Changing Type B To A Type R

[DJPogo98]

Hello everyone,

I am American, 58 years old. I have been in Thailand for several years now, on a Type B visa. I teach at University. Anyway, I desire to become a monk in Thailand (don't ask...) and understand I need a Type R Visa.

After numerous conversations with immigration in CM and Bangkok, I believe I have a workable schedule for turning in my work permit, canceling my Type B and running to Lao for a new VISA. I'll know for sure when I actually do this on Tuesday. (I'll post the results here).

My question really is: Does anyone know if Lao can process a Type R? One immigration officer said to check on the internet, but I can't find that information anywhere, including the Lao Embassy site.

If anyone knows the process or whether Lao can process Type R, I'd sure appreciate it if you could pass that info along.

Thanks in advance,

Chris

[lopburi3]

http://www.thaivisa.com/283.0.html

Have not seen any reports but suspect Vientiane can handle.

[DJPogo98]

Just a quick update, I realize most folks aren't going to be monks here. But the info might be useful.

As usual, every place I call has a different story. Since I am having my Thai girlfriend make the inquiries, it gets further confused.

An officer in CM said to 1) turn in my work permit, 2) cancel my VISA in CM 3) I would be given 7 days to leave Thailand and get a new VISA.

Officer in Maesai said to cancel in Maesai since my VISA was issued there. This is what I will do.

(IMPORTANT NOTE!!!) If you do not CANCEL your VISA on the SAME DAY that you turn in your work permit, you will incur 500 B fine each day for overstay. Last time I moved, I did not cancel my VISA and paid overstay for 4 days.

CM said I would go to Lao, get a non-imm (no Type!!!) for 90 days which would be converted to Type R at CM later. I found this hard to believe so finally was able to reach the Lao embassy who said they could issue a type R but needed all the various letters usual in any Type VISA. They said no generic Type B.

I guess two trips to Lao are in order - one for a tourist 90 day and another for a Type R though I will try to convert the tourist to a Type R in Bangkok instead...

The phone numbers for the Thai Embassy in Lao are:

Country code: 001 856 21 then 214581-3 The English language button was not working so fluent Thai is required.

The phone direct to the non-imm dept at the embassy is: 007 856 21415 335 to 337

Hope any of this nonsense helps somebody sometime...

Chris

[lopburi3]

You have been on an extension of stay for work so that is what needs to be canceled and you then must pay for 7 day extension if you wish it. If you were on a 90 day visa entry this would not be required and the visa entry would remain valid.

[DJPogo98]

You have been on an extension of stay for work so that is what needs to be canceled and you then must pay for 7 day extension if you wish it. If you were on a 90 day visa entry this would not be required and the visa entry would remain valid.

Right. The 90 day visa entry - you mean a tourist visa right? Do you know if I can get a non imm 90 day visa without the usual assortment of letters?

For the Type R, I have to be living at the Wat already. Then two letters, one from Bangkok and one from the Abbot. That part is pretty clear. But they won't give me the letters until I have been there awhile. The difficulty is staying there awhile. Tradition says I stay for 1 year wearing white (anagarika) and one year as a novice (samanera) before ordaining as a monk and registering with the Gov and receiving a monk number and all that.

But Several people now have mentioned getting a non imm 90 day rather than a tourist visa. Is this possible without the letters?

I certainly appreciate your advice.

Thank you.

Chris

[monty]

Right. The 90 day visa entry - you mean a tourist visa right?

No, he meant a 90 day non immigrant B entry. If you are working with a WP on that type of entry, this stay would not get canceled by canceling your work permit.

Only if you arrive on the 90 day non immigrant, and then subsequently extend this stay for a year based on your employment (work permit), then this extension will be canceled along with with ending your employment.

A tourist visa does not give you 90 days, it will give you 60 days. This however you can extend for a further 30 days at a cost of 1900 BAht, bringing the total stay up to 90 days.

I am not sure you will get a non immigrant visa without any paperwork in a neighboring country. However, maybe an informal invitation letter from the abbot might be enough for this.

To change a tourist visa into non immigrant status, immigration normally requires that you qualify for a 1 year extension based on that new status (along with having at least 21 days of stay remaining on your tourist visa).

So only if being a monk entitles you to a 1 year extension will they be able to convert.

This is the normal procedure if converting based on employment, marriage or retirement, there might be a slim chance it's different for religious purposes although I doubt it. As far as I can remember none of our members have done this before.

[DJPogo98]

A tourist visa does not give you 90 days, it will give you 60 days. This however you can extend for a further 30 days at a cost of 1900 BAht, bringing the total stay up to 90 days.

I am not sure you will get a non immigrant visa without any paperwork in a neighboring country. However, maybe an informal invitation letter from the abbot might be enough for this.

To change a tourist visa into non immigrant status, immigration normally requires that you qualify for a 1 year extension based on that new status (along with having at least 21 days of stay remaining on your tourist visa).

So only if being a monk entitles you to a 1 year extension will they be able to convert.

This is the normal procedure if converting based on employment, marriage or retirement, there might be a slim chance it's different for religious purposes although I doubt it. As far as I can remember none of our members have done this before.

Got cha, been several years since I got a Tourist VISA, and last time, I got a 30 day, free 30 day extension at CM and 1900 baht 30 day at CM. Total 90 days. Just got back from Laos, they gave everyone I talked to 60 days even if they wrote 30 days on the application. Also, they had big notices posted saying they were cracking down on back to back VISAs. I guess they are serious.

As far me, I go into the wat tomorrow (Friday) but will try to post the results of my application for a type R before my 90 days are up. I am going to try to change it at CM or Bangkok.

[lopburi3]

5. PERIOD OF STAY

Upon arrival, travellers with this type of visa will be permitted to stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 30 days or 60 days.

Nationals of countries which are on Thailand’s Tourist Visa Exemption list or have bilateral agreements on visa exemption with Thailand will be permitted to stay for a period of not exceeding 60 days. Nationals from other countries who hold a tourist visa will be permitted to stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 30 days.

6. EXTENSION OF STAY

Those who wish to stay longer or may wish to change their type of visa must file an application for permission at the Office of Immigration Bureau located on Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120 , Tel 02 287-3101-10 (or at http://www.immigration.go.th ). The extension of stay as well as the change of certain type of visa is solely at the discretion of the Immigration officer..

http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2489