I have a tourist visa at the moment. I got this as it was free at Vientiane, I normally get a non Imm o due to being wed to Thai.

I have been offered a job but cannot work on a tourist visa. Is it possible to swap my tourist to a non O at immigration, or is it a trip to Laos.

Many Thanks for any info.

To change from a Tourist Visa to a Non Immigrant O, you will need at least 21 days left on your Tourist visa.

Alternatively go to a Consulate like KL and get a Non Immigrant O multi entry.

You could change at immigration, but they will probably send you to Bangkok to do that. Also you will have to go back after 1 week to get the change approved.

If you don't life near Bangkok, it might be beter to go abroad.

Believe a change of status is only done as part of a one year extension of stay; which it would seem you may not qualify for if doing visa entries.

I would get the non immigrant O visa; then obtain the work permit; then, if income meets the 40k for spouse, extend you stay on that basis.

My friend also has a tourist visa, and he wants to apply for the 1 year extension based on retirement. What is the procedure? Does he first change the tourist to non-immigrant O and then apply for the extension, or does he start the 1 year extension application with the tourist visa?

He has to visit Immigration with more than 21 days on his permitted to stay with proof of 800k in bank or letter of 65k income from Embassy or a combination to meet 800k per year. He fills out a form and pays 2,000 baht. This gets he a 90 day non immigrant entry - he later extends that entry for one year using the normal TM.7 paperwork and 1,900 baht.

Thanks Lopburi, but to make sure I understand you correctly, this means he needs an Embassy letter for the change to Non O and then another letter for the extension 3 months later?

It could - others have had to do that - but they might allow copy. Nothing seems to be set in stone on Embassy letters. But unless they say otherwise and return the original it will be another letter.