Converting Retirement To B-Visa?

[ivowatson]

My friend has come into Thailand on a retirement visa and is now offered a job.

Does he has to leave thailand in order to get a B-visa or can he change visas in Thailand? Would this be possible in Phuket or in Bangkok?

His visa ends beginning of May but I guess an extension is possible.

Thanks for your help.

[ubonjoe]

There is only one retirement visa and that is a OA visa which gives one year entries.

Your friend apparently has a non immigrant O visa based upon him being over 50.

He could find a job and apply for work permit. Whether or not he will be get work permit and extension of stay will depend upon the labor and immigration offices where he applies.

By the rules only a non immigrant visa is needed. But some offices will not do it on a

non-o visa unless married to a Thai lady.

[Mario2008]

Per above, start with the work permit. If the labour office gives the work permit immirgaiton will extend based on work. If the labour office will not issue, he should still apply at the labour office and get a wp3 form, so he can apply abroad for a non-B visa.

[ivowatson]

Thanks for the advice, both of you. You're wright, it's a non-O visa based on 'retirement'.

I'm afraid he doesn't have enough time. Can he get a 60 days extension on this visa?

[lopburi3]

No - 60 day extensions are to visit Thai family not for retirement.

[PoorSucker]

Thanks for the advice, both of you. You're wright, it's a non-O visa based on 'retirement'.

I'm afraid he doesn't have enough time. Can he get a 60 days extension on this visa?

Only if he's married to a Thai or have Thai children.

[ubonjoe]

Not unless he is married to a Thai or has a child. The most he could get would be 7 days.

He could make a trip to any nearby embassy or consulate and another non-o.

[ivowatson]

Thank you all!