What is the process to change a non-O dependent visa to a tourist visa. I brought my parents on a non-O visa, but complications have made it seem that that was a wrong move and I'd rather have them on tourist visas here. Is it possible to do from within Thailand? Or does it require leaving the country? Thank you very much for your responses. Sorry if it has been asked before, I couldn't find anything with the search function.

Not sure why this is though to be such a good idea however................

Tourist visas can only be obtained outside Thailand so leaving the country is unavoidable .

Thanks for the input!

Basically the company that sponsored my non-b visa, the one that is applying for my work permit, is telling me that they will charge me 1400 USD per person (2800 total) for my parents' dependent status. They sprung this up on me, and I still dont know if they already charged me this, or will charge me this if I want to extend their non-o status after the 90 days, or even what portion of the 2800 USD is already incurred by them getting a non-o visa to enter the country, and what will be incurred if they file for the extension. They plan to leave after 90 days anyways (we have been here 2 weeks) but if every day that is here is increasing that amount, then I would rather they leave the country and come back on a hassle free tourist visa that they can stay with for 3 months like they originally planned, without this $2800! fee.

My company in the US (which contracts the Thai company for my work permit) is also advising me that I should get my parents on a tourist visa if I dont want to incur that $2800 fee.

Thats pretty much the situation.

This is all total nonsense.

But you are perhaps correct in seeking tourist visas for the parents if they are only intending to stay for a limited time

You may also wish to question what kind of "company" you are are contracting with ........................................

Your parents already have the correct visa and can stay for 90 days. There are no costs involved regarding this for the company.

When applying for an extension for them there are again no costs involved for this from the company.

Yes, I suspect this. Also, I learnt that a work permit costs around 3000 ThB for a company to apply for, another 100 THb in form fees. So, I dont imagine a dependent visa costs much more for a company.

It is pretty ridiculous that they want to charge me 2800 USD for 2 people.

Your employer has zero involvement with your parents' application for an extension of stay under clause 2.20(5) of Police Order 327/2557. The employer does not have to provide any documents or sign anything. It is your parents who make the application, and you will have to accompany them to the immigration office (proof that you are in Thailand at the time of the application). On the form TM.7, "Reason(s) for extension: clause 2.20(5), stay with my son". Note that your parents must be at least 50 years old.

With their applications, your parents will have to submit copies of some pages of your passport, signed by you, for example the ID page and the pages with your visa, your current extension of stay, your latest arrival stamp. Check with the immigration office where the application will be made what exactly they require.

Thank you for your replies.

My work (US) is still advising me to get tourist visas for my parents, since they find it hard to negotiate with the Thai company it seems. Since my parents are old, I have to take them myself out of the country, cant let them go by themselves. If Im going, my wife will come as well. All this is adding at least 1200 dollars to my budget, for no fault of my own and what seems to be the Thai partners greed. I will consult a lawyer, no way am I paying the 2800, and also if my parents can stay for the initial 90 days, they plan to leave after that anyways.

As said, your parents can stay for the initial 90 days.

I understand that they can stay for the 90 days. The issue is the Thai company claiming that if they do, I owe them $2800. Any suggestions on how I can not incur this cost? Its my word against the Thai companies basically, and if I lawyer up, that adds to my costs as well.

Simply do not pay. If they have a problem with that tell them that they can take you to court.

They are the ones that pay my monthly salary, work permit is through them, etc. Basically they can make my life difficult if they want. I can tell them I wont pay, but they might cut it from my salary, and then I have to take them to court.

They are the ones that pay my monthly salary, work permit is through them, etc. Basically they can make my life difficult if they want. I can tell them I wont pay, but they might cut it from my salary, and then I have to take them to court.

If the employer attempts to illegally remove cash from your agreed , contracted salary all you have to do is make a complaint to the local labour office who will be very supportive of you and if necessary (unlikely) they will prosecute the employer .

Have you given any consideration to whether a future with this company is a viable option?

Thank you for your replies.

My work (US) is still advising me to get tourist visas for my parents, since they find it hard to negotiate with the Thai company it seems. Since my parents are old, I have to take them myself out of the country, cant let them go by themselves. If Im going, my wife will come as well. All this is adding at least 1200 dollars to my budget, for no fault of my own and what seems to be the Thai partners greed. I will consult a lawyer, no way am I paying the 2800, and also if my parents can stay for the initial 90 days, they plan to leave after that anyways.

Both the Thai company listed as your employer in your work permit and the US company on whose behest the Thai company arranged your work permit are in no way whatsoever involved in your parents' applications for the retirement extension. These two companies do not even need to know that your parents are in Thailand.

Suggestion: Go to the immigration office with your passport and get their confirmation of what your parents will have to submit with their applications.

The Thai company is now saying that since my work permit is accepted today by immigration authorities, now they are legally responsible as sponsors for my parents, and as such I owe them 2800 USD. Is there any basis for this? I have gotten info about how this is not, but is there any opinions for why this could be valid, and that they are within their legal right to charge me this fee? My US work certainly thinks so, and is pressuring me to pay or change their status.

Absolute rubbish.

Your parents Immigration status is nothing to do with them.

Your employer is not legally responsible for your parents during their stay in Thailand. They don't even need to know they are in Thailand. You're mistake was to talk to them about it, and I cannot understand why you continue talking to them. Go to the immigration office with your parents and get the extensions for them.

If you owe your employer anything, it is to compensate them for their time you wasted getting them involved in this discussion and arguing with them uselessly.

If you are scared of talking to immigration officers, perhaps because your company always handled you own extensions, hire the services of one of the law firms advertising on this forum. For a fee of a few thousand Baht plus travelling expenses, VAT and immigration fees such firm will do the phoning and running around and you will only have to join them at immigration, with your parents, for the submission of the applications.

Tell the lawyer to read this topic so that he has a clear picture of what his job will be, and make it crystal clear to him that he should not make the mistake of talking to anybody in your company about it.

Your employer is not legally responsible for your parents during their stay in Thailand. They don't even need to know they are in Thailand. You're mistake was to talk to them about it, and I cannot understand why you continue talking to them. Go to the immigration office with your parents and get the extensions for them.

If you owe your employer anything, it is to compensate them for their time you wasted getting them involved in this discussion and arguing with them uselessly.

Thanks. I haven't been talking to the Thai partners, my work is. I have been telling my work what I have found.

I actually went to immigration and talked to the immigration police myself, and they have confirmed what I have been finding out from this forum and talking to a few different lawyers . Thanks for the input.