Change Of Visa Status... Possible In Thailand?

[pxlgirl]

This is just out of curiosity. While I was downlading the TM7, I've stumbled upon another form called "Application for Change of Visa (TM.86)" What is that about? Could a tourist for example change to non-b, non-o.. or whatever those visa types are called without actually leaving the country? Can someone enlighten me please?

[Jingthing]

In some offices yes you can do a change of visa status (from 30 day stamp or tourist) to an O visa as the first step of the retirement extension process (assuming you can show qualification for the extension). That I know for sure. To use as the start of the process for marriage extensions, etc., I don't know.

Answer from a alpha guru coming soon ...

[NHJ]

to change a type of pemission of stay, you need at least 21 days of validity on the remaining permission of stay however to get an extension of stay based on bisuness, this requires a work permit that you cant obtain without a non-immigrant visa first(B preferably)

[beano2274]

to change a type of pemission of stay, you need at least 21 days of validity on the remaining permission of stay however to get an extension of stay based on bisuness, this requires a work permit that you cant obtain without a non-immigrant visa first(B preferably)

am quite sure that the 21 days rule changed, can be less, but maybe that is some offices.

[lopburi3]

TM.86. and TM.87 are used for change/obtaining the required non immigrant visa entry in the extension of stay process and can not be used except in that process. Normal amount of time remaining on permitted to stay seems to be about 11 days now (a border entry would not longer allow change with the old 21 day requirement). And not all offices can do this conversion (but Bangkok can be used in that case).

So yes, if you get married to a Thai and meet the conditions for one year extension of stay (time of money in account is not required) it can be used to obtain a 90 day non immigrant entry that can then be extended during the last 30 days for the normal one year extension of stay.

[pxlgirl]

So one could get a 90 days non immigrant entry for any type of visa, if meeting the requirements for a 1 year extension later on?

[Mario2008]

Almost any type. For an ED-visa one often will be adised to apply for the visa abroad, while for conversion to a non-immigrant based on marriage to a Thai immigration will in most cases send you to Bangkok.

For the conversion you ust meet the requirements for the visa type, only money doesn't have to be seasoned. That comes when applying for the 1 year extension.

[MikeJohnson]

So yes, if you get married to a Thai and meet the conditions for one year extension of stay (time of money in account is not required) it can be used to obtain a 90 day non immigrant entry that can then be extended during the last 30 days for the normal one year extension of stay.

As this looks like it fits what I am looking for: Just need some clarification here to make sure I am planning to do the right thing:

The situation: I have been staying in Bangkok (more precisely Nonthaburi) on 60 day visas (going in and out) for over a year by now. I just now got married to my Thai wife. I will put 400,000 into my account next week. My current visa runs out end of August. Then I go to Bali and Jakarta.

My plan: When I come back - middle of September - I plan to simply get the Visa-on-Arrival stamp, valid for 30 days. Then within a few days of arrival, I will ask for that On-Arriival tourist visa to be changed to a Non-O-Visa. And this Non-O can then, after 90 days, be extended to a one year visa. At that time, the money will have been in the bank for more than 2 months, so no problem there.

My questions: Does this make sense, will this work? Or would it be better to try and get a Non-O in Jakarta, come here with that and extend it to one year, all other points being equal? I have no idea how easy the Jakarta embassy is, plus I only have a few days there, so do you think "My plan" is the right approach, to just come in on a Visa-On-Arrival? The other option would be to again come in on a 60 day visa, which I can easily get in Bali, but the Visa-On-Arrival should work just as well, right?

The other question: lopburi3 said "(time of money in account is not required)". But when I ask for the one year extension I will still need to have 400,000 in the bank and they will need to have been there for 2 months, or is that not the case?

[lopburi3]

You must have the money in account when making the visa/change of status and that is a 90 day entry and you can only extend during the last 30 days so if money stays in account it will be seasoned at time of extension application.

Why not obtain the non immigrant O visa in Bali as should not take any longer than the tourist visa you say you can obtain there? That will save a step on return and be sure to allow boarding of flight.

[MikeJohnson]

You must have the money in account when making the visa/change of status and that is a 90 day entry and you can only extend during the last 30 days so if money stays in account it will be seasoned at time of extension application.

Sorry, but are you saying I need the money in the account by the time I make the visa change from the Visa-On-Arrival to the Non-O visa? Or later, when I extend the Non-O to a one year?

Why not obtain the non immigrant O visa in Bali as should not take any longer than the tourist visa you say you can obtain there?

Bali´s consulate does not do Non-O, too small for that. But from what you say it sounds like it would be better to get the Non-O in Jakarta? Does anyone have any experience on how difficult it is to get it there?

. . . and be sure to allow boarding of flight.

Why should there be a problem boarding, as I can always get a Visa-On-Arrival in Bkk?

[beano2274]

You must have the money in account when making the visa/change of status and that is a 90 day entry and you can only extend during the last 30 days so if money stays in account it will be seasoned at time of extension application.

Sorry, but are you saying I need the money in the account by the time I make the visa change from the Visa-On-Arrival to the Non-O visa? Or later, when I extend the Non-O to a one year?

Why not obtain the non immigrant O visa in Bali as should not take any longer than the tourist visa you say you can obtain there?

Bali´s consulate does not do Non-O, too small for that. But from what you say it sounds like it would be better to get the Non-O in Jakarta? Does anyone have any experience on how difficult it is to get it there?

. . . and be sure to allow boarding of flight.

Why should there be a problem boarding, as I can always get a Visa-On-Arrival in Bkk?

Visa on arrival with an onward ticket only. You must have a visa to board the plane from Bali, or an onward ticket or they can refuse passage.

Remember when going for your change of visa to use the office in Bangyai, near Kasintorn St Peters school.

[lopburi3]

1. Yes you must meet financial conditions for extension of stay (minus seasoning) to obtain conversion to non immigrant visa entry. So you need it from application for change until application for extension of stay if using bank deposit.

2. You can obtain a non immigrant O visa in Bali.

3 photos of you

A copy of your passport

Your spouse's Thai ID card, copy

Your spouse's Thai passport, copy

Your spouse's house registration, copy

The marriage certificate, either Thai or English, copy

And yes, double entries and multiple entries are possible.

3. Airline can prevent boarding flight to Thailand if you do not hold onward ticket within 30 days if without a visa.

[lopburi3]

Remember when going for your change of visa to use the office in Bangyai, near Kasintorn St Peters school.

He should ask there but they may send him to Bangkok (Chiang Watanna) for the conversion process. If he obtains from a Consulate that will not be an issue.

[MikeJohnson]

Great, thank you for all your good advice. And yes, I should get an onward ticket, had not really thought about that properly. And I´ll check with the Bali consulate for a Non-O. I vaguely remember they don´t do it, but I might well be wrong.

[Mario2008]

Great, thank you for all your good advice. And yes, I should get an onward ticket, had not really thought about that properly. And I´ll check with the Bali consulate for a Non-O. I vaguely remember they don´t do it, but I might well be wrong.

Post number 12 confirms multiple non-O's are possible in Bali and states the documents needed.

[MikeJohnson]

Post number 12 confirms multiple non-O's are possible in Bali and states the documents needed.

Just wanted to report how it worked out: I went to the Thai consulate in Bali and got the Non-O-Visa without any problem, plus a multi-entry, for a total of $200.

The consulate is in a residence-like house in the Renon district - where most of the other embassies are - and you write your application in a sort of cozy sitting room. I had been there before to get 2-months-tourist visa and usually I was the only one there. The official is very helpful and friendly. He even has a page on twitter at https://twitter.com/rtcatdps and replied to my email very quickly and gave me all the relevant information, plus suggested I get a multi-entry while I am there.

The visa was ready two days after I applied. So thanks again for all your input. When I was there before I hadn´t noticed that they do the Non-Os as well, so that was very helpful.

[vongbali]

RTCatDPS is the consulate's official Twitter.

Thank you,

[Mario2008]

Thanks for the report, much appreciated. As is the input from the consul.

[Big Al in Udon]

Maybe this topic can get me an answer instead of starting up a new one. Apologies if wrong. I am coming to the end of my current Non 'O' - "ED" visa. I am thinking of going to Vientiane and hope to change it to a tourist visa as my school is no longer issuing letters for the "ED" visa. Anybody know what the maximum tourist visa would be or are there better options available to me?

Thanks all.

[lopburi3]

You seem to have had a non immigrant ED visa (not "O") for reference.

A tourist visa entry will allow 60 day stay for most nationalities and can be extended 30 days with payment of 1,900 baht at local immigration office. You may be able to obtain a two entry tourist visa in Vientiane or Savannakhet which would allow almost a six month stay (remember you have to make both entries during the validity of the visa which will be 90 days from issue).

[Big Al in Udon]

You seem to have had a non immigrant ED visa (not "O") for reference.

A tourist visa entry will allow 60 day stay for most nationalities and can be extended 30 days with payment of 1,900 baht at local immigration office. You may be able to obtain a two entry tourist visa in Vientiane or Savannakhet which would allow almost a six month stay (remember you have to make both entries during the validity of the visa which will be 90 days from issue).

Thank you for the reply but sorry but I'm not 100% clear on the last bit.

[lopburi3]

The visa, even if two entry, will only be valid for 90 days from the date Consulate issues it into your passport in Laos. All entries of a visa must be made while visa is valid for such use. So if you receive a 60 day stay and then extend 30 days that would be 90 days after return to Thailand before you need to exit but that might be a day or two after the visa expires so you will need to keep that in mind so that you can enter before it expires for your second 60 day stay/extension.

[Big Al in Udon]

Thank you. Much appreciated.

[DerekAbroad]

Here's my situation: I have 2 60-day entries tourist visa, the first entry expiring 1 October. I have a legitimate job at a bilingual school in Chiang Mai and the paperwork necessary to get a non-imm B and work permit. Right now I would like to plan the best time to get the new visa and permit.

Here are some factors to work with:

1) This weekend some friends are going to Mae Sai for some border shopping. I was thinking about getting my next entry "activated" then.

2) I have a break between terms in mid-October I can use for travel (if necessary) to get the new visa.

3) I can extend the visa for 30 days and/or get a re-entry permit. The trip to Mae Sai is optional. I wouldn't be heart broken if I didn't go.

I would like to get the new visa ASAP because I want the permit and visa to buy a motorcycle. I'm tired of renting a scooter.

I remember reading in several places on the forum about going to BKK to get a non-imm B visa on a tourist visa if you have X days remaining. A friend in CM asked why I couldn't get it done at immigration here. Does anyone know if it's possible to do this in CM?

I would prefer to stay in CM and convert either this entry, extended or not, or my next entry into a the non-imm B visa. My second choice would be fly to BKK to take care of it. Of course I would still fly to whatever bordering country to obtain my visa if necessary. I would just like to do it in the shortest amount of time possible.

***I do have Thai friends with experience with farang work permit and visa paper work who offered to help me.*** But they don't have the experience like a lot of you fellas have being the farang getting them.

Any help is appreciated!

[ubonjoe]

I think the chances of getting a change of visa status to a B is quite low.

You should get the visa and work permit ASAP since you are now working illegally.

From Chiang Mai the lowest cost visa trip by air would be Nok Air to Udon Thani and then to Vientiane via Nong Kai.

[lopburi3]

You can not legally work on a tourist visa (and it seems you are and plan to continue). Get that non immigrant B visa and work permit. Do not believe change is available to school teachers (you have an easy path to obtain B visa from external Consulate without even a work permit application receipt being required).

[vongbali]

All you need to get a Non-B visa is :

3 Photos

A copy of your passport

A sponsor letter

A Company (School) Registration

A Company Tax receipt from the latest year

And $80

With that visa, your school can process a multiple-entry 1 year visa for you once you enter the Kingdom.

Why cannot?

[lopburi3]

Actually the school can not process a multi entry visa - they can provide the paperwork for a one year extension of stay and if travel is planned the person can obtain re-entry permit(s) to allow that. It however is not a visa.

[DerekAbroad]

You can not legally work on a tourist visa (and it seems you are and plan to continue). Get that non immigrant B visa and work permit. Do not believe change is available to school teachers (you have an easy path to obtain B visa from external Consulate without even a work permit application receipt being required).

I know I cannot legally work on a tourist visa. Planning on continuing..? Working? Yes. Illegally? No. I believe it is clear that I want the proper visa, hence my questions.

I thought the work permit application and any resulting receipts cannot come before the visa.

I came to Thailand on a tourist visa to look for a job and found one quicker than I had planned. I just kind of fell into this position. I'm wanting to get the visa and permit ASAP to be legal, and that is what I plan on doing. ASAP isn't tomorrow, however, because the school said I have to wait a little longer for the paper work. They asked how long I want to wait to do the visa run. I replied as soon as possible. We'll see how long it takes.

[ubonjoe]

A work permit can be applied for with a tourist visa. After approval you go to get your visa using the receipt and approval letter for the work permit.