Questioner: John
I have now received an extension twice on the basis of a non-immigrant OA visa. The latter expires at the end of June.
What I would like to know what steps should I take to convert the OA to an O variant (in connection with the health insurance requirement).
Which documents are required?
Reaction RonnyLatYa
1. Perhaps you should first check with your immigration office whether health insurance is necessary in your case. If you haven't already, of course. There is a chance that they will judge that you do not meet those conditions because your visa was obtained before October 31, 19. Apparently there are immigration offices that apply such rules. Worth asking I think.
2. Normally you cannot switch from a Non-immigrant OA to Non-immigrant O through your immigration office. You will first have to leave and re-enter Thailand. When you leave Thailand, your current period of stay will expire. It goes without saying that you do not have to apply for a “Re-entry” in that case.
3. Then there are some possibilities:
– You can apply for a “Non-immigrant O Single entry” at an embassy/consulate. Upon arrival you will initially receive a stay period of 90 days. You can then extend those 90 days as you did before.
– You can apply for a “Tourist visa Single entry” at an embassy/consulate. Upon arrival you will receive a residence period of 60 days. You can then request a conversion from “Tourist” to “Non-immigrant” via immigration. NB. When applying, make sure that there are at least 2 to 3 weeks (depending on your immigration office) of stay left. After all, that conversion does not happen immediately. That's why those 2 or 3 weeks. So that takes a while. The conversion fee is 2000 Baht. Price of an ordinary “Non-immigrant O Single entry” visa. The conditions and proofs required to obtain this conversion are approximately the same as for an annual extension. Only then the money does not have to be in the account for 2 or 3 months. But you can sometimes ask to prove whether the money comes from abroad. Depends on the rules of the game that your immigration office applies. That is why it is best to ask for information in advance about what exactly you need to submit and prove. If your application is granted, you will first receive 90 days of residence. Just as if you would have entered with a “Non-immigrant O” visa. You can then extend those 90 days later in the usual way.
– You can also enter on the basis of “Visa Exemption”. You will then have a residence period of 30 days. You can also request a conversion to “Non-immigrant” here. The procedure is similar to an entry with a “Tourist visa” that I described above. After all, a “Visa Exemption” is also a “Tourist” status. Again, make sure that a residence period of 2 or 3 weeks remains with the application. You can of course always ask for an extension of 30 days if those 30 days are a bit tight. Gives you a little more time to arrange everything, although it may not be necessary in your case since you already stayed here.
Succes
Regards,
RonnyLatYa