Topic: Changing from Tourist to Non-Immi B Visa

[pauleddy]

Teachers getting jobs and changing from Tourist Visa to NON_IMM do not necessarily need to go outside Thailand.

There is a form CHANGE OF VISA STATUS. This is done in Room 303 Immigration San Phlu.

The paperwork is considerable and the school or uni need to provide it. It may help if the school is well-known or a gvmt place.

I have just done this without going to Lao or KL etc. My Uni (one of the top 3)  was not even sure whether it could be done, and thought that I wd have to go to KL.

However, Rm 303 did want to speak to my boss, and also wanted quite a lot of stuff including letter from uni president.

I was inspired to try this following advice on ajarn.com. One or 2 people told me it could be done, altho' people in bars and falang ajarns have warned me that I wd have to run to KL. The consensus seems to be a run. Not true.

See Ajarn.com threads for more info or else pm me.

P Ed

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Thank you, pauleddy, for sharing that info.


I've just revised FAQ 2.3 of The Master Index Thailand

with credit to you and a hot-link back to this thread.


Don't worry; I left out your phone number. 

[Uncle Che]

I moved this into a thread of its own, it is far too important to hide in the bottom of an Assumption College thread. I have heard that this was possible, but this is the first time I have heard of it being done. It sure does save a lot of hassles.

[pauleddy]

Fine!

Interested parties should search recent threads on ajarn.com also.

Let me know if I can help.

PEd

[iluvsiam]

I can confirm this, didn't quite believe it myself but one teacher from our school just got it done this week, whilst applying for his work permit.

Make sure you've got all your paperwork in order as he has had to return 3 times due to a form being missing or needing 2 originals of health certificate or some other reason...

On top of that get a thai teacher to go with you to translate, this poor bugger went alone (no teacher was offered)

[kenkannif]

I've got a link as to what is needed if you want it

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

^ I want it.   

[MrQ]

Yes


BUT you must go 21 days before your visa expires


and believe this or not. Two of our teachers actually did a Poipet border cross ame back in on a 30 day stamp and were allowed to get it changed. I thought this wasn't possible but immigration said ok.

[kenkannif]

I don't think the 21 days rule applies to a proper tourist?....Don't you have to do it during the first 60 days??? At the end of the day though....kind of up to Imm!

Kent for you mate:

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/base.php?page=service#

That'll be 5 Baht please

[MrQ]

21 days for both types.

Only doable in BKK as well.

If you ever want a nice day out though go to Sri Cha immigartion in CHonburi.

Free coffee good service by the sea

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Thank you for the link, kenkannif.

5 Baht is way too cheap.   

[traveler]

But is it worth going through all the paperwork for it? or just going on the visa run?

In other words, what is a bigger hassle, going through the paperwork and staying in LOS or going on the visa run?

Since you have experience in both (I am assuming), What are your thoughts on this Paul Eddy? (by the way, not including the money factor)

[Uncle Che]

The Penang consulate is randomly kicking back visas with the admonishment that the person should change their tourist visa to non-immi at their local immigration office. 

[RobRoy]

Went to the BKK immi office last week to get my new wife a Non-o visa .... spent 300 baht for a taxi getting to immi only to have the receptionist look at her Philippine passport and tell us that she has less than 21 days, so she can't apply.  300 baht for 2 minutes of pleasure! A case of the little things we learn for only 600 baht..round way..and while its off thread, I'm going to publish the guide to a American marrying a Philipina in Thailand...truely a comic tale of bribes, greed, money and absolute patience in Thailand.

[RobRoy]

On our (my wife and I) trip to room 303 we made it to the info desk there only to find out we didn't have the required documents to change from a tourist to a non-o.  Got all the paperwork done, within the 21 day period, only to have a heart attack (no kidding) the night before going to immi.  Needless to say we missed the 21 day window yet again, but I thought I would get the requirements to change from a tourist to a non-o (To fulfill the duty of responsiblity as an immediate member of a foreign family in Thailand)

1.         - Application of Visa Status Alteration (TM 86)
            - Application for visa

2.         - Copy of passport

3.         - 4 x 6 cm photo

4.         - Application fee of 2000 baht

5.         - Passport and work permit

6.         - Certified copy of registration papers of the educational institution.

7.         - Certified copy of the license of the school or university

(6 and 7 are not required if you are working at a government school)

8.        - Certified letter from the school that you are working there

9.        - Documents proving the relationship between the family members (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.) .  If these are not from Thailand, they need to be translated into Thai and certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

10.     - List of personal income tax of the Thai employee (for Thai's)

11.     - List of personal income tax for alien employee (form 91) for the last year.


Hope this provides some useful info.