant visa except for one year extension of stay process. If you do not qualify for that you can receive a 60 day extension of stay to visit wife (both will have to appear with marriage proof/id documents).

[johng]

Hi,

Can you tell me if they convert 2 months tourist visa to Non immigrant O based on marriage at Pattaya immigration ?

What are the other solutions to stay more when the tourist visa ends ?

Thank you for your info.

I went today and was told they would not do it at Jomtien ( convert tourist visa to NON O based on marriage )

and we would have to go to Bangkok...reading other posts suggest Bangkok will want 21 days remaining on the visa

[Mario2008]

Seems most if not all immirgaiton offices will now send one to BKK for a change of visa based on marriage.

Regarding the 21 days, that seems no longer required. 15 days and even less seems now to be accepted, but it never hurts to do it as early as possible.

[johng]

Thanks Mario2008 ... they ask for 15 days, I only have 5 days left

So I think I'll use the second entry on my tourist visa to get another 60 days ( border run ) then convert in Bangkok and hopefully be able to extend for a year at Jomtien....

from bangkok.immigration.go.th website

DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED IN SUPPORT OF THE APPLICATION FOR VISA OR VISA STATUS ALTERATION (NON-O): FOR A FAMILY MEMBER OF A THAI (APPLICABLE ONLY PARENTS, SPOUSE OR CHILD.

1. 
   The application must be submit at least 15 days before visa expiration and, in case of overstaying in Thailand, application could not be submitted.
2. Application for Visa Status Alteration. (TM.86 for Tourist and Transit Visa) or
   Application for visa. (TM.87 for Without Visa 15 days, 30 days, 90 days)
   
3. Copy of passport (Ex. Page of Photo, entries stamp, visa sticker and extension stamp (if any), TM6 card)
   
4. 4 X 6 cm. Photograph.
   
5. Application fee of 2,000 baht.
   
6. I.D. card and house registration papers of the Thai national; and for the foreigner residing in Thailand : residence certificate, alien registration certificate, passport, work permit, and house registration.
   
7. Document proving that the applicant is the father or mother or child, a marriage certificate (Kor Ror.2 and 3 )or birth certificate, in case of, marriage registration at foreign country, submitting certifying copy of marriage certificate and family status registration paper (Kor Ror.22) . Or
   Letter from a government office, embassy or consulate, Certifying that the applicant belongs to the referred family. (Certifying by Ministry of Foreign Affairs.)
   
8. A letter form The Embassy or Consulate certify in that the applicant is single.
   
9. Showing the document verifying monthly income not less than 40,000 baths or guarantor-letter from a bank in Thailand showing that the applicant has an account of not less than 400,000 baths (of Foreigner husband)
   
10. Letter of Income certificate or working certificate (of Thai husband)
    
11. Wedding reception or family picture.
    

Remarks

1. The applicant must sign to certify every page of application.
   
2. The visa Applicant must arrange the documents in proper order and must prepare the originals as proof.
   
3. Call 0 2141 9902-3 for more details.