Change Of Entry Status At Thai Immigration

[digitalchromakey]

I know that under certain circumstances Thai immigration can change the entry status to a non-immigrant entry (change of entry) for 2,000 THB.

For example an applicant who is otherwise eligible for an Extension of Permission to Stay based in the Case of Retirement (Police Order 777/2552 Case 2.22) and who is on a tourist visa entry can do this.

A friend of mine is currently on an extension based on Case 2.20 being a Family Member of someone who has been permitted to stay based on Business in the Kingdom of Thailand (Case 2.1).

Now my friend wants to move to an extension based on 2.11 as a Family Member of an alien who has been permitted to stay temporarily in Thailand for study in an educational institution as set out in clauses 2.8 or 2.9. Their child is now already on a one year 2.9 extension.

Phuket Immigration are currently saying that the original non-immigrant O visa entry status (held when the 2.20 extension was obtained) was invalidated by this 2.20 extension and that my friend must leave now first leave Thailand to obtain a new non immigrant visa and then re-enter.

Is there any way to restore the non-immigrant entry status without leaving Thailand and obtaining a new visa?

[Lite Beer]

I would have thought that he could apply for a new extension at Immigration without having to get a new Non Imm Visa.

But as Immigration have said no he does not seem to have any choice.

[PoorSucker]

Seems Phuket immigrations is a little picky on what visas they give extensions on.

The rules simply states a "The alien has obtained a temporary visa (NON-IM)"

[digitalchromakey]

Must admit I was really puzzled by this one, so in seeking further clarification, I spoke to the Thai Assistant who had accompanied my friend to immigration.

Turns out that the key issue is actually that the existing 2.20 extension is 'locked' to the partner's 2.1 extension, which does not expire until this October.

Phuket Immigration will only consider issuing a 2.11 extension if the existing 2.1 extension of the partner is first canceled (and thus, consequently, the 2.20 extension of my friend).

This is the key aspect of the problem, since my friend's partner (with the 2.1 extension) is now outside of Thailand, perhaps for at least the next 6 months or so and currently does not plan to reapply for a new 2.1 extension in October.

Thus, as I see it, the only way my friend can cancel the 2.20 extension is to leave Thailand without a re-entry permit, which in turn would also terminate the Non-Immigrant O Visa that is currently the subject of extension.

Once my friend has left Thailand, then there is a need to either obtain a new non-immigrant visa based on having a child in full time education (not sure how easy this would be in KL/Penang), or to come back to Thailand on a Visa Exempt Entry or Tourist Visa and then follow the 2,000 THB status change procedure at immigration.

Any other suggestions?